Democrats And Republicans Spar Over Push-Polling Accusations

Democrats accuse Republicans of using controversial push-polling in their efforts to take control of the Missouri House. State races throughout Missouri will determine which party controls the Missouri House, now in the hands of Democrats who hold the majority by 12 votes in the 163-member chamber. Missouri Democratic Party Executive Director Mike Kelley charges desperation has driven Republicans to resort to push-polling, using misleading or false information about a candidate in calls to voters. Kelley claims Republicans have slandered the NEA, unions and even individual candidates in state representative races. But House Republican Campaign Committee Executive Director Chuck Caisley denies the charge. Caisely does acknowledge Republicans have used message-polling – calling a small percentage of voters in a given district to determine what issues work, something he claims both Republicans and Democrats practice.