Coverage of a recent Humphrey Institute Poll included remarkably speculative comments
regarding the impact of Independence Senatorial Candidate Dean Barkley on the election. It was intimated that most of the anti-incumbent vote should be to the benefit of Al Franken’s left of center perspective. Sadly, the speculator of such results neglected the fact that considerable anti-incumbency this year comes from people disappointed about the lack of fiscal stewardship and violation of our liberties (the Ron Paul factor). Independence Party federal candidates, from Ross Perot to Jim Gibson, Jim Moore, John Binkowski and Tammy Lee have consistently called for policies which have been consistent with this third perspective.
We have solution to this speculation…and it is one we have offered many times previously: Put up or shut up. If you don’t ask the question (in the survey) that matters, then don’t speculate. “If the candidate you support were not in the race, which of the other two candidates would you support?” Ask this question of supporters of the three candidates to be fair. This question has been asked in other polls….it actually helped political scientists determine the impact of Ross Perot in 1992 (he did not help the incumbent George Bush).
We have asked and asked for this question to replace speculation. If Professor Jacobs can’t ask it then why should he speculate? One question, dude… just one question to all three voting groups. If you don’t ask, then don’t tell.
...here's the operative quote: 'When underdogs choose not to play by Goliath's rules, they win.'
Jack Uldrich in "How the IP Can Win" Join the discussion
