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Why is pollster Rasmussen hawking Palin's book?

November 17, 2009 2:46 pm ET by Eric Boehlert

Last week after reading Scott Rasmussen's sky-falling-on-Obama polling piece in the WSJ, I asked, "Since when do serious, 'independent' pollsters write columns urging the president to "shift right"?, which is what Rasmussen did.

Now, in the wake of his recent posting, I have to ask, since when do serious, 'independent' pollster hawk partisan books in their survey write-ups?  

This week Rasmussen arrives with (surprise!) a pro-Palin poll just in time for her book release, and at the same time when other pollsters are finding a clear majority of Americans don't think Palin is qualified to be president.

Not only is Rasmussen's new survey a stroke of luck for Palin, but note this passage [emphasis added]:

Sixteen percent (16%) of all voters are following news about Palin’s book release very closely, and 20% say they are likely to read it. That latter figure includes 31% of Republican voters. (To order the book, Going Rogue, click HERE).

Huh? Pollster Rasmussen is now pointing people to Amazon to buy a partisan politician's new book? I'm guessing Gallup does not do that.

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    • Author by Parth (November 17, 2009 2:59 pm ET)
         
      And the book link contains Rasmussen's Amazon merchant code, so they get a cut.

      Does Rasmussen even realize the only people buying this book aren't people, but conservative groups? They aren't going to make any money off their link anyway. :p
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    • Author by Bad News (November 17, 2009 3:05 pm ET)
      4  
      If you would just watch Sean Hannity or Bill O'Reilly your question would become very Clear.
      Rasmussen has always leaned to the Right no matter how Fair they Appear.
      There is a Political Game Afoot & it's not just Racist.
      Just look at the Pic of Sarah Palin leaning against the American Flag. It's not Flag Desecration, it's Sexist.

      Speak truth to power.


      Mr. News
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    • Author by bintx (November 17, 2009 4:14 pm ET)
      2  
      Rasmussen often has advertisements on its site hawking "conservative" [phony] wares.
      Report Abuse
    • Author by News Corpse (November 17, 2009 4:59 pm ET)
         
      Where you've gone wrong Eric, is that Rasmussen is NOT an independent pollster. From their web site:
      "As a media company, we make our money by selling advertising, title sponsorships, subscriptions, and content. One thing we don’t sell is polls."

      They make their money from ads, not polls. That is why you will see rightist ads and promotions on their site.
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    • Author by pros2pros2940 (November 17, 2009 5:01 pm ET)
         
      Must be getting a cut of the clicks
      Report Abuse