Are There Fake Pollsters in Kansas?

As I am learning the ropes of Twitter, I make certain I am following all candidates from Kansas who are running for the United States Senate and Congress. In essence, I started The Kansas Conservative Chronicle to go that extra mile within Kansas politics. As I've learned in my many years as a self-described politico, we cannot always trust our public servants. I have learned there are fervent supporters for candidates who will announce scandals, lies, complaints and truths through their respective Twitter accounts. With each article, blog post and status update I ingest, I try to find the opposing arguments to capture a true sense of where conservatives in Kansas feel these races are headed. We're all in agreement that the main goal for Kansas conservatives is to keep the state Red in both the U.S. House and Senate.

Most recently on Twitter, it appears the Moran for Kansas and Kansans for Tiahrt campaigns are having a difference of opinion regarding earmarks, tax hikes, and fake pollsters here in Kansas. Yesterday, as I was preparing an article on the Fourth District Congressional forum, I caught wind of an "earmarks" battle amongst Moran for Kansas spokesman, Dan Conston and Kansans for Tihart spokeswoman, Michelle Schroeder.

As allegations of earmarks and tax increases are exploding throughout Twitter this morning, one tweet in particular caught my attention. I currently follow Vicki Holland Tiahrt, wife of Rep. Todd Tiahrt (R-KS) on Twitter. Mrs. Tiahrt posted a tweet this morning, referring to a "fake poll" being conducted by Rep. Jerry Moran's (R-KS) United State Senate campaign, Moran for Kansas.

Vicki called out political consultant and Axiom Strategy's Chief Executive Officer, Jeff Roe, as the culprit of such fake polls. Jeff Roe's campaign strategies have been known as cut-throat in the past. Immediately, I replied to Vicki Tiahrt's twitter, GOP4ME2, wanting to know more on this issue, specifically requesting a credible source for the fake pollster allegations.

SurveyUSA has conducted several polls since the beginning of the Tiahrt V Moran race. In each poll, Moran's lead has fluctuated, but has remained the consistent leader. A fake poll conducted in Kansas should be taken seriously, and I intend to continue to request this information from Mrs. Tiahrt.

While waiting for a response from Tiahrt, I searched for other fraudulent polls in the race to replace Sen. Sam Brownback (R-KS). In my search, I found a tweet dated three weeks ago from JCCC Trustee Stephanie Sharp, indicating that Kansans for Tiahrt Field Director, Melissa Ward was posing as a pollster from USA Today. Wanting to check my facts, I did a search on the Lawrence based number referenced in Stephanie's tweet.

The phone number belongs to Kansans for Tiahrt Field Director, Melissa Ward. I do not know Stephanie Sharp personally, but it seems from her Twitter activity, she is neither a Moran nor a Tiahrt supporter.

I was unable to send a Direct Message to Stephanie or Vicki on twitter to request further clarification. As information comes to me, I will update this article accordingly. Please add your comments on this issue, as I am curious if anyone else has recently received fake or abnormal polling calls.

Final Note: It is inevitable that hair-splitting with be the theme throughout this race until the August 3rd, 2010 primary. Accusations and voting records will be brought to the surface in an effort to expose each candidate as "more" or "less" conservative. These are the games politicos play in a contested primary. In regard to fake pollsters surveying Kansans? It's fraudulent and should be investigated further. Kansans deserve honest and reputable polling sources. Impersonating USA Today or Survey USA compromises the integrity of the race to replace Brownback.