push polling
Fake survey attacks
Push polling is a political campaign tactic disguised as a survey, where callers ask leading or loaded questions designed to spread negative information about an opponent rather than gather genuine opinions: The campaign was accused of push polling after voters reported calls asking if they'd still support the candidate knowing he'd been arrested.
Despite the name, push polls aren't real polls—they're persuasion tools masquerading as research.
Causing false beliefs
- disinformationIntentional deceptive falsehoods
- misinformConvey false details
- leading questionsInquiries suggesting expected answers
- smearSpread or defame
slander · defamation · fabricate · distort · misrepresent · innuendo · disingenuous · false premise
Violating moral standards
- scandalDisgraceful public affair
- backlashStrong negative reaction
- outrageFierce moral indignation
- criticismJudgment of faults
controversy · accountability · disclosure · transparency · regulation · FEC · campaign finance · election integrity
Formal inquiry form
- respondentsThose who answer queries
- sampleSubset for study
- demographicsStatistical population characteristics
- electorateEligible voting body
opinion · robocall · phone bank · canvassing · battleground · swing voters · likely voters
Art of persuasive language
- campaignOrganized effort toward goal
- swayRock back and forth
- lobbyEntryway or influence-seeking
- advocatePublic cause supporter
messaging · talking points · narrative · framing · soundbite · negative ad · opposition research
Angled from vertical
- one-sidedUnfairly weighted toward one
- partisanBiased toward one side
- tendentiousShowing bias toward position
- skewedAsymmetrically shifted
prejudiced · loaded · framing · priming · suggestive · predetermined · rigged · cherry-picking
Biased information for influence
- spinRapid rotation around axis
- influencePower to affect others
- coercionPressured compliance through threats
- brainwashingCoercive psychological manipulation
indoctrination · subliminal · exploitation · scheming · maneuvering · machination · skullduggery · underhandedness
misleading
Causing false beliefs
- disinformationIntentional deceptive falsehoods
- misinformConvey false details
- leading questionsInquiries suggesting expected answers
smear · slander · defamation · fabricate · distort · misrepresent · innuendo · disingenuous · false premise · negative campaigning
unethical
Violating moral standards
criticism · controversy · accountability · disclosure · transparency · regulation · FEC · campaign finance · election integrity · voter rights
questionnaire
Formal inquiry form
- respondentsThose who answer queries
- sampleSubset for study
- demographicsStatistical population characteristics
electorate · opinion · robocall · phone bank · canvassing · battleground · swing voters · likely voters
rhetoric
Art of persuasive language
advocate · messaging · talking points · narrative · framing · soundbite · negative ad · opposition research
slanted
Angled from vertical
- one-sidedUnfairly weighted toward one
- partisanBiased toward one side
- tendentiousShowing bias toward position
skewed · prejudiced · loaded · framing · priming · suggestive · predetermined · rigged · cherry-picking
propaganda
Biased information for influence
- spinRapid rotation around axis
- influencePower to affect others
- coercionPressured compliance through threats
brainwashing · indoctrination · subliminal · exploitation · scheming · maneuvering · machination · skullduggery · underhandedness · voter suppression
push pollingexit polling
Surveying voters after balloting
tracking poll · Gallup poll · market research · census · empirical research
push pollingcivic engagement
Active citizenship in community
voter education · town hall meeting · policy discussion · campaign speech · political debate
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