Jackson Jambalaya

Food fight over at the Jackson Free Press between Donna Ladd, the rapper who sold out to DJP named Kamikaze, and former JPD Chief and current mayoral candidate Robert Johnson concerning the bogus poll (I'll get into that in another post. It only mentioned candidates that Chism had past or present connections to and grouped all those as "other" and had mainly white voters over the age of 60) conducted by Brad Chism that Ladd keeps pimpin':

"Donna, I think you may be missing everyone's point. What I was saying(cant speak for everyone else) is that based on his control group and knowing the make-up of this city, he could have done a little better with his "random" calling or at least look at his results and then go back to make adjustments. If its was for fun..to make a talking point..then he should have said "this is for fun", "something I did in some spare time because I was intrigued by this race.", "this is not solid data" etc...
Then ideally we could have looked at it and commented on it. But 3 stations reported it and to someone who doesnt know any better they may change their vote. People like to back winners. human nature. Someone whos undecided could have seen that poll and say "hey, Crisler's winning, Ill vote for him" sounds crazy but thats how some folks react. The mere fact that a LOT of people are up in arms(folks that ARENT candidates or supporters of) should say that perhaps all parties should have called Chism and asked a few questions before reporting it. I would expect that of the CL, or WJTV but not here. ..
and incidentally Im not as put off by this as I would if it were them because JFP has always remained above board and has tried to present BOTH sides of this city even leaning toward making sure folks know the GOOD that goes on here. unlike some other outlets. but it doesnt help when the mcmillan resignation, this poll, and the media's grasping of it all come at the same time. I have to walk around town and hear folks say the fix is in..When I campaign everday to get them out of that silly a** mode of thinking. just saying. posted by Kamikaze on 04/07/09 at 11:31 AM

Kaze, perhaps you're missing mine. All this whining about the fact that Chism did the poll is very small-town-sounding. He put his methodology out there; if the stations didn't report it, then hold them accountable for it. But any statements that it's low for the poll to be done, or the results released, is silly. And obviously, candidates who aren't doing well in the polling are going to complain. But the rest of us don't have to play directly in their game either.
The truth is that this polling firm has a good reputation, nationally and in the state. Chism is straightforward and transparent about what he does. And he has a good reputation of being right. For instance, there is little in this poll that seems outrageous or surprising. If Ms. Benford was leading, that would be cause for thought, but the poll seems to make a lot of sense, and I'm glad to finally see some polling numbers made public.Now, that doesn't mean I think polls are the end of the world, this one or any other. But they can be a jolt of possible reality to candidates who aren't doing enough, or to voters who think their candidate is going to cruise to victory, etc.I'm really turned off by candidates who complain about polling, instead of doing everything possible to reach the public in a substantive way. I don't want whiners representing us. They do themselves a disservice.And we're also in that dangerous territory that is so prevalent in Jackson: letting a few people spread myths because they don't like how something is going. It's a bit disheartening. Jackson just has to grow up. posted by ladd on 04/07/09 at 11:41 AM

and what about thos folks who don't read JFP OR the CL and get most or all of their info from TV? they saw those poll results. I mean respectfully, youre telling some of the lesser known candidates that they can possibly(not surely) get their poll numbers up by posting answers to questions here, when folks have seen on TV that "other" is polling at 5 or 6%?
posted by Kamikaze on 04/07/09 at 11:44 AM

And if people think the "fix" is in because Crisler got a bump from an important endorsement, and a poll reflected that, then it sounds like some education is in order. This city has been ruled for too long by that kind of mythmongering, allowing certain people to take advantage of the voters.I wouldn't be surprised to hear that some of the candidates are going around saying that. But for God's sake, the rest of us need to keep our feet on the ground and help educate people.
Polling may not be the end of the world, or right every time, but complaining that they are a big conspiracy because they don't say what you want them to say is just a load of unneeded drama.Sure, criticize the methodology if you want, or the questions or anything else, but the conspiracy-mongering is just not good for the community. posted by ladd on 04/07/09 at 11:47 AM

No, I'm not saying they should only get their word out by giving substantive responses to the largest weekly in town, the only one that is read all over the city. (Now, the Ledger is throwing around a 19,000 Jackson circ number, we hear, btw.).What I'm saying is that they should take every advantage to get their word out substantively. What you too often see are candidates around here who think the campaign is won in a bunch of negative TV advertising in the last two weeks of the campaign and the last one standing wins. That's backward.
As for people polling at 5 or 6 percent at this stage, I don't know what the answer is for them, frankly. They should get their message out every way possible and refrain from whining and personal attacks of other candidates (and pollsters), though. I do know that.
I will also remind you that we are both involved in organizing debates that will be seen mostly on Web sites, this one and WAPT's. The point obviously is not that every voter will see everything posted here, or anywhere else; it's about the buzz they create through what the candidates themselves say and do. Every media outlet is a megaphone at best. It would behoove the candidates to use the megaphones that reach a lot of people who care about politics—and most importantly, the health and future of the city—and are willing to go out and talk to everyone they know about what they get from those megaphones.
Of course, politics hasn't been traditionally done that way in Jackson. But it doesn't mean we can't become more sophisticated and stop treating Jacksonians like idiots who can't understand the issues. The JFP refused to follow other media's lead on that, and as a result we have readers in every part of this city. We talk up to people, not down to them. Serious candidates should do the same. posted by ladd on 04/07/09 at 11:54 AM

I think in the end, with him oversampling white voters..it doesnt accurately reflect the dynamic that exists in Jackson. all Im saying. only 500 people as well. Nobody wants grown-ass whiney men or women as mayor or city councilpersons, Im with you. But the lesser known candidates have a point. Their names should hae been added. Thats the only FAIR way to do it and remove yourself from any skepticism. good rep notwithstanding, NUMBERS have to be right or VEEEEERY close lol ther cant be much room for error..thats what a math teacher once told me(probably why I preferred English over it lol) posted by Kamikaze on 04/07/09 at 11:57 AM

And cheers to your Peaches forums, and all the forums where candidates have gone directly to the people. That is such a sign of progress. Now, if we can keep our turnip from falling off the truck in these last few weeks, filled with rumor and innuendo and candidate-whining, maybe we can turn the corner. Or at least peek around it to something better. posted by ladd on 04/07/09 at 11:58 AM

I can see why they would want their names on there. I can also see why Chism didn't include them. And it was his choice (under that pesky First Amendment thing we have to put up with!).
But frankly, if they had, the ones who got 1 or 2 percent as opposed to 5 percent would have their own conspiracy cooked up and circulating, I'm sure.
Political polling is done every day, and it is often done of only the "top" candidates in a race. If you don't like one poll, find a way to commission another one. But going on a personal, conspiracy-fueled attack against the pollster is just a waste of time, and takes the eye off the ball. posted by ladd on 04/07/09 at 12:04 PM

Ladd "I'm really turned off by candidates who complain about polling, instead of doing everything possible to reach the public in a substantive way. I don't want whiners representing us. They do themselves a disservice.""candidate-whining, maybe we can turn the corner. Or at least peek around it to something better."
To express an opinion or complaint about something you don't beleive to be accurate or with which you do not agree is "whining"?But of course that's your opininon, and I don't consider you a "whiner" for having expressed it....
posted by Robert Johnson on 04/07/09 at 03:05 PM

I didn't put out a press release, Mr. Johnson, or start alleging a conspiracy because a pollster admitted he was friendly with several of the candidates running.It's not your pointing out that you don't think it's fair that your name wasn't included that is distasteful. Fair enough. It's all the rhetoric around it.With due respect, you do complain a lot, and not always about things that seem to matter. And that's too bad, because I do think you have a lot to add to the conversation otherwise. I'm not the only one who has noticed this. posted by ladd on 04/07/09 at 03:43 PM

I understand your point about over-sampling, as does apparently Chism, Kaze. He talked about it in his releases on the surveys. He's been transparent about his methodology and findings all along, so there is really no need for anyone to assassinate his character. Not saying your doing that, but there has been a tone of that in the air, and it's a real turn-off to me, as I've stated.
posted by ladd on 04/07/09 at 03:47 PM

"With due respect, you do complain a lot, and not always about things that seem to matter. And that's too bad, because I do think you have a lot to add to the conversation otherwise. I'm not the only one who has noticed this."
I've posted here maybe 6 or 7 times? Sorry to have consumed your's and the others time with my incessant (complaining) blogging. I'll certainly refrain from doing so in the future... posted by Robert Johnson on 04/07/09 at 04:10 PM

well, youre right. I didnt personally attack this gentleman. I questioned his numbers and his sample group. A simple "my bad" would have sufficed from him instead of the long post. Regardless of the intentions and Chism's obvious knowledge of polling. He missed with the sample group. He kiiiinda acknowledged it. and that opened him up for some criticism. comes with the territory.Some may have insulted his character but the rest, like myself have a problem with the "poll" and thats it! Im sure chism's a great guy personally. Shouldnt be a turn-off Donna... at least not from what Im saying. posted by Kamikaze on 04/07/09 at 04:20 PM
Food Fight