Oops.

Posted at 2:14 PM on September 20, 2006 by Tom Scheck (9 Comments)

Campaign Notebook by The Associated Press
WETTERLING VOTING RECORD

The National Republican Congressional Committee claimed in a brochure sent to 6th District voters this week that Democratic candidate Patty Wetterling failed to vote in three big election years, including 2004.

The hitch? Wetterling voted in both the primary and general elections that year, when she made her first run for Congress in the suburban and exurban district.

NRCC Press Secretary Jonathan Collegio cited Wetterling's voting record from the Minnesota Secretary of State's office, which shows no evidence of her voting in a March 2004 presidential preference ballot.

But that's because there are no official voting records on anyone from that ballot, which was conducted by the political parties at precinct caucuses, said Kent Kaiser, a spokesman for the secretary of state's office. News reports said scrap paper and Post-It notes were used as ballots in some busy precincts.

Wetterling accused Republicans of lying about her voting record.

"They're trying to say that I didn't vote for myself in '04," she said in a prepared statement issued Tuesday. "I think the 6th District knows better than to believe that."

Collegio on Wednesday said the NRCC won't back off its claim. The record shows that Wetterling didn't vote in the 2000 or 2002 primary elections.

"If Patty Wetterling wants to produce documentation showing that she did in fact vote in the 2004 presidential preference ballot, then we will take a look at it," he said.

Wetterling is running for an open seat against GOP state Sen. Michele Bachmann and Independence Party candidate John Binkowski.

(Copyright 2006 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

Comments (9)

This sets a new low for campaign literature. Misrepresenting a caucus straw poll as a legitimate government election is simply a lie. Why has no one asked Bachmann about this? And spare me the "It wasn't Michele, it was the NRCC" BS. Bachmann is obligated to either defend or reject claims made by her caucus on her behalf. This brochure and mailing was paid for, after all, with money Michele personally raised with Bush/Cheney/Rove (portions of the proceeds from those events went to the NRCC).

Posted by Karl | September 20, 2006 2:30 PM

"If Patty Wetterling wants to produce documentation showing that she did in fact vote in the 2004 presidential preference ballot, then we will take a look at it,"

Wow- what a waste of time. How about this- if the Republican Party wants to "prove" that Wetterling *didn't* cast a ballot in the presidential preference poll, how 'bout they provide documentation? From a communications standpoint, how about they get their facts at least a little straight before they start sending out press releases with this kind of tripe?

If they're going to be all procecutorial about this, how about providing some evidence? I'm pretty sure the burden of proof is upon them, not Wetterling to "prove" she cast a ballot.

Until then, go to the back of the class with your smear campaign tactics.

Posted by atom | September 20, 2006 2:36 PM

"there are no official voting records on anyone from that ballot"

I hereby call on Mark Kennedy to provide "proof" that he voted in the last election.... check and mate.

Posted by Willie Stark | September 20, 2006 3:04 PM

//there are no official voting records on anyone from that ballot//

I hereby call on Mark Kennedy to provide "proof" that he voted in the last election.... check and mate.

Posted by Willie Stark | September 20, 2006 3:06 PM

What about Bachmann's legislative record?

Please ask Michele Bachmann why she authored legislation for and promoted Personal Rapid Transit (PRT).

In an article on the MPR website, Michele Bachmann promoted Personal Rapid Transit with former MInneapolis Councilman Dean Zimmermann:

http://news.minnesota.publicradio.org/features/2004/04/26_mccalluml_prt/

Senator Bachmann's PRT bill:

==============================

http://www.revisor.leg.state.mn.us/revisor/pages/search_status/status_detail.php?b=Senate&f=SF1574&ssn=0&y=2003

(Bill Name: SF1574 ) "Personal rapid transit systems local bonding authority"

Authors; Bachmann; Solon

==============================

Posted by Avidor | September 20, 2006 3:42 PM

Bachmann was doing just fine without the NRCC providing this lame distraction. I can't wait to see what the DCCC comes up with.

Posted by Matt Abe | September 20, 2006 5:16 PM

Primary turnout in 2000 was 17.12%, in 2002 was 14.93%, and in 2004 was 7.63%. So 83-92% haven't voted in primaries...

Posted by Barb | September 20, 2006 7:15 PM

Michelle Bachman wears dirty underwear. If her campaign wants to prove otherwise, let them produce documentation...

Posted by Albatross | September 20, 2006 10:15 PM

What I find interesting is the GOP for years has been claiming, "We win on the issues. If the Democrats would stick to the issues then we win." Well, I see the GOP in the major campaigns in MN staying away from the issues. Lies like this (though coming from the NRCC it is exactly the same brand of crap Bachmann did in the endorsement run) show they are not confident in their positions.

Too bad, because I believe they should stay with their positions...win or lose and not play these games to hide their own positions.

Posted by Tony | September 21, 2006 8:27 AM

Services

• Hourly Newscast
• HD Radio
• iPhone App / Mobile
• E-mail newsletters
• RSS feeds
• Podcasts
• Submit your photos
• Videos
• Weather
• Most e-mailed stories