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EdmondDantes_

(2,250 posts)

3. The scandal information given to respondents is inaccurate

Reply to RandySF (Original post)

Tue Jun 9, 2026, 02:58 PM

Jun 9

It's interesting that Collins leads by less than a point given most other polls have shown him in the lead. But the more interesting aspect is the scandal numbers, especially when you look at the incorrect framing.

https://tpsiofficial.substack.com/p/tpsi-maine-poll-shows-tight-general

"The exact wording of the question is “Over the last week, rumors have surfaced that Graham Platner sexually assaulted multiple women in the past. Platner even sent one text to a former girlfriend reading 'I would rape them to show them that I'm dominant.' "

Which is inaccurate in that he hasn't been accused of sexual assault, and the claim about him musing about rape was in the context of a man breaking in as a show of dominance not in the more common heterosexual understanding. Which while creepy, doesn't seem to me to be what's suggested in the cited quote. But that in light of the false framing, it's weird that his support would go up. Maybe if the respondents knew that was inaccurate, but then why continue answering?

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Highlight:

ME-SEN, ME-GOV: Collons leading Platner by 1% (rounded), Shah (D) leads by 16 for gov. [View all] RandySF Jun 9 OP

Never heard of TPSI Fiendish Thingy Jun 9 #1

Very interesting... Tom Rinaldo Jun 9 #6

I legitimately don't know how to interpret that Sympthsical Jun 9 #7

Launched four months ago Quiet Em Jun 9 #10

Never heard of them, either -misanthroptimist Jun 9 #15

The 'poll' falsely accuses him of sexual assault. Celerity Jun 9 #23

Ouch, that doesn't look good for the candidates or the Maine voters. rogue emissary Jun 9 #2

The scandal information given to respondents is inaccurate EdmondDantes_ Jun 9 #3

That certainly is inaccurate wording as the rumors were not about sexual assault. LisaL Jun 9 #9

more piling on platner.... gimme a break. dsp3000 Jun 9 #4

This message was self-deleted by its author RandySF Jun 9 #8

TPSI has used AI/"synthetic" responses in the past fwiw WhiskeyGrinder Jun 9 #5

From what I could google, it's not considered a high quality pollster. LisaL Jun 9 #12

AI/"synthetic??? Ars Longa Jun 9 #18

Any poll that asks the question in the way this poll framed it re Platner deserves to be tossed in the garbage. Nanjeanne Jun 9 #11

And the most bizarre thing is that they claim his poll numbers improved after that. LisaL Jun 9 #13

All garbage. Nanjeanne Jun 9 #14

Thank you. I was about to post the same thing. Right-wing garbage. AloeVera Jun 9 #19

I tracked down that TPSI poll and it's the one asking voters about Platner's sexual assaults and rape threats. Incanus Jun 9 #16

"Why would someone post that poll here?" Rob H. Jun 9 #20

I think I do as well. Incanus Jun 9 #22

Yep, they gonna have to "shake it off" questionseverything Jun 9 #28

When voters are informed of Platner's "scandals" his numbers shoot up Prairie Gates Jun 9 #17

You mean it's not because Maine voters Frasier Balzov Jun 9 #21

Is that was SS stands for? mr715 Jun 9 #26

If Platner was a Republican, he would win easily. kentuck Jun 9 #24

Statistics... mr715 Jun 9 #25

In the primary in Maine UpInArms Jun 9 #27

This is general election polling. mr715 Jun 9 #29