Hmmm: Senior VP at polling firm blamed for anti-Mitt, anti-Mormon calls donated to … Romney; Update: Why was a known Mitt supporter on the call list? Update: Romney camp denies involvement
posted at 4:32 pm on November 16, 2007 by Allahpundit
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And he’s not the only one at the firm, Western Wats, who has. David Freddoso searched the FEC database and discovered that one of the firm’s professional callers maxed out a donation to Mitt in March. A search of my own revealed that a programmer there also donated $500 to him in July. And the aforementioned senior VP, Jeffrey Welch, kicked in $500 of his own as recently as September 30th. Except for one other person (whose job title isn’t given) who donated to Alan Keyes, those are the only donations listed for Western Wats in the FEC’s files. Question: Why would a rival (or 527) looking to push a scummy poll on Mitt select a firm for the task where at least two employees and one executive are known to be sympathetic to him? The mystery candidate would want to minimize the chance of his identity being leaked by whichever firm he retained. This would seem to maximize it. Read this post by Liz Mair making the case for why Mitt’s opponents wouldn’t or couldn’t have done it. Hmmm.
For the record, the firm hasn’t admitted to making the calls. They haven’t denied it either, though, limiting their statement on the subject to a denunciation of push-polling generally (which these calls arguably weren’t an example of). As I’m writing this, Rudy’s campaign has sent around an e-mail with a statement from Giuliani declaring, “There is no room for this sort of thing in politics. Our campaign does not support or engage in these types of tactics and it is our hope other campaigns will adhere to the same policy.” Stay tuned.
Update: Given the point about leaking, using this firm would be risky for any entity except the Romney campaign itself. Mitt strikes me as an honest broker, though, and his candidacy would be fatally damaged if it turned out to be him. I can’t believe his team would have done it.
Update: Soren Dayton makes an excellent point. Why would an Iowa state representative known to be a longstanding supporter of Mitt have been placed on the call list? That would guarantee that word of the polling would get back to the campaign and become publicized.
Update: Mitt’s communication director has released a statement: “We reject any insinuation that we are behind this. We have the most interest in getting to the bottom of this situation.”
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Mitt trying to get sympathy?
tomas on November 16, 2007 at 4:35 PM
I can’t believe Mitt would do that. He seems like an honest broker. And the revelation would absolutely detonate his campaign.
Allahpundit on November 16, 2007 at 4:36 PM
I sincerely doubt the VP acts as anything more than a high-level bureacrat who is not in any way responsible for the content of individual push polls.
BKennedy on November 16, 2007 at 4:37 PM
I told you!
BJ* on November 16, 2007 at 4:37 PM
If so, he’ll deserve the inevitable backlash, and I’ll have to reconsider who’s going to get my vote.
Splashman on November 16, 2007 at 4:37 PM
Democrats.
Topsecretk9 on November 16, 2007 at 4:38 PM
I meant to say
Democrats. Did. It.
Topsecretk9 on November 16, 2007 at 4:40 PM
Allah, I too believe Romney’s an “honest broker,” but it’s always possible a campaign flunky went rogue. If so, Romney will be seriously damaged. He won’t ever be able to defend himself when people attack his religion.
Anyway, Occam’s Razor says it’s a 527.
Splashman on November 16, 2007 at 4:42 PM
Are any of the others honest brokers?
JiangxiDad on November 16, 2007 at 4:46 PM
To quote Capt. Reynaud in Casablanca…
“Major Strasser has been shot…. Round up the usual suspects.”
So who here thinks its maybe, just maybe, the Clintonistas?
Always Right on November 16, 2007 at 4:52 PM
Try to think outside the box here. Conventional wisdom is this must be a primary oppenent and that a company that gave to Romney, ie conservative, would not work with Democrats…well, if they wouldn’t work with Democrats then they’d less likely to slam a person they gave to too, right?
Trust me, political work is loyal only to the dollar not to candidates or parties unless paid to be exclusive.
Topsecretk9 on November 16, 2007 at 4:53 PM
Liz Mair misses the benefit to Rudy in NH if this tied to McCain and she misses the fact that baptizing “dead people” is toothpaste that can’t be put back in the tube and could damage Mitt in Iowa.
The absurdity of these being done by Mitt is so completely ABSURD that I can’t give it one shred of credibility.
But people have done stupider things.
csdeven on November 16, 2007 at 4:57 PM
He’d risk his entire candidacy and lead in order to win in states he wasn’t counting on, or even trying hard, to win?
amerpundit on November 16, 2007 at 4:59 PM
And additionally releasing a statement directly condemning the act, as did McCain?
amerpundit on November 16, 2007 at 5:00 PM
Earlier this year, one of Romney’s guys was caught using fake badges to get through barricades etc. You’re right, it’s possible.
csdeven on November 16, 2007 at 5:00 PM
Yes, but in this sense.
Mitt loses Iowa.
Huck wins Iowa.
Rudy is 3rd in Iowa.
Mitt loses NH.
McCain wins NH.
Rudy is 2nd in NH.
Fred wins SC.
Mitt is out.
In those first three states, all the delegates are spread out over three candidates that very little chance of winning the nomination and no one gets ANY momentum. Rudy (who has TONS of cash) goes on to win FL and the big states. THAT is the only way his strategy of losing the early states still gets him the nomination.
csdeven on November 16, 2007 at 5:04 PM
According to reports, the poll talked up McCain. Thing is, after his own experience being on the other end of these a few years ago, I can’t see McCain doing something like this.
Miami Herald also notes that Guliani has paid money to this firm. However their camp says a flat no on them being behind this.
The New Hampshire AG has said he’ll investigate. I’m guessing one way or another the name will come out.
John on November 16, 2007 at 5:04 PM
Like fly airplanes into buildings to start a war for oil. Won’t get fooled again!!!
tommylotto on November 16, 2007 at 5:05 PM
Condemning the act, yes. But I didn’t see where he called for an investigation.
csdeven on November 16, 2007 at 5:06 PM
Regardless of how you think he should be trying to win the nomination, my point is that he hasn’t exactly been concentrating on those states. Those weren’t his big “I’ve gotta get” states. So, he’d risk his entire candidacy to get states he wasn’t trying hard to get?
Additionally, he’d pick a firm in Utah with Mitt supporters, knowing someone would trace it back to him?
amerpundit on November 16, 2007 at 5:07 PM
And wire WTC 7 to implode in from of hundreds of people and not get caught.
And put out the rumor that fire can actually melt steel! Heck, EVEN Roise sniffed that one out.
LOL
csdeven on November 16, 2007 at 5:08 PM
I’m telling you, I smell a Dem dirty trick designed to just sorta muck things up, throw the campaigns off message. From Allah’s link
Topsecretk9 on November 16, 2007 at 5:10 PM
Here:
John on November 16, 2007 at 5:12 PM
Unless Romney was trying to get caught it seems unlikely the Romney campaign was behind this. Where is nobody looking? Has anyone asked the Clinton team to comment? Does the Hillary campaign have any reason to not want to run against Mitt?
I’m stumped. I’ll wait for you guys to figure it out and let me know.
Zetterson on November 16, 2007 at 5:12 PM
just because the guy gave to Mitt doesn’t mean he is a supporter…could be a double agent looking for cover. Yeahhhhhh thats it.
tomas on November 16, 2007 at 5:13 PM
Yes, theoretically he would. If Mitt were to win Iowa and NH and make a very strong showing in SC (which he could actually win according to the latest polls) he would have HUGE momentum to get the nomination and that could improve his poll numbers against Hillary in the general. Rudy can’t wait to lose those three states to decide how to go after Mitt. Rudy knows he could never have competed in Iowa. NH maybe, but even then I think Mitt would have beat him.
The goal of this, in my theoretical situation, is for Rudy to diminish Mitt and spread out the effects of his early state losses among the other candidates. That would increase the desperation in the GOP to get Rudy nominated because he is the only guy that can win the big states required to get the nom AND has the polling to beat the Hildebeast.
csdeven on November 16, 2007 at 5:15 PM
So they are a glorified phone bank who get handed a list of questions to ask?
I agree completely about the possibility of a rogue employee, or the scenario of a 527. There is no way that Mitt would do this, but George Soros on the other hand…
And any theories that this helps Mitt are totally tin foil hat scenarios. If his campaign wanted to play the victim card this would be the stupidest possible way to garner votes.
It wouldn’t be necessary to make very many phone calls (and so far only 7 have been identified) to turn this into a big story. But what this is what Politico says happened, but its very fishy to me:
What are the odds of someone getting one of these calls who was also savvy enough to contact a writer at Politico?
I can’t explain it but something doesn’t add up here!
Buy Danish on November 16, 2007 at 5:17 PM
Whoever did it, it was a dumb move.
If we discover it was someone trying to hurt Romney, the backlash will be to Mitt’s benefit. If it was an independent effort meant to help Romney by garnering sympathy, the backlash will stain him. If it was someone in Romney’s camp, he will suffer even more.
sulla on November 16, 2007 at 5:17 PM
George Soros is anti-religion and no other GOP campaign would think this was prudent tactic to use at this juncture.
Topsecretk9 on November 16, 2007 at 5:21 PM
But again that goes back to the best way to win. Rudy’s been criticized for not giving enough attention to Iowa. Knocking Mitt out (if that were even possible) wouldn’t necessarily mean he’d start winning the state. He’s in 3rd place. Besides the fact I’m sure many who support Mitt now know he’s Mormon, so I’m not sure what the poll would change.
But the question still lingers, why would he use a polling firm with strong Mitt supporters based in Utah? He’d know that people would link it back to him.
amerpundit on November 16, 2007 at 5:21 PM
Topsecret9,
But why would Dems want to big up McCain? How does that benefit them?
John on November 16, 2007 at 5:23 PM
Of course, this is all based on the assumption that a candidate payed for the poll. It’s entirely possible it was a 527 or independent group. Rudy’s campaign explicitly condemns, McCain filed a complaint, and I don’t think Mitt would do it.
amerpundit on November 16, 2007 at 5:23 PM
Well, see. Actually it does hurt him a little bit becasue it plants a sort of “should I wonder about him?” thought in people who just hear the news coverage about the call and of course people who only get a cursory snippet of news about it assume it came from McCain or Rudy.
These things are done for news message and tiny attention spans in mind.
Topsecretk9 on November 16, 2007 at 5:24 PM
And one final thing before I have to walk out the door. Why would Rudy want to raise McCain up?
amerpundit on November 16, 2007 at 5:24 PM
Keep in mind that, assuming Mitt didn’t do this, it is a huge distraction for his campaign and throws him off balance right as Huckabee begins to creep up on him.
Buy Danish on November 16, 2007 at 5:28 PM
Has Huck’s campaign denied?
Slublog on November 16, 2007 at 5:30 PM
Yep.
Buy Danish on November 16, 2007 at 5:30 PM
John
Look the call hurts Romney in so much as it just reenforces a kind of herd mentality - if it’s being called about maybe I should be wondering - even if overtly people would say they are not concerned about his religion.
And it hurts republicans candidates by proxy because it’s seen as a dirty trick…what mean people.
Anyways, it’s my 2 cents.
Topsecretk9 on November 16, 2007 at 5:32 PM
I swore up and down Mitt was a robot and I’d never support him. Somehow, I’ve changed my mind and I’m at least open to giving him my support. But so help me God, if he or his campaign is behind this crap, I will NEVER vote for him. It’s straight out of the Democratic playbook.
RW Wacko on November 16, 2007 at 5:33 PM
Ack —reenforces = reinforces
Topsecretk9 on November 16, 2007 at 5:33 PM
I just saw that latest Update:
Or, whoever did it knew it would throw the Romney campaign off balance. Or it could be a coincidence. But what about Marcel Keilkucki, who contacted Jonathan Martin at Politico?
Buy Danish on November 16, 2007 at 5:38 PM
You need to go back and re-read what I said. Rudy doesn’t have ANY intention of winning ANY of those three states. Just to make sure no one candidate (Mitt) wins all three.
csdeven on November 16, 2007 at 5:38 PM
You’re making a lot of sense secret agent man!
Buy Danish on November 16, 2007 at 5:39 PM
Where is Karl Rove? Who is he supporting? Just wondering…
::grin::
Sue on November 16, 2007 at 5:40 PM
To help McCain win NH. Denying it to Mitt. Mitt must lose the first two states because winning those two states are the linchpin of his strategy.
csdeven on November 16, 2007 at 5:44 PM
CS, why would he use the firm that was used? People would be suspicious, and it would kill his candidacy, leaving no reason to divide it up. And why categorically deny it, knowing an investigation had been launched? If anything, this stunt would get people to rally for Mitt.
Too many things don’t make sense.
amerpundit on November 16, 2007 at 5:47 PM
Secret agent Gal! ::wink::
Sue - I’m stealing your :: —::
Topsecretk9 on November 16, 2007 at 5:48 PM
Does McCain actually need help winning NH?
amerpundit on November 16, 2007 at 5:50 PM
THAT I have no idea about. Honestly, if we knew that, we’d know who was behind this and we wouldn’t be able to speculate.
What are you, a kill joy?
:-)
csdeven on November 16, 2007 at 6:08 PM
Hmmmmm. Anyone want to connect some dots here? Think in terms of the possibility that there could be some disgruntled former staffers.
This is from one of the websites Allah links to in his last update. Scroll down the page of Mitt Romney-Organization, Iowa and, voila!
Old information…(see Jonathan Martin in Politico, Sept. 18, 2007 on Moran, Goos and Airhart)
Buy Danish on November 16, 2007 at 6:09 PM
Sure. He’s what, 3rd? Get rid of Mitt and he’s #2 and the fact that McCain did not make these calls, gives him pretty good credibility. #1 isn’t so far fetched.
csdeven on November 16, 2007 at 6:10 PM
If it all made sense we wouldn’t be wondering. But just because something doesn’t make sense doesn’t mean it will after new information is revealed. Buy Danish just posted some info that makes it look like some former staffers might have had a reason to try and skewer Mitt. That doesn’t explain why they used McCain and not Huck, but, maybe some new info will clear it up?
csdeven on November 16, 2007 at 6:14 PM
This entire thing is just bizarre.
The possibility of a 527 group has been raised, but which would bother? Mitt’s been on all three sides of every contentous issue so I can’t imagine which special interest group would be adamantly against him- he doesn’t have a solid position to be against.
Why make it out to be pro-McCain? What kind of McCain supporter with the juice to hire a polling firm would believe this to help instead of hurt him?
Why hire a polling firm with ties to Romney? Ties anyone would assume were likely to exist given that they’re located in Utah- Mormon Central?
Why would the Dems do such a thing? Polls show McCain running stronger against Hillary than Romney. Is the expectation there that this would gain Romney a sympathy vote that he really doesn’t need given his lead? McCain isn’t even polling all that well in Iowa anyways.
Why would an opposing candidate do such a thing while pretending to be connected to the McCain campaign? It would hurt both. Huckabee would gain the greatest benefit from that scenario, surely his campaign would be smarter in choice of polling firm and numbers called.
Perhaps the simplest explanation is the best- some person or group who was really, really stupid thought that this would actually hurt Romney and perhaps help McCain. The choice in polling firm and target of calls being pure coincidence.
Less likely but sexier explanation- a Romney backer without direct ties to the campaign felt this would garner sympathy as victim of “bigotted” attacks, giving him an opening to more openly discuss his religion.
Very unlikely but juicy explanation- same as above, with the actual Romney campaign behind it.
Hollowpoint on November 16, 2007 at 6:14 PM
Politico Headline:
Romney loses three Iowa staffers
Buy Danish on November 16, 2007 at 6:16 PM
Ooooh- hadn’t considered that possibility. Perhaps trying not only to hurt him with the Mormon card, but also to frame him for being behind it himself and not caring who else it helps or hurts. Double whammy.
Hollowpoint on November 16, 2007 at 6:19 PM
More from Jonathan Martin’s story:
Buy Danish on November 16, 2007 at 6:19 PM
CRAP!
doesn’t mean it
willWONT after new information is revealed.csdeven on November 16, 2007 at 6:20 PM
Buy Danish, that’s a pretty good angle. What would they have to lose?
amerpundit on November 16, 2007 at 6:23 PM
You may be right. The easiest explanation is that this is a ham handed political move by amateurs.
csdeven on November 16, 2007 at 6:25 PM
Let’s see- the calls were made by a company called Western Wats. Western Wats seems to be VERY WIRED into BYU. HMMMMM
Someone’s got some ’splainin’ to do…
From:E-interviewers add human touch to Web-based research(unrelated to this incident but still interesting)
Editor’s note: Karl G. Feld manages quantitative research for clients of Western Wats Center, a Provo, Utah, research firm. Steven Wygant works in the office of assessment at Brigham Young University in Provo.
Editor’s note: Steve Wygant works in the assessment office of Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah, teaches research methods at BYU, and consults on Web/e-mail research methodologies for clients of Western Wats Center, a Provo-based data collection and processing company. Ron Lindorf is president of Western Wats Center. ”
From YaHoo…
and from a blog found on Google:
http://arandomstranger.blogspot.com/2007/11/employment-hist ory.html
Curious and curiouser… don’t ya think?
Ex-tex on November 16, 2007 at 6:26 PM
There were 6 comments to this story, most of whom pooh-poohed it, but one said this:
I get the Politico emails but haven’t paid much attention to Jonathan Martin’s writing. Is he a known lib who is hostile to Romney?
Not sure how all this ties in, except that he would be the go-to-guy if one wanted to plant a story. Let’s not forget that if this gets a lot of MSM coverage people who didn’t know much about Mormons will now and Jonathan Martin gets his 15 minutes of fame for breaking a story.
Buy Danish on November 16, 2007 at 6:28 PM
Nothing, and if they managed to get hired by another campaign they’d have money in their pockets… and revenge.
Buy Danish on November 16, 2007 at 6:37 PM
And let me throw my obligatory anti-Romney line in here at least once:
Please please please let it be that the Romney campaign was actually behind this and gets caught. It seems highly unlikely, but given the damage it would do to his campaign I can still hope, can’t I?
Hollowpoint on November 16, 2007 at 6:40 PM
Question - if Romney went quail hunting and shot a lawyer in the face, would that sway your vote?
*sigh* I miss Cheney already.
sulla on November 16, 2007 at 6:46 PM
Why even put this rumor out there with no evidence to back it up (and yes I know you also said you can’t imagine it being him) because in practical terms all it does is get people like some of those above assuming it might be true. It also serves as red meat for some of the bigger Giuliani and Fred nuts on here. Every post here on HotAir seems to have some sort of anti-Mitt link in it and I’m wondering why. Western Wats is based in Utah. Of course their employers are likely backers of Mitt. You say it would be risky for any entity other than the Romney campaign. How so? Especially now that he has come out and vigorously attacked the calls as “un-American”? That in my mind rules him out.
davenp35 on November 16, 2007 at 6:52 PM
Buy Danish — that’s a good angle, but it had to be bankrolled. I just don’t see an alliance of 5 old Romney people pulling together resources in order to exact revenge. I guess a campaign could funnel money to them but as far as I can tell they aren’t working together now.
Topsecretk9 on November 16, 2007 at 6:54 PM
Only if the laywer in question was one of the Democrats- like Hillary, Edwards or Rudy.
Hollowpoint on November 16, 2007 at 7:05 PM
This is a big story that was reported by Politico, but now it’s the headline on Drudge. It’s not just a Hot Air story.
As for the “anti-Mitt links”, there are a lot of people here who like Mitt (such as myself) and a lot who don’t.
Buy Danish on November 16, 2007 at 7:06 PM
I didn’t mean to imply they were working together. I was thinking of a lone wolf scenario.
Buy Danish on November 16, 2007 at 7:10 PM
The story is that the calls were made. I’m specifically refering to the angle that it could be of his doing.
davenp35 on November 16, 2007 at 7:11 PM
Also Buy Danish
Candace Turitto and Christian Goos appear to be in their early twenties, recent grads, fyi. Not exactly seasoned in the old dirty political game and in a position to influence all that much.
Topsecretk9 on November 16, 2007 at 7:12 PM
Reminds me of one of my favorite early BLOOM COUNTY cartoons, where they go huntin’ lib’ruls. “ow! gun control! gun control!!!”
*sigh* I miss the Reagan years…
sulla on November 16, 2007 at 7:16 PM
Koos wasn’t making much money either, so you’re right about her being a neophyte. Turitto was doing pretty well though. so presumably she had some experience, although she was not given a bad review…
I agree that it makes no sense that Mitt’s campaign originated the calls.
Buy Danish on November 16, 2007 at 7:23 PM
Weird. I didn’t even see this thread until a few minutes ago. I saw the first one. Took me about 5 minutes of investigating to come up with the same questions you’ve posted here. I’m not a Romney supporter, but I would venture a guess that staffers are left to their own devices. (Sticking up for the candidate himself here). I don’t have a problem with Romney’s religion in so far as his ability to govern, so I will have to disagree with those who do. As far as the calls go, though, if it was his staffers, it’s going to hurt him. If he knew or was complicit, then I think a lot of his supporters are going to be forced to rethink.
Connie on November 16, 2007 at 7:35 PM
I don’t really know whom to suspect on this one.
Rudy has had, and probably still does have, some sleazy friends like Kerik, etc., but that isn’t even circumstantial evidence. I really doubt that Romney did it. He is “Mr. Clean” and was already ahead in both Iowa and NH. Usually when one is ahead he does not want to “reshuffle the deck”. I doubt that it was the dems as they are too busy with each other now.
MB4 on November 16, 2007 at 8:16 PM
You guys are really reaching here.
Medicated on November 16, 2007 at 10:02 PM
Hey, Rexburg is my Home Town. I’m headed there in two weeks. Yea!!
Troy Rasmussen on November 16, 2007 at 11:14 PM
And the wheels come off.
When are you Mitt-Mutts gonna realize that you worship a snake-oil salesman who is just an empty suit with a nice (fake) smile. Ol’ Mitty-Mitt sure must be scared of something if he is gonna make himself out to be a victim of his own crime. Plus he supports abortion. And nanny-stateism. And forced government healthcare. And he hates babies….
VolMagic on November 16, 2007 at 11:21 PM
They mentioned McCain, promoted McCain.
That’s a clue.
McCain and Bush had a serious falling out over the push polling in South Carolina, a falling out that took some time and tact to heal, a falling out that was well-known and written about in the national MSM.
That’s a fact.
George Soros has money to burn on anything to hurt and divide the fascist Republicans. Damage to one of them = Damage to all of them = $$$$ well spent and good deed for the saints and angels(us dems).
Let me sit down in my thinking chair.
Past Pub Vitriol + Soros $$$$ = Current Acrimony + Victory for the Angels of Light.
I sat on down.
I figured it out.
What Blue’s Clues were all about.
WOW ! I’m really smart !
silverfox on November 16, 2007 at 11:21 PM
The Romney campaign has a history of dirty play.
jaime on November 17, 2007 at 12:11 AM
I can’t find it, but where was the final report on this that proved Mitt’s guys were involved?
csdeven on November 17, 2007 at 12:23 AM
There was an article at CNN, I think, about some guy named Wes? But I also think the Romney camp denied complicity or knowledge. I may not be a Romney supporter, but he doesn’t seem like the type who would condone this behavior, so I’m really hoping it was a stupid staffer that did this w/o Romney’s knowledge.
Because if not, then we’re getting into conspiracy theory stuff. Like Soros/Lew Rockwell/Ron Paul/John Kerry/anti-War on Drugs people. And a few others as well. Trying to split the Republican party into total chaos to pave the way for the Queen.
As a practical person, I don’t like to think these people really have that much control. It makes me very queasy. But it has to be considered, I guess.
Connie on November 17, 2007 at 1:42 AM
Hillary’s goons are masters of dirty tricks.
Texas Nick 77 on November 17, 2007 at 9:15 AM
Texas Nick 77 on November 17, 2007 at 9:26 AM
Darnit. Beat me to it.
Texas Nick 77 on November 17, 2007 at 9:27 AM
The odds are (and I stand by my post of a couple of days ago), that it is a liberal group.
The liberals do not understand religion; atheists, agnostics, liberals all have a hard time understanding faith. So they do these things, thinking it will,(I don’t understand them anymore then them us), disrupt the campaign and turn one against the other.
Time and time again I see journalists missing the faith point. In all due respect, AP falls into the same category.
So a liberal group gets some thought about destroying Mitt, or getting the blame passed onto Rudy or whomever. Not realizing that we aren’t a bunch of sheep, or can me manipulated.
Remember, last year, when that network planted a faux Arab, with body guards and flowing robe, into the NASCAR events. Thinking that all NASCAR people are red-necks fools. The guy was ignored or embraced. They had to go to several races to find a very minor altercation, after they upped the ante by having the “Sheik” act increasingly bizzare. They (the media and liberals) just don’t have a clue when it comes to the regular everyday people.
Or the college group posting hate sayings, and trying to attribute them to the conservative group. Conservative groups don’t do that.
Or saying that the Passion of the Christ will heighten “Jew hatred”, instead that strengthened the bond between Christian and Jew…they (libs and other non-believers) don’t understand faith…
Odds are it is the libs, they just don’t understand faith…
right2bright on November 17, 2007 at 10:03 AM
Thanks for that link on Phoney Fred .com. Looks like Mitt isn’t as squeaky clean as his supporter think. But then every candidate has mavericks working for them, either up front of behind the scenes. And they can’t keep track of everyone. I mean, you can’t blame Mitt for Larry Craig, maybe for poor judgment in having him around, but not for Craigs actions.
But no way did he do this polling, no way. If he did, every one of his supporters would bail…well all but probably two.
right2bright on November 17, 2007 at 10:10 AM
The one cheesy thing Mitt could have held out on, was the cheap shot a McCain. I am no fan of the McCain-Feingold bill, but throwing out his name is an underhanded way of tying McCain into these phone calls.
Makes me re-think…Mitt was the one to most gain from these calls, if they were leaked…and they were.
right2bright on November 17, 2007 at 10:21 AM
Can’t be Clinton or Obama then. Aren’t they both good Christians?
JiangxiDad on November 17, 2007 at 10:39 AM
Forget bigotry- let’s just apply…
…a little LOGIC here.
Okay let’s say I’m on John McCain’s staff. The week after my candidate’s mom says some negative stuff about Mormons- I decide it would be a GREAT time to do some negative calls about Mitt’s religion. (Very hush hush- on the down low)
Where do I go to get the calls made???
I know, I’ll go to a Mormon owned, Mormon staffed, VERY closely tied to BYU (executives at Western Wats are coincidently- on the teaching staff @BYU ) polling firm and pay THEM to do ANTI-MORMON CALLS! Yeah- perfect choice there!
And of course- the MORMON FIRM TAKES THE JOB! To make (perhaps illegal!) calls to trash Mitt Romney’s RELIGION??!!!
AND THEN THEY MAKE THE CALLS!
Some calls EVEN to VERY high profile Romney supporters- (we’re talkin’ state officials here) Because these folks- of course- don’t KNOW that Mitt’s MORMON! (or perhaps because- we know the calls WILL GET TO THE ATTENTION OF THE MEDIA- which I, as a down-low hush-hush McCain staffer really want!)
And MOST AMAZING OF ALL- NOT ONE of these Mormon folks employed by the Mormon owned poll firm- LEAKS about WHICH CAMPAIGN REALLY DID IT!
AND in the end- MITT ROMNEY gets to denounce the calls as “un-American”, blame the other candidates, and get the sympathy of all the good folks who can’t bear to be thought of as BIGOTS!
Yep- that’s my plan!
Ex-tex on November 17, 2007 at 10:54 AM
Sounds like a plan of a maniac.
right2bright on November 17, 2007 at 12:14 PM
I am not sure what a “good” Christian is.
Listen closely, not all of the candidates know what each of their arms are doing, and who they are talking to.
But one thing is sure, libs, especially the far-left, do not have any idea how faith works in the religious context of Judeo-Christian. Someone in a campaign or someone like Soros, has a brilliant idea (notice I used the word maverick before?), and goes off, thinking (or not thinking) they know how the faithful mind works.
Most of the far-left (as well as athiests, agnostics) think faith is foolish, and only fools follow. So how could a fool catch them? There is no more simple mind than a faithless mind.
And then you get to the assumption (and I know it is bait, because you have a simple mind) that Christians do no wrong. Nice try, you must me a master baiter.
right2bright on November 17, 2007 at 12:21 PM
And it also shows that Mitt just doesn’t get it when it comes to conservative thought. Most conservatives are against McCain-Feingold because it goes too far in restricting free speech; Mitt seems to be arguing that it doesn’t go far enough.
I don’t know if the Romney camp was behind the calls or not, but he does stand to gain the most from them- and that should’ve been very predictable to whomever commissioned them. Likewise, they had to know that there would be a 100% chance that they’d make news.
Hollowpoint on November 17, 2007 at 1:01 PM
Wasn’t clear enough. There was this whole thread once about how it was unfair to question Hillary’s faith, and that no one dare make the assumption that she was a phony. The whole thread was “bait”. Well I think she’s a phony about religion, Obama too, and are using it to fool people.
JiangxiDad on November 17, 2007 at 2:57 PM
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