Blackwell Polling

Over at the Blackwell Blog, they have posted some very interesting numbers about the Republican primary for governor.

VikingSpirit calls the third set of numbers a push poll, which it is; but what these nubers tell us is worth taking a look at...

Look at the first two polls and you will see all three candidates fairly close in the race. Even before the push poll numbers, you can see that Blackwell has a good 15 point lead with 22 still undecided.

What is a push poll? According to Wikipedia (as of this posting anyway): "A push poll is a political campaign technique in which an individual or organization attempts to influence or alter the view of respondents under the guise of conducting a poll." Most push polls use information that is not accurate in order to bolster their candidate, which is why the practice is condemned by the American Association of Political Consultants. That's not what happened here.

In this push poll, the following information was given:

1) Ken Blackwell is the only candidate who has always been pro-life, while Betty Montgomery is pro-choice and Jim Petro is pro-life after switching from pro-choice five years ago.

2) Ken Blackwell is the only candidate that opposed the “temporary” sales tax increase (half of which will now remain a permanent tax increase).

3) Ken Blackwell is the only candidate that supports the amendment to limit state spending (TEL Amendment).

4) Ken Blackwell supported the recently passed marriage amendment and led the campaign for the issue, Betty Montgomery supported the amendment but did not campaign for it and Jim Petro opposed the Amendment.

All of which is completely true, as far as I know.

What we don't know is how many people were polled and exactly what they were asked. With that information, we could determine just how valid these numbers really are...but I find it interesting that the Petro and Montgomery campaigns are touting endorsements from northern [9:20AM UPDATE: I see that a couple of central OH counties have weighed in as well, courtesy of Right Angle's endorsement map] Ohio Republican county parties and not polling numbers. That tells me that their internal numbers look similar to those being reported by Blackwell's camp.

Mark's Remarks

Yes, this poll does not give us that key info that Matt was talking about. However, look at the softer "big tent" Republicans out there (read RINOS) who are running to Montgomery and Petro. That tells me that Blackwell should be the candidate. If you want the status quo, go with Petro or Montgomery, both of whom at times were directly responsible for monitoring the CoinGate fiasco. Blackwell opposed those investment ideas, proposed altering them to make them accountable, and opposed the oppressive taxation of the people of this state. That, in and of itself, gets my vote. Secondly, the class and dignity with which he put up with the media and lefty onslaught during the election bolstered him, in my view.