What possible advantage can Rep. Steve Cohen obtain from asking his constituents to fill out this ridiculous issues poll?

The survey forces participants to choose between a series of biased options and false choices, nearly assuring that Cohen’s obviously pre-approved spin will come out ahead. What’s more, all eight questions are mandatory in order to participate, meaning that the few true choices available cannot be recorded without submitting several false ones, some of them obviously designed to identify and weed out conservative participants.

Of what real value is a survey that doesn’t offer true choices, nothing other than tricking voters into agreeing with your predetermined policies or making them look stupid?

For example, question one: “Which policy regarding U.S. involvement in Iraq do you support?”

• An immediate withdrawal.
• A one year time table for withdrawal with benchmarks.
• Stay the course until the President says the job is done.
• Not sure.

None of these come close to the mainstream conservative position on Iraq, and even the supposedly-neutral response “not sure” implies indecision or indifference rather than simple disagreement with the first three options.

Even a question on the 2nd Amendment, which Rep. Cohen apparently defends, is subtly weighted in favor of his position: “Do you support the right to bear arms?” How does he expect a gun control advocate to respond — No, I don’t support that right? Please.

Question four, on global warming, forces you into agreement with global alarmists who opt for immediate government action, agreement with global alarmists who think government action can wait a while, or total disagreement. Being concerned about climate change but preferring private solutions — that’s not an option.

If you have a reasonable, free market position on stem cells, forget it. Your only choices are increased government funding, current government funding or a ban on the research. Privately funded research — not an option.

Are you a pro-lifer? Unless you think abortion should be illegal in every circumstance, you’re out of options.

Cohen obviously has a position on all of these issues, but if he were genuinely seeking input, I would have expected something more comprehensive.