Just got my first telephone push poll from the Blackwell campaign

[geiger]

They're working hard this weekend.

Also, local R operatives tell me that since MoveOn.org has set a goal of 100,000 calls in Ohio this weekend, theirs is 104,000 (that's personal calls, in addition to push polls).

Answer your phone this weekend. Give the R's a piece of your mind.

[MannyGoldstein]

1. What Were They Pushing? nt

[Kolesar]

2. "Push poll" means that they ask a "loaded" question

The caller will ask a question with a message hidden in it. The purpose is to circulate a negative message about the opposition candidate. For example, the Cafaro campaign had an automated push-poll question that was "would you vote for Steven Latourette even if you knew he started having sex with another woman and deserted his wife"*

*minor embellishment. I did get that call, though.

[MannyGoldstein]

3. Yes. But What Were They Pushing?

i.e., what was the "hidden message"?

[geiger]

4. there were lots of messages...

like, for example, and this actually was in two questions:

does the fact that Blackwell is calling for a full investigation of the Bureeau of Workers Comp scandal and Strickland is not because one of his contributors is on the Board of Trustees make you more likely to vote for Blackwell, less likely for Strickland.

There were so many questions, "pushed" so fast, that I answered yes to "are you pro-life." Which is sort of interesting. In theory, we are all pro-life, even if we are pro-choice, so it gives you an idea what they're up to.

When you answer the phone this weekend, take a pen and paper and see how many of the questions you can write down.

Make some calls for Democrats, too!

Sorry, hitting the road again. I'll try to recall the rest tomorrow.

[geiger]

5. Guess what they did?

They started it out with a DeWine/Brown question.

You know what that means.... on a couple of levels. YeeHaw again.

[violetandblue]

11. *

"They started it out with a DeWine/Brown question.

You know what that means.... on a couple of levels. YeeHaw again."

Well, I hope it means they're totally giving up on Blackwell. :-)

I've not been getting any calls, but that's probably because my number is unlisted. I'm also a registered Dem. I did get a recorded call from the Flannery campaign some time ago, but that's it. I'd like to give the Reps a piece of my mind! I've also never been polled (by the type of polls they show in the newspaper) - I wonder who gets called for those?

[geiger]

12. You could probably read just about anything you wanted into it, but

I think it means that they're trying to send the message that the Senate race will be the primary factor affecting the rest of the ticket (pay no attention to the man behind the curtain). I will never under-estimate Blackwell, though. He'll do anything to try and get elected. I also think the poll is a signal attempt to pair himself with DeWine who is known to be a basically honest fellow, away from the corrupt statewide office holders that are Republicans. It takes attention away from the fact he (Blackwell) is indeed Secretary of State (how many people know what that job is anyways, I'm sure he's wishfully thinking) and it helps to pull attention away from the fact that he holds stock, espouses beliefs, that are in direct conflict with the duties of his position and the very real way he has made money and risen to power. There was also gay baiting in this survey; it just went on and on, you probably get the idea.

I didn't get called for one of these surveys until several years ago when Armbruster (R) ran the dirtiest campaign in state history against Ron Nabakowski, former State Rep and then Lottery Director. I was thinking, "it's about time someone call me for my opinion." But there was also a real live person on the other end, and there was time to really think about your answers, and, at the end especially, to give them a piece of your mind.

If you look at current survey samples, especially the local ones, like the PD, the sample size is really small, and, in a lot of cases, smaller than they need to be to be truly deemed "scientific." The chances of being called are slim indeed, even if they are push polls. This was sort of a push poll, sort of a campaign commercial.

You can sign up at Zogby's website, I know, if you want to participate in their online surveys.

[Deep13]

6. I didn't get to use my prepared answer in '04, so maybe this time.

Q: Will you vote for Brown even if he raises your taxes?

A: I'll vote for Brown even if he burns my house down.

[geiger]

7. Bold and insidious....

the questions are just like that there one you wrote; too bad respondents can only answer yes or no, yes?

[Deep13]

8. You can answer however you want.

It's not your fault if the truth does not fit into their narrowly defined options.

[geiger]

9. This was an automated poll which is another reason I found it annoying,

but maybe I should have tried to give longer answers anyway.... You're right.

[Deep13]

10. Goddammit. I'm not talking to a damn robot if they call!

x(

[Kukesa]

13. Terrific answer! nt