Romney: Thinking I'm behind the push-poll is like being a WTC conspiracy theorist"

[mod mom]

Romney: "Thinking I'm behind the push-poll is like being a World Trade Center conspiracy theorist.

http://talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/059425.php

hmmh...he's not denying it!

More on the Romney push-poll saga:

MITT POLLS
We've got TPM Reader MA wondrin' ...

I started off being very skeptical that the Romney campaign would push-poll itself...but these pieces add up to a creepy claim of plausibility:
1. The Utah based company that did the polling has ties to BYU. It's hard for me to imagine a company with Mormon leanings willingly allowing itself to be paid by Mitt's rivals to attempt to tar a Mormon candidate -- on the basis of his Mormonism.
2. The fact, as you noted, that this doesn't have the appearance of a typical push poll. That this wasn't set up to influence large numbers of voters makes the notion that the goal was to create a mini-scandal and generate sympathy for a victimized Mitt a bit more plausible.
3. It's hard to imagine any other campaign not understanding that such a tactic would backfire on them and give Mitt ammunition.
this is a tactic worthy of the legendary battles for leadership of the college Republicans. But still, the downside danger of doing something like this and getting caught seems too big too risk. I remain skeptical.

http://talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/059350.php

[sallyseven]

1. Don't believe any thing he says

Save your self aggravation.

[Tempest]

2. It appears he is saying he's not personally behind it

Sounds like he's preparing a scapegoat as the facts come out.

[Mz Pip]

3. The thing is

push polls work. Just ask John McCain about South Carolina. I doubt Mitwit would risk doing this to himself since he could very well push poll himself out of first place.

My guess is it's coming from an operative in another GOP candidate's campaign. And if I remember correctly McCain hired the same sleazeballs that were responsible for that shit on South Carolina.

Follow the smell.

Mz Pip
:dem:

[FreeState]

4. This has nothing to do with BYU

The Utah based company that did the polling has ties to BYU. It's hard for me to imagine a company with Mormon leanings willingly allowing itself to be paid by Mitt's rivals to attempt to tar a Mormon candidate -- on the basis of his Mormonism.

I seriously doubt a tax exempt religion that has taken great pains to not get involved with candidate politics* would have its students or employees call people and tell them anti-mormon talking points. It would be a little like Rome calling people and asking them if they knew Catholics believe the Pope is God.

(The church never has endorsed a party or a candidate - they have however been involved with Gay Marriage, Lottery, ERA and Alcohol laws - aka issue politics)