Most don't think Smart blitz is good

Two TV interviews with "Today Show" host Katie Couric, chats with Oprah Winfrey and a spot on CNN's "Larry King Live" — all coinciding with the release of a book regarding Elizabeth Smart's high-profile kidnapping — have Utahns questioning the Smart family's motives and the teenager's welfare.

A new Deseret Morning News/KSL-TV poll reveals 67 percent of residents interviewed believe the continued media exposure is probably or definitely a bad thing for young Smart. Twenty-three percent of the 406 residents polled Monday night said the continued media exposure is a good thing for her, and 9 percent said they didn't know.

The statewide survey, conducted by Salt Lake City pollster Dan Jones & Associates, also shows people are more inclined to support Elizabeth's parents, Ed and Lois Smart, in agreeing to a movie deal and book on their experiences through the kidnapping ordeal than other family members and their related endeavors.

In the poll, which has a plus or minus 5 percent error margin, 40 percent of those surveyed agreed with the statement that Ed and Lois Smart were wise in taking that action "because that gives them control over the final product."

On the other hand, 23 percent agreed with the statement that the parents are "taking a risk by facilitating further media coverage of their daughter." Another 26 percent agreed with the statement that the parents "are exploiting the kidnapping for their own benefit."

Opinions are even more tilted regarding Elizabeth Smart's extended family members who are reportedly writing books about the kidnapping.

Just 14 percent of residents surveyed agreed those family members are wise to make public their story about the kidnapping's circumstances. Twenty percent agreed those family members are taking a risk by inviting the additional media coverage, and 56 percent agreed "those family members are exploiting the kidnapping for their own benefit."

The exploitation question has been looming over the Smarts' recent TV appearances, which coincide with the release of Ed and Lois Smart's book, "Bringing Elizabeth Home: A Journey of Faith and Hope." The Smarts also have approved a made-for-TV movie, scheduled to air Nov. 9 on CBS.

In a Tuesday morning interview on NBC's "Today Show," Couric asked why the parents allowed Elizabeth to give interviews and noted that some critics see this as exploitation.

"Well, I think so many people were interested" in Elizabeth's situation and wanted to hear "from her own words she was OK," Lois Smart said.

And Elizabeth wanted to tell them she was fine. The decision was truly up to Elizabeth, Ed Smart said.