The phone call is from a pollster \u2013 another one.<\/p>\n
This year I decided that if they sound even halfway legitimate, I\u2019m going to take the time and answer their questions.\u00a0 I want my opinion to count.\u00a0\u00a0 In past years I have been more wary, suspecting that no matter how they masquerade, their mission is more nefarious than what they say.<\/p>\n
(I don\u2019t respond to calls that promise that in return for answering a few questions I will qualify for a free two-day cruise. )<\/p>\n
The season\u2019s first polling call took about 15 minutes, and the questions were fascinating.\u00a0 Minutes later, I remembered I\u2019m a newspaper columnist and kicked myself for not taking notes.\u00a0 This time, I was sitting at my computer when the pollster called.<\/p>\n
The pollster asks what I think are the most important issues facing New Mexico.\u00a0 I say economic development and education.\u00a0 Later I wished I had said something more original, like general ineptitude, New Mexico\u2019s 49th<\/sup> rank in almost everything, or perhaps the issue that logically should stop growth in its tracks, water.\u00a0 But realistically, politicians can\u2019t make it rain. The pollster reads statements about the Democratic candidate.\u00a0 First, his qualifications, stated in a positive light. \u00a0Does this influence me for or against this candidate \u2013 somewhat, very much or no difference?\u00a0 Next, his campaign pledges.\u00a0 He<\/p>\n says his top priority is helping small business grow and making New Mexico a more business friendly state.\u00a0 Whoop-de-doo, I\u2019m thinking.\u00a0 I\u2019ll bet he\u2019s also in favor of apple pie.<\/p>\n Now the negatives:\u00a0 Critics say he will add to the corruption and political manipulation in Santa Fe. \u00a0Of course they do. Does that influence me?\u00a0 If I believed it, it would, but who are these critics?<\/p>\n The Republican candidate is next.\u00a0 This candidate pledges to reduce taxes and expand education.\u00a0 I\u2019m pretty sure she likes apple pie also. \u00a0She wants to make government more transparent, the pollster says. \u00a0Well, okay, but please, no more e-mail scandals.<\/p>\n Her critics say we can\u2019t count on her because she flip-flopped on issues.\u00a0 That gets my dander up, but not the way the wording of the poll intended.\u00a0 I don\u2019t like such accusations. What some call a flip-flop might have been a difficult vote on a complex issue.\u00a0 Her critics say she is in the pocket of a large corporation.\u00a0 Possibly, I think. \u00a0Most legislators who are not rich or retired have jobs or businesses and so are connected to some special interest or other.\u00a0 I hope they are still able to vote objectively. I was married to one who did, scrupulously.<\/p>\n Finally, if the election were held today, whom would you vote for? \u00a0I\u2019m still undecided, I say. I want my legislators supporting what\u2019s right, not what polls tell them to support.\u00a0 And if this was a \u201cpush\u201d poll, the kind that tries to influence voters under a pretext of objectivity, it was too subtle.<\/p>\n But here\u2019s my concern.\u00a0 Who paid for this? \u00a0The call came from a market research company with a Connecticut area code.\u00a0 Someone spent money for the poll and will spend more money making use of the information.<\/p>\n New Mexico still has a part-time volunteer citizen state legislature, but somebody is spending staggering amounts of money to influence our legislative elections.\u00a0 I don\u2019t know if these polls are commissioned by candidates, by the parties, or by those infamous anonymous SuperPACs we have heard about.\u00a0 And I don\u2019t like the thought of what it\u2019s doing to our legislature.<\/p>\n Triple Spaced Again, \u00a9 New Mexico News Services 2012<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" The phone call is from a pollster \u2013 another one. This year I decided that if they sound even halfway legitimate, I\u2019m going to take the time and answer their questions.\u00a0 I want my opinion to count.\u00a0\u00a0 In past years … Continue reading
\nToday\u2019s poll is about my district\u2019s candidates for State Senate.\u00a0 I didn\u2019t tell the pollster I am acquainted with both candidates, but she didn\u2019t ask.<\/p>\n