April 26, 2019 10:44 AM
HomePoliticsWeekend Speculation: Tom Price’s Poll

Weekend Speculation: Tom Price’s Poll

By  Politics  5 Comments

Over at FloridaPolitics.com, Noah Pransky noticed an odd expenditure in former Congressman Tom Price’s FEC disclosures -a $19,500 payment to Public Opinion Strategies for polling.

This single fact, coupled with the absence of any evidence or comments, led Pransky to speculate that Price, who briefly headed the Department of Health and Human Services, “may be plotting a comeback.”

“FEC guidelines limit what lawmakers are allowed to do with campaign funds when they aren’t actively campaigning; the polling expenditure suggests Price is conducting campaign activities on behalf of himself.”

Maybe. Or maybe not, since Price has already endorsed Karen Handel in next year’s contest for the 6th District, he’s probably not “plotting” to come back to represent that district. Could Price be eyeing a different office? Or could he have commissioned a poll on behalf of another Price, who lost her seat in the Georgia Legislature by a whisker last fall?

Feel free to offer your own speculation in the comments.

About Author

Mike Hassinger

5 Comments
  1. Benevolus

    I’ve got a suggestion for a campaign slogan for him:

    TOM PRICE- Not a grifter anymore.

    • Grindelwald

      Tom realized how much plane tickets actually cost and needs another taxpayer-funded job so he doesn’t have to pay for them. Now he’s gonna grow back the mustache and run as Prom Tice.

  2. xdog

    You’re in the business, Mike, so you’re the one to ask. Is $19500 enough to buy a state-wide poll? For that matter, does price depend on what population is sampled? Do FEC guidelines allow campaign funds to be used for a spouse’s campaign?

    • The Eiger

      Yes, $19,500 is enough to do a statewide poll.

      Price depends on number of people called and the number of questions asked in the survey.

      No, you are not allowed to spend money on a spouse’s campaign. But…. since Betty was a former elected official you could ask what her favorable / unfavorable are compared to yourself and others.

      So a question like this.

      Do you have a favorable, unfavorable or no opinion of the following people.

      Tom Price
      Betty Price
      Karen Handel
      Lucy McBath
      Brian Kemp
      Johnny Isakson
      John Lewis
      James Robertson

      James is a fake name and will always have about a 4-6% favorable.

      • xdog

        Thanks for the info. Using a dummy name is a nice touch.

        I went to the FEC site and found Price’s committee had more than $1.7M on hand at the end of 2018, so he can afford many more polls.

Add a Comment