Does free barbecue actually win votes?

Under the Dome is reporting a new and unusual poll coming from the Fred Smith for Governor Campaign. What’s unusual about it is that the poll was conducted in only the 40 of 100 North Carolina counties in which Fred Smith has held a campaign barbecue. Smith is planning on having a barbecue in all 100 counties.

Below is a map of the 40 counties.

The campaign is claiming the poll is good news. In those 40 counties, Smith has 54% name recognition, to 51% for Bill Graham and 47% for Bob Orr. Additionally, Smith has 30% favorable rating, compared to 18% for Graham and 11% for Orr.

Did the pollster not ask a head-to-head-to-head question? Or was Fred Smith not winning in his porked up 40 counties? Also, why bother conducting this poll? Is it really worth the expense for an ostensibly interesting press release?

I bet the 40 county survey is just a sub sample of a statewide poll conducted for the Smith campaign. I’d also bet that the statewide results weren’t as favorable as the 40 county version and that’s why it was released as such.

Finally, a gratuitous pig pickin’ picture. Mmmmmmmm…