From Stark
As the local political races heat up, we’re bound to hear charges and countercharges about political campaign techniques. One of the most difficult techniques for reporters to monitor is the campaign pitch delivered via telephone, often disguised as a “poll.”
It’s called push polling, and the goal is to target a group of independent or undecided voters with inflammatory leading questions: “Would you support Candidate A if you knew that he refuses to pledge allegiance to the flag?”
Rumors of push-polling are already surfacing in Whatcom County, and I’m hoping that our readers will be willing to share their experiences if they receive campaign pitches and poll requests on the phone. With your help, we can get a better idea what’s going on, and hold candidates accountable for dubious campaign techniques if there are any.
Everyone is invited to call or email me with this or other potentially newsworthy campaign matters: 715-2274, or john.stark@bellinghamherald.com
Oh, man, that makes me mad! Dirty, underhanded, slippery, dishonest…grrr.
Yes, I’ll most definitely let you know if and when I get a call.
…one data point: I usually hang up on these calls (a) as they are usually targeted right at dinner time and (b) find that the messages usually are not adding value to making an informed decision..
When someone calls, ask who they are calling on behalf of.
As a legal matter, they should tell you but, in fact, there are ways to avoid “respresenting” one candidate or another but at least it usually confuses the caller.
Two things are true, actually three if you count the fact push polling is a nasty practice…
For the most part, only one of the two major political parties or, someone being directly paid by one of the various local rich guy and gals involving themselves in a campaign can afford the expense. All three money bags (the two parties and local rich guys) can be expected to participate this year.
I used to just hang up but, in local races especially, I listen to the spiel and it is usually obvious where the caller is trying to lead you. If it is not obvious just look at who has been endorsed by the special interest folks or, in the case of the Dems, who require a 60 or so percent majority to endorse, look at who’s received more than half the votes.
No one who is independent has the money for that kind of thing. Party and special interest favorites do.
If you don’t like the call, consider voting for the independent, assuming he or she makes a good case for why you should make that choice… It’s work, you have to actually read but, aren’t good, new ideas and workable approaches to the challenges we face worth the effort?