By Jill Zuckman
CONCORD, N.H. – Both Mitt Romney and John McCain's campaigns filed complaints today with the New Hampshire Attorney General asking for an investigation into a negative push poll that began Sunday.
The push poll, which seems designed to hurt Romney and help McCain, asks voters whether they know that Romney is a Mormon, that his five sons did not serve in the military, and that Mormons believe the Book of Mormon is superior to the Bible. It also asks voters whether they were aware of deferments Romney took to avoid military service in Vietnam while he was on a mission with other young Mormons in France.
At the beginning of the 20-minute survey, voters are also asked whether they are aware of McCain's decorated military service during Vietnam. That has led many voters to assume the poll was paid for by McCain's campaign, which they say is untrue.
Former Rep. Chuck Douglas (R-N.H.), McCain's New Hampshire Vice Chair, gave his complaint to deputy Attorney General Orville Brewster Fitch II just a few minutes ago, calling the phone calls repugnant. "We find the whole thing a very bad trend eight weeks before the primary," Douglas told Fitch.
Aides to N.H. Sen. Judd Gregg also filed a complaint with the Attorney General on behalf of the Romney campaign. Campaign officials said they are providing names of people who received the calls to the Attorney General.
"Whichever campaign is engaging in this type of awful religious bigotry as a line of political attack, it is repulsive and, to put it bluntly, un-American," said Romney Communications director Matt Rhoades. "There is no excuse for these attacks. Governor Romney is campaigning as an optimist who wants to lead the nation. These attacks are just the opposite. They are ugly and divisive."
New Hampshire law requires all political ads – including phone calls – to identify the candidate behind the effort, or at least the candidate who is being supported. These phone calls were made by Western Wats, based in Utah, and did not identify a candidate that the calls were intended to help or hurt.
Fitch said this is the first complaint of the presidential cycle. In past years, he said, his office has launched investigations and issued "cease and desist" orders, but never prosecuted anyone.
Previous news reports have linked calls by Western Wats to the Tarrance Group, which works for former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani. Ed Goeas, the head of the Tarrance Group, told the Associated Press that there is no connection between Giuliani and Western Wats.
McCain, who arrives in New Hampshire this afternoon for a three-day swing through the northern and western parts of the state, called the phone calls "cowardly."
"I call on all other candidates and their supporters to repudiate these attacks and join me in pledging not to engage in such despicable tactics throughout the balance of this campaign,'' McCain said in a statement.
"I am outraged by the cowardly telephone calls that hide behind my name in an effort to disparage one candidate and advance the candidacy of another," he said. "I was a target of these same tactics in South Carolina in 2000 and believe the American people deserve better from those who seek the high office of the presidency."
Still, McCain himself is no stranger to push polling. Following South Carolina's 2000 primary, McCain's campaign made thousands of "Catholic voter alert" calls in Michigan informing voters that then-Gov. George W. Bush had appeared at Bob Jones University, describing Jones as someone with a history of anti-Catholic statements.
"Bob Jones has made strong anti-Catholic statements, including calling the pope anti-Christ, the Catholic Church a satanic cult," the script said. "Governor Bush has stayed silent."
The phone calls infuriated Bush, who said he did not like being called a bigot. McCain won Michigan by 6 percentage points, but lost the Republican nomination.
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Comments
"Romney, McCain Lodge Complaints On NH Push Poll"
This incident has Rudy Giuliani's name written all over it.
People need to quit buying the "America's Mayor" hype about Rudy and do their research.
Rudy has been a sleazeball who surrounds himself with sleaze (Bernard Kerik) for years.
http://therealrudy.org/radios
Posted by: Smirky Chimp | November 16, 2007 2:16 PM
Go McCain! Way to take a stand against this religious bigotry. Romney should have a fair shot at the presidency and it's a shame that he's been held down because of what church he belongs to. Religious bigotry of this sort should not have survived Kennedy.
Posted by: DPK | November 16, 2007 2:18 PM
Rudys on wife number 3
Police chief corrupt as can be
A little inspection reveals on reflection,
the apples not bad, it's the tree!
Just say no to HuckaGiulianabee
Posted by: Eric | November 16, 2007 2:50 PM
It is an outright prevarication that Mitt's church is not Christian. It is more First Century Christian than any other denomination. Members of the church believe every word of the original Greek New Testament, and spend twice as much time studying the Bible as they do studying the Book of Mormon.
Check http://MormonsAreChristian.blogspot.com for details.
Posted by: Bot | November 16, 2007 2:55 PM
The Karl Rove era lives on.
Posted by: kg123 | November 16, 2007 2:56 PM
"REPUBLICANS CALL FOWL IN VOTING PROCEDURES"
THAT WAS MEANT FOR THE DEMOCRATS, COME ON YOU GUYS, WE ARE SUPPOSE TO DO THAT TO US!
IT'S LIKE YOU ARE PURGING THE WRONG VOTES, CAGING THE WRONG PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE. COME ON GUYS.
Basically that is what these two whiners are doing.
MEANWHILE AT&T WIRETAPPED ALL INCOMING AND OUTGOING CALLS, SO IT WILL BE EASY FOR THE U.S. ATTORNEY TO FIND OUT WHO DID IT!
WE GOT THE EMAILS.!
Posted by: Roger Morris | November 16, 2007 2:59 PM
GO ROMNEY!!!!!
Posted by: Steven Rinehart | November 16, 2007 3:01 PM
All this is distractions really, because Mitt Romney got more done in Mass in 4 years then Rudy and McCain have ever done.
We need Romney, look past any religious bigotry and look at the man.
Romney 2008
Posted by: Scott from AZ | November 16, 2007 3:05 PM
Observe the more obvious polls that ask silly questions like “whats closer to Earth, the Sun or the Moon?” and it quickly becomes clear that about a third of Americans are chronically incompetent. The next third are marginal at best, and what all this means is that a little smear goes a long way. Its how we ended up with an incompetent government and eroded rights.
To be successful you must target the idiot in a campaign, not the PhD, because their votes hold exactly the same weight. Until this changes, expect more idiots running the country, making dire idiotic decisions here and abroad.
Posted by: the antibush | November 16, 2007 3:20 PM
Its pretty sad that there are some who would not vote for Romney because of his religion and not his politics. I am not a big fan of Mitt but he certainly is a better candidate than Obama and some of the other guys out there running now. At least Romney has a record to run on.
Posted by: Vinny | November 16, 2007 3:45 PM
I am also a “Mormon” (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) and I am OUTRAGED at the way my religion, faith, and belief set is being bashed.
What Catholic, Baptist, Jehovah Witness, etc. would tolerate this? Even Muslims are being treated better than what they are putting Mitt Romney and my church through, and we are Christians!!!!
America was successfully founded on religious freedom.
Posted by: Debrar | November 16, 2007 3:45 PM
Obama should make the same requests.
The same thing is happening in Iowa, with the calls implicating Obama.
Posted by: julie | November 16, 2007 3:46 PM
I appreciate the honest campaigns these two candidates are play. I have a great deal of respect for both of them in this collective effort. Well done gentlemen.
Posted by: David A | November 16, 2007 3:52 PM
This is not to excuse dirty push polling, but Mormons practically themselves into being called a cult. What other religion doesn't permit outsiders to even set foot in their temples? If you're secretive...as Mormons are... someone else is going to fill in the blanks.
Posted by: bradley | November 16, 2007 4:26 PM
Religious freedom? Whaddaya, think Dr. Paul is already in office? You better keep that sort of constitutional thinking under wraps until we have a leader that LIKES the Constitution!
Posted by: Louis Nardozi | November 16, 2007 4:27 PM
That is just hilarious, no matter who did it. Next they will be calling eachother poo-poo heads. Vote for a true Republican. Vote Ron Paul 2008!
Posted by: Drutch | November 16, 2007 4:29 PM
My guess is that it's that sleezeball Giuliani. I don't trust that guy as far as I can throw him.
Posted by: Bob Thomas | November 16, 2007 4:38 PM
"What other religion doesn't permit outsiders to even set foot in their temples? If you're secretive...as Mormons are... someone else is going to fill in the blanks."
All are welcome before the dedication. It's sacred, not secret.
The kind of bigotry that was in that poll stems from people getting information from antiestablishments. Go to the source if you want to know the facts.
Posted by: Brendon | November 16, 2007 4:46 PM
Ironically, the U. S. constitutionally protected right to worship as we choose gave rise to the Mormon Church being founded in America. It's the only major group of Christians that can make that claim. Their roots run deep in the foundation for our great country and without their expansion into the west we would not be the America we are today. Every American should be grateful for their contribution regardless of their religious affiliation. Those who choose to discredit them with the claim they are not Christian do so to advance their own agenda but only show their bigotry and indifference toward the facts. They certainly are more Christian than those, who knowing better, choose to identify them!
Posted by: J Hott | November 16, 2007 5:01 PM
Swift Christians for Truth?
Posted by: Valjean | November 16, 2007 5:18 PM
I'm beginning to think Romney might be a good choice. He has managerial experience that comes from being a governor and a successful businessman that is needed in Washington. Besides he's flip-flopped enough that he might convert to Christianity while in office and dissavow Smithianism.
Posted by: David | November 16, 2007 5:32 PM
This is rediculous and outrageous. I can't wait to find out who is behind this disgusting attempt to discredit Romney.
Posted by: Joseph Antley | November 16, 2007 5:55 PM
This is rediculous and outrageous. I can't wait to find out who is behind this disgusting attempt to discredit Romney.
Posted by: Joseph Antley | November 16, 2007 5:55 PM
Look no further than Rudy.
Posted by: Alberto G | November 16, 2007 6:56 PM
Mormons are not Christians.
Mormonism is a cult. Mitt Romney looses all credibility belonging to a cult. I don't want a man who can't differientiate between cultic religion and biblical truth.
Posted by: Joseph Marquez | November 16, 2007 7:33 PM
I am sick and tired of hearing all of the anti-mormon bigotry. Since when did Jesus die a second time and make you guys God. Jesus Christ is the only person that has full authority to judge us, PERIOD, not YOU. Its you, so-called "Christians", that give us a bad name. No wonder there is such a HEAVY attack on Christianity today in our nation.
You so-called "Christians" out there that attack other religions, especially the Mormon faith, are full of crap. There are numberous Mormons that serve in high govenment offices. They also serve in the business-world. In the Communities where you live. I am 48 years old and have never once, not ONCE, heard of a story, or even an allegation on ANY Mormon trying to push their religion on the masses of which they serve. In the halls of Congress, in Supreme Courts, in Cabinets, in States, Counties, Cities or Communities. To the contrary, I have heard nothing but GOOD come from their service, no matter what level it is on.
So why don't you so-called "Christians" get off your HIGH-HORSE, your pious, holier-than-thou-attitudes and start acting like Christians. Are you to good? Do you think that you are better than they? No doubt, your own arrogance will be your downfall.
I am a Christian trying to love like and be like Jesus. Trying to reach out to all. Didn't Jesus tell us to love one another? Do good to them that despitefully use you.
We are at a crossroads as a nation. And all you care about is your self-centeredness, your haughtiness and your pride. If Rudy, Hillary, or Obama are elected, say good-bye to your one-true religion. At which point, you will have wished you voted for Romney.
I am a Christian and am voting for Mitt Romney.
Posted by: RC | November 16, 2007 10:43 PM
"I am 48 years old and have never once, not ONCE, heard of a story, or even an allegation on ANY Mormon trying to push their religion on the masses of which they serve."
Sending mormons to go door to door all across the country is pushing their religion on the masses!! Where in the bible does it say that you can be a god and rule over planets, like the mormons teach? It is a cult. I think a law should be passed that anyone who has NOT served in the arm forces should not be allowed to be President. The last thing American needs is another armchair chickenhawk in the Whitehouse.
Posted by: glmeadors | November 16, 2007 11:13 PM
Joe Marquez,I feel sorry for the fact that other people have to work and live around a big idiot like you!Go Mitt 08!
Posted by: twister61 | November 16, 2007 11:17 PM
Read up on the Mormons' own website. Joseph Smith studied under a "snake oil salesman" until that guy was run out of town. Then Joseph picked up the opportunity to promise that he could use his dowser to find oil. After HE duped enough people to get kicked out of town, he claimed to have found gold himself. This "gold" told him that he was a new prophet. Nobody else was allowed to view this gold and before they caught him again, the "gold" was mysteriously called back to heaven by God himself. Smith was assassinated by a coimbination of law enforcement and the men who paid him big bucks doing his scam. It reminds me of Bush, Cheney, Haliburton, et al running out the door with all their money. A Mormon would be perfect to carry on the American tradition of buying into lies.
Posted by: Giraffe | November 17, 2007 1:51 AM
Why do Republican voters care about their candidates faith so much? I thought our republic was founded on freedom of religion, and the constitution specifically forbids religious tests to hold office.
Hmm, I wonder if Catholics are allowed to vote for Mormons? Or are they damned for it by the Vatican?
Posted by: athena | November 17, 2007 9:54 AM