Dirty politics or mailer goof?

Sacramento Bee ^ | 11/7/6 | Clea Benson

[SmithL]

Challenger Bill Durston cries foul as 'Democratic' slate lists GOP's Dan Lungren.

It was either a printer's error or a political trick.

But somehow, the "Democratic Voters Choice" slate mailer that went out to voters in the 3rd Congressional District ended up endorsing Republican incumbent Dan Lungren instead of his Democratic challenger, Bill Durston.

Durston condemned the for-profit mailing Monday, calling it "dirty politics" designed to mislead Democratic voters.

Meanwhile, Burbank political operative Tom Kaptain, who runs the mailer, said the Lungren endorsement was a typesetting mistake. He said he had been unaware of the problem until notified by a reporter.

"Absolutely, it's a screw-up," he said in a phone interview. "In fact, when I get off the line, I want to yell at my graphic artist."

Whatever happened in the political mailhouse that cranked out the Democratic Voters Choice piece, the episode in the Lungren- Durston race highlights the pitfalls of relying on slates to decide how to vote.

"It's voters beware when it comes to slate mailers," said Bob Stern, president of the Center for Governmental Studies in Los Angeles.

[SmithL]

It's voters beware when it comes to slate mailers,"

BINGO!

[SmithL]

I do my own research. ALL campaign mailers that show up at my house go straight into the trash, unread.

[D.P.Roberts]

Act of God?

[catbertz]

I'm in Long Beach, Ca, and I received an "Official" Republican voter guide which did support all GOP candidates. The tricky aspect of this scam mailer was four state and local initiatives that this "GOP guide" supported, which are NOT GOP endorsed.

It was very deceptive in a subtle way.

[latina4dubya]

did not know Dan Lungren was still around... he should have been governor of California, but lost to Gray Davis...

[Van Jenerette]

...like the voters guide?

http://www.jenerette.com/links/

[rom]

Same here, in Ventura County. Got some Republican voter guide that supported 90% of the known Republicans, but then tried to sneak through a liberal running for County Supervisor instead of the Conservative. Made me do a double take.

[ConservativeDude]

Is that the same guy? Wasn't that Lungren also a former congressman? Is this a come back?

[Finny]

Yep. I pay attention to the mailers but cross-reference them and then do a bit of internet research, as well, plus the great resources I find here on Free Republic. That way I've been able to catch the times when the "official" Republican mailers make inconsistent recommendations.

[Paloma_55]

In our heavily Republican county, we often get slate mailers that are all Republican candidates, but liberal agenda on the ballot propositions. They figure people will ASSUME it is a Republican mailer and support the ballot propositions.

[Deb]

As Mary Matalin said this morning, for 25 years the Democrats have screamed "Dirty Tricks!!!" and voter suppression every election. There's always the story about the fliers telling black voters to vote on the wrong day. No such flier has ever been produced, but it's claimed every time.

[brazzaville]

Good morning.

Does anyone read any more than who the supporters are who are listed on the mailer before throwing it away?

Michael Frazier

[SmithL]

Does anyone read any more than who the supporters are who are listed on the mailer before throwing it away?

I used to read the supporters, but I don't even do that anymore.

[Maelstorm]

This is too funny. hahhahahahahahahaha Democrats are such Morons. This is almost as bad as the Democrats in Palm Beach who inadvertently voted for Pat Buchannon. We are lucky that Democrats have such a challenged group of supporters.

[newzjunkey]

Comeback? Lungren's an incumbent in the House!

[ConservativeDude]

I think I missed a cycle or something. I thought there was a Lungren who was a House member, then AG, then lost for Governor. Obviously I am a bit confused.