Just received a PUSH-POLL phone call for Sheriff Tommy (what civil rights?) Thomas (it's starting)

[Mugsy]

I just received a phone call asking me to take part in a "five minute election survey". It started innocuously enough, with who I prefer for President, am I a (D) or (R), a Liberal or Conservative, etc. But then I started being be asked if these "things about a candidate" would make me "more or less likely to vote for them". It didn't take long for me to figure out it was a Push Poll for Houston Sheriff Tommy Thomas (R - of course), who was in the news recently for a sheriff's department that was becoming notorious for civil rights abuses, with deputies attacking minorities that called for help.

The questions went thusly:
"Adrian Garcia, the Democrat, has only X# or years experience as a small businessman."

"Sheriff Tommy Thomas has 40 years experience in law enforcement and was an adviser on the creation of the Department of Homeland Security."

You know the drill. I told him it didn't matter on every question, I won't be voting for Thomas.

After about three or four of such questions, I told the man on the other end (almost certainly black based upon his speech)...

"You DO know that what you're doing is called Push Polling, right?"

"What's that?"

"Where you ask a series of slanted questions that talk down one candidate and talk up the other, influencing the voter and then asking the person how they'd vote."

He said, "I knew it seemed funny that so many of the questions seemed to favor one candidate over another."

"You know they did that against John McCain too in 2000."

"Against who? McCain?" he said, surprised, since I said I was a Democrat that wouldn't vote for McCain, so my seeming defense of him caught him off-guard.

"During the 2000 election, the Bush campaign in South Carolina (or was it Virgina?) called voters there and asked: If you knew John McCain had a black baby, would you be more likely or less likely to vote for him? They'd see pictures of him with his adopted black daughter and think McCain had a love-child with a black woman, voting against him."

"Well, I don't know. I just work here" he chuckled.

We finished the "questionnaire", even being asked if I "believed the stories on the news". The final question was a real Duezy:

"Do I think this poll was sponsored by people supporting the re-election of Tommy Thomas for Sheriff?"

"Of course!", I responded.

"I just figured out why they ask that!" said my pollster.

I think I gave him something to think about.

[merci_me]

1. That's bullcrap!!!

I didn't even know Adrian Garcia has any experience as a small businessman, but why try to compare any of that, with Tommy Thomas, when Adrian has impeccable credentials in law enforcement and will be a a great asset to the people of Harris County and we sorely need someone of Adrian's caliber.

Thank you for taking on the uninformed, paid telemarketer.

Join Adrian Garcia, for food and drink, at his official campaign headquarters opening this Saturday, from 1pm to 4pm at the Communications Workers of America headquarters. 1730 Jefferson.

And this from his bio at Garcia for Harris County Sheriff website.


"The Adrian Garcia Campaign for Harris County Sheriff
Adrian Garcia's career in public service began at the age of nineteen when he entered the Houston Police Academy. He became a patrol officer in 1980 and served with distinction, working hard everyday to keep the streets of Houston safe. In recognition, Mayor Bob Lanier appointed him to the position of HPD's Liaison to the Mayor's Anti-Gang Office in 1994. In 1999, Garcia was appointed Director of the Mayor's Anti-Gang Task Force.

Sworn into Houston's City Council in January 2004, Garcia became the fifth representative to the Houston City Council for District H, since its establishment. Since his election, Garcia has played a leading role in crafting innovative approaches to solving Houston's problems. In his first term, Mayor Bill White appointed Council Member Garcia to serve as Chair of the Public Safety and Homeland Security Committee."