02.07.07
Aha! There IS a conspiracy!
Proof and how wonderful that the Indo puts in the MSM after it is exposed on politics.ie
“EMBARRASSED RTE executives admitted last night that members of political parties had posed as “undecided voters” in a high-profile politics TV show.
The Irish Independent can reveal that ‘The Week in Politics’ programme, hosted by US pollster Frank Luntz, featured a Fianna Fail party member and ex-member in a group of what were supposed to be undecided voters.
Gerry O’Brien, a Fianna Fail member and co-op manager from Mitchelstown, Co Cork, was seen on the programme attacking a Fine Gael poster on the health service as “totally negative”.
Defended
He also defended Health Minister Mary Harney without revealing his party affiliation. He confirmed last night that he was a member of Fianna Fail and had canvassed in the past for Cork East TD Ned O’Keefe.
Eoin Dawson, a self-confessed Fianna Fail supporter and a businessman from Mitchelstown, was also selected for the focus group. He said it was unfair not to give the Government credit for their handling of the economy and described Sinn Fein as “vigilantes”. He admitted last night he had been a member of Fianna Fail in the past. He claimed to be “not sure” if he was currently a member.”
I can’t find a similiar report in the Irish Times. PERHAPS!! PERHAPS!!! There was a crisis meeting of Indo editorial staff on Monday morning to discuss my seminal column on Sunday and they have decided they simply MUST act and publish more stories which help the opposition!!! Hurrah! 
Of course how did Dawson and O’Brien think that they would get away with it? This is Ireland! EVERYBODY knows you. At least two ways as an old friend of mine says.
Ray said,
February 7, 2007 at 1:31 pm
Its hardly an RTE conspiracy, is it?
Dan Sullivan said,
February 7, 2007 at 1:35 pm
There may be a bigger problem in all of this for RED C who selected the ‘floating’ voters.
Agnes said,
February 7, 2007 at 3:56 pm
I don’t think we can trust any poll or Frank opinion, I mean the sample conducted for such is so low relatively and their methodology I really have to question.
It altogether is a bit lazy of the press and RTE to give them as much credit as they do.
Although i have to say the FG billboard is crap, no matter how you look at it.
I don’t think you have to be involved in FF to notice how poorly thought out it was.
Re: Frank opinion
There was many who i thought were clearly not just FF, but one or two were clearly FG and one SF. Floating voters lol -it really boils down to what your definition is. Some were and some obviously were not, and Id prefer it if they chose people who were perhaps more objective and rounded in their political persuasion.
As for polls…
I have heard rumours that one poll released was ‘influenced’ – parties also conduct them all the time and spin them accordingly.
P O'Neill said,
February 7, 2007 at 4:03 pm
I’m amazed that Luntz has been able to package himself as non-partistan pollster in the Irish and British context. In the US context he’s a long time Republican hack and expert spinner. He’s non-partisan I suppose in his party work having been in the States. But you can’t teach an old dog new tricks.
Darren Mac an PhrÃora said,
February 7, 2007 at 5:47 pm
What does MSM stand for?
simon said,
February 7, 2007 at 6:12 pm
Funny how p.ie also mentioned there were FG guys there as well. Yet the indo seems to have left that bit out
Sarah said,
February 7, 2007 at 6:15 pm
MainStream Media
I am SO with the lingo
You know I did wonder about the FG bit and why the Indo left that out. Perhaps they couldn’t finger them….not good enough to say that there were FG people there unless you have names…I guess p.ie can get away with saying it but the Indo would actually have to have a name…