September 25, 2009 04:26 PM UTC

Uh, About That Poll...

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• by: Colorado Pols

Yesterday we talked briefly about a new poll from the GOP-leaning Tarrance Group, which made representations about the mood of Coloradans regarding key races and state issues. We found the poll most interesting because it indicated a majority of Colorado voters–with a higher percentage in the arch-conservative Colorado Springs area–would support repealing the Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights (TABOR).

But as the Denver Post reports today, there’s something else about this poll you should probably be aware of:

A new group headed by Republican operative Sean Tonner released a poll Thursday that should make gubernatorial candidate Scott McInnis happy.

The poll, which showed former U.S. Rep. McInnis with a sizable lead over his opponents for the GOP gubernatorial nomination, also asked questions about education, taxes and other issues (of note, a majority of respondents favored overturning the Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights, or TABOR amendment). The poll of 500 likely registered voters was conducted Sept. 16-17 and released Thursday.

Tonner’s name surfaced this year when McInnis, who was drumming up support for his run, left a voice message for someone saying, “We’ve got Sean Tonner on board . . . Sean’s doing our 5, our, ah, 527.” [Pols emphasis]

Candidates and their committees are barred by law from collaborating with 527s – another type of political group named for its IRS code – on campaign messages and how money is spent…

Tonner said neither his group, Colorado Policy Institute, nor the poll is about helping McInnis’ campaign…

We would have suggested modifying the plan for “our 527” after Tonner’s name was broadcast to everybody in Colorado in that oh-so regrettable voicemail. Maybe find somebody else to answer the phones at the “Colorado Policy Institute?” Since, people are kind of, you know, on to you? Doesn’t matter if this poll is rock-solid, how do you deal with everybody coming to a full stop at “consider the source?” Heck, why should we talk about this poll at all, when it’s much more fun to revisit Tonner, McInnis and that terribly embarrassing voicemail?

Much like McInnis’ drive-time radio freakout, or snubbing his own party’s biggest annual function, he seems to have no clue how bad this looks–what the long-term credibility consequences are. Hint: hurts worse than the poll helps, guys.