ABC sneakily employs push poll against Dean

[buycitgo]

Howard Kurtz has revealed that some cheezy polling outfit has asked THIS question of voters exiting the NH primary polls:

"Regardless of how you voted today, do you think Howard Dean has the temperament to serve effectively as president?

from the article:
"The survey was drawn up by the National Election Pool, a consortium of ABC, NBC, CBS, CNN, Fox and the AP. I've asked a spokeswoman about the Dean question and will post the response as soon as I get it."

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/nation/columns/kurtzhoward/

here's ABC's defense (they were cited as providing the questions), from one Cathie Levine:

"We make considered judgments about what to ask in the exit poll. Dean's temperament has been much discussed throughout the campaign. He fell from a significant lead in New Hampshire. Did questions about his temperament after the Iowa speech contribute to that? The exit poll would be remiss if it didn't try to find out.

These are questions being asked after the voters have cast their ballots and therefore do not influence their decisions," she added.

in answer to the ludicrous response above:

The more pressure we can bring to bear, the better. I think that the average American will be outraged by this kind of thing. It's bad enough when campaigns push-poll (and that is what this is - the argument about it coming after the vote is bullshit - there are lots of primaries left, and the talking heads will be flogging this data to death through all of them), but when the networks start doing it....I wonder, is there any oversigh at all left on the networks? I'll have to look into that too - both the FEC and the FCC.

this has already been personally investigated by someone...not a journalist, of course.

here's what he's found out so far, on his own......his words, his permission:

Update on the National Election Pool post.....

I just called them and spoke to a Larry Rosin. I told Larry I am a free-lance journalist ( I don't think I lied - if Cal Thomas is a journalist, so am I - after all, I'm reporting it right here...)living in Brisbane, Australia, and I asked him about the poll.

He hemmed and hawed and put me on hold 2x, then passed me off to Liz Doyle. I went through the explanation again and she started sputtering too, and made a comment about my not having an Aussie accent. I told her I was an American, and that my I would be happy to give her my phone number if she wanted to call me back and verify that I was in Brissie. She then put me on hold and when she came back, she told me that Larry Rosin was the person I needed to speak with. I told her that was fine, as I'd just been speaking to him.

When Larry came back on the line, I read him the question and had him confirm that it was A: on one of the two polls, and B: that the wording was reported correctly in the Howard Kurtz column. He confirmed both.

I then asked him how they came up with that particular question, and if they had asked similar questions about any other candidate. By this stage, I was almost feeling sorry for him - his voice was shaking and he couldn't get two words out without tripping over them.

He explained that they didn't actually decide what questions to ask, they just do the polling. I asked who came up with the questions. He told me the "pool" does, and began explaining which networks were in the pool. I asked if he could tell me which network, and if possible, who at that network had submitted that question. He said he didn't know, but that the questions had all come through Kathy Levine of ABC in New York.

I asked if he could tell me how to contact her and he refused to give me that information. I asked him if he had received any other calls on this yet, and he sounded even more panicked. He said they hadn't and asked me how I got their information. I told him I googled "National Election Pool" and bingo - there they were. He then asked me if they should expect more calls and I told him I'd seen their information posted on at least one left-leaning forum.

Now I'm off to see if I can find out how to contact Kathy Levine, and then I think I'll call Larry back and ask a few questions about what, if any, criteria they use to decide what is acceptable for polling questions - are there any policies in place? Is there any question you'd refuse to ask? etc.

But what I really want is to get Kathy Levine (Not sure of the K - could be a C - I'll have to find out from her...) on the phone and find out who came up with this question, who authorized it, etc.

more coming

this is OUTRAGEOUS!

the networks are consciously affecting the electoral process here, pushing their own agenda.

anyone see Durbin discussing this VERY issue on the Senate floor moments ago? Dean's the one talking about the dangers of media concentration and big media has their KNIVES out.

doesn't matter, either, who the candidate is.....I don't support anybody, but ABB, baby. but YOUR candidate is next in line, as soon as he presents a threat to the powers that be

remember that

[WI_DEM]

1. not surprising

the media has their favorites and Dean is not one of them.

[lastknowngood]

2. follow the money and you find

who the media wants

[buycitgo]

3. exactly! but it's time to follow this person's example and do SOMEthing

like contact this Levine person

she's with ABC's Polling Unit

the Polling Unit (which rings directly into the desk of Cathie Levine - spelling confirmed) is 212-456-4934.
Cathie Levine is in New Hampshire but
her voice mail is available.
Her pager number is 888-478-3125.
Her email address is [e-mail].

contact them

contact the pollsters

Edison Media Research / Mitofsky International
34 West Main St.
Somerville, NJ 08876
[e-mail]
Phone: [phone]
http://www.exit-poll.net/pool.html

help expose this intrusion into the process!

doesn't anyone care? it's going to happen to YOUR beloved.

you can count on it

[Gin]

8. I emailed them both my thoughts on the matter...I knew the right wing

did NOT want Dean..no matter what they said up front...they say one thing and do another. I hope voters can see through this.

[ModerateMiddle]

4. That's not a push poll

it's a legitimate question, attempting to see how the issue of temperment has influenced folks' votes.

A push poll is one where you imply that someone has some horrible aspect in their history. This merely asks the question.

If ABC had asked "Did John Kerry's vote on the IWR influence your vote?" would you consider that to be a "push poll?"

[Cheswick2.0]

7. IT is a disgrace whatever you want to call it

Why do you think they are gathering this information? If Dean doesn't come in first today they will use this information to say that the reason he didn't is because people thought he was too angry. Fact is he is just blunt, he is not angry at all. The press is trying to crucify him and they will continue because he has threatened them with the change we have all been calling for.

I would hope that as a democrat or someone left of center, you would be as appalled by this as I am.

[ScreamingMeemie]

9. If a tactic like this was used against any of the candidates, I would

consider it too close to push polling for my taste. Why? Because it's being published for those who haven't yet voted yet to see. It's not fair to any of the candidates.

:hi:

[Freddie Stubbs]

5. This is not a push poll

A push poll is supposed to influence the vote of the person being polled. Exit polls of people who have already voted. This poll may be biased, but it is certainly not a push poll.

[buycitgo]

10. nice try, BUT it's still a push poll....parse it all you like

it may not have influence THAT primary, but it's designed to further weaken support for Dean.

you don't think the media will run with this data if it reflects poorly on Dean?

the major point is media's inserting themselves directly into the process

this wasn't done by oppo candidates....it was done by a MEDIA CONSORTIUM!

why are they doing this?

Levine's answer doesn't wash.

do you want them asking voters if they believe Kerry slept with Angela Davis?

None of the major candidates reflects my views, but I'll work my ass off for whoever catches the ring.

they'll be doing this to whomever gets a leg up.

they should be CALLED on this anti-democratic (SMALL D) behavior

[TexasPatriot]

14. it'll be an interesting answer

their take is 'its a scream question'... and since the scream was probably the biggest news story coming out of iowa (dwarfing Dean's poor performance there), i think it would be interesting to know how people who actually vote feel about this issue.

hell - Dean supporters may like the answer...

[maddezmom]

6. Cathie Levine works for ABC, NBC, CNN, FOX AND AP

<<The survey was drawn up by the National Election Pool, a consortium of ABC, NBC, CBS, CNN, Fox and the AP.

Cathie Levine, a spokeswoman for the network consortium, said:>>>

[Gin]

15. This may have been asked after the vote was cast...but NH is the

beginning. This will be blasted all over the country to states who have not voted yet. For those who think this is no big deal because it's Dean...just wait. Your turn will come.

Their agenda is unfolding and soon we will see which one they want to win. It's not Dean, no matter what they said originally.

[HazMat]

11. Sorry, that's not a push poll.

It's a legitimate question even if Dean supporters can't deal with it.

[Name removed]

12. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Cheswick2.0]

16. bullshit

in what way is this legitimate?

[buycitgo]

19. yeah right

who's YOUR candidate?

[progressivebydesign]

13. There are 48 states to go.. it's a push poll.

New Hamphsire is not the only primary. There are a quick succession of them. Just because the person asked the question has already voted... does not make this a righteous poll.. quite the contrary.

The information used in this inflamatory poll will be used to continue the media myth that Howard Dean has a bad temper. Much like Al Gore's supposed lies. By harping on this theme.. continually.. they can report it, and it DOES affect voters in other races, AND people who have not yet voted today in New Hampshire.

Dean's "temperment" is not asked as a benign question. If so.. why were the other candidates not included in that question??? Hmmmmm???? The anger issue is manufactured. The media lacks any creativity, integrity, and investagative skills. They simply want to stick with an angle, even if it's never been proven.

Give me one link.. one video.. one anything where Dean has an anger issue. Not opinion, not the speech in Iowa (because he was not angry, he was laughing). Show me why Dean's temperment is any more relevant than anyone elses. It's not. The media created the monster, and they are trying to keep it alive.

Did you see the transcript from Wolf Blitzer's conversation with Dean yesterday? Dean questioned him about playing that video over and over. It was a calm exchange. After which, the talking head in the newsroom asked Blitzer if Dean was "angry", "he seemed angry to us in the newsroom here", etc.. Blitzer, to his credit shot her down immediately. 'No, he wasn't angry at all. He's a blunt man who speaks his mind. We even laughed about it.' She replied, "well, fun indeed".

You tell me that the media is NOT trying to perpetuate that myth using these exit polls.

Oh.. and Kerry, as it was reported, had a bit of a fit on his bus the other day, yelling for his boots, etc., angrily. It was no big deal.. but if it was Dean... So, why did they not ask if Kerry's temperment was an issue?

[buycitgo]

17. excellent response! wish I'd have thought of it

Interesting bit about Wolf, too

dials his whoredom down a notch

[SeattleRob]

18. Thanks for the information

That is the key let's find out who is doing this and expose them.

Keep up the good work!


:kick:

[buycitgo]

20. thanks and remember

this was all started by a NONreporter

so send some emails to ABC for starters

then bloggers, then who else

ideas?

this should NOT be left do founder on the rocks of indifference, especially by DUers

[buycitgo]

21. sample email sent to Levine

feel free to copy, adapt

To: [e-mail]

Cc: Ana Maria Rosato, SCCDCC-MessageCommittee

Dear Ms. Levine,

Larry Rosin at the National Election Pool has stated that you are the source for the exit poll question in New Hampshire that asks "Regardless of how you voted today, do you think Howard Dean has the temperament to serve effectively as president?" .

Mr. Rosin also said that no such question was asked about any other candidate. What reason do you have for asking voters such a leading question? Thanks for your response in advance

[buycitgo]

22. so nobody cares if the media plays an active role in demonizing

democratic candidates

fine

just sit there

let it happen

[buycitgo]

23. OK....other places have responded to the dangers represented by.......

this new system, which has clearly crossed the line.

luckily, the person mentioned has begun 'negotiations' to interview Ms. Levine.

also, here's some info on the new group.....same as the old group.....

http://www.chicagotribune.com/features/printedition/chi-0401270205jan27,1,2481221.story?coll=chi-printtempo-hed

VNS was the consortium of news organizations -- ABC News, CBS News, NBC News, Fox News Channel, CNN and The Associated Press -- that provided exit polling and analysis during the 2000 elections and helped lead off a monthlong electoral debacle by mistakenly calling Florida for Al Gore, followed hours later by premature projections that Bush won the race. The organization survived a hailstorm of criticism and scrutiny after 2000, only to fall flat on its face in the 2002 midterm elections when its computer system failed, leaving the networks -- and viewers -- with no exit polling data. That spelled the end of VNS and the beginning of the NEP.



The NEP is a consortium of news organizations -- ABC News, CBS News, NBC News, Fox News Channel, CNN and The Associated Press -- that will provide exit polling and analysis during the 2004 primary season and elections.

What's the difference? Not much. The NEP will get its exit polling data from Edison Media Research and Mitofsky International, two research firms. Warren Mitofsky, a polling expert who founded the predecessor to VNS but was working as a consultant to CBS and CNN during the 2000 election, said that aside from some minor alterations, he will be using the same techniques and statistical models that VNS had always used in calling elections.

"These are the same models," he said. "I would say the changes are subtle."

article misses point entirely, by refusing to recognize that VNS got the Florida exit polling RIGHT; if anything underestimating the margin of Gore's victory, due to vote fraud, voter roll cleansing, closing off of polling places, you name the others

[buycitgo]

24. more on what was/what happened to VNS

http://www.dissidentvoice.org/Articles/Landes_VNS-Suspicion.htm

One reason VNS is shutting down could NOT be, as VNS spokespeople continue to claim, that they screwed up the 2000 election exit polling in Florida. Any comprehensive review of the Florida vote count proves that VNS's projection was correct...Gore would have won Florida handily had it not been for uncounted "over-votes", the notorious butterfly ballot, and the illegal removal of 91,000 names of mostly black and Democratic registered voters from the rolls by a Texas firm hired by Jeb Bush's Secretary of State.

The second reason VNS has offered for closing its doors is that they couldn't handle the technical and logistic demands of Election Day exit polling. What has changed from previous years? After all, the major news networks have claimed that they've been processing election data and using computers and thousands of temporary employees since the mid-1960's. For this last election VNS even hired the well known, if not controversial, Battelle Memorial Institute to revamp their system. The hiring of Battelle, a major military defense and government intelligence contractor, raised the eyebrows of many observers who believe that there may be a connection between the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) and VNS. Some suspect that the CIA doesn't limit its legendary vote rigging abilities to elections in foreign countries.

........Here's a thought. Maybe VNS has never actually done exit polling before. Maybe this was the first time. Some people believe that VNS never really conducted exit polling in the first place, that VNS's claims were a logistic impossibility. Some people believe that VNS only put a few people at the polls for public relations purposes. Lee C. Shapiro, VNS's longtime spokesperson, told this reporter in an interview last fall that VNS was going to use 46,000 temporary employees for the November 2002 election. But news stories are reporting 30,000 instead. Since Shapiro has always refused to provide any information or evidence to prove the existence of this army of Election Day workers, we can only wonder at where the truth lies.

........

And what's the real reason VNS is closing its doors?
Maybe election rigging through the use of computerized voting machines has become so pervasive that VNS simply couldn't keep up and instead decided to "stand down". Maybe network insiders and journalists demanded access to the highly secretive VNS operations and the scrutiny was going to more than what VNS could withstand. Or, maybe government authorities are investigating VNS.

[buycitgo]

25. additional comments here

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=132&topic_id=219545#219858

including why, because of Dean's anti-media concentration plank, they just MIGHT be "concentrating" on giving HIM the shiv.