Pro-Latham Poll in the Field

(Nine-term GOP incumbent Tom Latham is running against eight-term Democratic incumbent Leonard Boswell in the new IA-03. - promoted by desmoinesdem)

I just got a call and participated in a very long political survey.  Based on the questions as the survey progressed, I'm guessing it's a Latham or NRCC poll. (Thank you for the Tarrance background and NRCC information in your comment, DesMoinesDem.  Diary is edited to reflect your insight.)

The run-down of questions, based on my scribbled notes, after the jump. 

How likely are you to vote in the November election?

Do you consider Iowa to be on the right track or on the wrong track?

If the election were held today, would you be more likely to vote for Democrats or Republicans?

Which of the list of national issues do you think your U.S. Congressman should address?  (taxes, energy, illegal immigration, debt/spending, public education, national defense/homeland security, healthcare, economy/jobs)

Regarding the economy in Iowa, would you consider it… (choices ranged from deep in recession to strong with choices like “recovering, but not quickly enough” in the middle)

Regarding President Obama, do you approve or disapprove of his job performance?

Have you heard of and do you approve or disapprove of the job performance of the following:

Charles Grassley

Tom Latham

Regarding Latham, do you approve or disapprove of his job performance?

Does he deserve re-election?

If no, give one or two reasons why not.

Again, have you heard of and do you approve or disapprove of:

Leonard Boswell

Tom Harkin

Regarding Boswell, do you approve or disapprove of his job performance?

Does he deserve re-election?

If the vote for president were today, would you vote for Obama or Romney?

If the vote for congress were today, would you vote for Boswell or Latham?

Who do you think would do a better job on the following issues, Boswell or Latham?  (taxes, energy, illegal immigration, agriculture, helping people like you [?], healthcare, economy and jobs) 

Knowing the following about Boswell, would it make you more or less likely to vote for him:

List of “How Leonard Voted” on various issues, putting a decidedly negative spin on Boswell's votes.  For example, all but used the term “Obamacare” to describe the healthcare bill, called his vote on the stimulus package “a vote for a failed economic stimulus,” said Boswell “toed the party line” etc.  Also included the fact that he's been a “professional politician” for 25 years and promised not to serve more than four terms.  

Asked again, if the vote were today, Latham or Boswell?

Asked if I identified with the Tea Party.

Asked if I consider myself pro-choice or pro-life.

Asked my age, highest level of education, spectrum of liberal to conservative, spectrum of voting for Democrats or Republicans in the last four elections, asked my voter registration, if I'm in a union and, if yes, what kind, asked if I or my husband are veterans, asked if I'm employed outside the home, asked if we have kids under the age of 18, and asked to verify my first name and phone number.

When I asked who was paying for the survey, he said he was calling from the Tarrance Group, an independent research firm, and that he did not know who paid for the survey.

If you ask me, I'd give you one answer.  Sounds like Tom Latham to me. 

About the Author(s)

UrbandaleforObama

  • the Tarrance Group

    is a Republican polling firm. They have done work for the National Republican Congressional Committee in the past, so this poll may have been for the NRCC if not directly for the Latham campaign.

    Thanks for the report! I will put this on the front page later.

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