Question

How do presidents test public opinion before announcing new policies?

Answer 1

Conducting opinion polls is one way for a president to gauge public opinion prior to announcing a new policy.

Another method would be a focus group.

Answer 2

Answer:

They test public opinion by identifying common terms, concepts and beliefs that would be related to their policies.

Explanation:

"Although they rejected the charge of pandering, [...] most politicians tend to respond to public opinion in cynical ways; most of them, for example, use public opinion research not to establish their policies but only to identify slogans and symbols that will make predetermined policies more appealing to their constituents. According to Jacobs and Shapiro, most public opinion research is used to manipulate the public rather than to act on its wishes."

Reference: Encyclopædia Britannica, inc. “Public Opinion and Government.” Encyclopædia Britannica, Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., 2019