Just days from primary NH AG wants public to help in push-poll probe

CONCORD, N.H. -- After being legally stalled in an investigation into illegal phone calls involving the presidential race, the New Hampshire attorney general called a press conference this afternoon asking the public to provide tips.

Just days five days before the state's presidential primary, Attorney General Kelly Ayotte wants anyone with information as to who employed Moore-Information of Portland, Oregon to conduct a poll in New Hampshire, in November to call her office. These calls were considered "push-polls" because, according to state law, they falsely claim to be for independent research when in fact they are linked to campaign activity. Push-polls are traditionally used to spread a negative message about an opponent, true or not.

These calls under investigation came to light on Nov. 16 when both the Mitt Romney campaign and John McCain campaign notified the attorney general's office about calls spreading a message about Romney meant to be damaging.

The investigation has involved law enforcement in Utah and Oregon, Ayotte's office said.

According to a press release from Ayotte, last month a New Hampshire Superior Court executed the out-of-state subpoenas for Moore-Information to produce the documents by this Saturday. Yesterday, Moore-Information's lawyer's challenged the subpoenas.

Ayotte said she wants the information out before the state's voters make up their minds.