So This Is What Politics Is Reduced To?
So this what politics is now reduced to in South Dakota?
Stalking and intimidating potential candidates and their families?
Once putative GOP U.S. Senate candidate Steve Kirby describes what was done to him by the Johnson Campaign on KELOLAND:
“My family viewed as sort of creepy the surveillance of our house,stalking a little bit, we happened to be out in the driveway and see acar go by taking pictures,” Kirby says.Is this the Golden Rule? Is this how a candidate or a party with ideas conducts business?
The Republican says Tim Johnson’s supporters took things too far.
“The way those things happened really shook up my family. It was creepyto them. It went well beyond the pale of what you expect in a goodpolitical contest which hadn’t even started yet,” he says.
I know the Kirby family a bit. I’ve coached soccer with Steve and coached his daughter who is still at home. While I might have my political disagreements with Steve, he’s not a monster. And his wife and daughter certainly don’t deserve this sort of treatment.
I know some of you fellow Democrats are pissed off at me for taking issue with these tactics. Some of you even accuse me of being a Kirby supporter or worse, a bad Democrat. I’ve even come under personal attack, not for what I’ve written but for my own “character” for daring to challenge the Johnson Campaign’s tactics. Supposedly, I’m some sort of malcontent.
Whatever.
If this is how “good” Democrats are supposed to think and behave, I don’t be a “good” one. We are a party of hope and ideas. We are not the party of intimidation and dirty politics. At least I thought so.
Steve Kirby and family, you have my apologies. Our momma’s didn’t raise us to be bullies.
And, we owe the public better.
Technorati Tags: Tim Johnson, Steve Kirby, U.S. Senate, stalking, bullying, Democrats
Todd Epp
in 2008 Election, 2008 Senate Race, 2008 U.S. Senate Race
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Reader Comments (10)
Ok. It sucked.
I'm still confused by it all, honestly. I didn't see where Kirby was a real threat anyway, not really offering anything in the previous campaign. He'd been a drop in the bucket. He might be a nice guy and a good soccer coach, but they aren't playing soccer in DC.
Bloggers loved it and are going to keep loving it for a long time. They're still talking about Kirby/Rounds/Barnett three years later.
Now about Spitzer....that boy's got some problems.
I'm playing devil's advocate here, but my opinion is that it was a comment made by Steve Kirby. Was he able to offer proof that this happened. I don't know if it did or not, but at this time all we have is his word for it. Maybe it was a smear tactic on his part.
Todd....
Between your entirely justified scolding of certain Democrats for their unconscionable stalking of the Kirby family, and the creation of Tidewater Blue, you are now my favorite guerilla Democrat.
The slime being tossed around by both parties is stomach-turning. Seeing the Clintons do it to Obama is beyond disgusting.
Although, to be fair, who decided a picture of where Tom & Linda Daschle lived was truly a campaign issue during that last election?
But Democrats really don't have to stoop to the snake-belly level of the Republic Party do they? I hope not Lowell. I expect not Mr. Jarding.
Oops, sorry. Guess I just did,in a GOP pissant kinda way. Didn't I?
So your accusing the Johnson campaign of "stalking" because Steve Kirby saw "someone" drive by his house taking pictures. Someone was taking pictures, therefor it must of have been the Johnson campaign? I know your not a prosecutor Todd, but as an attorney, can you imagine bringing a case against someone on evidence this thin? Or, as a reporter, would you expect an editor to sign off on such a poorly supported accusation? And if it was campaign staff taking pictures, does it rise to stalking which Websters defines as: to pursue obsessively and to the point of harassment.
I don't consider you either a bad Democrat or a Kirby supporter. But I do think you've bought into a dangerous misconception that somehow voters will rally round if Democrats are just nice people promoting good ideas. And I do wish you would quit apologizing.
You want a message of hope to get out. First, you make sure it doesn't get sidetracked by the kind of nasty campaign Kirby has a history of running. To do that may require demonstrating your prepared to give as good a you get. That's what the Johnson camp did and from my point of view, we're better off for their effort.
As for all the crocodile tears from Republican bloggers, forget them. They're disingenuous to the nth. They aren't appalled by the so-called attacks, they're overjoyed because they think they now have license to retaliate--which they would do anyway even if they had to contrive some excuse to do it. It's not called "War College" for nothing and no matter how nice we play, the opposition will feel no compunction against using any attack they think will resonate. If you don't believe me, just ask Tom Daschle.
Todd,
You are now accusing the Johnson campaign of "stalking" Tim Johnson, and of taking pictures of his house.
Can you please back this up with proof that the Johnson Campaign did any of the things Kirby accused him of?
Anon, I am guessing that Mr Dachle is wishing he could take the silly last minute law suit back. That is where he lost the election.
As for Todd, everyone should re-read his comments about this topic. He is spot on.......
If we the Dems are truly looking for change, they should move away from the polotics of personal destruction.
I thought Tim was above this.
Someone should be fired!
Todd - you are right on about your chastisement.
Unfortunately tactics such as this come as no shock to those who "know" the Johnson campaign. obviously the genius who thought this stunt up is not well versed in SD Politics - or the campaign would never have started it. S Dakotans are sepearated by two degrees (3 at the most). we generally like our neighbors .... even the rich ones.
So Todd. Guess who is creeping me out.
Geraldine Ferraro. I mean, what the hell?1
If this is what politics is boiling down to, I'm glad I'm an independent!
Ready, fire, aim!
Accuse, convict, indict?!
You have significant numbers of ill-informed people thinking something happened and that it was the fault of the Johnson campaign while lacking any proof, police report, etc. Perhaps if there was anything thing that happened it was the media, or nosey local county neighbors, etc. Please refrain from using the Geraldine Ferraro proof test: it was said, therefore it's true.