Sunday 06 July 2008
06/02/2008 / UNITED STATES
Okay, well, it hit our household. A few
minutes ago my wife got a call on her cell phone, return #
"Restricted." The woman who'd called her identified herself as being
from some generic-sounding outfit like "American Polls" (my wife
can't vouch for the exact name of the organization). And here, to the best of
her recollection is how the rest of the conversation went...
It would have to be proven
to me beyond a doubt that her [Hillary Clinton] campaign was behind it
[the above phone call] when there have been so many false push polls and
sliming statements about both Obama and Clinton that have been traced to the
RNC, etc., groupies.
I don't know why you
consider it so implausible that Clinton's
campaign would engage in push-polling like this. Lots of other campaigns do. Hell, I'd hardly be
surprised in Obama was engaged in push-polling. A little disappointed, maybe.
But hardly shocked. This is a sleazy business."
Who is McCain?
While the democrats are seeing a close race run between Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama, the Republican voters seem to be creating a favourite out of John McCain. It's not sure if tonight will make any difference, but few analysts doubt his victory. Who is McCain? What's his agenda? His most recent campaign video lasts only 30 seconds. McCain: ‘the real conservative'. It there are only four things you take from him, they must be:
- That he was a prisoner of war in Vietnam (the video begins with this);
- that he's a ‘soldier' of the revolution launched by Ronald Reagan;
- That he wants to fight against over-spending and tax rises;
- That he wants to keep the current regime in Iraq because ‘it works'.
And if there were only one of his qualities to remember, then it would be the one that the clip concludes with: ‘McCain is ready to be the commander in chief from the first day'."
In Virginia, McCain and Huckabee seem to hold a common cause against Romney
The word on the web is that Mike Huckabee, winner in Virginia, owes his victory largely to the support of John McCain. Distanced from Mitt Romney in the first round, the two candidates hold a common cause, and McCain has asked a good number of his representatives to stand down in favour of the former Arkansas governor. The information was given by the blogger Marc Ambinder and confirmed by Fox News. It could add weight to the story that a McCain - Huckabee ticket is in preparation.
Illegal phone campaigning in run up to Super Tuesday
In the run up to Super Tuesday accounts of ‘push polling' have escalated. Bloggers recount receiving a phone call from somebody who claims to be conducting telephone polls, but then goes on to direct the conversation in a negative direction against one of the presidential candidates. The tactic has caused not only outrage but also controversy, as bloggers argue over whether the pollsters are really campaign staff or people working on their own accord.
Since publishing this account online yesterday the post has received 443 comments:
Okay, well, it hit our household. A few
minutes ago my wife got a call on her cell phone, return #
"Restricted." The woman who'd called her identified herself as being
from some generic-sounding outfit like "American Polls" (my wife
can't vouch for the exact name of the organization). And here, to the best of
her recollection is how the rest of the conversation went...
Pollster: Hi, I'm with American Polls and as I'm sure you know, tomorrow is Super Tuesday
Mrs. Reviser: Yes.
Pollster: Are you planning on voting?
Mrs. Reviser: Yes.
Pollster: Who are you voting for?
Mrs. Reviser: Barack Obama.
Pollster: Do you know his religious status?
Mrs. Reviser: [Noncommital answer, doesn't remember what she said.]
Pollster: Are you aware of whether or not Barack Obama is a Muslim?
Mrs. Reviser: [Startled laughter.] No, he isn't. I can't believe you just asked me that. Etc.
Pollster: Some irrelevant question about Obama's Senate background."
Posted by ‘Reviser' on Daily Kos, 4 February 2008
It would have to be proven
to me beyond a doubt that her [Hillary Clinton] campaign was behind it
[the above phone call] when there have been so many false push polls and
sliming statements about both Obama and Clinton that have been traced to the
RNC, etc., groupies.
Please let's not make too many assumptions before we have the facts. That phone call was despicable in its own right, a lie and -- what many people seem to miss -- completely irrelevant."
Comment from ‘bleeding heart' 4 February 2008
I don't know why you
consider it so implausible that Clinton's
campaign would engage in push-polling like this. Lots of other campaigns do. Hell, I'd hardly be
surprised in Obama was engaged in push-polling. A little disappointed, maybe.
But hardly shocked. This is a sleazy business."
Comment from Christopher Day, 4 February 2008
Reply
Sign up via 
Most popular
Shows
