Merkley's Negative Polling: Is Novick A Commie?

In an ominous sign of what the future portends for Oregon's U.S. Senate Democratic primary, the Associated Press reported Wednesday that Jeff Merkley's off-the-shelf Senate campaign has been paying for polling to test a variety of negative messages against Steve Novick.

Bye-bye substance, hello more silly season distractions -- brought to you courtesy of Jeff Merkley for U.S. Senate.

From Associated Press reporter Julia Silverman:

The Merkley campaign's telephone poll, which lasts about 30 minutes, tests voter perceptions of hot-button issues likely to surface during the remaining nine weeks of the campaign, from Social Security solvency to illegal immigration.

Voters are asked whether they are more or less favorably inclined toward Novick, given the following information:

• "Novick is a pro-tax advocate, repeatedly supporting higher taxes for the middle classes, running on a proposal to raise Social Security taxes and falling for false Republican claims that if we don't do this, Social Security will go bankrupt."

• "Novick is simply not a serious candidate who can win election. He carried joke business cards that have a Communist hammer and sickle symbol on them. He voted for Ralph Nader. His campaign ads feature jokes. That is not the person who can beat Gordon Smith."

• "Novick is a paid political consultant and lobbyist. He has made a political career out of developing negative attacks, poll-driven campaigns and advising candidates what to say to get elected."

Voters were also asked what in Novick's "background" concerned them most: "that he is a pro-tax advocate, political consultant, or that he is a divider."

So let me get this straight. Merkley's consultants conducted polling to find out how voters react to the idea of "poll-driven" campaigns and consultants.

Wow! Gaze, meet Navel.

I guess we'll see how much money and energy Merkley is willing to spend focusing his poll-tested negative attacks on a fellow Democrat.

Novick will have to spend his time and money defending himself from Merkley's smears, and meanwhile, back at his daddy's Pendelton pea-packing plant, Republican incumbent Gordon Smith will be above the fray, adding to his coffers, getting tanned rested and ready, and maybe even enjoying some golf.

Hat Tip to Loaded Orygun.