In a new blast email, Ali for Senate campaign manager Ben Shnider has accused Senator Nancy King's campaign of stealing Ali's signs and engaging in "dirty tricks." This comes on the heels of a contentious debate on News Channel 8 that can be seen on video in clips released by Ali. We will be carrying those clips, but first see Shnider's email from yesterday below.
Dear Friend:
As I write this email, do you know what our committed campaign staff and volunteers are doing? They are driving around District 39, replacing Ali for Senate campaign yard signs that have been deliberately ripped out of Ali supporters’ yards by allies of our opponent. With 37 days left until Primary Day, Nancy King senses that our grassroots organization is gaining steam and she is resorting to even more dirty tricks.
Just yesterday we had over 5 supporters email or call our office, notifying us that someone had pulled up to their house and ripped out their Ali yard sign. Most of them described a young woman in a dark car parking in front of their home, grabbing their yard sign, and speeding away. If your yard sign was stolen please call our campaign office at (301) 685-3409 or email us at Delegate@SaqibAli.org.
Running a grassroots campaign against an entrenched incumbent is never easy. This is not the first underhanded campaign tactic we have faced and it surely won’t be the last. We will not let these dirty tricks prevent us from talking substantively about issues of concern to District 39 voters. We need your help to convey our positive message for Maryland's future. Our next financial filing deadline is on August 10th, only five days away, and we must send a strong message that District 39 is ready for a change in leadership.
Please help Saqib stand up for our progressive values by making a financial contribution today!
Together we have come a long way since Saqib first announced his candidacy in May. We have knocked on thousands of doors, talked to thousands of voters and organized communities across District 39. We have worked too hard to let these dirty tactics slow us down.
Contribute now and help Saqib give District 39 a real voice in Annapolis!
Thanks,
Ben
Ben Shnider
Campaign Manager, Ali for Senate
Friday, August 06, 2010
Ali Accuses King of Dirty Tricks
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5 comments:
The stealing of lawn and street signs is a sophomoric tactic that tends to originate with a campaign's followers, not the actual campaign itself. I can't imagine that Senator King would approve of this sort of thing, and would hope that she'll publicly instruct her supporters to knock it off.
The more troubling thing to me was the debate yesterday. When Delegate Ali questioned Senator King's record on several points (the BOAST bill, alco-pops, etc), her response was to make vague statements about individuals in Annapolis that may or may not be willing to work with him as a State Senator.
First, I'd like these statements to be substantiated...and second, I'd like to know why I (as a District 39 resident) should care which politician is making a back room deal to put a person on this or that committee.
This sort of thing was supposed to have gone out with Tammany Hall and Boss Tweed, and if it's happening as described, it's a serious matter that really should be investigated thoroughly.
I am really tired of campaigns complaining about yard signs. It seems to have become this year's "must have" political accessory. "Grass roots"? Check. Door knocking? Check. Volunteers? Check. "Somebody is stealing our signs"? Oh, yes indeed.
Memo to all MoCo campaigns: quit whining, get back to work, and CAMPAIGN. Signs? Nobody cares.
Jonathan Shurberg
Full disclosure: I'm not working for any campaign this year. I just HATE whining
This is almost Pythonesque.
Kids stealing yard signs has obviously never happened before in the annals of recorded history - it MUST be a conspiracy!
YEESH
Tom Steele
I'm with Jonathan on this point. Non-issue. In addition, if a campaign messes with an opponent's yard signs that stuff comes back to bite the perpetrator more often than not. Stay focused on one's own campaign.
Could someone please explain the basis for accusing Senator King's campaign of stealing yard signs? There's plenty of people in the world who aren't above teenagerish vandalism. And plenty of people who either think ALL campaign signs are eyesores. And some who just don't like Ali very much. There also so happens to be another candidate besides King and Ali running in November (oh wait in this county candidates don't think past the primaries, or consider the how independents might vote, my bad). There are even some people (myself included) who take some comfort in knowing that at least one of those two isn't going back to Annapolis next year. In any case accusing a sitting senator's campaign of systematic vandalism/theft, a crime which will have approximately zero impact on the outcome of the election, without solid proof seems like a pretty cheap shot.
--Ron Ely, North Potomac
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