BY SANDY THEIS
Enquirer Columbus Bureau
COLUMBUS -- The Enquirer has ended its co-sponsorship of the Ohio Poll after learning that the poll's director donated to Republican gubernatorial candidate Bob Taft.
Lawrence K. Beaupre, the newspaper's editor and vice president, announced the decision Wednesday after conferring with his staff and poll director Alfred J. Tuchfarber.
"The credibility of the poll has been called into question by the actions of the director," Mr. Beaupre said. "I have no reason to believe that any of the past polls were biased. This is strictly a matter of having discovered the campaign contributions, which are clearly a conflict of interest."
For the past three years, the newspaper has co-sponsored the poll with the University of Cincinnati. Mr. Tuchfarber directs the university's Institute for Policy Research, which conducts the poll.
"The university has made the commitment to continue the poll," Mr. Tuchfarber said. "We regret that the Enquirer has decided to do this, and we respect their right to make that decision."
In addition to helping underwrite the poll's costs, the newspaper provided a consistent forum for the poll.
On Friday, Mr. Beaupre announced the newspaper was reviewing its relationship with the Ohio Poll and would not print results scheduled for publication Sunday. The survey matched up major party candidates for this year's non-judicial, statewide races. The announcement followed news reports that Mr. Tuchfarber made two $100 donations to Mr. Taft in 1996 and one $250 donation in 1997. Mr. Tuchfarber has since told the Enquirer that he made an additional $150 donation in May, a donation that will be included in campaign finance reports to be filed Friday.
While saying he probably will stop making political donations, Mr. Tuchfarber denies any bias. He noted that his poll has accurately predicted the outcome of every election surveyed in Ohio since 1994.
Ohio Democratic Party Chairman David Leland, Mr. Tuchfarber's most vocal critic, praised the newspaper's decision.
"Unfortunately, Mr. Tuchfarber put the newspaper in a very awkward position, and I think they have responded appropriately," he said.
