September 7
Senate President Mike “Big Daddy” Miller sends District 19 Senator Mike Lenett, whom he had endorsed over challenger Roger Manno, a check for $2,500. Lenett needed the money for his Gang-Bangers for Manno mailer, his Holocaust mailer and his nuke website.
September 14
Manno defeats Lenett by eight points.
September 17
Miller sends Manno a check for $4,000.
Well, that was quick. Congratulations Rog!
Showing posts with label Mike Lenett. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Mike Lenett. Show all posts
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Roger Manno’s New Best Bud
Monday, October 18, 2010
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Mike Lenett's Concession Statement
Senator Mike Lenett (D-19) sent out the following email to his supporters congratulating challenger Roger Manno on his victory.
Thank You
Dear [Voter],
Ever since I was a child, all I've ever wanted was to have a close family and make people's lives better. I may have stumbled in my political career, but I've got the most wonderful family any man could hope for and I will find other ways to make a difference in people's lives. I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for the privilege and honor of serving as your State Senator the last four years. Helping to pass meaningful legislation and solve real-life problems has been the most rewarding experience of my life. I also want to thank all my supporters, campaign staff, interns, and volunteers for their incredible hard work, dedication, ideals, and faith in me. I cannot begin to express my gratitude. Most of all, I would like to thank my wife Kriszti, my soul mate, and my four amazing children, David, Aron, Jason, and Sabrina, for all the sacrifices they have made through a tough year and for being a constant reminder of how lucky I am.
I would like to offer my sincere congratulations to Roger Manno, his family, and his supporters. Roger, I offer you my support in any way you think I may be helpful. I look forward to working with you in the years ahead for the betterment of our wonderful community, for which I know we share a love that is our greatest common bond.
I hope that Democrats across Montgomery County wake up this morning committed to healing quickly from an unfortunately overly-contentious primary season and re-uniting to help our Governor Martin O'Malley in a close general election battle that will determine whether Maryland retreats backward or moves forward to advance the values we hold so dear.
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
The Meanest MoCo Primary of All Time, Part Two
Montgomery County is a special place. Its enlightened voters and their leaders are dedicated social progressives who work in harmony to promote justice and change. By standing together against reactionary elements, Montgomery County serves as a model for other liberal communities and is leading the way to a better future for all.
Yeah, riiight!
Deprived of competition from the GOP and, for the most part, meaningful policy differences, many of MoCo’s primaries have degenerated into slime-drenched mud wrestling. This blog has chronicled negative attacks in Council District 1, Council District 2, the Council At-Large race, the Senate races in Districts 14, 17, 19 and 39 and the House race in District 16. That’s the majority of contested primaries in this county, folks. Almost every kind of issue, and every means to convey it, has been thrown onto the butcher’s table for split and splatter. Party unity is an old maid’s dream as the daggers are drawn and the Iron Maidens are snapped shut. Somewhere in Dante’s Inferno, Lee Atwater is flapping his wings with glee.
In all the blood-soaked infamy, three events stand out from the rest. These are the three wildest negative attacks of the year, and three of the most unforgettable in MoCo of all time. Start your chainsaws!
The District 19 Reporter
Perhaps no MoCo character assassin has ever had a longer knife than Ginger Ramsey, a former employee of Senator Mike Lenett’s who started a one-person jihad to take him down a year ago. Ramsey’s efforts began as the anonymous “District 19 Reporter,” a venomous Lenett critic who sent out periodic emails skewering him on an endless variety of topics. Frustrated that she had not broken through to the press and fearful that she was viewed as a creation of challenger Roger Manno, Ramsey finally unmasked herself and was covered by the Gazette.
As Lenett’s former legislative aide, Ramsey was certainly in a position to know about his sins. But her year-long practice of using anonymous emails and her mixing in items like Lenett’s hair coloring and references to his children destroyed any credibility she may have had. Ramsey’s bitterly personal rantings actually made Lenett, who has since proven himself as one of the state’s most brutal politicians, appear to be something of a sympathetic figure. But that would not last.
Mike Lenett’s Nuke
Late in the campaign, we believed Lenett had a slight edge over Manno. He had dramatically outspent Manno and shared both a district and an Apple Ballot with former MCEA President Bonnie Cullison – thereby indirectly benefiting from the union’s efforts to elect her. Manno had struggled to concoct a rationale for Lenett’s removal and had sent out a comical negative mailer that looked like it might backfire in Leisure World. And Lenett did nothing to stop the rumors that the “District 19 Reporter” was a part of Manno’s campaign team – a totally unverifiable allegation that nevertheless helped the incumbent.
But Mike Lenett does nothing halfway, a personality trait that is both a blessing and a curse. And so to secure victory, he launched what will forever be known in MoCo as “the Nuke,” a fearsome website listing every single speck of dirt his operatives had dug up on Manno. Some of the points made by the Nuke were legitimate, such as questions about Manno’s ethics form disclosures. But they were peppered with purely personal criticisms of Manno’s original name, his history tending bar and playing blues and his wife’s professional career. The legitimate material was submerged by outrage against the personal attacks. And Lenett lost whatever sympathy he had earned as the victim of the District 19 Reporter. The race has gone from a leaner for Lenett to a toss-up that Manno could conceivably pull out.
Light Saqib, Dark Saqib
The original purpose of Senator Nancy King’s sixth anti-Saqib Ali mailer was to point out that Ali was no longer abiding by his 2006 pledge to not take PAC money. Indeed, Ali said on his website: I have pledged not to accept a single penny from any corporation or special interest Political Action Committee (PAC). It is the only course that will allow me to remain completely independent of special interests and entirely focused on the best interests of District 39 citizens and business owners. I urge my opponents to take a similar pledge.
Going after a politician for abandoning a campaign finance pledge is 100% legitimate. We have done that ourselves, notably when we spanked County Council candidate Ben Kramer HARD for violating his pledge not to take developer money last year. But then someone inside the King campaign made the disastrous decision to flip and darken an image of Ali and leave it on the same mailer page as the original image. That led several commenters, including Kim Propeack, Oscar Ramirez, Guled Kassim, Sam Arora and Council Member Valerie Ervin, to question that action. King’s campaign manager compounded the mistake by denying ANY photo alteration, a claim that no one viewing the pictures could ever believe. And King herself made it even worse by contradicting her manager.
And so an entirely legitimate argument against Ali has been eclipsed by suspicions of ill intent and serious questions about the credibility of King’s campaign. Now that the story has been picked up by the Washington Post, the Huffington Post and Fox 5 News, the image below has been immortalized in MoCo political folklore and as part of Senator King’s political legacy.
What do all three of the negative attacks above share in common? All of them may have had at least a tiny bit of truth buried under the sludge. But all went overboard through illegitimate methods (like anonymous emails or altered photos) or irrelevant personal attacks that looked petty and mean. Let this serve as a lesson for any candidate looking to go negative: make sure your facts are iron-clad and appropriate for consideration by the voters, and NEVER let problems with their mode of conveyance overwhelm the legitimate message they contain.
Four years from now, we’ll find out if the candidates learn anything from the mud-spewing hell pit of 2010. We are not optimistic that they will, but at least it will make for fun blogging!
Monday, September 13, 2010
Len Teitelbaum: Lenett Exploits Holocaust for Political Gain
Former District 19 Senator Len Teitelbaum sent out this email tonight in response to Senator Mike Lenett's Holocaust mailer.
Lenett Exploits Holocaust for Political Gain
In his latest desperate attempt to take advantage of what he perceives to be any issue, Lenett exploits the Hungarian gold train incident and claims to have recovered $25 Million for Holocaust survivors.
This is an issue that been ongoing since the 1950s and it is a desecration of the memories of the 6 Million Jews who perished in the Holocaust.
The Anti Defamation League of B’nai B’rith has consistently objected to the use of the Holocaust in ANY way, no matter who is invoking it, and no matter for what political purpose it is being invoked. ADL says, "We cannot and will not in good conscience stand by and allow the enormity of the Holocaust - the death of six million Jews - to be invoked in any way that trivializes the memory of those who perished."
In another mailing Lenett indicated that he helped establish the Holocaust Human Rights and Tolerance Resource Center that is being set up at Towson University. I was the sponsor of the bill, Senate Bill 440 in the 2005 session which established the Task Force which formed this Resource Center. All of the work associated with this bill took place between 2005 and 2006. Lenett had absolutely NOTHING to do with this piece of legislation.
This is another example of the gross distortion of facts which characterizes this campaign.
Don't let him exploit these sacred memories.
Sincerely,
Len Teitelbaum
Printed and circulated to my community at personal expense and without authorization by Roger Manno or any other organization.
Decision Time in District 19
By Mike Hersh.
As Americans memorialized September 11th, many politicians neatly separate into two categories. Those who call for acceptance and cooperation, and those who exploit fear, mistrust and prejudice. In the District 19 Senate contest, Roger Manno is running a positive, issues-based campaign saying"leadership takes teamwork." Sadly, Mike Lenett is running a dirty campaign unprecedented in Montgomery County history. This according to History Professor Allan Lichtman, who noted that Lenett is making a "blatant appeal to ethnic prejudice," adding, "With some justice, Manno has countered by accusing Lenett of having taken county politics 'into the gutter like no other candidate before him.'"
District 19 has a long-standing tradition for civility. Lenett is out of step with this tradition. Recently, Former Sen. Len Teitelbaum called Lenett's campaign "a terrible distortion of facts, and a clear indication of the desperation of Lenett's campaign. This kind of extreme divisive behavior is exactly why every former elected legislator from District 19 who has endorsed, and the Gazette and Washington Post newspapers, have ALL endorsed Roger Manno for State Senate." Lenett is carpet-bombing constituents' mailboxes implying gang members and criminals support Manno, using faked news clippings, even attacking Manno's wife and the candidate. The Gazette determined Lenett is a "divisive force" and confirms the Washington Post's reporting that Lenett "undermines his own effectiveness" by "alienating" his colleagues. By contrast, Roger Manno achieved remarkable success on bills and reforms benefiting Maryland on healthcare, employment, access to prescription medicines for seniors, non-discrimination, organic farming, protecting seniors from fraud, and earning the respect of his colleagues. Please see: http://www.gazette.net/stories/09012010/montedi180547_32533.php and http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/08/22/AR2010082202584.html
Maryland Politics Watch reported factual errors--if not out-right misrepresentations--in a recent Lenett mailer: "What Lenett does not say ... is that Manno also favors gun control." MPW also reported that "A secretive independent mailing sent into District 19 is in apparent violation of Maryland campaign finance law ... is linked to a union that has endorsed one of the competing Senate candidates." That candidate is Lenett. As MPW observes, "The mailer appears to be illegal in multiple ways." See: http://maryland-politics.blogspot.com/2010/09/lenett-manno-trade-fire-on-guns.html and http://maryland-politics.blogspot.com/2010/09/union-linked-to-independent-expenditure.html
The Gazette quoted insiders describing Lenett's lack of effectiveness: "Colleague problems ... A bill sponsored by him is often the kiss of death ... Maniacal and untrustworthy." There were a few positive quotes as well, but the Gazette took those into account and still named Lenett one of the ten least effective legislators in the entire General Assembly--including the Republicans who are in the minority in both houses and on every committee. See: http://www.gazette.net/thelist/repinfo.php?id=102
Lenett claims he is an environmental superstar, but the record shows Lenett's SB 710 delayed anti-pollution protections for the Bay and he voted against Sen. Frosh's legislation to fine polluters who violate the law Lenett's bill delayed. Lenett excuses his pro-phosphates bill claiming other states were enacting legislation later on. So what? Maryland had already passed it! As The Washington Post reported: "Sen. Brian E. Frosh (D-Montgomery) said that pushing the effective date of the ban from January 2010 to July 2010 would 'add up to 15,000 pounds of phosphates to Bay waters.' 'Phosphates are particularly pernicious because they end up stored in sediments,' wrote Frosh, who sponsored legislation last year authorizing the ban. 'Once in the Bay, the phosphates resulting from [Lenett's bill] will be available for years to fuel the algal blooms that each summer day destroy oxygen in the Bay's deep waters and threaten underwater grasses in the shallows.' The bill allowing the delay, sponsored by Sen. Michael G. Lenett (D-Montgomery), passed the Senate 25 to 22 after heavy lobbying from Proctor & Gamble. ... Lenett agreed to sponsor the bill at the request of the industry...." Please see: http://voices.washingtonpost.com/annapolis/2008/04/frosh_veto_phosphate_ban_delay.html
Should Marylanders limit ourselves to what other states do? That's what Lenett's bill said. Once a politician starts siding with big out-of-state special interests against Maryland voters, where does it end? Will Lenett decide Montgomery County Maryland schools should be like Montgomery Alabama's? Will he help powerful interests turn back the clock on living wage or safety standards? Hopefully after this Tuesday we won't have to risk Lenett reversing hard-won progress. Whenever a Manno bill passes, we're better off. With a Lenett bill, it's a big (Proctor &) Gamble.
When the bill Manno co-authored with NOW President Terry O'Neill to protect women from deceptive "crisis pregnancy centers" couldn't get traction in Annapolis, Manno worked with Montgomery County leaders and the Council to get it passed here. The League of Conservation Voters, Environment Maryland and the Sierra Club asked Manno to sponsor HB 522, their priority legislation in 2010. When it stalled in the General Assembly, Manno worked with the O'Malley Administration on an executive order which directs the Public Service Commission to plan Maryland's clean energy needs. A huge triumph for those of us concerned about clean energy, global warming, and making Maryland a leader in the 21st century energy economy. This is typical Manno--when he hits a roadblock on an important issue, he finds another way to make progress for Maryland.
Manno is more adept at getting important bills passed into law than Lenett. A few examples: In 2009 Manno's Green Jobs bill helped Maryland secure a $5.8 million grant from the U.S. Department of Labor Employment and Training Administration. Manno's 2009 "Apprenticeship Opportunities Act" (HB 644) created a partnership between businesses, community colleges, and existing programs for green jobs. Manno's Maryland Organic Transition Investment Pilot Program passed after he worked with Capitol Hill to bring $millions in support to Maryland. Then he improved and extended MOTIPP. It's one thing to vote the right way when people are watching (and scoring). It's better to be the difference-maker. Manno drove progress on key issues, and that makes him a better leader.
While Lenett raised more money than Manno, he's "loaned" most of that to himself, and spent it at an incredible rate by printing enough walk pieces and massive mailers to clear cut a forest! Some environmentalist! With his extravagant imagination and taste for the melodramatic, Lenett has a future as a writer for a show like 24. After all, Lenett has to pay himself back the approximately half million dollars he loaned himself trying to re-buy that Senate seat, right?
Lenett boasts of several endorsements. Ask his endorsers, and--if they're honest--they'll admit they're forced by protocol to back any half-way decent incumbent. Now, many of those endorsers probably wish they could take it back. They should. None of the rubber-stamp gang endorsed Jamie Raskin before the primary in 2006, but they all scrambled to get on his bandwagon after he won the primary. Expect the same to happen this year in the Manno vs. Lenett contest.
Roger Manno is an especially good challenger, and Mike Lenett is an unusually bad incumbent. That's why The Washington Post, The Gazette, Del. Hank Heller, Former Sen. Len Teitelbaum, Del. Adrienne Mandel, Del. Carol Petzold, County Councilwoman Valerie Ervin, Chair of the Education Committee, Del. Sue Hecht, Chair of the Maryland Green Caucus, Del. Brian Feldman, Chair of the Montgomery County House Delegation, Del. Susan Lee, Vice-Chair of the Montgomery County House Delegation, Del. Ana Sol Gutierrez, Del. Aisha Braveboy, Mrs. Cherri Branson, Chair of the African American Democratic Club of Montgomery County, the Municipal County Government Employee Organization, Progressive Neighbors, NARAL Pro-Choice Maryland, Montgomery Green Democrats, Montgomery County Public School Retiree Association, Coalition of Asian Pacific American Democrats, Montgomery County Volunteer Fire and Rescue Association, Montgomery County Youth Slate, Hispanic Democratic Club of Montgomery County, and dozens of others endorse Manno. See: http://www.rogermanno.com/contact/index.cfm?Fuseaction=contact
Manno is a progressive we can trust to do the right thing when people are watching, in the back rooms, all the time, every day--to serve the public interest, not special interests. NARAL Pro-Choice Maryland and Progressive Maryland among others took endorsements away from Lenett and gave them to Manno, because Manno stood with them while Lenett let them down. It's hard to not get an endorsement as an incumbent, so each one Manno won is a failing grade for the incumbent and a huge vote of confidence for the challenger. These endorsements all buck the "back the incumbent" habit.
Lenett claims the Mannos "lied under oath" by filing amended financial reportss. This although Lenett himself was forced to amend his filings several times. According to official state records, 6 of Lenett's reports are marked "agency requested amend" and 3 of those are not marked "Amend." Are there 3 outstanding unamended Lenett reports dating back to 2007? Also, 3 reports are marked "Deficiency." Lenett amended his 2010 Pre-Primary 1 report, 2009 Annual report, 2008 Annual report, and 2006 Post General Report. Please see: http://www.mdelections.org/campaign-finance/advanced-search/detailed-committee-information?acctno=A4366
Lenett cited a statement from William G. Somerville, Ethics Advisor to the General Assembly that explains, "Delegate Manno filed incomplete ethics reports." So what? Nothing supports Lenett's accusations against Manno. Mr. Somerville explained: "Delegate Manno's wife's employment was appropriately disclosed to the Joint Committee on Legislative Ethics, in a timely manner and as a matter of public record. Her employment was also disclosed to the State Ethics Commission, and any discrepancies were appropriately corrected at Delegate Manno's own initiation. It is not infrequent for officials to amend their disclosure statements. Delegate Manno brought this matter to the State Ethics Commission's attention on his own volition, and it is clear from the record that Delegate Manno did not have any intention to conceal information. In addition, it is my understanding from the State Ethics Commission that Delegate Manno was not required to list any leasehold interests that his wife may hold in which Delegate Manno does not hold an attributable interest, which is the situation in this case."
Unlike Lenett, Manno took the initiative amending his reports. Lenett was asked for amendments from the State Board of Elections several times, and at times ignored the requests. Was Lenett "lying under oath" to the State Board of Elections "four times in four years?" According to the standard Lenett imposes on others, the answer is "yes!" Misrepresenting Manno's voluntary compliance into a "cover-up" is as absurd as Lenett implying Manno's playing bass and bartending bar is un-American activity.
Pro-Lenett push-polling delivered attacks against Manno under the guise of gathering information. An MPW source reported: "My wife got surveyed yesterday. She's pretty sure it was Lenett's poll, based on the nature of the questions. Questions focused on Lenett/Manno, no mention of Leggett, O'Malley...." Please see: http://maryland-politics.blogspot.com/2010/08/manno-alleges-push-poll-by-lenett.html
A Letter to the Editor from Ruth Burgos-Sasscer explained: "I live in Leisure World and have attended forums where candidates for Maryland State Senate Mike Lenett and Roger Manno have spoken, and have been impressed with both men. I have been leaning toward Roger Manno but until recently had not really decided for whom to vote. The other day I was asked to participate in a telephone 'opinion poll survey,' which I agreed to do.... When the interviewer then asked 'Did you know that Roger Manno ...' and went into a litany of negative statements about him, I immediately stopped her. I said that I would not continue with the interview because I believed it was a deceitful and unethical campaign tactic in support of Mike Lenett and wanted no part of it. I also told her that her efforts were counterproductive because she had just convinced me that Roger Manno is by far the better candidate to represent District 19 in the Maryland State Senate." Please see: http://www.gazette.net/stories/08252010/montlet173358_32545.php
Blogger Keith Berner writes: "...Mike Lenett has gone where only the most shameless GOP race-baiters gather. Desperate to hold off a serious challenge from Roger Manno [Lenett] is riffing on the fact that Manno's legal first name used to be 'Rajah.' Just in case the implication that Manno is a (gasp!) Muslim out to undermine the American way of life isn't clear enough ... the graphic from Lenett's latest mailer [has] an uncanny resemblance the rendering of Manno's former first name has to a terrorist demand letter! ... I call on all District 19 voters to reject, resoundingly, fear-mongering and racism. In fact, all Marylanders should denounce Lenett and make clear that his behavior is completely unwelcome here. Vote for Roger Manno on Tuesday to make abundantly clear that Mike Lenett's politics and way of thinking have no place in Maryland." Please see: "Lenett the Fear-Monger, Lenett the Bigot" http://lefthandview.wordpress.com/2010/09/10/09-10-10-lenett-the-fear-monger-lennet-the-bigot/
Smart politicians don't go negative unless they're losing, and don't go this negative unless they're losing badly. Others believe Lenett has never come to grips a challenge for what he considers "his" seat, based on Lenett's first public reactions to Manno's challenge. Lenett questions Manno's right to run, even though Lenett decided to challenge then-Senator Len Teitelbaum for the seat while he recuperated from a medical procedure. As MPW noted: "In his end of session letter, [Lenett] includes a ... thinly-veiled slam on ... Manno," In Lenett's words, "The Democratic Party could take a cue from the Republicans...." Please see: http://maryland-politics.blogspot.com/2010/04/lenett-unloads-on-manno.html
As Oscar T. Ramirez wrote, "Candidates who use fear as a political strategy have no place in our politics. ... Be afraid because Roger used to be Rajah and who knows what else Rajah has to hide! ... I hope voters on Tuesday will think about what Bill Clinton said a few years ago: 'If one candidate is trying to scare you, and the other one is trying to get you to think. If one candidate is appealing to your fears, and the other one is appealing to your hope. You better vote for the person who wants you to think and hope.'" Please see: http://maryland-politics.blogspot.com/2010/09/how-to-blow-up-mailbox.html?showComment=1284164333447#c6858616559308001238
District 19 Democrats have a clear choice for State Senate on Tuesday. They can vote for Roger Manno's leadership through teamwork--a hard-working, accomplished and ethical legislator they can be proud of-- or they can go along with a push-polling, swift-boating, spouse-attacking, race-baiting, Proctor & Gambling, truth-twisting, colleague-alienating, Bay-polluting, seat-buying, ineffective, divisive, incumbent who's embarrassed them before and will let them down again. Vote for Roger Manno.
Mike Lenett's Holocaust Mailer
Upon seeing this mailer, a District resident immediately emailed us the following opinion:
I am Jewish. I was born out of the ashes of the Holocaust -- both of my parents are concentration camp survivors.Last year, the American Defamation League (ADL) issued a blanket condemnation of any use of Holocaust imagery for domestic political purposes. In a letter to U.S. House Minority Leader John Boehner, ADL said:
I have not taken any public position on this race, but I am shocked and appalled that Mike Lenett would actually use Holocaust images for political purposes.
Though now I understand why he polled and asked whether respondents were Jewish. In fact, during the so-called poll, my wife was specifically asked if she would be more or less likely to support Lenett if she knew that Lenett was involved in recovering millions of dollars for Holocaust survivors.
This mailer is disgusting.
Reasonable people can and do differ about health care reform. However, as divided as our nation may be on the best way to effectuate such reform, there should be absolutely no division when it comes to condemning the use of the Holocaust and Holocaust imagery for domestic political purposes.
ADL has consistently objected to the use of the Holocaust in this way, no matter who is invoking it, and no matter for what political purpose it is being invoked. We cannot and will not in good conscience stand by and allow the enormity of the Holocaust — the death of six million — to be invoked in a way that trivializes the memory of those who perished.
A Message from Bea (Manno) Scheinbaum, Roger's Mother
Roger Manno's campaign has sent out this email from his mother, Bea Scheinbaum, addressing the material on Senator Mike Lenett's nuke website.
A message from Bea (Manno) Scheinbaum, Roger's Mother
Over the last few weeks, I've followed with profound disbelief the desperate and ruthless lies and innuendos Mike Lenett has made about my son and daughter-in-law, Roger and Marjorie Manno. I can only assume this is what the Washington Post and Gazette were referring to when they both endorsed Roger over Mike Lenett and described Lenett as a divisive man who alienates and antagonizes his colleagues. In addition, yesterday former 3-term County Executive Doug Duncan endorsed Roger, calling Mike Lenett’s attacks ”attempted character assassination” and stating that “Mike Lenett's recent personal attacks on Roger Manno, his wife and family are never called for in an election.”
Mike Lenett and his campaign have designed a website and mailed campaign literature with fake newspaper articles to trick the public into believing that they had uncovered real and scandalous information about Roger. The truth is that Mike Lenett wrote these articles. The endorsements for Roger by the Washington Post and the Gazette are the real newspaper articles.
First of all, Mike Lenett falsely attacks my son and his wife for supposedly hiding their wealth, their luxury Manhattan apartment and ties to Wall Street. How absurd - none of this is true. My daughter-in-law is a bright and successful woman and shame on Mike Lenett for trying to tear her down. Neither she nor my son own or rent any such apartment, and this is a complete fabrication. Additionally, Lenett has falsely asserted that Roger is using hidden wealth to finance his State Senate campaign. I only wish they had the wealth of Mike Lenett so they could respond to these lies with the stunning force they deserve. What Lenett doesn't publicize is that he has used in excess of two hundred thousand dollars of his own personal wealth in an attempt to buy this election.
Secondly, as the woman who gave Roger his name, I need to respond to what is clearly Lenett's racism and fear mongering. Roger's birth and first six years of life in California were idyllic. I was a student and my husband a sculptor. It was the 60’s. We were poor but filled with ideals and hope. We marched and protested the war but kept our focus on building a loving and moral life. Our only concession to the 60’s was the name we chose for our son. I thought of naming him David but "Rajah" (also "king") seemed more exotic. Of course Roger would have preferred a more common name such as Eric, Sam or Jon. He grew comfortable with people calling him "Roger" and planned ultimately to change it legally. In 2002, after my brother Morty changed his name to "Joel," Roger finally made the change as well. I am disgusted that Lenett uses his birth name to play on racial fears and stereotypes.
Thirdly, I must address the ugly attempt by Lenett to misrepresent and malign Roger's education and his time spent writing poetry, music, short stories and screenplays. In childhood, Roger struggled academically because of the traumas he experienced, the death of his father when Roger was not yet seven, Roger’s own cardiac illness, my cancer, the physical and psychological abuse he suffered at the hands of a man who entered our lives when I was vulnerable and still reeling from my husband's death. Later, Roger attempted college several times unsuccessfully. Instead, he wrote about pain, about struggle… and I praised his attempts to turn his pain into something productive. In fact, Roger's art reflected that of a great many of his relatives, including my father and mother, Samuel and Etta Scheinbaum, who were both poets, and Roger's father, John Manno, who was a sculptor and played Jazz slide trombone. During this period, Roger supported his efforts bartending and waiting tables as many young artists do, always hoping to one day return to college. Finally, after some years, he reapplied to Hunter College and, contrary to his early attempts, this time he soared, graduated magna cum laude, received a White House internship, went on to graduate law school with a joint degree, and ultimately, was elected to the Maryland House of Delegates.
When Lenett refers to this difficult early period in Roger’s development as some hidden detour into a scandalous and wayward life, it is an affront to every young person trying desperately to make sense of grief, disabilities and hardship. Contrary to what Lenett would like you to believe, this period, during which Roger was able to confront, resolve and move past trauma is a tribute to his character and perseverance. Roger was anything but in hiding. He was out front and center. His pain and ultimate triumph were visible for anyone to see who had the wisdom to understand what they were seeing.
Anyone who knows Roger knows that he is a relentless advocate who works 24-7 for the things in which he believes. This is particularly so for health care. He is not driven by money but by concern and empathy. Roger Manno genuinely cares about the world in which he lives and the people who inhabit it.
Thank you for your time.
Sincerely,
Bea (Manno) Scheinbaum
Sunday, September 12, 2010
Doug Duncan Denounces Lenett, Endorses Manno
Former County Executive Doug Duncan has intervened in the District 19 Senate race, endorsing challenger Roger Manno and blasting Senator Mike Lenett. Following is the statement from Manno's campaign.
For Immediate Release
Contact: 301-598-4063
Former County Executive Doug Duncan Denounces Lenett Attacks - Endorses Manno for State Senate
Silver Spring - This afternoon, former 3-term County Executive Doug Duncan released the following statement denouncing Mike Lenett's personal attacks, and endorsing Roger Manno for State Senate:
“In these very difficult economic times, we need leaders who will focus on the challenges ahead and put personal pettiness behind them. Roger Manno is working hard to bring District 19 together for the good of the community, while his opponent has resorted to attempted character assassination in this campaign. Mike Lenett's recent personal attacks on Roger Manno, his wife and family are never called for in an election. Today, I am asking District 19 voters to stand up and say no to this type of offensive politics and vote for Roger Manno for State Senate.”
Roger Manno commented that “I am humbled and honored to receive the endorsement of former County Executive Doug Duncan. In addition, I am touched that the community has come together in such a strong and vocal way to support our candidacy, and to condemn Mike Lenett’s mean-spirited and false attacks.”
For more information, please visit www.RogerManno.com.
Len Teitelbaum: The Race for My Old Senate Seat
Former District 19 Senator Len Teitelbaum, who is supporting challenger Roger Manno against incumbent Mike Lenett, sent out this mass email last night.
From: len@senatorteitelbaum.com
Date: Sat, Sep 11, 2010 at 8:49 PM
Subject: Race for My Old Senate Seat
To:
Dear Friend:
Now that all the brochures have been sent, and primary day approaches, I am attempting in a concise way to answer the question that many people have asked: Why are all the previous D 19 legislators, The WASHINGTON POST and GAZETTE newspapers, as well as many other activists and groups, endorsing Roger Manno for my old State Senate seat?
Being an elected official is a very personal business. All your activity should be done with the idea that today's opponent on an issue could be tomorrow's ally. Stepping over people is not how things get done. Roger Manno has proven, as one of your elected State Delegates, that things get done when people work together, and credit is shared in an equitable way. Credit is taken when it is earned, and if an issue is important, but is being worked by another legislator, volunteer to help, but don't take credit for other people's work.
Roger's accomplishments in his time in Annapolis has been many. A few examples are: He sponsored a bill, HB1532, now law, to require 2- 15-minutes breaks every 8 hours, HB29 to prevent insurance companies from denying coverage or increasing rates for pre-existing conditions, Two bills, HB1073 in 2007 & HB37 in 2008 which provided tax assistance to close the "doughnut hole" for Medicare recipients. He also was called by the White House to help formulate the Health Care bill which was just passed by Congress & signed by the President. Look at his website www.RogerManno.com for other examples.
But there's another part of the job that has not gotten the attention it deserves. That is the Senator working with his/her Delegates to get things for D19 residents. Such things as traffic lights, road repairs,& stop signs at intersections. Cooperation between all four members is absolutely necessary because we have to compete with other Delegations for limited funds to get these things. This is where the rubber hits the road when they say " all politics is local." I used to meet with my Delegates two to three times a month, where we worked together, to write joint letters, make phone calls & do the District's business. Traffic lights at the north gate of Leisure World, and the traffic light at Arcola& Hermleigh Roads are two examples of our success. This did not happen these last four years. We even wrote recommendation letters, to our Congressional delegation for applicants to West Point, Annapolis and The Air Force Academy. Incidentally two of the people we recommended were accepted to and attended, one each to West Point, and the Naval Academy.
Two weeks ago the GAZETTE published a list of the road repairs planned for Montgomery County. Not one road in D19 was listed. If the four D19 legislators had been meeting regularly, Georgia Ave. near the entrance to Leisure World, Georgia Ave. near Wheaton, University Blvd. near Kemp Mill road are but a few example of candidates that could have been on the list for having potholes fixed or having sections repaved.
These are just a few reasons why all the previous D19 legislators, THE WASHINGTON POST and GAZETTE newspapers AND MANY other folks are supporting Roger Manno, I hope you will also.
Best regards, Len Teitelbaum
Printed and circulated to my community at personal expense and without authorization by Roger Manno or any other organization.
Saturday, September 11, 2010
Mike Lenett's Facts
Senator Mike Lenett's mailer, "Working Together for Real Leadership and Real Results," contains a fact page on himself and his opponent, Delegate Roger Manno. Lenett's fact recitation reads:While Mike’s opponent, Roger Manno, and those who opposed Mike’s run in 2006 are hoping to distract you from the issues and Mike’s record, here are the facts:
We reprint Lenett’s entire mailer below.
Fact #1: Mike has passed over 3 times as much legislation as his opponent, including bills to protect the environment, help seniors and individuals with disabilities, expand economic opportunity, protect working families, help families caught in foreclosures, and protect public safety.
Fact #2: Mike has been honored as state-wide Legislator of the Year by 5 organizations.
Fact #3: Whereas Mike has been elected by his colleagues into Senate Leadership and has been given a special committee chairmanship, Mike’s opponent has not achieved these positions in the House.
Now here are some facts about Roger Manno:
Fact #1: Mike’s opponent has the second lowest success rate in passing legislation of any Montgomery County legislator over the last 4 years.
Fact #2: Mike’s opponent has withdrawn more legislation in the face of opposition than any Montgomery County legislator over the last 4 years, nearly one-third of all the bills he’s introduced and more than twice the number of bills he’s passed.
Fact #3: Mike’s opponent introduced 13 bills this session, none of which were successful.
Fact #4: The “Shift Breaks” bill Mike’s opponent lists as one of his major accomplishments actually was a bill he was unable to pass for several years; finally, his Chairman took over the bill, pushed it through committee, and switched the names on the bill to allow Manno to have a bill with his name on it. http://mlis.state.md.us/2010rs/amds/bil_0009/hb1299_11379301.pdf
Fact #5: Although Mike’s opponent has claimed that his pension fund legislation is the “first solution to fully fund” teacher pension costs, this is not true; his proposal is over $300 million short of a solution, which is why his bill was unanimously rejected by every Democrat and Republican on two committees.
http://mlis.state.md.us/2010rs/fnotes/bil_0000/hb0010.pdf
When you know the facts, there’s no comparison.
That’s why we’re all joining Governor O’Malley in supporting Senator Mike Lenett’s strong, effective, and collaborative leadership.
Friday, September 10, 2010
How to Blow Up a Mailbox
Here's the mailer that Senator Mike Lenett (D-19) is sending out as a complement to his nuclear attack site on challenger Roger Manno.
Thursday, September 09, 2010
Mike Lenett: You Deserve the Truth
Senator Mike Lenett (D-19) sent out the following mass email yesterday in response to challenger Roger Manno's criticism of his negative website.
You Deserve The Truth
September 8, 2010
Dear [Voter],
I am sure that most of you hate it when one candidate says negative things about another. I hate it too. But friends, I have to tell you the truth about Roger Manno because -- for four years -- he has refused to disclose basic information about himself.
You deserve to know the truth that Roger has hidden.
The Maryland Public Ethics Law requires legislators to disclose their financial affairs "recognizing that our system of representative government is dependent upon the people maintaining the highest trust in their government officials." As a Delegate, Manno is legally required, under penalty of perjury, to disclose his and his spouse's sources of income, debts, and interests in real property. The penalty for non-disclosure is up to 10 years in prison.
For four years in a row, Manno filed false reports, under oath, with the Maryland State Ethics Commission. That's the truth. During the same period, Manno hid his background from voters. That's the truth. Please don't take my word for it. Read all the documents for yourself at www.itsthecoverup.com.
What is Roger's response to being caught red-handed? He attacks me, of course! He accuses me of "hateful and deceitful personal attacks on me and my family" -- for telling the truth about his lies. Yes, the truth here is ugly. But it's ugly because Roger Manno has been hiding it all this time.
Roger's mud-slinging response, filled with new stories about his background designed to elicit sympathy and avoid the real issue -- does not even attempt to address the truth.
· He does not dispute that he failed to disclose on his State Ethics Commission reports for four years the fact that his spouse was a Senior Vice President in the Wall Street investment firm Lehman Brothers, as required by the Public Ethics Law. Lehman Brothers, you recall, was part of one of the largest financial scandals in American history and one of the companies most to blame for devastating our economy.
· He does not dispute that he failed to disclose a description of the $539,000 loan he received from Lehman Brothers Bank, as required by the Public Ethics Law.
· He does not dispute that he never disclosed his family's luxury apartment in New York City, convenient to Lehman Brothers headquarters, as required by the Public Ethics Law.
· He does not dispute that he changed his name from "Rajah" to "Roger" just months before moving to our County in 2003 -- making it nearly impossible to find out anything about his background through a simple Internet search. He told us he had "spent his life in public service" and we believed him, although now we know that was not true. He now does not dispute that he was a bartender and guitar player in New York City nightclubs for a decade. Why should we believe his new stories?
· He does not dispute that he never told voters about his failed candidacy for state legislature -- in New Hampshire -- where he lost to a Republican in a Democratic district. And despite the many times that Manno has tried to use his personal story for political purposes, he does not dispute that he has hidden the biggest part of his life.
Lost in the middle of Manno's long response filled with attention-diverting stories and quotes from his supporters is one line in which he states that his "ethics forms are up to date and accurate." Let me tell you what he means by that. In Annapolis, a legislator receives an alert if a member of the public asks to see his or her public file at the State Ethics Commission. As soon as Manno received that alert, he quickly filed corrections to his reports -- but it was already 2010 -- a clear admission that he knew exactly what he had been hiding from the public all those years. He was caught. And if he had not been caught, he would have kept on lying.
Friends, I hate this divisive campaign. I hate having to tell you all this information. And I hate the way Roger Manno has been lying about me. My parents taught me all you have is your name and I've worked very hard my whole career to build a name my wife and children can be proud of. I don't take kindly to someone questioning my integrity, much less someone whose own leaves a lot to be desired.
Roger Manno and his allies, including the "District 19 Reporter" (a disgruntled former employee), have been raining false accusations down on me this entire campaign. Just today, the District 19 Reporter attacked my family -- falsely, as usual -- in a blast email. I know Manno has been collaborating with the District 19 Reporter all along because, among other things, email addresses that we've given to her end up right on Manno's email lists.
Manno himself has falsely accused me of: stealing budget ideas from another candidate; supporting the shift in teacher pensions; taking different positions on issues with different groups; running a "push poll"; running a poll that asked people "Are you Jewish?"; and failing to cast the deciding vote on a bill of concern to the Orthodox Jewish community. All of these accusations have been lies. All of them have been entirely undocumented. Every statement I have made about Manno is the truth. Every one of them is documented in detail at www.itsthecoverup.com.
At Leisure World, Roger Manno attacked me for failing to stop the ICC as he claimed he would have done if he had been the Senator, despite the fact that he is on record in the 2006 Gazette Voters Guide as saying the ICC was one of his top transportation priorities. http://www.gazette.net/stories/080106/montele162303_31917.shtml.
In his most recent mailer that many of you are receiving today, Manno attacks me for supporting legislation relating to dishwasher detergent phosphorous that he himself voted for multiple times. Now what does it say to you when someone can accuse his opponent of voting for legislation that he himself has supported? On this new piece, he even uses the logo for the Maryland League of Conservation Voters, which may cause people to believe they have endorsed him. But they did not. They endorsed me.
So again, please examine the actual documentation yourself at www.itsthecoverup.com. Who is telling the truth? I invite you to judge for yourself.
Now, Roger can feign his outrage as loudly as he wants, and he can tell all the family history stories he wants, but he can't change the facts that he so desperately is continuing to hide. Roger Manno lied to the State Ethics Commission for 4 consecutive years. He's been caught, and yet he's still lying about it.
www.MikeLenett.com
By authority of Friends of Mike Lenett; Ron Little Treasurer
Wednesday, September 08, 2010
Lenett: Manno Lying About Ethics... Again
Senator Mike Lenett (D-19) is accusing challenger Roger Manno of using a statement by the General Assembly's Ethics Counsel to "cover up" his filing of "false financial reports" with the State Ethics Commission. Following is Lenett's press release.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 8, 2010
ETHICS COUNSEL CONFIRMS MANNO’S FALSE FILINGS
Manno’s Misuse of “Advice” Aimed to Continue His Cover-Up
Dear Friends,
Earlier today, Delegate Roger Manno issued a release that sought to use an Ethics Counsel’s “advice” as proof that I had made “false accusations” concerning Manno’s failure to disclose his ties to the Wall Street investment firm Lehman Brothers. When Delegate Manno accused me of making “false accusations,” he was lying. Again.
Manno misused the advice he received from the General Assembly’s Ethics Counsel. The Ethics Counsel merely gave advice to Delegate Manno assuming that what he was telling him was true. He did not find that my accusations were false. Quite the contrary.
But that apparently did not stop Delegate Manno. By attempting to sweep this matter under the rug by involving the Legislature’s Ethics Counsel, Delegate Manno has continued his cover-up. He could have chosen this opportunity to come clean, but instead, he attempted a ruse that he hoped would end the matter. And once again, when he was caught, he tried to accuse me.
After the Ethics Counsel found out about Delegate Manno’s release today, he issued a supplemental statement that clarifies his role and confirms the truth – that Manno did, in fact, file false financial reports with the State Ethics Commission:September 8, 2010
As hard as he tries, Roger Manno cannot change the facts. He lied under oath to the State Ethics Commission for 4 consecutive years. He’s been caught, and yet he’s still lying about it.
The Honorable Mike Lenett
Room 202 James Office Building
Annapolis, Maryland 21401
Dear Senator Lenett:
I am writing in response to your request that I provide the background of my statement to Delegate Roger Manno on September 7, 2010.
When a legislator asks me for a statement to help him or her respond to an accusation of wrongdoing, the statement is not as a binding legal opinion. The advice that I provided to Delegate Manno was based on the delegate’s statements to me, the history of our previous consultations, a question that I addressed to the staff of the State Ethics Commission, and the records available in the files of the Joint Committee on Legislative Ethics. I did not conduct an investigation of the assertions made by you or him. I was acting in my capacity as Ethics Advisor to the General Assembly and not on behalf of the Joint Ethics Committee or the State Ethics Commission.
You are correct in stating that Delegate Manno filed incomplete ethics reports with the State Ethics Commission.
Sincerely,
William G. Somerville
Ethics Advisor to the General Assembly
Please examine the actual documentation yourself at www.itsthecoverup.com. Who is telling the truth? I invite you to judge for yourself.
Mike
Gun Nuts for Manno (Updated)
Here is a copy of the mailer that pro-gun activists are sending out urging people to vote for District 19 Senate challenger Roger Manno. Don't they understand that this only helps Senator Mike Lenett?
Update: Roger Manno sent us this response.
This endorsement would be laughable if this issue weren't so serious. So let me be perfectly clear: I absolutely reject this endorsement, or any other endorsement from any group that advocates against strong gun controls. Any review of my record on this issue will reveal that I am as tough on gun control as anyone in the legislature.
The timing of this mailer is ironic given the recent tone of Mike Lenett's attacks on me and my family.
Ethics Counsel Comments on Manno's Wife
District 19 Senate challenger Roger Manno's campaign has forwarded us the following statement from William G. Somerville, Ethics Counsel to the General Assembly, on the allegations made by Senator Mike Lenett concerning Manno's disclosure of certain facts related to his wife.Delegate Manno's wife's employment was appropriately disclosed to the Joint Committee on Legislative Ethics, in a timely manner and as a matter of public record. Her employment was also disclosed to the State Ethics Commission, and any discrepancies were appropriately corrected at Delegate Manno's own initiation. It is not infrequent for officials to amend their disclosure statements. Delegate Manno brought this matter to the State Ethics Commission's attention on his own volition, and it is clear from the record that Delegate Manno did not have any intention to conceal information. In addition, it is my understanding from the State Ethics Commission that Delegate Manno was not required to list any leasehold interests that his wife may hold in which Delegate Manno does not hold an attributable interest, which is the situation in this case.
Vote for Manno… or Else!
Senator Mike Lenett is implying that these guys want you to vote for his challenger, Roger Manno.
Really?
Lenett has sent out three mailers about the fact that Tripwire, a pro-gun publication, has called on its readers to defeat him. Tripwire said:District 19 (Montgomery County) Gun owners have one long-shot opportunity to help the Cause. It is in the Dem Senate primary, where Roger Manno challenges the incumbent Mike Lenett. Vote for Manno. He isn’t that good, but Lenett is that bad. He built a career on banning guns. He is a champion of licensing measures and worse while in Annapolis. Let’s take out the gun grabbers’ leadership if we can (just as D13 voters did 4 years ago with excellent effect.) The primary will determine this one, so all hands, please: big turnout. (If you’re a republican in this district – why? Your vote decides no outcome. Switch parties well before Aug 24th so you can make a difference!)
After noting this in one mailer, Lenett sent out two more.
Here’s Mailer #2.
And here’s Mailer #3, which includes the picture of the goons above.
It’s clear that Tripwire does not see Manno as good on their issues (especially since he has introduced gun-restricting legislation), but rather as the lesser of two evils. Lenett’s mailer says nothing about that. But the point is not the mailer’s text, which is not technically inaccurate, but the imagery. The allegedly pro-Manno thugs are obviously shown to scare people away from his candidacy. We are reminded of Nancy Navarro’s “Child Behind a Fence” mailer targeting Ben Kramer in last year’s special election. The point of that mailer’s text was to hit Kramer’s voting and sponsorship record, but the imagery was designed to evoke an emotional reaction of outrage. So it is with Lenett’s mail. Of course, Navarro’s mail and Lenett’s mail have one other thing in common: campaign consultant David Goodman helped to design both of them. Navarro’s negative mail backfired in Leisure World. Will Lenett’s?
Manno sent out this email response.Mike Lenett has crossed the line - again
Dear neighbor,
On Friday afternoon Mike Lenett once again sent out an outrageous and misleading mailer asserting that I am backed by the gun lobby. Not only does this make a mockery of a serious issue in the same week gun violence impacts our own community, but even when he is publicly corrected on this issue, he chooses to perpetuate these untruths.
As I mentioned in my first response to Lenett’s attack, I’ve fought hard to defeat concealed carry laws and fought hard to pass laws that keep guns off the streets. It’s why I was named to a Congressional blue ribbon task force to prevent gun violence. In fact, during my first week in the legislature I introduced a bill to break through decades of gridlock between the state and our counties on gun control. And while Mike Lenett and I both strongly support gun control, the truth is, Mike Lenett worked to defeat that bill.
Gun violence is real. We’ve all seen the horrors of it in the news media, and experienced it here in Montgomery County. Unfortunately, for many of our families and youth it’s too real. Growing up in New York City I had a gun put to my head - so I know what it’s like to fear for my life. I’ve mourned with my community as we buried friends, neighbors and classmates who were in the wrong place at the wrong time. Mike knows this; he’s researched my record extensively. Yet Mike Lenett chose to send out a second mailer that made a false connection between me and right-wing gun extremists. That’s the difference between us. Mike Lenett wants to win this State Senate race at any cost, even if it means winning dirty.
Check out the facts for yourself, and please visit my website at www.RogerManno.com for more information.
Sincerely,
Roger
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