Letter: Don’t automatically assume that misleading polls are from Republicans
July 17, 2008
To the Editor:
I’m writing in response to the letter written by Ann Fugate in the July 10 Athens NEWS. Ms. Fugate complained about a phone call she received from a research company alleging to be surveying community attitudes about candidates in the upcoming election. She explained that while initially the survey inquired about various federal and state candidates, the questions ended up being about the 92nd House District race between Jill Thompson and Debbie Phillips. Ms. Fugate’s conclusion was that because only one candidate was portrayed in a negative manner, the poll was “pure sleaze” and must have been commissioned by Republicans.
I was also polled recently, and after reading Ms. Fugate’s letter, I’m convinced it was the same poll. It also began with queries about general issues of importance to families and communities, shifted to views about the presidential race and ended up with the 92nd House District race between Thompson and Phillips. Many questions were based on negative “facts” about both candidates and were worded in a way that made it difficult to answer in a positive manner for either candidate.
However, the premises of questions about Jill Thompson were blatantly false. I recalled Democrats used these same tired distortions of Thompson’s record in their failed 2006 campaign against her. I then concluded the “push poll” must have been commissioned by the Democratic Party.
I understand polling is an important part of gauging voter interest. I also understand each campaign will work diligently to win votes over the next several months, but I also know someone commissioned this polarizing survey. Jill Thompson confirms she and her campaign had nothing to do with it. Perhaps Ms. Fugate should ask her own candidate who commissioned this “sleaze.”
Shawn Morris
Athens
Comments
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jackscrow commented, on July 17, 2008 at 8:57 a.m.:
Both sides use sleezy "push polls". However, I looked it up: the company she mentioned is based in Texas and works almost exclusively for 'pub candidates.
That said, I believe Ms. Thompson is by far the better candidate in this race.
