Capitol View

Smear campaign appears underway

Posted at 3:47 PM on March 21, 2006 by Bob Collins (2 Comments)

Earlier today I received an e-mail as a comment to Polinaut along the lines of "questions are being raised about (name of 5th District candidate or soon to be candidate here). I don't know if they're true but if so.... he/she/it should explain (1) alleged moral transgression here and (2) alleged moral transgression here."

You never saw it because, one, it was a phony e-mail account and, two, it involve the creative use of passive voice. I hate passive voice. Passive voice strips responsibility.

Passive voice is a favorite tool of politicians. Here's an example. A president admits that his administration screwed something up, so he comes out and accepts responsibility and says "mistakes were made."
Really? By whom?

Anyway, back to our story. A few minutes ago, Laura McCallum sends a fax that is being sent around the Capitol. Same thing, basically, except that it had added 4 more transgressions. But the first ones were word-for-word the same as the e-mail I received. And to make this an official release, this faxed document (from the Kinko's in Richfield, by the way) said "For Immediate Release."

Yeah, you wish.

We get hate faxes all the time; well, every morning, actually. And we just trash 'em. These will get trashed too but not before a little sermon. Come out in the light, make your allegations, state your proof, and say your name.

If you think the electoral process is important, that is.


Comments (2)

I received the same email. That's what this...

http://minvolved.com/?p=228

...was all about.

cp

Posted by Mr. Sponge | March 22, 2006 6:13 AM


I am glad to see that all three (you, MDE and minvolved) of you chose not to post the slander. It certainly appears that someone is trying to play "gotcha" - with a candidate and with the blogs. If a blogger had run with this, it would have given credence to the press claim that we simply post unsubstantiated claims, rumors and innuendo. All 3 of you are to be commended for your restraint!

Posted by The Lady Logician | March 22, 2006 3:48 PM


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The feature examines statements made by Minnesota politicians and checks them for accuracy. Based on data analysis, document reviews and interviews with non-partisan analysts, statements are rated either true, false or inconclusive. PoliGraph is a collaboration between Minnesota Public Radio News and the Humphrey School of Public Affairs at the University of Minnesota. More

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