While relaxing at home one evening, I received a call from a Saratoga phone number. The caller said she was conducting a poll for Research America on the upcoming election for governor, senator and City Council. Having more than a passing interest in the topic, I agreed to be questioned on my opinions. However there were no questions about the governor or Senate race. It was strictly limited to the Benicia City Council race.
It soon became clear that this was a classic “push poll”. According to the American Association of Public Opinion Research, a group of legitimate polling operations, “AAPOR defines a ‘push poll’ as a form of negative campaigning that is disguised as a political poll. ‘Push polls’ are actually political telemarketing — telephone calls disguised as research that aim to persuade large numbers of voters and affect election outcomes, rather than measure opinions.”
While there were no questions in the poll about William Eames and limited questions about Christina Strawbridge, I was asked lots of questions about Lionel Largaspaeda and Kari Birdseye. All of the questions were in the format of “Let me read you some statements about the candidate, and tell me if they make you more or less likely to support them in the election”
The statements about Mr. Largaspaeda were uniformly positive and stated how, for example, he would use his small business background to improve the City’s economy and relations with its businesses.
The statements about Ms. Birdseye were the opposite. Among these statements were “She wants to shut down Valero, costing hundreds of jobs.” and “She will bring radical left-wing politics to City Hall.”
If someone heard those statements, and believed them to be true, that would clearly influence their vote– which is the real purpose of a push poll. The descriptions of Ms. Birdseye’s positions are clearly NOT true, but that is of little concern to those paying for the operation, if they are successful in painting a false portrait of her in the minds of voters.
There was also a lengthy section on endorsements, asking if endorsements from the following people and organizations made me more or less likely to vote for a candidate. Among those listed were yours truly, the mayor, the Central Labor Council (and their affiliates the Benicia Teachers, Police and Fire unions), Valero, the Chamber of Commerce, the Progressive Democrats of Benicia, Congressman Thompson and the Solano County Democratic Central Committee.
Finally, there was a question about the proposed Industrial Safety Ordinance that offered two choices that boiled down to either the argument advanced by the proponents of such an ordinance or the one made by the opponents, including Valero.
When the questioning was completed, I asked the person on the other end a series of questions, and she was surprisingly talkative. First, who paid for the poll? She answered, convincingly, that she did not know, since knowing it might bias the questions. (Of course, the questions were ridiculously biased as written). Second, who signed her paycheck? Research America. Third, where was she located? In the Poconos in Eastern Pennsylvania. When I responded that the call was shown coming from a California phone number, she said that was done all the time to convince more people to answer the phone. Fourth, was she calling from home? No, she was in an office building. Finally, how many people were making these calls on the Benicia council race? On any given day, she said, 40 to 80 people were making these calls.
The last answer shocked me. If true, and I have no reason to doubt any of her answers, this means that literally every Benicia voter could eventually receive these phony polling calls.
Fortunately, I believe most Benicia voters are smart enough to see these calls for what they are: an extremely expensive effort to try and smear one candidate with false charges and to benefit another. Who would spend this kind of money to influence the council race is the great unknown question. But there is clearly some outside person or corporation willing to spend a lot of money to try and influence this election.
Steve Young is the vice mayor of Benicia.
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Now that the community knows the details about this egregious violation of our campaign rules, either by ignorance or malicious disregard, it will be interesting to see how long it takes for [___________] to, at minimum, invoke the “Sergeant Schultz defense” and repudiate this practice. All candidates take the pledge administered by City Clerk Wolfe and are thus bound to uphold it no matter what.
From the BMC:
A. The candidate voluntarily endorses, subscribes to, and solemnly pledges to conduct his or her campaign in accordance with the current version of the Benicia Code of Fair Campaign Practices.
B. The candidate will immediately and publicly repudiate those who take actions that either help a candidate’s candidacy or hurt an opponent’s candidacy, which are inconsistent with the Benicia Code of Fair Campaign Practices.
On a broader perspective, ALL candidates are held to this pledge, no matter the office. As written, the rules expect everyone to publicly repudiate this practice. The floor is open and the mic is hot.
Stan did you receive a call? One must know about it to refute it. Vice Mayor Young ,you know that person who FACEBOOK headlined 900 homes that were never to be built. He is as guilty as the poll he is referring to. Stan the forum is open and the mic is on. So all the Birdseye supporters should stop what they are saying about that candidate__________. You included. Facts are FACTS AND WORDS ARE WORDS. THIS ANTI CAMPAIGN ON CANDIDATE _________IS FULL OF SO CALLED SMEAR TACTICS. Have you reported that to the City Clerk or City Attorney? ” One Trick Pony” approach does not work.
Vice Mayor Young do you think this poll was a smear tactic on candidate Birdseye? If so explain why and cite the questions asked of you and how you answered. Also how did you answer the questions about candidate Largaespada? You cannot even spell his name correctly. Maybe your answers to the Largaespada question would be very important on how you judged this poll. Tell us how you answered them and what additional comments did you make to the poll interviewer. It appears it was your opportunity to go negative on candidate Largaespada. Did you? Oh, I forgot you have been directed to not communicate with me. A councilmember not communicating to a voting resident? very strange.
Birdseye claims this a poll to smear her reputation. Now Kari please tell us if you got that poll call or are you trusting someone’s memory. Please tell the voters the exact questions asked that were an attempt to smear you. It appears from what Vice Mayor Young says there were two questions referenced about you. Are any of those two questions smear questions or just a perception of what you and your campaign backers are trying to do and saying.. You walk door to door with the mayor. Are you in support of her agenda driven ideals. You supported the hi-jacked “Shadow Government” attempt to go completely around the city government on the ISO request. Very radical. Voted down twice. Do you support the Mayor on stopping all new fossil fuel drilling. You know the Dear Gov. Brown letter. It appears you do, Those are factual questions to be asked about you and were not smear campaign questions. Talk about your idea of a smear tactic try what your folks are saying about Lionel. One guess what they are saying and you have said nothing about it. You caused those questions to be asked and I believe I have mentioned both instances. Remember Kari they were questions to be answered by a caller. Do you have the results of that poll. Remember you could come out a shinning star but you go on the defense because there could be more to it than you like. Get Woke Kari it is a campaign. Am I now to be accused of starting that campaign poll. I would not advise that
Hey Steve, Still hitting that wicked slice off the tee? As a liberal, I am surprised that you even care about polls…in 2016 they were uniformly wrong…y’know, Trump won. And be honest, if a pollster cited anything that the Bird said, how could it not be interpreted as something stupid to do?
As of 4pm, candidate Birdseye has publicly repudiated the meddling of outside forces in our elections as required by the pledge. Anyone else?
Steve, Thanks to bringing this to light here. I read you comments on another on-line outlet. I sincerely believe you have given a complete rundown of the call. And, there should not be any doubt that it was shady and highly skewed to favor one candidate, and besmirch another. No further information needed. Aside from, perhaps, who paid for the push poll.
It is very clear to me that this push poll was brought to the attention of the community by one of Candidate Birdseye biggest backers. Remember this person was the leading force on the Planning Commission that voted the CBR down. The City Council did the same by a 5/0 vote. That person is the one and only Vice Mayor Young. He felt the questions asked were very damaging to his candidate for City Council. That candidate was Birdseye. Vice Mayor Young also stated that most of the questions were about Birdseye and Largaespada. Vice Mayor Young also stated that the questions about Largaespada were mostly positive but the questions about candidate Birdseye were just the opposite. What is the real reason Vice Mayor Young brought this to the attention of the Voters. Remember it first appeared in the Benicia Independent also a big supporter of candidate Birdseye. It then appeared in the local paper Benicia Herald in print and on-line on Sunday Sept.24th. The question I have of Vice Mayor Young is would he have written about this if the poll was the opposite view. Meaning positive for his candidate Birdseye and Negative for candidate Largaespada? I do not believe that would have happened. This is just a free campaign ad for candidate Birdseye and a free anti Largaesada ad. .Yes politics can get a little dirty and this type of poll is not new. Should they be brought to the attention of the City Clerk and City Attorney? YES, but without bias. That did not happen in this case and candidate Birdseye thinks her image may have been damaged. I believe candidate Birdseye image is what it is and questions were asked. Not at all to the satisfaction of her big campaign spokesman and also the candidate herself. Not a good move on candidate Birdseye. It just calls attention to her and her views which could very well not be in-line with the resident/voters. We shall see. It is now out. So just what is the next move by the Birdseye campaign? We shall see.
Good morning Stan,
My statement was posted on Facebook and Nextdoor, and made available to Roger Straw and Benicia Herald on Friday:
“I would like to let everyone know that I have no involvement whatsoever with this poll, I do not know who is conducting it, and it was done with no input or permission from me. I have heard from many residents about the poll, and I have heard many different opinions on how it was conducted – ranging from Steve’s claim that it is biased towards me, to residents who found it equally balanced, to others who thought it was negative-sounding towards me. As with most topics, people have differing reactions and take aways based on their own beliefs and opinions.
I am against push polling, I don’t believe it benefits anyone. My hope is that all voters take the time to do their own research – visit the candidates’ websites, attend or watch the candidate forums, attend a meet and greet – and form their own opinions. As always, I am available to speak with anyone who is interested in learning more about my campaign.”
I’m sure the community would like to know more about your reasoning behind advocating for extensive buffers around cannabis retail sites. What practical measure of public safety do these buffers achieve in your view?
Secondly, what is your position on Measure E?
Stan do you want Birdseye on the council meet your own personal agenda. Which simply put is open First Street to retail cannabis RETAIL SALES. YOU ASK QUESTIONS BUT NEVER ANSWER ANY. YOU APPEAR TO BE BEING INFLUENCED BY THE VICE MAYOR IN YOUR COMMENTS AND the Vice Mayor has found someone to have a ring in their nose and that is you.; “ONE TRICK PONY Stan”.
It is now very evident that Vice Mayor Young is going beyond the city council election. He is also trying to hi-jack the School Board election to try and get Superintendent Young removed. Big Vice Mayor Young that is the lowest campaign tactic I have seen in many years. A very good example of “SHADOW GOVERNMENT” that you simply ignore and think it does not exist. It does Big Steve Young. GET WOKE
I have no fear of Big Steve Young responding. His advisors told ,him not ,to communicate withy me. So I will call Big Steve Young what he actually is. A big backer of Socialist politics especially Bernie Sanders. He could always have Stan do his talking.
When candidate Birdseye says many Benicians have reported the poll as an attempt to smear her good name. That is understandable. But to also say the other person says he was not involved. Then say “I believe him, but then he claims that the poll wasn’t biased”. Is that now an attempt to smear him. By doubting his sincerity. You want the voters to believe you have been smeared but will now doubt the sincerity of an opposing candidate. I find that a hit below the belt. You say they go low and we go high. Well sorry Birdseye you did not follow that theme this time. You went very low. You said it on your web page.
Thou doth protest too much.
Trying to beat out Stan. They say it and I comment. You are so tuned in you never even heard of a PUSH POLL. So what you say is of no importance. You will reply ,in a very negative manner. Just watch.
No need to reply in a negative manner. The fact that you feel it is justified, is good enough for me..
You comment negatively and I am right back at you. Be civil and it will not happen. Get WOLK.,
I don’t think you understood my last comment, Mr. Wolk,
It is funny, though, how I posted that line from Hamlet and you were the one that responded to it.
Should be WOKE Tommie.
Besides, we all know that Bob is WOKE, so that should be the end of it.
I appreciate your very honest comment about me. J Thank you.
It is very out in the open that the Mayor, Vice Mayor and other Birdseye backers are now trying to smear the other candidate. No need to name that candidate. This is a fear and now a smear campaign tactic to sway voters away from the very popular other candidate. Pure fear has set in and they will hold back nothing to defeat this candidate. If I where the mayor I would fear the vice mayor.. Come 2020 he just might say your time is over and it is my turn now. Unless you have told him you are not running again that is exactly was is happening. Very wise to keep a very close eye on him. He also could destroy any chance you have of running and winning in 2020. It is right before your eyes, take a very close look.
The haters always scream the loudest.
For once Thomas you are correct. The mayor , vice mayor, Susan and Birdseye are screaming out loud. Yes they are the haters and want to hurt a very fine person. Thank you for confirming that.
Sorry, wrong again, Mr, WOLK.
Well Thomas then who is doing the complaining. All started by Vice mayor Young and followed up by candidate Birdseye complaining her reputation is being attacked. Just where have you been Thomas. It is the Birdseye backers that are doing all the loud screaming. Yes they are the haters.
Nope, that’s not a thing, Mr. WOLK. Sorry.
Thomas, GET WOKE. Get a new shine you will fell better.
Mr. WOLK I’ll give you a C for effort, and a A+ for irrelevance.