GOP Dirty Trickster Comes Kind of Clean

Ex-GOP operative tells cautionary tale about ‘how to rig an election’

He’s selling a book and film rights, of course. He’s Republican. IT’S WHAT THEY DO. I’m only partially joking.

Telling:

“I felt like I had an obligation, and not obligation to my country or obligation to the people in New Hampshire, nothing like that,” Raymond said. “I had a responsibility to my family.”

And you’re still voting for a Republican in this election?

  • http://sayheyday.wordpress.com/ ikarl67

    When Obama’s supports jam the phones of WGN radio in Chicago because Obama has told them to “get in peoples faces” it is called a well organized campaign.

  • http://blurbomat.com blurb

    @ikarl67, Yes. Let us compare a commercial radio station to the campaign headquarters of the opposing party. Let us do it now. Because that will make us smarter and better informed.

  • http://greatdayinmaine.blogspot.com leesavee

    I live in Maine, and one of his co-conspirators is a Mainer, James Tobin. This was enormous news in my part of the country when it was happening…and it’s horrible. This sort of stuff is tantamount to Watergate.

    While I agree with one of the people quoted in the article who said that there are dirty people on both sides, the GOP has seemed far dirtier in recent years. Lee Atwater, Karl Rove…need I say more?

  • http://sayheyday.wordpress.com/ ikarl67

    Blurb,
    Yes lets compare the suppression of opposing voices on the highest wattage radio station in the US with solid coverage into key battleground states of Wisconsin, Michigan, Iowa and Missouri, to the New Hampshire Democratic Headquarters phone system. Wait , lets ,make this “tantamount to Watergate!! Let’s throw in legal threats to the same station just to make things interesting.
    Should we mention the slashed tires at the GOP headquarters Milwaukee in 2004 for which Democrats activists were found guilty?
    The Maryland Dem party steeling Michael Steele’s credit report?
    Son of a Tennessee State Rep hacking Palin’s personal e-mail.
    Politics is a nasty dirty business and neither party can claim a higher moral ground.
    Believing that the party of one’s similar ideology is less dirty is neither smarter nor better informed.
    McCain has run a negative campaign , there is no doubt. But lets not delude ourselves into thinking one party is above the other in dirty tricks.

  • mmc

    @ikarl, all the examples you give are of individuals playing “dirty tricks.” This article is about the actual campain headquarters of the GOP. That is MUCH scarier in my mind.

  • http://sayheyday.wordpress.com/ ikarl67

    mmc,
    The Obama Campain did in fact threaten legal action against AM 720.
    The 2004 Madison tire slashers were Democratic operatives, one was also a son of a Democratic Rep.
    A Maryland Democratic Party Staffer did in fact illegally obtain Michael Steel’s Credit report in 2005.
    The Palin e-mail hack was (allegedly) an individual, who happens to be the son of a State representative.

    Lets be better informed. I know the difference between individual acts of dirt than those conducted by campaigns.

    Look ‘em up.

  • mmc

    ikarl, I have, thank you. You seem to get much different information than I did. The Obama campaign did not “threaten” the radio station, they simply asked them to stop broadcasting incorrect information. I have read the letter, there is no threat. And Democratic operatives? Please. Again, these examples DO NOT equate to the accepted practices of the GOP’s campaign headquarters. I agree with you, both sides play dirty, but having some extreme individuals versus the entire headquarters is the lesser of the two evils in my opinion.

  • squandra

    Dude, ikarl67, you know there is a difference between a group of activists, or a politician’s son for pete’s sake, and the PARTY ITSELF. Right? You know that.

    I realize you tried to argue this point already, but please … A staffer, A son, THE son. Individuals one and all. Watching you disprove your own thesis, line by line, is getting kind of painful.

    Jon, sorry to crab on your blog; something’s gotten into me tonight, I guess. Thank you for the link, it’s interesting reading.

  • oztiks

    First, congrats to ikarl for not sounding like a pure list of sound-bytes… it’s refreshing.
    This is comedy… ikarl, you wouldn’t be shocked to hear that I heard about this book coming out about 3 weeks ago, along with the interview that the author of said book did with Thomas Hartmann (on his radio program) around that same time. Or, would you be one of those guys that considers Faux News to be “fair and balanced”, while calling CNN and the like “Liberal Media” when they report this kind of thing 3 weeks late? Take your time in answering, since I know you are busy searching for the Faux News story about the ANARCHIST GROUPS that did willful damage during the Republitard Convention which I’m sure Bill O’Reilled-up conveniently reclassified as Democratic Activists… Take an extra hour or so to answer, as you will now have more research to do.
    As for the individuals that you mentioned, please keep in mind that the current administration has set a precedent which states that no individual, whatever position they hold, will ever be held accountable for crime or stupidity… Ever. Stay on topic, which is Republicans breaking laws, getting busted for it, and not being served any justice if they hold a position of decent power… Cue the dueling banjos song.

  • http://sayheyday.wordpress.com/ ikarl67

    Squandra,
    The person who illegally obtained Michael Steele’s credit report was a researcher for the Maryland DSCC and in fact had her legal fees paid by the Democrats.
    http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/03/15/AR2006031502487_pf.html
    Individual ?
    The tires slashed at GOP headquarters in Milwaukee was perpetrated by Democratic Staffers.
    http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=295538
    Individuals?

    I am not defending what happened in NH, nor am I defending my former party. All I am saying is that if you wish to stop dirty politics, your efforts would be best focused on your own party.

    Jon,
    I really do appreciate you opening up comments on these posts. I say that in all sincerity. This blog reflects your voice, and allowing others to express opinions that may be contrary to your own demonstrates significant character. Not that you need any compliments from a fascist such as myself.

  • http://www.alladither.com All Adither

    Nope. Never.