Posted on 09/19/2002 3:53:35 PM PDT by callisto
Erskine Bowles, State Democrat Party Forced to Pull "Misleading" Ad; "Admitted Liar" Scott Falmlen Up to Old Tricks Deceiving Seniors
(Raleigh) - Erskine Bowles and the North Carolina Democrat Party launched the first negative attack ad of the U.S. Senate general election on Tuesday but were forced to pull the ad later in the day after the Charlotte Observer complained that it was "misleading."
"Erskine Bowles is lying about Elizabeth Dole and, given the fact that Scott Falmlen was involved, it's not surprising," said Bill Cobey, Chairman of the North Carolina Republican Party. "Scott Falmlen has lied to seniors in Florida, lied about his lies and now he's doing it all again here in North Carolina. The only thing that truly surprises me is that Erskine Bowles would associate himself with a guy like this."
The deceptive ad came just one day after the North Carolina Republican Party learned that Falmlen, executive director of the North Carolina Democrat Party, had set up - and then lied about - a scam to deceive senior citizens during Florida's 1994 gubernatorial election. Like Bowles's new attack ad, Falmlen's scam involved lying to senior citizens about then-Republican nominee Jeb Bush's position on Social Security.
In the latest attack ad, which was underwritten by the state Democrat party, Erskine Bowles makes completely untrue statements about Elizabeth Dole's position on Social Security in a thinly veiled attempt to scare North Carolina's senior citizens.
The Associated Press reported last Monday night that the ad included "a photograph of Dole, the top of The Observer's front page and the words: 'Gamble Social Security Money in Stock Market.' Dole never made that statement, and The Observer never characterized Dole's proposal as a "gamble." Jennie Buckner, editor of The Charlotte Observer called the ad "misleading." ("Democrats pull Dole advertisement after complaints," The Associated Press, September 17, 2002)
"We have no doubt that Erskine and his pal Falmlen will have an equally deceptive replacement for the ad up and running in no time. But now that they've shown their true colors, North Carolina's seniors will see through their deceptions," Cobey said.
In 1995, the St. Petersburg Times called Falmlen "an admitted liar" for his role in the campaign scams but Falmlen preferred to be known as someone who conveyed "purposeful misstatements." ("Mr. Falmlen, the door," St. Petersburg Times, December 22, 1995)
Instead of being apologetic for his Social Security scams, the Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel reported that Falmlen "defended the calls as 'purposeful misstatements' and said candidates do it all the time." (Michael Griffin, "Ethics Panel Blasts Political Chicanery," Sun-Sentinel (Fort Lauderdale), February 21, 1996)
If that wasn't enough, Falmlen went on to lie about Bob Dole in the 1996 presidential campaign with a mailing which, according to the St. Petersburg Times, said "If you need nursing home care, Bob Dole wants your spouse to have to sell the house before you can qualify for Medicaid." In this case, it was his own party who had to reel him in. Amy Weiss Tobe, spokeswoman for the Democratic National Committee, said Falmlen's mailing "may be a slight overstatement of the facts." (Julie Hauserman, "Flier Brings Up Democrat Scandal," St. Petersburg Times, October 26, 1996)
In November 1998, The Orlando Sentinel reported that the "Florida Democratic Party jettisoned [Falmlen] ... in an attempt to reverse its fortunes after a disastrous election season." The Sentinel went on to say " Florida Democrats have witnessed a steep drop in their stature under Falmlen's watch." (David Nitkin and Linda Kleindienst, "Florida Democrats' Top Campaigner Is Out," The Orlando Sentinel, November 21, 1998)
Gee, ya think he would LIE? I mean he worked for the EPITOMY of "HONESTY", the PILLAR of "HONESTY" BILL CLINTON!!
I clearly remember the manta of the Rats, "GOP! Get Old People!"
Whoa... It wasn't an ad, the "objective" news reporting.
This scumbag sure didn't waste much time did he?
MKM
Yeah, that's the familiar rap. And if Republicans don't get off their duffs, this will be the DNC's mantra all over again, in races all over the country.
This article sounds as if Bowles pulled the campaign ad because The Observor kicked up a fuss, not because Elizabeth Dole's campaign demanded it. Republicans still don't understand the importance of responding to lies immediately...dollars to doughnuts the ad would still be running if it hadn't involved the newspaper's own reputation.
:o)
< /extreme sarcasm >
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