Political polls are like preseason college football polls. Their value comes in the attention those that score at the top of the poll usually receive. Just as a mediocre college football team that is ranked highly in a preseason poll gets the benefit of the doubt during the season. A political candidate that scores highly in a public opinion poll might receive more than an average share of publicity about his or her campaign.

One candidate for the United States Senate, Troy Hebert, is suing a professional polling organization. He's not suing over results of the poll  but Mr. Hebert does feel that Southern Media and Opinion Research misrepresented him to those who were surveyed.

This poll misidentified me as a Republican instead of being an Independent. Therefore I didn’t qualify for two forums, and unfortunately the only regress I had is to go to court.

Hebert also told the Louisiana Radio Network that he is not seeking monetary reparations from the polling company. However, the judge hearing the case might certainly award a financial settlement should the case be resolved in Mr. Hebert's favor.

Any and all damages would be donated to the St. Jude Children’s Hospital because this poll has nothing to do with damages. It has everything to do with being fair in this election.

Bernie Pinsonat the pollster named in Hebert's lawsuit also spoke to the Louisiana Radio Network. In his comments he suggested that it was not his fault that Hebert was not included in the forum.

I don’t have any control over organizations, and I don’t recommend that you use any poll to make a determination because polls are subjective.

Obviously there are two sides to this political pancake and it will be up to the judiciary system to decide whether Mr. Hebert's claims have merit or are without merit.

 

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