[EL] Push Polling

[Trevor Potter]

I'm not clear if Brad disputes any of the factual clarifications made by
David....(unlike the statements made in the SC push poll...)

 

Trevor Potter

 

From: law-election-bounces at department-lists.uci.edu
[mailto:law-election-bounces at department-lists.uci.edu] On Behalf Of
David Adamany
Sent: Wednesday, May 01, 2013 5:59 PM
To: law-election at uci.edu
Subject: [EL] Push Polling

 

Although I tend to see issues differently than Brad Smith, I attentively
read his posts because he almost always presents a point of view quite
different from mine and one that I want my students to know about.  I'm
not sure his proposed push poll is up to his usual standards, and I
offer a rare proposal for revision of one of Brad's posts, which I have
reprinted below:

 

I'm thinking of doing my own push poll on money in politics. It will go
something like this: 

 

- What would you think of the FEC if I told you it "regularly deadlocks"
on many of the most important issues it faces.  [in fact, even at
current record levels, it deadlocks relatively infrequently, and most
"deadlocks" actually decide the issue involved)].

 

- Would you be more inclined to support new restrictions on campaign
finance and new disclosure rules if I told you that the political system
was being influenced by $350,000,000 of [swamped with] dark money? (In
fact, "dark money" - no push nomenclature there - amounts to less than
5% of 2012 spending in federal races).

 

- What would you think if I told you that the FEC can't function because
all of the commissioners' terms have expired and the commission
regularly divides with three Democratic appointees voting on one side of
issues and three Republican appointees voting on the other side.? (in
fact, commissioners can remain and retain full powers after the
expiration of their terms).

 

- Would you be more likely to support SEC mandating disclosure of
corporate trade association dues if I told you that a minority of
shareholders strongly objected to using their share of corporate funds
to support candidates they oppose or even detest?  [shareholders wanted
such information]? (in fact, in 12 shareholder votes this proxy season,
disclosure is 0-12, with an average vote less than 20%.).

 

- Do you support sham political advocacy?

 

- Would you be more or less inclined to support more disclosure laws if
I told you that the use of "shell" corporations who spend large amounts
of money to influence elections and do not disclose the money they
receive from wealthy individuals and from corporations who contribute to
those  corporations to conceal their identities?  [to hide the sources
of political funding was now a common tactic? (in fact, there is no
evidence it is a common tactic)].

 

With all due respect. 

 

 

David Adamany

Laura Carnell Professor of Law

and Political Science, and

Chancellor

1810 Liacouras Walk, Ste 330

Temple University

Philadelphia, PA 19122

(215) 204-9278

 



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