how might Hoover's past have shaped his views of a [rugged] American individualism?

polling is a process and the outcome is not involved in the process itself.

the outcome, which is an unfavorable rating for a particular candidate is not affected by the mechanical process of polling.

it rather depends on the number of people voting in favor of the candidate.

this is an outcome of people's preferences.

which time period is this? or is this story fictional, i'm going to need more info to answer this question