PBS defends use of GOP pollster
PBS producers Wednesday defended their selection of longtime GOP pollster Frank Luntz to help analyze reaction to tonight’s Democratic presidential candidate forum, rejecting assertions by the liberal watchdog group Media Matters for America that Luntz’s partisan work makes him an inappropriate choice.
Luntz will help conduct a focus group of 30 Democratic voters and monitor their reactions to tonight’s 90-minute live forum on PBS, moderated by Tavis Smiley. The Republican pollster will appear on Smiley’s program Friday to discuss the data but was never scheduled to provide post-debate analysis of the candidates’ performances, said Neal Kendall, Smiley’s executive producer.
“It’s just helpful to have someone who does this for a living explain to viewers what it means,” Kendall said. “I don’t understand why if someone has been a consultant for Republicans they’re incapable of conducting a focus group. If anyone has a concern about the objectivity of Friday night’s program, I invite them to tune in and see for themselves.”
Media Matters has forcefully protested Luntz’s involvement, noting his work for Republicans, including GOP presidential hopeful Rudolph W. Giuliani.
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