[dinopello]

Here in Virginia, we aren't as used to being a "swing state". We always get some campaign calls around election time, but this year it's been crazy. Most of the time I don't answer my phone, but if I do and it's a "push poll" I can't help but mess with them. A push poll is a poll in which the question is designed to try and influence your view of an issue in order to impact a candidate.

Typical Liberal Push Poll Question (and my response)
Pollster: Are you in favor of clean water ?
Me: No, not really
Pollster: You aren't in favor of clean water ?
Me: Nope
Pollster: Why do you hold that view
Me: Clean water doesn't seem natural to me
Pollster: Not natur...
Me: And, besides, I only drink diet pepsi.

Typical Conservative Push Poll Question
Pollster: Do you favor or oppose increasing your taxes for more wasteful government spending?
Me: What would the taxes be spent on ?
Pollster: Wasteful government spending
Me: Specifically what ?
Pollster: It just says wasteful government spending.
Me: Well how can I answer if you can't tell me what the spending is for?
Pollster: I..well I just read the questions
Me: Well, do you agree that you need to know what the spending is for to answer intelligently ?
Pollster: <laughs> I guess so.

[careinke]

Sometimes I tell them I'm busy and ask them for their home phone number so I can call them later to discuss it.