From the Webb campaign comes Steve Jarding's response to Mary Matalin, who helps raise money for George Allen and previously worked for Dick "Waterboarding" Cheney...
To: Mary Matalin
From: Steve Jarding
Re: Until you have run a race in Virginia, you might refrain from acting as an expert here.Mary,
Yesterday, you sent out a statement from the Allen campaign commenting on Jim Webb and Virginia campaigns. A couple points.
1. You said that Jim Webb is running the GÇ£most personally negative campaign in Virginia history.GÇ¥ You even said that the Webb campaign has run GÇ£the worst attempt at character assassination in Virginia history.GÇ¥ That is rich Mary, even for you. And besides, how would you know? You have never run a campaign here. Until you have, I suggest you quit playing reporters for idiots. They see what has gone on here. Before you attempt to rewrite the history of this campaign, get your facts right. The truth is that this campaign has been the GÇ£most personally negative campaign in Virginia historyGÇ¥ and this has been GÇ£the worst attempt at character assassination in Virginia historyGÇ¥ because George Allen, not Jim Webb is waging it.
Allen has not run an ad in this campaign that was not an outright lie and distortion of Jim WebbGÇÖs words and actions. He even went on statewide television in an overblown hyped joke of an ad saying he wanted to run a clean, issue-based campaign, only to see a negative Allen ad run right before the two minute snow job ad did. Then four days later, Allen ran a new negative ad. Mary, we are not that dumb in Virginia. We see through this charade. Then, in one television ad, Allen actually cites himself as the source for his claim that Webb would raise taxes (Nice work. Mary, did they teach your young operatives this in Dirty Politics 101?)
In another ad, Allen has a woman contending that Jim Webb GÇ£misquotedGÇ¥ her in a story in which she was not even quoted and in which she offered the additional lie that she was a GÇ£DemocratGÇ¥ when we donGÇÖt register by party in Virginia and voting records show that she votes in Republican primaries (You must be proud to work with these bozos.) The Allen campaign has yet another ad suggesting Jim was responsible for Tailhook, when Webb wasnGÇÖt even there at the time GÇô donGÇÖt let the truth get in the way of a good sleazy ad Mary.
Oh, and then there is the ad saying Jim doesnGÇÖt think that marriage should only be between a man and a woman GÇô when that is the only position he has ever taken on that issue GÇô and you guys know it! (So, now youGÇÖve stooped to lying about a manGÇÖs religious beliefs GÇô on what page of your family values playbook did that little gem come from?)
Mary, the Allen campaign has repeatedly attempted to assassinate Jim WebbGÇÖs character, unfortunately for you and them, it is tough to kill someone when you are shooting blanks. Mary, you should have stopped these political Neanderthals before they destroyed your 2008 horse. But that race isnGÇÖt happening anymore now is it. And the truth is these guys are Neanderthals because they reflect their leader. And as you heard Jim Webb say on Saturday, GÇ£a fish rots from the head down.GÇ¥
2. You claim in your little notice to reporters, that GÇ£George AllenGÇÖs record is an open book.GÇ¥ Really. Well, good to know. Then I guess you will be handing over those sealed Allen divorce records that reporters have been asking for. And I guess you will be offering the two Allen arrest records from the 1970s that mysteriously disappeared from court files GÇô reporters have been clamoring for those as well. Then too, Senator Open Book will now finally tell reporters how he made all that personal money from various companies while he did them electoral favors!I guess Senator Open Book will quit hiding from reporters like a snake under a rock and will begin to answer their questions, do their interviews and will quit screening their questions on conference calls, and will quit having them GÇ£submitGÇ¥ questions to the campaign for Allen to answer instead of putting him on the phone with reporters? They will be so glad to hear this, as will all the voters in Virginia who have seen their phony, tough, cowboy, macho Senator Open Book look more like Barney Fife than Marshal Dillon in this campaign.
Finally, Mary, on the matter of a personGÇÖs character, how about having Senator Open Book explain to the League of Women Voters how he could make a promise to them-- in writing-- in a contract no less--and then break it by using footage from their debate in television ads.
Then too, Senator Open Book signed his name to an ethics report in the Senate GÇô knowing he had lied on it, was hiding stock options from the committee, but didnGÇÖt seem to care. Gee, that one doesnGÇÖt look too good either Mary.
Character does matter, Mary. A personGÇÖs word does matter, Mary. The problem with George AllenGÇÖs campaign is that Jim Webb is the candidate who keeps his word and who is the candidate with character and your horse isnGÇÖt. ThatGÇÖs probably why you were forced to say such ridiculous things in your little statement to reporters.
Now, here's the Allen campaign press release by Mary Matalin:
Mary Matalin of the Allen Campaign Responds to WebbGÇÖs Latest Round of False, Negative AttacksFor Immediate Release:
October 29, 2006
Contact: Press Office
703.845.3689Webb's Writings Cause Him to Continue the Most Personally Negative Campaign in Virginia History
ARLINGTON, VA GÇô Mary Matalin, informal advisor to the Allen campaign, responded today to Jim WebbGÇÖs latest round of false, negative attacks with the following statement:
GÇ£Mr. Webb has promoted himself as a writer as he has run for U.S. Senate. VirginiaGÇÖs voters are now looking at his writings, which even he said were inappropriate to read over the radio.
GÇ£Time and time again, when voters scrutinize Jim WebbGÇÖs record, his campaign has launched false negative attacks against George Allen. As disappointed as Virginians are by Jim Webb's latest attacks, this is not surprising coming from someone whose campaign has been behind a coordinated series of false, negative smears that have been the worst attempt at character assassination in Virginia history.
GÇ£Look, George Allen's record is an open book. Whether as Governor or Senator, people can see what he's stood for and accomplished as a public official. I can't imagine him losing control and lashing out like Jim Webb did with lies and negative personal attacks if someone questioned one of his votes in the Senate or one of his vetoes as Governor. This is more disturbing behavior from Jim Webb and his campaign, and Virginians will reject his mean spirited false smears and attacks.GÇ¥
Lowell Feld is Netroots Coordinator for the Jim Webb for US Senate Campaign. The ideas expressed here belong to Lowell Feld alone, and do not represent those of Jim Webb, his advisors, staff, or supporters.
If the press notices at all, I trust it will be only to say Matlin looses another broadside which Webb did not dignify with a responce--- but his adviser,as is proper, did respond to Allen's adviser's comments. My, oh my. Hiding like a snake under a rock? Now, that's descriptive prose. Accurate, too.
George Allen, go back to California and stop embarassing us Virginians.
Ms. Matalin is no dummy. She can see and hear all the negatives coming from left AND right on the Allen campaign's latest smear tactic. Since there is no real defense for the indefensible, she is using the only thing left. That is, go on the offensive with declaring Webb's campaign the "most negative" campaign in Virginia's history, repeat often and hope voters take the "they're all the same" attitude.
Webb has campaigned with class and I think THIS is an issue we should promote, (his character in action). The MSM should be helping because this is news itself.
I posted earlier that a nice video clip would be Webb's own words (from the rally) reminding us all how he refused to go negative on the non-issues, even when opportunities were handed to him on a platter. The clip could be coupled with the actual film of his refusal to take the bait of going negative. And promote it everywhere.
Sheesh... Little Mary has lost not only her little lamb, but her cotton-pickin' mind
PS I notice she doesn't give any particulars to bolster her claim. *How* Republigoon of her; why bother doing research and using your head, when you have your gut for moral compass ...
Toddy Puller came on and did a very nice job of pointing out Webb's record while Navy secretary and also strongly argued that we need people in power who understand the realities of war. Toddy also pointed out that Allen gutted the VDOT and ended up having to rehire everyone as double-dipping consultants because he got rid of all the experienced people. Hee.