First rule of stacking an audience with stooges: don't get caught.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20051025/ap_on_el_st_lo/bloomberg_secret_volunteers
Bob Dog
Atheist #153 = 1^3 + 5^3 + 3^3
EAC's chief cook and brainwasher
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"I always thought our house was haunted,
'Cause nobody said boo to me."
- John Hiatt
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Some Volunteers Hid Support for Bloomberg
By SARA KUGLER, Associated Press Writer
Mon Oct 24,10:14 PM ET
NEW YORK - When Mayor Michael Bloomberg picked up the endorsement
of an influential black minister at a Harlem restaurant last
month, the diners there appeared to be ordinary people whose
pancakes and coffee just happened to be interrupted by a campaign
event.
But several were actually volunteers for the campaign - even
though one of them told a reporter she had no idea the mayor
would be there that morning. She and another volunteer were
quoted in news stories as if they were Bloomberg supporters
casually observing the event, not participating in it.
Michelle Middleton was one of about nine volunteers who blended
into the morning crowd at the International House of Pancakes,
campaign spokesman Stu Loeser said after The Associated Press
inquired about her.
Experts say the practice of stacking crowds at campaign events
with supporters is nothing new, but the fact that volunteers
hid their allegiance to Bloomberg startled some. Loeser stressed
the volunteers were not told to lie about why they were there.
"It just sounds like it was amateur hour," said Republican
strategist Rich Galen.
Loeser said the campaign often invites volunteers to attend
events like the Sept. 15 endorsement from the Rev. Calvin Butts.
But volunteers are usually identifiable because they are
cheering, holding signs, handing out literature or clearly doing
campaign work.
A spokeswoman with the campaign of Bloomberg's opponent,
Fernando Ferrer, asked Monday why the mayor would want
to "surround himself" with "lackeys."
However, the Ferrer campaign itself has been known to dispatch
volunteers to events. And during last year's presidential
election, both candidates often filled crowds with their own
supporters, especially during so-called town hall events. On
one occasion, those who signed up to attend a speech by Vice
President ***** Cheney were asked to sign a pledge endorsing
President Bush.
"Campaign 101 is if you're having a rally or event, you should
definitely make sure you have supporters there, but you should
be straightforward about it," said Jenny Backus, a Democratic
strategist.
The Bloomberg campaign said only a few volunteers, out of
thousands, were asked to attend the news conference at the
International House of Pancakes in Harlem.
As reporters waited for the mayor and Butts to begin their news
conference, several fanned out to interview "regular people"
about their opinions on the mayor - a common practice at
campaign stops.
A striking number of diners were effusive about Bloomberg.
"His record speaks for itself," Middleton said, "and I think he
needs another four years to continue his progress as well as
new policies."
Middleton said she was a Democrat, but planned to vote for the
mayor, a billionaire Republican. She identified herself as a
consultant, and said she was in Harlem that morning just to
have breakfast with friends.
In a telephone follow-up interview later that day, she said
again that her presence there was a coincidence. Middleton did
not respond to several calls seeking comment after the AP
learned last week she was a volunteer.
Another volunteer was quoted by The New York Sun in a story
about the endorsement. Marilyn Foulks identified herself as a
Democrat who skipped her party's primary because she was
"saving her vote for Bloomberg."
And a man, Fred Wilson, who spoke with The New York Times, but
whose quote ended up not being used in their coverage, has been
a volunteer since February.
Wilson declined to comment late Monday to the AP.
None identified themselves as being affiliated with the campaign.
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