Anatomy of A Push PollA number of TPM readers have written in with descriptions of the pro-Huckabee push polls done by Common Sense Issues, and we had a very good idea of how they went. But it helps to hear one. Luckily, one South Carolinian was able to record the latter half of the call, and Jeffrey Taylor, blogging at Reason, posted a link (wav).
We’ve transcribed the call below. Unfortunately, the man who recorded it missed the beginning, but here’s how that would have gone. A male voice says “this is a call from Election Research with a 45-second survey” (sometimes it’s from “Data Research” — they’re both names used by the calling firm, ccAdvertising). The voice then asks who you support. If you say Fred Thompson, you get a slew of reasons why Thompson is not half the man Mike Huckabee is. The transcription shows how that goes.
Now, there seems to be a specific question about state politicians at the end of each call that varies from state to state. In the example below, it’s about Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC). In the Nevada calls, voters who said they had a favorable view of Sen. Harry Reid (D-NV) were asked what they thought about Reid wanting to surrender in Iraq and hand over our freedoms to “Islamo-fascists.”
Again, we’d love to hear other recordings. So if you manage to get one, please email it in to tips(at)tpmmuckraker.com.
The transcription:
Q: …amnesty for illegal immigrants.
A: No.
Q: Does the fact that during his many years in the US Senate Fred Thompson did not make solving America’s illegal immigration problem a priority and by contrast Governor Huckabee has been endorsed by the founder of the Minutemen Citizens patrolling our border for Huckabee’s strong stand against illegal immigration make you more likely to trust Governor Huckabee on the issue of illegal immigration?
A: No.
Q: On the issue of taxes, do you want your taxes not raised and if possible cut?
A:Yes.
Q: Does the fact that former Senator Fred Thompson refuses to sign the No New Tax pledge – that is a written promise not to raise taxes as president – and that Governor Huckabee has signed the No New Taxes pledge not to raise taxes as president, supported the Bush tax cuts, and is proposing a Fair Tax Reform that eliminates the IRS altogether make you more likely to trust Governor Huckabee on the issue of tax relief?
A: No.
Q: Do you have a favorable opinion of Senator Lindsey Graham?
A: Yes.
Q: Are you male?
A: Yes.
Q: Are you 50 years of age or older?
A: No.
Q: Thank you for your time and views. Goodbye. This survey was paid for by Common Sense Issues and not authorized by or coordinated with any candidate or campaign committee 719 306 2543.
