[Vision2020] GOP & The Lack of Civility

[Saundra Lund]

Visionaries:

 

I don't know about anyone else other than Sue Hovey who referenced
Klingenberg's diatribe here on the Viz, but I was quite taken aback at the
language used by David Klingenberg in his recent letter to the editor of the
Daily News explaining why he'd be voting straight GOP ticket.  For those who
didn't read it, I'm pasting it at the bottom of this email.

 

I found his language frankly irresponsible, particularly coming from a
failed GOP candidate.

 

It seems to me a reasonable question is:  where on earth have people like
Klingenberg gotten the idea that such behavior is acceptable?

 

The answer I've arrived at is that we regrettably need look no further than
state & local GOP leadership.  Below please read an email sent out by LeeAnn
Callear mere hours after PostcardGate.  Note that the GOP wasted no time in
using PostcardGate as an excuse to further fundraise, which has become a
classic GOP tactic.  (The original email had the now familiar scan of the
postcard attached, but I've deleted it to keep from blowing up Visionaries'
inboxes.)

 

For those who aren't aware, LeeAnn Callear is somewhat of a bigwig in the
Idaho Republican Party.  She serves as a precinct committeeman in Clearwater
County, she's the Region II Chairwoman for the Idaho GOP, and she sits on
the Standing Rules Committee for the Idaho GOP.  IOW, she's someone who
knows better but doesn't care:  "nothing is too low in politics" is
apparently the belief of people like her and those behind the anonymous
mailings.  The fact that she and others like her are so eager to absolutely
savage someone from their own party who served us in the legislature for so
many years is beneath contempt.  

 

When GOP leadership sends out emails like this, is it really any wonder
there's a distinct lack of civility in politics?  Contrary to Klingenberg's
assertion, it seems to me a more accurate statement is that it's Republicans
who have who have given up on trying to win on the issues when two of their
local candidates are now too scared to answer questions from the very people
they want to vote for them.

 

Hmmm . . . now that I'm thinking about it, the email below is clearly
campaign fundraising and lacks a financial disclosure, doesn't it?

 

Saundra Lund

Moscow, ID

 

The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good people to do
nothing.

~ Edmund Burke

 

***** Original material contained herein is Copyright 2010 through life plus
70 years, Saundra Lund.  Do not copy, forward, excerpt, or reproduce outside
the Vision 2020 forum without the express written permission of the
author.*****

 

 

----- Original Message ----- 

From: LeeAnn Callear <mailto:leeann at callear.org>  

To: undisclosed-recipients

Sent: Sunday, October 17, 2010 9:02 AM

Subject: Gresham Bouma for Idaho Senate attacked. 

 


Dear friends, 

 

  This is a press release and picture of the postcard mailed out in Latah
County, (district 6). Only a small part of the ugly attack against some of
Latah county candidates. Poor loser Gary Schroeder, and some of his amateur
friends have written extremely childish editorials against Gresham and other
candidates, including Raul Labrador.  These poor losers say in the press
they are going to write in Vaughn Ward.   These are some who have for years
have spoken of the "big tent" until someone other than a liberal in their
own crowd  want in. They are extremely angry that new people would want to
join the Idaho Republican party.  

They are writing letter after letter calling many of their candidates
"teaparty" "Extremists" etc.    

 

Worst of all is the attack on people of faith. Gresham is a protestant,
Isaac Young is a Mormon, and Dave McGraw is Catholic , they mention the
Nazarene and other churches in the post card and letters to the editor ,but
they are trying to make them all look the same ,as religious nuts. It
couldn't be further from the truth.   I am not sure who is responsible for
this mailing, poor losers, or democrats, but it is so much like the childish
poor loserman behavior Schroeder has exhibited since the primary.  Also if
Gary ,Berrett  Schroder and friends are not responcible for this latest
attack , they have contributed to it by all of their childish attacks that
preceded this one. 

 

  I can't believe this man actually served in the Idaho Senate, HOW
EMBARRASSING!!!

 

   Again, I am not sure who was responsible for this mailing, but they must
answer it, and that takes money.   If any of you can please donate, ($5 $10,
$20 or more) to Greshams Bouma, Isaac Young and Dave McGraws campaign.  I
really believe we can win this one. I believe if we can get the word out to
Latah County voters, that this is an attack and not something Gresham Bouma
mailed out, that most voters will find it so repulsive and react by voting
against the opposition. 

 

 

 
LeeAnn Callear   208-476-0298   208-816-0368 

 

Date:  October 16, 2010
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(Moscow, Idaho)

This weekend, mailboxes in Latah County were filled with an inflammatory
postcard purporting to be from "Friends of Bouma."  The Bouma campaign is
alerting the authorities and requesting an investigation into the unapproved
use of the campaign mailing address, the unauthorized use of the copyrighted
picture, and the violation of federal and state campaign finance laws.
Recipients are asked to use minimal handling, place the postcard in a
plastic bag and hold it as evidence in case authorities require more
samples.

Gresham Bouma needs the voters and people of Latah County to be aware that
this blatant attack against many groups did not come from the Bouma
campaign. There is no such entity as "Friends of Bouma." This scandalous
postcard with its despicable message does not reflect Gresham's personal
views, nor those of his family. All who know the Bouma family and campaign
will attest that the views expressed are not consistent with Gresham's
character and values.

"Since the beginning of the primary, we have run a clean campaign and have
refused to engage in the dirty tactics that have become the norm for
political campaigning. Those who oppose my candidacy are desperately trying
to drown out my message with innuendo, lies, and personal attacks. This
latest attack is yet another attempt to use doctrinal differences to divide
those of us who have common political values. But I believe Latah County
voters are intelligent, fair minded, and able to see through these slimy
tactics.  Voters are encouraged to visit my website
<http://greshambouma.com/> greshambouma.com for accurate information on my
positions.  And I extend my gratitude to the many faithful supporters who
alerted us to this disgusting mailing.  This multi-thousand dollar libel
attack simply shows how effective our message is, and how scared and
unprincipled those that sent the postcards really are."  

Gresham Bouma

 

>From the Moscow-Pullman Daily News 10/25/2010:

Protest the tactics

My first thought when I saw the fraudulent postcard from the so called
"friends of Gresham Bouma" was, "Wow, the Democrats have given up trying to
win on the issues." At first this card was pretty successful. It drove an
obvious wedge between Bouma's campaign and some Mormons. This card may even
have had its intended impact on the election if it had been mailed on the
last weekend before Nov. 2. 

Many Mormons were outraged and publicly stated they were no longer going to
vote for Gresham. They then realized this was a fraud. Now everyone is
outraged. This little stunt has undoubtably cost the Democrats solid votes.
It surprises me that any Mormons fell for this disgusting trick. Bouma
supported me, Rex Rammell and Isaac Young for political office. Each one of
us is a Mormon. This would be like the KKK supporting President Barack Obama
or the new Black Panther Party supporting Jerry Falwell. On a side note, my
understanding is that Dave McGraw is a Catholic. The same fraud condemns
Catholics yet endorses McGraw, I'm confused.

The character attacks by the INKster and the Schroeders on Bouma are typical
of Democratic operatives and sore losers. It's amazing that it is Bouma's
fault that corrupt big government has skewed the farming process with
subsidies and welfare. Then Bouma steps forth to try to change the system
and gets condemned for partaking in it. The only way to satisfy the left
would've been for the Bouma family to starve to death and his farm to go out
of business. It is a Catch 22 that no person of principle can escape, and
now Bouma is victim of this trap. On Nov. 2, I will be voting for the entire
Republican ticket in protest of these tactics.

David Klingenberg, Moscow ---

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