This is too funny...Harris Beats Nelson -- Leads 54% to 45%

[rpannier]

TAMPA, FL- Congresswoman Katherine Harris, the Republican candidate for the United States Senate, soundly defeated Bill Nelson this evening by a 54% to 45% margin in the straw poll conducted at the Lakeland Bi-Annual Politics in the Park. The Harris campaign continues to build momentum, engendering tremendous grassroots support throughout the state with a pro-growth, pro-family message that resonates across the political spectrum.

snip

The Lakeland Bi-Annual Politics in the Park straw poll illustrates the widespread support that exists for Harris’ consistent message of cutting taxes, eliminating wasteful spending, protecting the institution of marriage and opposing amnesty for illegal citizens. Congresswoman Katherine Harris is the only candidate with a demonstrated record of leadership who will fight for Florida’s values in the U.S. Senate.

WTF is the Lakeland Bi-Annual Politics in the Park?

this bizarre and delusional story can be found at (not surprisingly):
http://www.electharris.org/news/Read.aspx?ID=109

[yourout]

1. Maybe it was a poll of registered Republicans.

If so.....the numbers make sense.

[Olney Blue]

2. If it was a poll of Republicans, the 54% is embarassing!

[TheCowsCameHome]

4. But still 50% more than she should get.

[madfloridian]

3. Here's the full story from the political editor. Harris lied by omission.

What he doesn't tell you is the Politics in the Park is very Republican, just as everything else in Central Florida is. I can not think of any of our Democratic friends who attended.

http://theledger.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061009/COLUMNISTS0502/610090374/1106/NEWS

"Harris Unfairly Trumpets Results of a Straw Poll in the Park"

"One of the biggest frustrations for public opinion pollsters and academics dealing with applied statistics is the misuse of and sometimes downright bending of the truth when it comes to poll results, especially by politicians.

Readers of poll stories then begin to doubt scientific polls and blame pollsters, writers, everybody, it seems, but the people who purposefully distort the numbers.

And what a perfect example we have from the campaign staff of U.S. Rep. Katherine Harris, R-Longboat Key, who sent out statewide press releases Friday trying to say she is leading Democratic incumbent U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson.

The Harris campaign took results from a straw vote at the Lakeland Chamber's Politics in the Park held on Thursday and sent screaming headlines to news media.

The press release made it appear that Harris, who is still down in all the general polls being conducted, has risen ahead of Nelson among Florida voters.

The truth is you couldn't vote at Politics in the Park unless you paid $25. The Ledger even ran a picture of Harris helping a six-year-old vote in the straw ballot"

[YDogg]

7. Correct. A bit more ...

http://www.lakelandchamber.com/content2/interior.asp?section=news&body=details.asp&newsid=289

But the key is the $25 price tag to vote.

[yourout]

5. woohoo.....I was right!

Happens once in a while.

[unpossibles]

6. "illegal citizens"?

uh... does that mean liberals? </joke>