by Frank James
Sen. Larry Craig's "Dateline" interview with Matt Lauer the other evening evidently changed some minds in his favor, according to HCD Research, a market researcher that, among other things, conducts virtual focus groups on certain current events and publishes the results through its MediaCurves technology.
Via the Internet, more than 600 participants watched an edited version of the interview and by moving their computer mice gave their second by second reactions on whether they found the Idaho Republican believable or not.
As it turns out the percentage of people who, after viewing the interview, thought Craig was wrongly charged rose to 28 percent from 15 percent. Democrats, Republicans and Independents all were nearly equally moved by Craig's protestations of innocence from what appeared to be the den or family room of his Idaho home, his wife by his side. Download Mediacurves Power Point charts
Even so, a majority of viewers still believed that he was soliciting sex in that Minneapolis airport restroom. Notably, everytime Craig opened his mouth, the believability curves fell only to rise when Lauer asked his questions. So I'm not sure I'd call this a win for Craig.
And as a colleague of mine noted, an important group that was unlikely to have been swayed by Craig would be his Republican colleagues, many of them who just want him to go away, and soon.
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Comments
Sounds like Senator Wide Stance got a stern talking to from his wife before his first press conference:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m24vmKkcpQA
08 Republican convention logo:
http://s86.photobucket.com/albums/k88/Duke_S/?action=view¤t=Convention_Logo.jpg
Posted by: John E | October 18, 2007 1:43 PM
Oh man. I am so glad Larry didn't quit! He is like the Sen. Macaca of '07. He just keeps giving and giving.
I predict he will run and win again in Taterville.
And let's not forget who tried to crucify him on a cross of toilet paper;
The Republicans.
Posted by: C.Morris | October 18, 2007 1:51 PM
"MICHAEL JACKSON RE-RELEASES DANGEROUS"
I thought I heard that in the background during the interview. "Why you want trip on me"
You could hear, We have Gang Violence in the streets, so why do you want to trip on me.
You could hear, we have teachers on strike, so why do you want to trip on me.
WHAT A JOKE. JUST THINK HE COULD OF FED SOME POOR KIDS INSTEAD OF TAKING UP AIR TIME.
I WATCHED PBS SHOW ON CHENEY'S LAW! LARRY WAS THE BUSH ADMINISTRATION DISTRACTION ADVOCATE OF THE DAY.
NOW TODAY WE HAVE CHENEY'S LAW. CIRCUMVENT THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES. IT IS MY DEVINE RIGHT AMERICA.
CULTURE OF CORRUPTION VS WHY YOU WANT TO TRIP ON ME BY MICHAEL JACKSON.
Posted by: Roger Morris | October 18, 2007 1:56 PM
Did Chris Hansen interview him? Oh, wait, that's when Mark Foley was on Dateline.
Posted by: Dennis Wise | October 18, 2007 2:03 PM
Senator Craig.
Thank you for the gift that keeps on giving.
It is probably next to impossible to unseat a Republican in the back country of Idaho, but you are definitely giving the Democrats hope.
So who would a Democrat have a better chance beating? Some new, bright star, Republican or Senator Craig?
Posted by: dogjudge | October 18, 2007 2:55 PM
Senator Craig proved himself to be a liar when he said he was going to resign by September 30. If he lied about his intention to resign then it stands to reason he is lying about his actions in the airport men's room.
Posted by: Two Truck | October 18, 2007 7:03 PM
doggy,
Yeah, it's sweet. And the Republican leadership dropped him like a 'hot tater' at the first sign of trouble. They are the ones that tossed him under the bus.
He may as well stay, IMO. Believe me, although Craig is a political Neanderthal, 'Butch' could do much worse with his replacement appointment.
Posted by: C.Morris | October 18, 2007 7:22 PM