Open Topic Sunday ... Update For Straw Poll
Thomas started this yesterday, and carried it over to today, about the straw poll conducted by the SRLC. We all know of McCain's attempt to moderate himself, and make himself look like a strong supporter of the president. By encouraging the SRLC to write-in President Bush, this was seen as a way to convey this latest attempt to make McCain out to be something that he is not; a solid conservative, and a constant supporter of President Bush.
However, Ankle Biting Pundits has been keeping a close eye on things, as Michelle Malkin points out. (Hat-Tip to the lovely lady, BTW.) And she grabbed a hold of this from the Ankle Biters:
I’m a big fan of National Journal’s The Hotline, but I cannot believe what they have done in the last 24 hours, if my sources are correct.
According to my sources, the Hotline folks have colluded with representatives from Sen. Bill Frist's organization to alter the straw poll ballots to allow attendees at the Southern Republican Leadership Conference a second choice. Why? Because the “write in Bush” vote of confidence campaign had apparently gained so much momentum that it became clear a majority of voters would indeed write in the president’s name.
According to my sources, Frist’s team approached the Hotline people with the idea to rejigger the ballots because, as we have reported, Frist has a whole lot riding on this straw poll victory. Frist’s organization VolPAC spent over $100,000 bussing in, boarding, feeding, and entertaining over 930 “ringers.”
In full panic over the possibility that he might lose, Frist is now hoping his "ringers" will vote for him and write in the president (which, by the way, makes no sense.)
I am told lots of MSM types -- no fans of President Bush -- are scratching their heads at Hotline’s rather un-democratic move to deny the president a show of support from his fellow Republicans.
Stay tuned. This thing is getting weirder and weirder.
The Ankle Biters are correct; this is, indeed, most peculiar. Perhaps Sen. Frist is not happy with the results that still placed him first to begin with. Maybe he wants to try and spin this away from Gov. Romney, his closest challenger, in an attempt to show that Romney has no chance against him. Regardless of the move, this was not a very smart move on the part of Frist, or Volpac. As a matter of fact, it shows desperation for a straw poll. Straw polls are like any other. They are subject to whims and manipulation. The only thing that matters to candidates are the primaries. Frist will not be able to manipulate those so easily. As a matter of fact, I would be surprised if he made a splash at any of them. He is not popular amongst the base, unless we are referring to voters south of the Mason-Dixon, and even then I am not to sure about his strength. Pollsters were treated the abilities and talents of Mitt Romney, and it obviously made an impression, bringing him in second behind Frist.
Regardless of the motives, this sort of move is enough to turn people off to straw polls. And it would serve Frist right if the SRLC did not change their votes, unless they were to change them to the point where he might lose a few more to Romney. Frist had better tread lightly on this one; it could blow up in his face.
The Bunny ;)
Thomas started this yesterday, and carried it over to today, about the straw poll conducted by the SRLC. We all know of McCain's attempt to moderate himself, and make himself look like a strong supporter of the president. By encouraging the SRLC to write-in President Bush, this was seen as a way to convey this latest attempt to make McCain out to be something that he is not; a solid conservative, and a constant supporter of President Bush.
However, Ankle Biting Pundits has been keeping a close eye on things, as Michelle Malkin points out. (Hat-Tip to the lovely lady, BTW.) And she grabbed a hold of this from the Ankle Biters:
I’m a big fan of National Journal’s The Hotline, but I cannot believe what they have done in the last 24 hours, if my sources are correct.
According to my sources, the Hotline folks have colluded with representatives from Sen. Bill Frist's organization to alter the straw poll ballots to allow attendees at the Southern Republican Leadership Conference a second choice. Why? Because the “write in Bush” vote of confidence campaign had apparently gained so much momentum that it became clear a majority of voters would indeed write in the president’s name.
According to my sources, Frist’s team approached the Hotline people with the idea to rejigger the ballots because, as we have reported, Frist has a whole lot riding on this straw poll victory. Frist’s organization VolPAC spent over $100,000 bussing in, boarding, feeding, and entertaining over 930 “ringers.”
In full panic over the possibility that he might lose, Frist is now hoping his "ringers" will vote for him and write in the president (which, by the way, makes no sense.)
I am told lots of MSM types -- no fans of President Bush -- are scratching their heads at Hotline’s rather un-democratic move to deny the president a show of support from his fellow Republicans.
Stay tuned. This thing is getting weirder and weirder.
The Ankle Biters are correct; this is, indeed, most peculiar. Perhaps Sen. Frist is not happy with the results that still placed him first to begin with. Maybe he wants to try and spin this away from Gov. Romney, his closest challenger, in an attempt to show that Romney has no chance against him. Regardless of the move, this was not a very smart move on the part of Frist, or Volpac. As a matter of fact, it shows desperation for a straw poll. Straw polls are like any other. They are subject to whims and manipulation. The only thing that matters to candidates are the primaries. Frist will not be able to manipulate those so easily. As a matter of fact, I would be surprised if he made a splash at any of them. He is not popular amongst the base, unless we are referring to voters south of the Mason-Dixon, and even then I am not to sure about his strength. Pollsters were treated the abilities and talents of Mitt Romney, and it obviously made an impression, bringing him in second behind Frist.
Regardless of the motives, this sort of move is enough to turn people off to straw polls. And it would serve Frist right if the SRLC did not change their votes, unless they were to change them to the point where he might lose a few more to Romney. Frist had better tread lightly on this one; it could blow up in his face.
The Bunny ;)
posted by Syd And Vaughn | 11:41 PM
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