Monday, October 06, 2008

Hermes responds to a desperate Fulton's anonymous attacks

Over the past few weeks, a number of Republican blogs in AZ have anonymously posted some allegations about Democrat Ed Hermes. He is challenging entrenched incumbent Fulton Brock for the District 1 seat on the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors.

Some of the allegations have not-so-anonymously made it into some of Fulton's mailers.

Each of the litany of allegations - he lives with his parents, he has received speeding tickets, he has ignored court appearances for the citations, he's appeared on MTV, he supports the DREAM Act, etc. - falls into one of three categories:

1. Untrue. Ed doesn't live with his parents. The truth is that particular allegation is designed to highlight Ed's relative youth. What Brock's disparagement of Hermes' age ignores is his experience as a member of the Board of Regents, as Director of External Affairs for the Arizona Department of Agriculture, and as a member of Governor Napolitano's Smart Growth Cabinet.

2. Twisted. Yes, he did receive a couple of speeding tickets, but they were photo radar tickets that were sent to an incorrect address. All of Hermes' tickets have been paid or dismissed, and he is in good standing with the court.

3. True but irrelevant. Yup, Ed supported the DREAM Act. So? What does the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors have to do with that? Nothing, unless you are a scared incumbent Republican who has decided to campaign on base bigotry.

As for the MTV appearance, yes, he appeared on an episode of "Room Raiders," but Fulton has ignored the fact that instead of engaging in the wretched excesses that MTV's reality shows are known for (and that Brock presumably hopes that voters remember), Hermes was ridiculed on the show for studying.

Wow! A college student studying! What'll they accuse Hermes of next? Attending some classes? What a rebel!

In a press release, Hermes' campaign manager Devin Mauney said, "Fulton Brock continues to try to tear down his opponent's character with misleading attacks and faulty sources rather than focusing on the issues facing the county."

"Continue" is the key work there, because smear and fear isn't a new tactic for Brock. He had to settle a defamation lawsuit (CV1996-092729) brought by his 1996 opponent, Bob Edens.

Of course, this could just be a case of Fulton Brock following John McCain's lead - when you are losing on the issues (McCain is getting beat on the economy, Brock on job performance), attack your opponent with innuendo and insinuation and hope the voters ignore the utter lack of substance in your attacks and your campaign platform.

Brock's open contempt for honesty, truth, and even common courtesy only add to the reasons that a change is needed in the District 1 seat of the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors.

Vote for Ed Hermes on November 4.

18 comments:

Elizabeth Rogers said...

I laughed when I saw the mailing.

You forgot the worst accusation of them all-Ed is a proficient Halo player.

This quick enough for you?

Craig said...

Good freakin' God - I was still in the middle of editing the post (uploading an image of the mailer) when you commented. WOW!

Elizabeth Rogers said...

Eh...I am going through motions (literally) so I have a second or two to show off.

Your response was awful quick too-did you learn those reflexes playing Halo?

Craig said...

Actually, I've never played Halo, I was just checking the post's visual layout after uploading the mailer image when I noticed your comment.

When I said that your first comment was made in the middle of me editing the post, I meant it literally.

I say it again, regarding your reply speed, WOW!

Elizabeth Rogers said...

:p The Sox did not win last night, this means that there is still at least two more games in the play-offs before they find out if they move on to the Series right?

Andrew Henry Cubria Jr. said...

I know who the real Ed is and no flyer or ad will ever change my feelings. It would be a blessing and an honor to have you elected for the District 1 seat on the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors.

Craig said...

Elizabeth -

There's at least one more game in this round of the playoffs (it's on right now); if the Red Sox lose tonight, then there's another one. After that, there will be a league championship series. And then the World Series.

In case you hadn't noticed, I like to talk about baseball pretty near as much as I like to talk about politics.

Kirsten said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Kirsten said...

It's surprising to me that an incumbent has so few specific accomplishments to cite in his own mailer.

Perhaps he wishes he was proficient at Halo? And had held serious positions in the Agriculture Department, the Governor's office, and on the Arizona Board of Regents?

No shame, man. Ed's pretty impressive.

Deidre said...

We just got that silly Fulton Brock mailer with the odd-colored photo that makes Ed look like a teenage vampire. My husband, a Republican, said that Fulton Brock is going to lose votes by printing crap like that. Sounds like Fulton is scared, running a ludicrous attack ad like that!

Elizabeth Rogers said...

No CPM, I had not noticed. You should demostrate this by talking my ear off about it at the district meeting tonight.

I have a stop watch and will be using it.

Craig said...

Elizabeth -

Ummm...there isn't a meeting tonight since tonight is only the first Tuesday of the month. Our meetings are on the 2nd Tuesday.

:(

Elizabeth Rogers said...

That is good news, I am too tired to go to a meeting tonight. *immediately starts snoring*

Bob said...

Google "Ed Hermes"

Near the top you'll see a link to quotes by Ed on Thinkexist.com

The quote Fulton uses in this attack piece is incomplete, it really reads:
"I am addicted to 'Halo' and play almost every night. By giving it up, I will have more time to reflect and to also lead a faith-sharing group."

Dan S said...

The flyer doesn't say that Hermes lives WITH his parents; it says he lives at his parent's house, which is true. Check the footnote on the flyer.

Craig said...

Dan S -

The flyer may not have used those exact words, but a number of Republican blogs have.

For example - "...Ed is a 24 year old who lives with his parents..." from http://coaching.typepad.com/espresso_pundit/2008/10/adult-supervisi.html

Cybercast said...

I write with www.onpause.org and i am uniteing gamers to donate to ed hermes cause! No, gamer should be assumed irresponsable just because he plays halo!

Donate Now!!
Cybercast
writer
www.onpause.org

Kirsten said...

Hey, Cybercast, I'm a volunteer with Ed's campaign.

I just want to say, from the bottom of my heart, WE LOVE YOU GUYS!

:)