TX-GOV

Poll: Medina's Support Slips In Texas GOP Primary, Hurt By Truther Comments

Eric Kleefeld | February 23, 2010, 11:13AM

TX-Gov. candidate Debra Medina (R)

A new survey of the Texas Republican gubernatorial primary by Public Policy Polling (D) finds that tea party activist Debra Medina has lost some support, and could possibly have been hurt by comments that seemed to indicate that she might be a 9/11 Truther.

The numbers: Incumbent Gov. Rick Perry 40%, Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison 31%, and Medina 20%. Three weeks ago, the numbers were Perry 39%, Hutchison 28%, and Medina 24%, with Hutchison in serious serious danger of falling into third place and missing out on a spot in the expected April 13 runoff.

About two weeks ago, Medina was asked during an appearance on Glenn Beck's radio show whether she believed in 9/11 conspiracy theories. "I think some very good questions have been raised in that regard, there are some very good arguments and I think the American people have not seen all the evidence there, so I have not taken a position on that," said Medina.

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Debra Medina

Medina: 'It's Healthy That People Are Asking Questions' About 9/11 And Obama's Birth Certificate (VIDEO)

Eric Kleefeld | February 12, 2010, 5:31PM

TX-Gov. candidate Debra Medina (R)

It turns out that Debra Medina, the Tea Party activist and candidate for the Republican gubernatorial nomination in Texas who clarified remarks yesterday that seemingly presented her as a 9/11 Truther, later that same day gave an interview in which she dignified both Trutherism and the Birthers.

"The 9/11 Commission report, you know, great sections of that are redacted and they're top secret," Medina said. "That makes us all wonder, 'well what's happening back there?' The same is true with the birth certificate thing. I think it's healthy that people are asking questions."

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Debra Medina

TX-GOV Candidate Medina: I Have Never Believed The U.S. Government Was Involved In 9/11

Eric Kleefeld | February 11, 2010, 3:30PM

TX-Gov. candidate Debra Medina (R)

Debra Medina, the Tea Party activist who has been polling a strong third in the Texas Republican gubernatorial primary, has released a statement doing some damage control for remarks from earlier today, in which she seemingly indicated that she was either a 9/11 Truther or was open to the idea.

"I don't have all of the evidence there, Glenn, so I'm not in a place, I have not been out publicly questioning that," Medina said, when asked by Glenn Beck on his radio show whether she believed the U.S. government was involved in 9/11. "I think some very good questions have been raised in that regard, there are some very good arguments and I think the American people have not seen all the evidence there, so I have not taken a position on that."

After the interview, Beck quickly washed his hands of any notion that he would support Medina. She has now posted a statement declaring that she is not a Truther -- but she also respects the idea of people questioning their government.

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Debra Medina

TX-GOV Candidate Medina: 'Very Good Questions Have Been Raised' About 9/11

Eric Kleefeld | February 11, 2010, 1:46PM

TX-Gov. candidate Debra Medina (R)

Debra Medina, the Tea Party activist who has been polling strong in the Texas Republican gubernatorial primary, appears to have just gotten herself in some serious political trouble -- indicating during an appearance on Glenn Beck's radio show that she could potentially be a 9/11 Truther, or is at least open to the idea that 9/11 was an inside job by the government.

"I don't have all of the evidence there Glenn so I'm not in a place, I have not been out publicly questioning that," Medina said. "I think some very good questions have been raised in that regard, there are some very good arguments and I think the American people have not seen all the evidence there, so I have not taken a position on that."

After the interview, Beck then ruled out any idea of supporting Medina. "I think I can write her off the list," said Beck, also adding: "Let me take another look at Kay Bailey Hutchison if I have to. Rick [Perry], I think you and I could French kiss right now."

(Via Politico's Ben Smith)

9/11 Truthers

Poll Begs Question: Is Extremism Mainstream?

Eric Kleefeld | September 23, 2009, 11:45AM

Pres. Obama and Fmr. Pres. George W. Bush

A new national survey from Public Policy Polling (D) has the firm asking a question: "Is extremism becoming mainstream in 21st century American politics?"

The poll finds that numerous fringe views are either accepted outright or are open questions among significant portions of the party bases opposed to the politicians who are targeted by them.

The poll found that only 59% of voters believe that President Obama was born in the United States, with 23% saying he was not, and 18% undecided. Among Republicans only, a 42% Birther plurality say he was not born here, 37% say he was, and 22% are undecided.

As for the left, check out this question: "Do you think President Bush intentionally allowed the 9/11 attacks to take place because he wanted the United States to go to war in the Middle East?" The top-line response is 14% yes, 78% no, and 8% undecided. But among Democrats, it's a somewhat larger Truther contingent, at 25%-63%-12%.

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Birth Certificate

New Jersey Poll: Birthers, Truthers, And The Anti-Christ -- Oh, My!

Eric Kleefeld | September 16, 2009, 12:41PM

President Barack Obama

My home state of New Jersey is one crazy place, according to the new survey of the state by Public Policy Polling (D).

Dave Weigel points out that one out of every three New Jersey conservatives think that Obama could be the anti-Christ. To be precise, 18% of self-identified conservatives affirmatively say that Obama is the anti-Christ, with 17% not sure. Among the self-identified Republican label, it's 14% who say Obama has the number 666 hidden underneath his hair, plus 15% who aren't sure.

But oh it gets even worse on some other questions -- among both the right and the left.

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