The Louisiana Republican Party has released a e-missive that raises a question why wrong poll numbers continue to be mentioned in the media involving the Mary Landrieu-John Kennedy campaign.In the latest e-letter, the LAGOP asked, “Landrieu campaign pushes phony polls?After receiving this email, Bayoubuzz contacted Aaron Baer, the GOP spokesperson and asked him what proof did he have that the Landrieu campaign had anything to do with erroneous reporting or erroneous polls?
Baer responded to the question with an email stating “It was reported in Fax Weekly that Landrieu’s campaign was at one time circulating incorrect polling numbers showing a 55-39 lead. Because these numbers continue to appear in print, it’s reasonable to assume they came from the Landrieu campaign.”
The relevant wording of the Fax Weekly is “It was a roller-coaster ride in the polls for Sen. Mary Landrieu this week, ending with an independent survey showing her leading Treasurer John Kennedy, 50-38 percent.
Republican Kennedy, meanwhile, focuses on fundraising, with President Bush coming to Baton Rouge for an event on Tuesday.
On Monday, the Landrieu campaign touted a poll done for the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee showing the incumbent opening a 55-39 percent lead on Kennedy. An aide called back to report there had been a mistake by which another poll's results were reported for the Louisiana survey. The correct Rasmussen Reports poll showed Landrieu leading only 47-46 percent.
Fortunately for Landrieu, later that day Southern Media released its results of a Senate question asked in a poll for a business client, showing Landrieu's 12-point lead.”
Scott Schneider of the Landrieu campaign responded to the LAGOP press release by stating, "
It’s clear that John Kennedy and the GOP are really confused. After a week in which a poll shows Mary Landrieu leading by double digits while also receiving the endorsement of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, John Kennedy has had to deal with a 13-page attack document by the national Republicans criticizing him as “ineffective” and “not ready for primetime.” They are now making ridiculous charges with hopes of stemming Mary Landrieu’s momentum.
The 13-page document was written in 2004 when Kennedy was a Democrat running for US Senate. Here is the press release from the Louisiana Republican Party.Is the question fair by the LAGOP fair or are they confused?
“Everyone knows that polls are unreliable, but Landrieu’s supporters continue to push poll numbers that have been proven to be entirely fraudulent and made up out of thin air” said Republican Party of Louisiana spokesperson Aaron Baer. “Today’s column by Stephanie Grace of the Times-Picayune is just the latest example of inaccurate reporting. Her story uses polling numbers from Rasmussen Reports - numbers that Rasmussen Reports have admitted don’t even exist, and which even The Times-Picayune have discredited. Worse yet, she mistakenly attributes the made up poll numbers to Southern Media & Opinion Research. Giving Ms. Grace the benefit of the doubt, it is quite possible that she was given these false numbers by the Landrieu campaign who has been peddling them in an effort to raise money.”
SETTING THE RECORD STRAIGHT
On Monday April 14th The Associated Press CORRECTLY Reported The Southern Media & Opinion Research Poll Finding That Landrieu Had A 50 to 38 Lead Over Kennedy. “Fifty percent of those polled by Southern Media & Opinion Research picked Landrieu over Kennedy. Kennedy had 38 percent support.” (Melinda Deslatte, “Poll: Louisiana voters favor McCain over Clinton or Obama,” Associated Press, 4/14/08)
Also on Monday April 14thRasmussen Reports Releases A Telephone Survey Showing Landrieu Up 55 to 39. At This Time, Rasmussen Reports Believes These Numbers To Be Correct. “The latest Rasmussen Reports telephone survey in Louisiana found U.S. Senator Mary Landrieu leading State Treasurer John Kennedy 55% to 39% in her bid for re-election.” (“Election 2008: Louisiana Senate,” Rasmussen Reports, 4/14/08)
On Sunday April 20th The Times Picayune Sets The Record Straight That The Rasmussen Reports Polling Was Incorrect. “According to one news account of a new poll by Rasmussen Reports, Sen. Mary Landrieu, D-La., had a 39 percent to 55 percent lead over her Republican challenger, state Treasurer John Kennedy. According to another account, that same poll had Kennedy ahead by a statistically insignificant 46 percent to 47 percent. Who was right? As it turns out, no one. … A company spokesman confirmed that the first results were wrong, but could not explain what happened with the second posted results. All he would say is that Rasmussen doesn't have any current polling data in the Louisiana Senate race.” (Bruce Alpert and Bill Walsh, “On The Hill,” The Times-Picayune, 4/20/08)
On Monday April 21st The Louisiana GOP Raises Questions About The Funding Of The SMOR Poll. Questions That May Shed Light On The Validity Of That Poll. Questions That Have Not Been Answered.(Louisiana Republican Party Press Release, “Entergy Paying For Polling Against Kennedy?” 4/21/08)
On Monday April 21stThe Advocate Uses Numbers From The Rasmussen Reports Survey That Are Discredited By The Times-Picayune And Attributes Them To SMOR. “Landrieu was buoyed last week by a statewide poll that shows her with a 55 percent-39 percent lead over her likely Republican challenger, state Treasurer John Kennedy…Interviews for the poll by Southern Media & Opinion Research were completed between March 26 and April 9...” (Gerald Shields, “Washington Watch For April 21,” The [Baton Rouge] Advocate, 4/21/07)
On Wednesday, April 23rd Despite The Time-Picayune Refutation, Southern Political Report Uses Admittedly Wrong Rasmussen Reports Numbers. “Rasmussen polls show Landrieu leading by a margin of 55% to 39%.” (John A. Tures, ‘WillLandrieu“Swamp’ Kennedy In Louisiana?,” Southern Political Report, 4/23/08)
On Wednesday, March 23rdRoll Call Announces That Rasmussen Reports Has Admitted Their Mistake And That Rasmussen Reports Has No New Numbers For Louisiana. “In other Louisiana Senate news, a spokesman for Rasmussen Reports said that "human error" was to blame for the incorrect Landrieu-Kennedy race polling numbers that were released last week on the company's Web site. … After acknowledging that neither of the polling numbers were valid, the company spokesman said no new polling numbers were available on the race.” (Jon McArdle, “Louisiana; Bush Aiding Kennedy; Pollster Trashes Numbers,” Roll Call, 4/23/08)
On Thursday, March 24th The Stephanie Grace Of The Times Picayune Inaccurately Reports The Numbers From Rasmussen Reports That Are Discredited By The Times-Picayune And Attributes Them To SMOR: “Despite his fund-raising success, A widely circulated recent statewide poll by Southern Media & Opinion Research should give Kennedy pause. The poll found Landrieu ahead 55 percent to 39 percent.”(Stephanie Grace, “Kennedy Needs More than Cash,” New Orleans Times-Picayune, 4/24/08)
