Noun, Singular-- push poll
1. a campaign technique in which a fake poll is used to alter the views of respondents. Push polls are generally viewed as form of negative campaigning. The term is also sometimes used incorrectly to refer to actual polls which test political messages, some of which may be negative.
In other words, a deceptive way to spread rumors, lies, and conjecture, without getting dirt on your hands or having to say that the Donna Keel campaign has paid money for a negative campaign tactic.
Austin has been a buzz today with rumors that Donna Keel has been push polling House District 47 voters. Valinda Bolton's campaign manager was quick to respond.
I believe in running a tough, hard hitting campaign. But, I draw the line at calling voters under the guise of legitimate polling and planting lies about our opponent. Reports are coming in that a push poll against Valinda was running last night.
For those unfamiliar with a push poll, it's when you receive a call from a "pollster" and the "questions" they ask have false or misleading information about a candidate embedded within the question. These polls are designed to shape public opinion and are tactics straight out of Karl Rove's playbook.
If the reports are true, we must be ready to defend Valinda against the next attack. Please make a generous donation today.
The story has some legs. According to a site, McCarthyAustin.com, the writer actually received the call. The call had only nice things to say about Keel and negative, false things to say about incumbent Valinda Bolton.
This shows the stark difference between the two candidates.
In Valinda's 2006 campaign she spoke of her readiness to tackle tough issues, build bridges, and find solutions that work for all of us. Since her election, Valinda has reached across the aisle and built a broad coalition that stands ready to tackle the REAL issues facing Texas families. She's worked to strengthen our public schools, resolve our traffic nightmares, reduce our property tax burden, and negotiate affordable healthcare for our families and small businesses. Please donate now and send Valinda back for a second term.
The Austin Chronicle summed up Valinda's opponent, Donna Keel, by saying,
"If that last name sounds a little familiar, it should. She's the wife of Thornton Keel, who is brother to Terry Keel, who is Tom Craddick's parliamentarian and the former incumbent of District 47. So, to recap, the sister-in-law of one of the chief consiglieres to the massively unpopular speaker is trying to knock down the winner of the prestigious, Legislative Study Group's Freshman of the Year award."
Please make a donation to help combat these Tom Craddick, Karl Rove, Tom DeLay campaign tactics. |
