Phillips vs. Ameri: Anatomy of a smear [Slimy Phillips playing ethnic politics

G oli Ameri wants an apology from Tim Phillips. Tim Phillips wants an apology from Goli Ameri. And both Republicans want a chance next fall to take on a Democrat they deem one sorry incumbent in Oregon's First Congressional District, David Wu.

It's a question I would have preferred not to answer. Who wants to get involved in one of these nasty primary season scuffles?

Phillips' Ethnic 'Smear' Backfires

Press and public believe he crossed the line

PORTLAND, OR - High tech small business owner and Republican candidate for Congress (OR-01) Goli Ameri today again expressed deep disappointment toward Tim Phillips and his campaign of negative, untruthful, ethnically-oriented attacks against her.

Ameri wasn't the only one to express disappointment toward Phillips and his untruthful attacks. The Portland Tribune called Phillips' attacks a "smear." Meanwhile, the prestigious Capitol Hill publication Congressional Quarterly raises the specter that "bringing up Ameri's ethnic background could backfire" on Phillips.

Edwin Dover, a political science professor at Western Oregon University, is quoted as saying. "'This is the sort of thing where I think has the potential' to backfire."

Meanwhile, Phillips has been scolded by at least one high-level Republican leader. First Congressional District Republican Chairman Jeff Smith is demanding that Phillips cease and desist from negative campaigning.

And U.S. Marine Col. Michael Howard, who served in the Gulf War and more recently in Iraq said, "I'm sad that the Tim Phillips campaign has decided to distort Goli's record. I know Goli Ameri. She is a staunch defender of the Bush administration's war against terror. Tim Phillips doesn't know what he's talking about."

http://www.ameriforcongress.com/.docs/rid/64/pg/10014

After reading the statements I have to say that I found Mr. Phillips accusations highly offensive and negative BUT not totally untrue.

Goli Ameri's explanation as to her change of heart was less than satisfactory as far as I am concerned. While her current support of strengthening National Borders and Immigration Policy speaks well of her, I would have been much happier to hear an explanation for her attitude toward the Clinton Policy, that was a little more rooted in concern for The National Security of the United States than concern for the "feelings" Foreign Citizens, regardless of where they come from.

While I understand that Ms. Ameri has friends and relatives that have suffered greatly under the "Tyrannical Fist" of the "Islamic Extremists" she is asking to be elected to represent the interests of "American Citizens” and not those of “Iranian Visitors” that she claimed were being "humiliated and distressed" by the Clinton Policy.

The simple truth is that a Representative must often put aside their personal feelings to truly represent their constituents. When Ms. Ameri made these statements regarding the Clinton Policy I would have said that she was unable to separate her feelings for her people from her duty to her constituents.

However, in the matter of this current policy I think that Ms. Ameri woke up, smelled the burning Twin Towers and realized that her desire to not “humiliate and distress” foreign visitors was far outweighed by The United States Citizens desire to be “safe and secure” within our own borders. To that I say bravo and well done.

And to Mr. Phillips I say grow up and get a clue. You were overly confrontational while bringing up a valid point. In other words you went too far. Be a Man, apologize and let’s get on with a decent, non-negative campaign.

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