GW University Poll on Koch Brothers in Politics: Shocking Number Have Unfavourable View

[Fred Sanders]

Last edited Thu Apr 3, 2014, 11:39 PM - Edit history (3)

A new George Washington University poll finds that of the 48% of people of have heard of the Koch Brothers, the now infamous Billionaires trying to purchase politicians like one buys groceries, almost half have a strongly unfavourable view of the billionaires who now are set to benefit even more from campaign spending rules and limits shred to pieces by America's top court, without allowing time for Congress to prepare a substitute.

20% of the total polled had a Strong Unfavourable opinion of the formerly secretive couple.

Another 5% have a somewhat strong negative view.

"Voters know that there are these very wealthy, out-of-state special interests who are gaming the system, trying to buy Congress," said Justin Barasky, a spokesman for the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee. "They all understand the quid-pro-quo argument."

In total 1 in 4 of the voters surveyed in the GWU-Battleground poll hold an unfavorable view of the Kochs, more than 50% who have heard of them, a number Barasky described as "shockingly high." Meanwhile, just 13 percent of respondents said they view them favorably.

The numbers are shocking because the strongly disapprove numbers are extremely high for political figures who are relatively unknown compared to other political fixtures.

On page 3:


https://mediarelations.gwu.edu/sites/mediarelations.gwu.edu/files/downloads/Questionnaire%2003.25.2014.pdf

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The recent thrusting of the Koch Brothers name into the national media limelight has been a determined theme of Senate majority leader Harry Reid and now being embraced more by other Democratic Party leaders and candidates as a clear and consistent talking point they can use to focus attention on the growing concern among Americans, as evidenced in this poll, of the undue influence and corrupting effect of massive amounts of both disclosed and undisclosed money pouring into ad purchases swamping the airwaves even in an off election year, 2013 and now continuing unabated into 2014.

The insightful poll was taken at the same time that the Koch Brothers, in an opinion piece published by the Wall Street Journal, owned by the equally infamous billionaire medial mogul owner of Fox News, Rupert Murdoch, revealed their love of Ayn Rand economic theories and unrestricted fascism, even as top Republican Presidential hopefuls were seen dutifully trekking to Sin City to promote family values and beg for money from another billionaire competing in the same political meat market purposely unleashed by the top court.

Senator Reid today responded with delight to the WSJ screed with more attacks on the increasingly well known and increasingly hapless duo who now must face increasing public awareness of not only who they are, but also why they do what they do to buy politicians.

Senator Reid was pleased to respond to the WSJ screed by thanking the publication for the extra publicity and for revealing the evil underpinnings of fascism that the Koch's advocate for America, Ukraine and other countries throughout the world.

"Reid discussed Koch's editorial at a press conference on raising the minimum wage Thursday afternoon. He said the op-ed made it clear he is "getting under their skin." Reid also relished in announcing Sen. Jerry Moran, a Republican from Kansas, had just read the entirety of the op-ed on the Senate floor.

"I’ve helped make them a little more infamous or famous, and I’m glad I’ve done that," Reid said.

Reid launched his offensive against the Koch brothers about a month ago. In a conversation with Business Insider and other reporters last month, Reid said one of the main goals of his anti-Koch campaign was getting Republicans to publicly defend the Koch brothers and their company."


Read more:

http://www.businessinsider.com/harry-reid-charles-koch-brothers-wsj-op-ed-2014-4

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Go get 'em, Harry, and grow a backbone the rest of you.

[WillyT]

1. K & R !!!

[calimary]

2. K&R from me, too!

Let's brand them as the Root of All Evil, the WORST of America.

[Nye Bevan]

3. Arrest them, and either execute or imprison them.

And no need to bother with a trial.

[Rex]

5. Better idea

Make them go broke...not a dollar to their name. Summary execution is barbaric. Poor is far more civil and long lasting.

[Brigid]

6. "The best way you hurt rich people . . .

is by turning them into poor people.". -- Billy Ray Valentine

[Rex]

7. I believe it is the only thing left that truly hurts Kockroaches.

Since they are dead inside, nothing much can hurt them imo. Taking away their money is like destroying their identity, they would be confused, destitute and roaming the streets within days.

[calimary]

11. Nationalize their industries, maybe?

After all we're still a nation at war, aren't we? Aren't we still dealing with crisis situations? And how about the economy? Still many people, especially those yammerers on that side of the aisle - say we're still in crisis there. So, let's take them at their word. Nationalize the koch industries. They deal in natural resources - that supposedly belong to We the People, don't they?

Their money is what's most important to them, so perhaps we need to hurt them there?

I just do not see the logic or the ethics or the morality in this VAST hard-on among the other side - to help those who don't need help. WHY are we so focused on needing to give aid and comfort to the already VERY comfortable? What more comfort do they need? Where's all the discomfort when you're sitting on - indeed, HOARDING hundreds of millions or, in the koch brothers and adelman's case - BILLIONS of dollars? WHAT discomfort? Seems to me that much money ought to be able to buy you all kinds of the finest comfort on the planet - or else you're just not managing it correctly.

[Rex]

13. I say if we ever need another TARP bailout, to tap their reserves first.

Make the .1% pay for it this time! The normal taxpayer is broke. Makes those that never pay taxes fork up the money! No doubt if Obama nationalized the Kockroaches, the RWing in this country would totally lose their collective minds. They would riot in the streets.

[HughBeaumont]

12. Or maybe we can just keep giving all of the largesse and wealth to them, and see how that pans out.

[blackspade]

4. Rec!

[lobodons]

8. French Revolution Part 2

We are in the midst of a French Revolution Part 2 in real time. Let them eat cake.

[Zen Democrat]

9. I buy Cottonelle or Charmin toilet paper because I don't want to wipe my ass with a Koch product.

No more paper products made by Georgia-Pacific of ANY kind.

[freshwest]

10. Beware the anger of a patient man. Not a volcano, someone who knows all the facts. Thanks, Harry!