Poll spinnning propaganda: "Floridians Say Drilling OK as Gas Prices Rise"

[madfloridian]

Another propaganda headline from The Ledger. They can be so great on issues, then two lousy headlines like this in one week. I wrote about the other one here:

Propaganda headline: "Travelers Comforted By Safety Measures"

And yesterday they spun a poll all around. They used Kelly Anne Conway's Polling Company for the Republican side, and I am not familiar with the Democratic polling group they used.

I am just going to put several snips from the article about the poll about drilling offshore. Misleading headline, real propaganda. Not a very good write-up either from the St Pete Times reporter. Confusing.

Floridians Say Drilling OK as Gas Prices Rise

St. Petersburg Times poll: More Floridians support offshore drilling than oppose it.

And nearly four out of 10 Floridians think the Sunshine State is being selfish for refusing to allow offshore drilling when the state is such a major energy hog.

Dear reporter, if it is not yet 4 out of 10, then it is officially still about a third. Very misleading. Here is the number on that part of the poll, and that would just about be Bush's base.

Asked if it was selfish of Floridians to continue to oppose the drilling, 37 percent of respondents said yes.

More:

"Drilling has become synonymous with relief at the pump," said pollster Kelly-anne Conway of the Polling Co., which conducted the survey with Schroth Eldon & Associates. "That's why you're seeing these numbers increase. . . . (High fuel prices) are taking a major bite out of the kitchen table budget."

When it comes to offshore drilling, 46 percent of those polled said they support lifting the existing drilling ban off Florida's coastline; 42 percent oppose lifting the ban and 12 percent said they didn't know or refused to answer. The poll's margin of error on statewide questions is plus or minus 3.5 percent. (Let's see 42% opposed lifting ban plus 12 who don't know or refuse to answer...that is 54%)

"This is about $3 gas at the pump," U.S. Sen. Mel Martinez, R-Fla., said Saturday when told of the poll's results. He played a lead role in negotiating the Senate drilling plan earlier this month. "You tell people (the Senate plan) would put it 100 miles to 200 miles offshore, and they see it's closer to Veracruz (Mexico) than Florida."

In the Tampa Bay area, however, a majority of voters -- 51 percent -- remain opposed to drilling. The margin of error for Tampa Bay questions is 6 percent. Tampa Bay Republicans, like in the rest of the state, are more likely to support it.

[jsamuel]

1. .

nm

[don954]

2. we have one of the last unspoiled coast lines in the united states

with the majority of the nations reefs. They cant wait to fuck that up for us too. They wont be happy till the planet is a big ball of tar.

[Jacobin]

3. So, its better to go to the M.E. and kill people to steal their oil?

So we don't have an unsightly oil rig off a Florida beach?

Count me nauseated.

[madfloridian]

4. You must either be kidding or unaware of the facts involved.

I am surprised that no one even sees that this is right in the path of the hurricanes that follow Katrina and Wilma and others.

There is so much to the story, that I am surprised you posted that.

[Jacobin]

10. Gee and our Iraqi oil is in the middle of a civil war

So what?

Prudhoe Bay is in the middle of an ice pack.


Actually, I live 30 miles from the Gulf coast and got pounded by Rita. I spend several days a year fishing around the thousands of platforms in the Gulf that supply 20% of the US petroleum needs.

While Florida doesn't want its beach views mussed, other parts of the world that are not sanctified with so many electoral votes get to be the grunge for others.

I'm all in favor of alternative fuels. When the heck does anyone think that will become a viable alternative, given even a progressive administration? Decades.

The bottom line is that it is the height of hypocrisy to swoon over a pretty white beach while our defined US policy is to invade countries to steal their oil, killing HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS of people in the process.

YOu can paint all the pretty pictures you want but that it is the indisputable truth.

[madfloridian]

13. I posted a skewed poll. You are blaming me for the woes of the world.

Sorry, but that is not fair.

What do you think I am promoting?

[damntexdem]

7. How about:

(1) reducing dependence on oil -- as in higher fuel standards for American cars, at least as high as Chinese standards?
(2) emphasizing alternate energy -- as in biodiesel?
(3) eliminating dominance of American policy by large energy companies?

[Jacobin]

9. But, until then, let's steal other people's oil

That is factually what this country is doing right now

[porphyrian]

5. I could get that result, too.

Just ask something like, "Now that gas prices have risen above $3 a gallon and are likely to continue to rise, do you think we should seek alternative sources of fuel in and around the state of Florida?"

Polls say what the people paying for them want them to say.

[RB TexLa]

6. Got to love Florida's hypocrisy, Don't drill near us, but hell no don't

let Louisiana keep all the tax revenue from what's drilled off their coast we need that going to the federal government.

I hope Blanco holds up the lease contracts and not one drop of oil is produced from the western Gulf. If we can't keep the money the same as the other states we should take our ball and go home.

[madfloridian]

8. Not hypocrisy. Just flat out against it.

If Blanco wants it there and the people of LA do, than fine. I think I don't. Too many other ways and too much spin by oil companies.

[Jacobin]

11. Please understand your facts if you are going to promote this

ALL SEABOTTOMS OVER THREE MILES OFFSHORE ARE FUCKING FEDERAL WATERS.

Louisiana has NO SAY over the development of offshore drilling there.

Are you willing to give up 20% of our energy needs by cutting off current production?????????????

Which M.E. country would you propose we invade next?

[madfloridian]

12. What the hell is wrong with you? I posted a skewed poll..

There is nothing I can do about any of it but post when I see something that is propaganda.

Why don't you get mad at the oil companies, at Bill Nelson, fine Democrat, at Mel Martinez, his GOP cohort, at Adam Putnam who got the whole thing started.

Why so mad at me?