Those aren’t my words. They represent the formal statement on push polls from the American Association of Public Opinion Research

If you’ve already received one of these so-called “push polls” from supporters of my opponent, you know that this form of negative telemarketing is nothing more than an attempt to smear me in the last few days of this election.

This is the same tactic used in the 2000 presidential primaries by supporters of George W. Bush to spread vicious accusations against primary opponent John McCain. In that campaign, Bush supporters called South Carolina voters and asked whether they would “be more likely or less likely to vote for John McCain for president if you knew he had fathered an illegitimate black child?”

Now push polls have come to Northwest Michigan.

Today we filed a news release highlighting the universal condemnation of these push polls from members of the profession, and we called David Palsrok out for using this form of campaigning.

Leading pollsters of both parties and all professional organizations with political pollster membership have condemned the practice of push polling. In addition, the practice of push polling violates the code of ethics to which members of American Association of Public Opinion Research, the American Association of Political Consultants, and the Council of Marketing and Opinion Research agree upon joining.

Local people deserve better from our state representative than these dirty tricks. Push polls have no place in Northwest Michigan politics.

Take action: If you are the target of one of these unethical calls, write down the false questions asked and call your local newspaper editor. Local newspapers are on the alert for invasive telephone calls. Push polls are the lowest campaign tactic available.

Ludington Daily News: (231) 845-5181

Traverse City Record-Eagle: (231) 946-2000

Manistee News Advocate: (231) 723-3592