The Art of the Push Poll

WASHINGTON – As you may have seen, there’s a new poll out from Frank Luntz and the Climate Leadership Council that purports to show widespread GOP support for a carbon tax. Here’s what The Hill reported:

“Prominent GOP pollster Frank Luntz is warning Republican lawmakers that the public’s views on climate change are shifting and that ignoring the issue could cost them important votes at the ballot box.

In a memo circulated to Republican congressional offices on Wednesday, Luntz Global Partners warned that 58 percent of Americans, as well as 58 percent of GOP voters under the age of 40, are more concerned about climate change than they were just one year ago…Luntz Global conducted the online poll of 1,000 voters on behalf of the Climate Leadership Council, which is promoting its own carbon tax and dividend plan. The survey found that GOP voters supported the plan by a 2-1 margin.”

We’ve got some serious doubts.

For starters, check out the wording here: 

“Business and environmental leaders are proposing a bipartisan climate solution that charges fossil fuel companies for their carbon emissions and gives all the money directly to the American people through a quarterly check. This new climate solution is called ‘Carbon Dividends’, because all households would receive a quarterly cash payment as part of an effort to solve climate change. Would you support or oppose this plan?”

In layman’s terms, they’re asking: “Would you like fossil fuel companies to send you a big wad of cash?”

For more, read the full response from AEA President Tom Pyle.

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