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| Ignore the alpha dogs - bullies (funded) barking. Cat-titude |
Teresa Barth's Newsletter featured the following this week (with image selected for guest post by editor):
No doubt about it - Elections have changed.
In the good old days Encinitas council races were much more homespun. Candidates handed out photocopied flyers at the grocery stores, met residents at neighborhood gatherings and community events. Real grassroots candidates still do.
But technology and money are changing that genuine person to person contact.
Already there have been two phone polls to gauge public opinion and robo-calls to communicate with the voters without having to actually talk to them.
Robo-calls are pre-recorded messages that can be sent to a wide selection of phone numbers. In the last weeks of the 2010 campaign, Councilman Jim Bond recorded a call in support of then Mayor Dan Dalager who was under investigation for conflict of interest. Dalager was defeated and later convicted of the charges. More recently, a number of people have reported receiving robo-calls from Mo Muir and Jim Bond urging support of Mark Muir who is running for the city council seat he was appointed to after the death of Maggie Houlihan.
Phone surveys can vary in costs. The city recently paid True North to conduct a community satisfaction survey at the cost of nearly $20,000. It is now being used in a questionable fashion by an unknown group promoting the "city council." Having been on Council for six years I could take credit for the "favorable" ratings but I know that much credit also goes to city staff, our great weather and location. However, I presume it was meant to support the two current council members running in this election.
Earlier in the campaign season there was a poll asking for an opinion of the city council, city government and other general questions. This week there has been another poll. A sure sign that some group is VERY interested in the outcome of the city council race.
The poll included the usual questions. Are you satisfied with the city council and who are you voting for? However, an unrelated questions was also asked. What do you think of the Occupy Movement?
I am sure many people were curious about the Occupy Movement just as they were curious about the Tea Party movement. Does that make them a radical? No. I think that makes them open minded and willing to listen to different points of view.
Unfortunately, we will never know who was behind the polls or who paid for them. You can be sure it wasn't the grassroots candidates.
We often hear about the October Surprise in politics. It's the last minute hit pieces meant to change voter's minds. Generally based on lies and innuendos they are desperate last minute tactics by special interest groups.
Be prepared for the October Surprise.
Take it for what it is... a desperate act by an unethical group or individual.
It is not the tactic of candidates with a positive vision for the future of Encinitas.
