More than 1K Kansans received an automated telephone call 7/21 “that began with innocuous questions about policy issues and partisan affiliation before stepping into declarative inquiries about abortion and gay marriage framed to build support for Tiahrt and undermine enthusiasm for Moran.”
The Moran camp “labeled the calls a ‘push poll.’” Tiahrt’s camp “didn’t disavow the method of political communication,” but Moran spokesperson Dan Conston “said the issue held significance because Tiahrt’s staff had charged Moran with conducting a push poll in May. Conston: “This is just the latest typical Washington hypocrisy from Todd Tiahrt. His campaign makes screaming accusations about push polling when there wasn’t one. When a push poll in his favor is actually confirmed, his campaign condones it.”
Tiahrt spokesperson Michelle Schroeder “said … Moran and his champions have mailed a series of brochures to Kansas voters leveling sharp attacks on Tiahrt.” Schroeder: “Congressman Moran is trying desperately to have it both ways. just like he tries to act like a conservative when he is in Kansas but votes with Speaker (Nancy) Pelosi on taxes, national security and illegal immigration. Moran has been sending out negative mailers for months, attacking Todd Tiahrt with name calling and bogus claims while on the campaign trail he cries about Todd’s ‘negative’ ads. Todd Tiahrt is running an issues-based campaign.”
“This week’s telephone poll at the center of the controversy was handled by Magellan Strategies.”
GOP volunteer Holly Friesen said she picked up the telephone around dinner time 7/21 to participate in the poll … . She was asked whether she intended to vote and to identify the most important political issues of the day. The survey flipped to the Senate race, pointing to Tiahrt’s endorsement by groups opposed to abortion. A female voice said Moran had opposed a parental notification requirement when minors seek an abortion. The voice also asserted Moran opposed a ban on gay marriage.” Friesen: “That’s when I decided to hang up. I thought, ‘I’m wasting my time’” (Carpenter, Topeka Capital-Journal, 7/21).
