Bernier Sends Confusing Message Over Push Polls.

Scott Will is in a twist over an Andrew Roraback poll. Will, Fifth Congressional District Republican hopeful Justin Bernier’s campaign manager, sent a letter to the May nominating convention delegates scolding Roraback for a recent poll that shows the Litchfield County legislator doing well in the race. That’s the sort of poll campaigns release, so there’s no surprise there. Will tells delegates that Roraback’s “paid consultant is infamous for his push-polling. Push-polling is where slanted questions are asked in an attempt to lead the respondent to answer a certain way.” Yes, that is very bad.

An example of dreaded push-polling would be the survey Bernier conducted in his unsuccessful 2010 campaign for the seat he is seeking again this year in the crowded race. In an early 2010 campaign poll, Bernier was described as “a veteran of the war in Afghanistan and a former member of Governor Rell’s cabinet.” One of his opponents, Sam Caligiuri, on the other hand, was only “a State Senator and former acting Mayor of Waterbury,” according to the Register Citizen. Bernier came on top of the poll 41-13 among Republicans, a margin Bernier never came close to replicating in real life.

Will’s letter prompts a word of caution about the campaign ahead. Avoid transference. Will writes in bold, “Allow me to repeat myself…my competitor refuses to release the wording of his ‘poll.'” Mr. Will, calm down. You are not the candidate. Andrew Roraback is not your competitor. My emails remind me that politics can breed a particular form of madness, especially in the 5th Congressional District race. You must be careful not to become infected with it.