When I saw that the despicable Chris LaCivita joined the Rigell campaign I knew it was going to be a sleazy contest. I think Scott is virtuous, and I am sorry to see him compromise his character for political office like this. This is a tragedy.

KC
Hampton

Virtuous, virtuous? I think you're seeing the true Scott Rigell coming out from behind them used cars.

I received a "poll" last week, and it was just as negative on Rigell as it was on Loyola and Mizusawa, if its the same "poll" you referencing it sounded to me more like something from a Democratic pollster.

What I don't understand is why you have a problem with a candidate calling out Nye to give back campaign cash from Charlie Rangel, clearly one of the most corrupt in Congress.

First point, good for Rigell in taking the lead on pushing Nye to give Rangel's tainted money to charity. Who on earth could oppose that?

Secondly, Rigell was also negatively "pushed" in this poll, which indicates to me that this wa s a benchmark poll and not a push poll. The definition you give for a push poll is accurate, but why would Rigell negatively push himself?

Thirdly, in what has been termed by nearly every political commentator from here to Alaska as the "most important election" in many years. Why on earth would you think polling wouldn't be a part of a political campaign-let alone the most important in modern political history? I don't get the outrage about political polling. It's done weekly on the national level for the President and Congress. I don't get the outrage.

Finally, how are you so sure it was Rigell? Could it have been Nye? The RNC? The DNC? Another 2nd District campaign? Or another focus group polling in a Blue Dog district? This knee jerk reaction to blame Rigell for anything and everything is somewhat tiresome. How anybody can seriously be incvolved in politicd and not understand that polling is a part of winning is beyond me. It is due diligence-just as you would send a contract to be reviewed by an attorney before signing a business deal-if you don't you'd better think twice. A political candidate, focus group, or party better do political polls. Of course this one appears to be of the benchmark variety due to the fact that negative questions were asked about Rigell. Regardlesss of this poll-the race in the 2nd will be very competitive. Get used to it people. November 2010 will be one of the hardest fought Federal elections in our lifetimes. There's no need to get worked up about a benchmark poll-unless you're pushing and/or slinging mud at a candidate yourself. Either way-I don't care about your motivations or that of the pollster-whoever it might be. What I care about is that whoever the GOP candidate is understands that they better gather as much useful information as possible to defeat Glenn Nye. If that means a benchmark poll in March-then do it. It's about winning in November.

I don't think that poll was actually by a candidate.

I got the same poll and I think it was more by a party - because it mentioned positives and negatives of all the candidates.

It asked more about Loyola, Rigell and Nye because those are the only three that can win.

Editor: Obviously, there are those that don't understand the push poll physiological and are oblivious in its the construction. In this specific case, it was to reference framed embellished negatives against the targets. In the case of the "push" favorite, the effort was to minimize two known negatives with six subsequent positive conservative issues. The push respondents were identified from the likely Republican voter list.

As for the Rangel issue, it was subsequent to a general RNC release and not an original Rigell campaign thought. It was however negative fodder that the Rigell campaign jumped on.

Spin it as you wish, but it is what is, mudslinging. It reveals a character as much as it impugns one. BTW, Nye did donate the money. But not to a food bank as recommended, but to the military. . . . . ouch!

The psychology of a push poll is just as you describe, but what about a benchmark poll?

A benchmark poll/survey is generally defined as: "The benchmark survey serves two purposes: 1) informing a communications strategy by defining where an audience stands on a particular topic, and 2) setting a marker on awareness of opinions that can be measured later. The original piece of research often helps to define a campaign’s message and targeting."

You claim that this is a "push poll" and not a "benchmark poll" so show us the questions and let us decide for ourselves. If you have them. I'm not trying to be arrogant or confrontational nor do I expect miracles from bloggers, but I hope this post isn't based purely on anectodal evidence.

As defined, a benchmark poll tries to gauge the relative position of all candidates and issues. At this point in the race it only makes sense that this was a benchmark poll conducted by somebody. You infer Scott Rigell, but offer nothing to back the assertion. It very well might be done by Scott-but once again: who cares? He should conduct a benchmark poll as should the other guys and Nye, which clearly throws into question the claim that it was Scott. It could have been anyone. This district is far too important for the campaigns and parties to not be gathering the vital information required to wage a winning campaign.

In conclusion, GOP candidates please take as many polls as required to defeat the Pelosi, Reid, Obama agenda. We need you to defeat Nye-not worry about offending people wih a poll question.

editor: Richard, "Who cares?" Clearly you care because you obviously are predisposed to supporting Rigell. I care because it is sleaze and purposefully and unfairly maligns candidates. This tactic may in fact result in voter backlash and ultimately benefit Nye. Rather than challenge my observations, and have Rigell refute the allegation.

Wally,
My first thought after reading your post is, 'whose campaign are you working on?' Scott Taylor's maybe? Can you post an audio of the poll? I've talked to two individuals that don't think it was from the Rigell campaign based on the content.

Why would you be upset at the press release aimed at Nye and the Rangel campaign funds? Maybe I was wrong and it's Nye's campaign that you are working on??

Do you have proof of where the poll originated? Your post just doesn't make sense other then just slinging mud of your own at Scott Rigell.



editor: Sorry, at this juncture I haven't decided on a candidate. After the removal of a Chuck Smith sticker from my car, it was briefly replaced with Golden sticker for a short period.

Put let me take this opportunity to formulate a typical push poll question for you:
Under the Obama and Democratic spending stimulus "cash for clunkers", Scott Rigell automobile dealership's benefited millions. Would that make you more likely or less likely to vote for Scott Rigel? Is that less likely or more less likely?

Glenn Nye donated the money to VetsHouse in Va Beach. Is that what you are calling the military? Homeless veterans? Hmm... calls into question the rest of your post.

Editor: Hmmm... are you a veteran? Maybe that will answer your question.

This push poll has Chris LaCivita written all over it. Anyone who has studied his tactics would know that.

Of course it puts something "negative" about Rigell in it. Textbook politics, turn any possible negative into a positive or negate them as quickly as possible. This isn't exactly making it positive, but its putting it out there in a way that will make it hard for any of the other candidates to attack Rigell on "Cash for Clunkers" like they have already at several debates.

OK. Let's keep it positive. Who are you backing for Congress, Wally? Yours truly Warner.

I got it, sorry about that. :)