Saturday, July 26, 2008

Dirty Tricks, But Whose?

On Thursday, a flyer was distributed all across the 61st State House district. The flyer was targeted to people who had yard signs for Margaret O'Brien. The flyer purported to be from Larry DeShazor, an opponent of Margaret.

Flier offers political supporters $100 to swap candidate yard signs

The flyer stated that "There is no place in Government for the George W. Bush/Jack Hoogendyk style of ultraconservatism my two opponents represent." It claims that only DeShazor can "earn the support of Democrats in the November election." It offers people $100 to take down a Margaret sign and put up a DeShazor sign, and lists DeShazor's phone number and email.

DeShazor has denied having anything to do with the flyer. He says "We believe these flyers to be coming from special interest that realizes their time is coming to an end." Which special interest?

There isn't any obvious beneficiary of this flyer. It makes Margaret supporters angry. It might generate some sympathy for Larry if he is perceived to be a victim. It might divide Republicans somewhat. Neither of the last two possibilities are likely to be very significant or long-lasting.

The flyer was distributed to quite a few local Republican activists all over the 61st district, so either someone was out all night, or there was more than one car distributing it.

DeShazor was involved in a bizarre incident in 2006 when he accused his opponent of breaking into his house. (The police investigated and found the charges to be baseless.)

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