First, let it be known WPA does not conduct IVR polling, which is the type of survey referenced in the following column. That understood, the point is “fair” is not a defined firm when it comes to measuring public opinion, particularly when it comes to political institutions. It does not meet the axiom of mutually exclusive, completely exhaustive (MECE) question design which is the structure behind a good survey question.
The job performance scale in WPA surveys uses “not so good” rather than “fair” or “only fair” as the third of the four categories. This does have the effect of elevating overall job performance ratings somewhat; however, extensive research on our part has shown that the alternative wording (fair or only fair) severely underestimates the level of satisfaction with an incumbents performance, as in the case in the referenced study (see Poltico article linked below), as a substantial proportion of those who say performance of congress in general (or their incumbent specifically) is “fair” remain willing to support them for re-election.
WPA CEO Chris Wilson wrote an article on this technique for Campaigns & Elections magazine back in 1998: Polling Jop Performance and Favorability
