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8/1/2006 Dear Democratic Friends By Doug LaFollette The column below reflects the views of the author, and these opinions are neither endorsed nor supported by WisOpinion.com. You may have received a letter from my opponent recently that attacks me and my record. It is unfortunate that he has chosen to attack a fellow Democrat, especially since his attacks are groundless and untrue. I am reluctant to give them the credibility of a response, but, as John Kerry learned when he was “swift-boated,” failure to respond to unfair accusations can be disastrous. Mr. Ross makes two basic accusations. First, he accuses me of refusing to debate, thus depriving the voters of hearing of our plans for the office of the Secretary of State. This is, of course, nonsense. Both Scott and I have traveled throughout the state talking about the future of the office and, in my case, the reforms and improvements I have brought to the office over the years. Moreover, Scott and I have appeared at several events together, including one just this past week in Manitowoc, and will most likely do many more. These appearances give voters an excellent chance to compare us, and are better than more formal debates, where there is a tendency to get into more attacks and personal issues. As I explained to Scott, he and I have no real disagreement on the critical issues facing our state and nation, and thus there would be an increased likelihood that any debates could turn negative. Sadly, Scott’s recent attacks serve to make that point quite clear. The goal that should unite us all is helping Jim and Barb get re-elected, electing a Democrat as our Attorney General and working to take back at least the State Senate. My point was that debate between Democrats does not help us accomplish this important goal. Unfortunately, Mr. Ross makes another, rather absurd accusation. Apparently he equates declining to debate a fellow Democrat with failing to, using his words, “speak out in the face of a dozen years of Republican majority in the State Legislature and Congress, five years of the most corrupt Presidential Administration in history…” Oh really? Perhaps Mr. Ross was not listening at the Democratic State Convention when I called for Democratic victories and supported key Democratic issues such as choice and the environment. Perhaps Mr. Ross was not listening when, at a recent joint appearance, I strongly criticized Republican candidates. Perhaps Mr. Ross has not read my web site (http://www.douglafollette.com), which outlines a wide range of activities I have undertaken in support of progressive ideas and candidates. Perhaps Mr. Ross is not aware that as an activist member of the Sierra Club and other environmental groups I have attacked the Bush administration and Republicans in Congress and in the State Legislature for their merciless efforts to roll back the great environmental laws that Senator Gaylord Nelson championed. And perhaps Mr. Ross is not aware that I spoke to groups and campaigned door-to-door in a number of key states, such as Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Washington, to try to get John Kerry elected president. He may not have known these facts, but he should have investigated further before making such outrageous accusations against a fellow Democrat. Had he done that, he would have discovered what most Wisconsin Democrats already know, namely, that far from being silent on issues of importance to our nation and our state, I have spent my career speaking out against the right-wing attack on our liberties, our environment and our system of free elections. On this latter topic, I have spoken out strongly about the stolen elections in Florida and Ohio, where the Secretaries of State misused their offices to put Bush in office. Sadly, it is my opponent who has been misleading the voters by inferring that, if elected, he would be able to insure fair elections here in Wisconsin. He should know that the Election Board was created before I was elected and there is close to zero chance the Legislature would give election oversight to him. Given the mess in Florida and Ohio, many people are not even sure it would be a good idea. I hope this sets the record straight. I regret that my opponent has chosen to follow a campaign strategy that is more often associated with Republicans. For my part, I plan to run an honorable campaign, speaking out on important issues and helping to achieve a Democratic victory in November. And I would appreciate your vote on Sept. 12th. In Democratic Solidarity, Doug -- La Follette is Wisconsin Secretary of State |
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