TO: Ken Franklin
Executive Director, Missouri Democrats
CC: John Temporiti
Chair, Missouri Democratic State Party Chair
FR: Beth Gottstein
Councilwoman, 4th District at Large, City of KCMO
RE: Victory 2008
DATE: April 12, 2008
Ken, I am grateful to you for your dedication to the party, our principles and to raising participation. I believe that we Democrats are on the verge of a great victory, if we do not defeat ourselves with petty infighting. We must conduct ourselves with discipline. We must foster solidarity. Only then will we earn our victories at the polls.
The current passion, energy and engagement that I sense from the public for Democratic candidates and policies carry echoes of 1992. Voters had tired of failed promises and excuses from the Republican Party. Democrats, especially Young Democrats, found their voice and worked to send Mel Carnahan to the Governor’s Mansion and Bill Clinton to the White House. In those heady days, Democrats set aside our differences and focused on the priorities that united us: healthcare, education, jobs and a living wage, and safe communities. Our Party was rewarded on Election Day.
Yet there are other echoes in the air. In recent days and weeks, I have been reminded of times when our Party should have won, but was defeated because dissident personalities and factions put their agenda ahead of the Party’s interest. The forces of discord have already made themselves felt through ugly attacks.
I know you will agree when I state that it is imperative that we keep our primaries clean and civil. The Republicans, at all levels in the party, are banking that we will emerge from August, muddied, bloodied, and divided. It is vital that we do not permit our primaries to become so ugly that we damage our prevailing candidates and weaken his or her General Election viability. It is equally crucial that we do not tear each other apart so that we cannot unite for the General Election. Primary elections should be spirited competitions in which we elevate the best qualities of our chosen candidates. If a team must resort to nameless lies, what does it say about the merits of its candidate? It doesn’t bode well for anyone in our Party.
I am not unrealistic in my concerns when I call for solidarity, respect and discipline in our primary campaigns. As Democrats, we should hold ourselves to a higher standard. Candidates are fair game, but the game must be fair. When I decided to run for City Council, I recognized that seeking public office opens your life for attacks. As a candidate, I focused on a debate of policies and politics. I was realistic when I entered the race. I was surprised by how quickly the contest became ugly when my critics resorted to anti-Semitism, sexism, exaggeration and absolute lies to defeat me. I remain truly grateful to my supporters who buoyed and believed in me. I have moved on, but many continue to speak of the brutal nature of those who took the spineless, dark road against me.
The same could be said about the 2006 Jackson County Executive primary. Mike Sanders and the most vulnerable members of his family suffered painful attacks from nameless, faceless assailants. Voters rejected the attacks, but they left deep scars within our Jackson County Democratic Party.
You can imagine my disappointment on Friday, when I received several copies of an email that merely repeated the ugliness of the 2006 primaries. Again, anonymous assaults attempted to soil the reputation and question the integrity of our Democratic leaders using innuendo, exaggeration and false charges. Ashamed to show their faces in a public forum, they again chose to hide behind unsigned emails and blog comments. Employing the acid of doubt, fear and even hate, they tried to weaken the credibility of our Democratic institutions and leaders. The homophobic, angry nature of these outlaws’ statements does not merit recitation for correction, but we cannot just write off their actions, either. We have experienced this type of effort in the past. If we do not condemn it, we are sure to see it again.
I would ask that the leadership of the party send a strong message that the party condemns negative campaigning of any kind, and will censure anyone caught anonymously attacking our colleagues with lies or exaggerations. Primaries should be spirited, but we should practice ethical self-discipline. We need to save our energy for November.
Thank you very much.
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30 comments:
As an outside observer, I can say this. If you are looking for leadership in Jackson County Democrats, you need to outsource it.
The only thing that I have seen that is worse is the Jackson County GOP, as screwed up as you JACO Dems are and the fact that the GOP hasn't capitalized on it just shows how incompetent the JACO GOP is.
Wow. A very well written letter from Beth. I could not agree more.
The Levota's need to grow up and join the party with the rest of us. Their style may work in Independence, but it turns us off elsewhere.
Phil Levota is going to cost his brother the speaker of the house job. Phil/Paul have decided to take on Sanders-Cleaver-Claire and everyone else who is playing team ball in a great Deomcratic year.
the Levotas' are ... bitter?
Thank you Beth.
I was a little worried that people would start to ask too many questions about them money I received from Calvin. If people had looked at that, then they might have questioned whether I was behind the anonymous attack piece against Albert Riederer last year, as well. That would have been a real shame because that piece took the legs out from under Albert. Now, Beth, my lovely BBW, you have made it unethical to even question what Calvin did. You know, like passing money out of a secret slush fund to Axiom Stategies.
I appreciate your screwed up way of thinking. Without Democrats like you, my job would be so much more difficult.
I think the Levota's are bitter that nobody is buying their BS anymore. The above e-mail is par for the course for them. If our party is ever going to advance, then people like them need to be weeded out of our ranks. Otherwise, we will just continue to fight amongst ourselves for nothing.
I guess I'm missing someone. Can someone direct me to the email in question?
I thought maybe it was the anti-Koster video in the AGs race that she was talking about, but clearly that's not it either. What is all this about?
Thanks Beth, it is hard to call "bullshit" but sometimes it needs to be done.
Just got the e-mail about this blog. I haven't revceived the e-mail, but am told that it alleges that Calvin Williford gave money to Jeff Roe to do negative ads against LeVota. I agree whole heartedly with Beth about an anonymous e-mail if it attacks Calvin personally and we keep shooting ourselves in the foot when we fight within in our party, but why aren't we talking about the bigger issue? Is it true that someone who says they are a democrat playing with and paying Jeff Roe thousands of dollars? The same guy that is trashing Kay Barnes and Claire McCaskill on a daily basis, right? Isn't that worse than any in-fighting in the party?
Rumors were that Sanders teamed up with Roe back in 2006 to mess with LeVota in the county committee race. I never dreamt a democrat would do that, but this story makes you rethink it.
And by the way, Roe and Sam Graves just got slapped down by the Ethics Commission for breaking the law in their unethical tactics back in 2006.
http://primebuzz.kcstar.com/?q=node/11055
Let's hear from Sanders once and for all about this story to put this to rest so we can get on and fight Jeff Roe and the Republicans.
Beth, can you ask the question of Mike and get back to us with his explanation?
You know you are out of the loop when you don't even get the dirty attack stuff! I guess my bar number is too low.
I agree that we need to stop swatting at each other long enough to help with the big job of reclaiming the Republic from the Bushofascist Fear Machine -- and that includes a moratorium on the LeVota/Sanders spat. But that is going to require a bit of self -- and staff -- discipline from everyone.
Politics ain't beanbag, and I enjoy a good political gunfight as much as anyone, but we need to save our ammunition for the big battle in November. It is going to be tough enough to carry this state against McCain -- and maybe have a chance of recovering the Legislature -- without having a bunch of spoiled kids kicking each other under the table for the next seven months over crap that doesn't much matter.
It is one thing for the AG candidates to go at it tooth and nail. No one should be reluctant to engage in a tough campaign for an important office -- and then join together in August. But these schoolyard scuffles over bruised egos must be put on hold.
Settle down, boys. It's gonna be a long ride.
The story is total BS. The fact that Jeff Roe would represent a Republican running for a Republican seat in a Republican district is no surprise. I get it. The Levota's hate Mike Sanders and think he is somehow responsible for all of their failings. However, political BS and reality are often two different things.
First of all, Judge Tobin, who the Levota's were attacking, has been a Democrat all his life. Second, the original email seems to have entered the talking points of Diana Kander and her husband as they talk to potential contributors to prove that Jackson County needs a new young leader -- one has to ask why they understand so much about this issue? Third, Calvin Williford is a slime-ball and Sanders should drop him like a bad habit.
Tobin's a fine judge, but I don't see why Kander should be criticized for suggesting that Jackson County should have strong young leaders. Does Amy Coffman disagree?
how did the Kanders get involved in this? Anyone?
Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to talk with you, friends and fellow Democrats, about recent communications that have taken place via email and blog.
It was disturbing to see my name associated with an anonymous, heinous attack email that was distributed last week. I do not know the author of the correspondence and I do not condone such nameless tactics, under any circumstances.
I congratulate Kansas City Councilwoman Beth Gottstein for the articulate challenge to our community that she posted on the CCP blog. Councilwoman Gottstein demonstrates her long-term commitment toward service to others, while helping to build relationships where they are sorely needed. I thank her for her insistence that we can all do better. I join my voice with Beth and others who demand that enough is enough.
In addition to being re-elected so that I continue having the privilege to serve the people of the 52nd District, my focus is to build a Democrat majority in the Missouri House of Representatives focused on supporting families and businesses. A Democratic controlled Missouri House will provide Jay Nixon with the support he needs to reverse the past years of devastating policy attacks on our families, economy and judiciary. House Democrats are dedicated to win in November and to truly move Missouri forward.
I pledge to work with our extended community in a transparent and honorable manner, fighting together for what we need for the people of Independence, Jackson County, and the entire State of Missouri. I am aware that by posting this communication I am opening myself up to further personal attacks from anonymous responders. However, I felt it was important to let you know where I stand, since my name was being referenced in this process. I am disappointed by these tactics. I am fully committed to working for the future of our party. Thanks so much for your time.
Paul, I really hope you mean what you just wrote, and that you and your brother just stop what you have been doing.
Agreed. The above post by Levota os pretty rich given their recent activities.
Of course Levota wrote that that idiotic and biggoted letter! Who the hell else would write that "making peace" with the "Levota family" is a condition precedent to being a Democrat? Also, who other then them is THAT upset with the outcome of the muni judge race in Lee's Summit? Last time I looked, the ENTIRE bar was supporting Tobin, not Levota.
The first thing that Paul LaVota could do to prove his goodwill and live up to the good feelings expressed in his post is to withdrawal his handpicked candidates who are challenging Democratic Ward Committeemen and Committeewomen, as well as, the selected challenger to Jim Kanatzer for County Prosecutor.
We could use the time, energy and money to win against Republicans rather than fight among ourselves.
Paul:
Thanks for the post. It does take some guts to post because you do open yourself to the anon comments. But I still can't figure out what the specific things people say that you and your brother have been doing.
My question to you is has anyone contacted you personally about any of these issues to get your response? The last poster said you are running people against county committee people. I know you and your wife are running but aren't you two the current committee people? Who is running against you?
And to the poster who said that, have you talked to Paul or his brother? If we are going to get along why aren't we talking instead of anonymous blog accusations? Bough, can you take the lead in this?
As a long time CCP member, our blog is becoming a place to anonymously jump in and accuse without facts. We should be the leaders in resolving conflicts not perpetuating them. I am worried about how these blogs can actually hurt and divide the party instead of just being comments and information about the party. Just my two cents.
Anonymous 12:07 -
Dirty politics happens. It has happened in the past, in smoke-filled rooms, and it happens today, in smoke-free rooms (thank you, KC voters!) and on blogs. What happens in the comment section of blogs can sometimes be bareknuckled, but I think, given our town's history, we can view it in a far gentler historical context.
I am amused, however, by the anonymous commenter complaining about anonymous commenters. Think about that. And, while you're at it, think about why someone might hesitate to identify him or herself to someone they think has resorted to nasty tactics. Any ideas?
You claim that our blog is a longtime CCP member. It's not. It's only been around for around a year. (Maybe you meant to claim that YOU are a longtime member, but I have trouble believing that someone connected to this august group would fail to catch a misplaced modifier!)
If, in fact, we have a power struggle beginning between Sanders and LeVota, some bruised feelings might be the result. Personally, I'm glad that we have a blog of the caliber of the Blog CCP to facilitate the conversation.
Ultimately, though, if you don't like blogs, you should find a different use for your time. I think they provide a lot of perspective and a fair amount of information. I'm completely capable of distinguishing a fact-free slam from a well-reasoned critique. If you develop that same ability, you will find blogs to be entertaining, informative and even enlightening.
But if you blanch at the thought that an unidentified nobody (who might not even be a longtime member of the CCP, for goodness' sake!) can speak his or her mind without Bough's or anyone else's approval, then you're unlikely to catch on.
(Yes, I know the tone of this comment is a little sarcastic and hostile. But your tone was a little weepy, smug and sanctimonious. Let's call it even, okay?)
So typical, Paul talks the warm and fuzzy talk on Blog CCP. Yet, you give Kraske a testicle squeezing quote for the Sunday Star.
The LeVota's have never met a lie that they could not tell.
Is Beth pregnant?
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