Contact: John Blackshaw Phone: 612-871-3044 Mobile : 612-816-0990
News Release October 26, 2005 Rybak Campaign Calls on Commissioner McLaughlin to Halt Negative Attacks In a letter hand delivered today to Commissioner McLaughlin’s campaign office, Mayor Rybak’s campaign manager John Blackshaw called on Mr. McLaughlin to publicly request his top supporter, the Police Federation, to curtail its expected distorted attack campaign directed at Mayor Rybak. “We’ve heard that Police Federation president John Delmonico is about to engage in a highly negative assault against Mayor Rybak,” said Blackshaw, “I expect the attacks to be similar to the primary - full of distortions and attempting to scare people. That’s politics at it worst. That’s why we’ve asked Commissioner McLaughlin to ask his top supporters to stop the attacks before they are launched.” “Commissioner McLaughlin can stop it if he wants to”, Blackshaw continued. “ If he says or does nothing about this, then voters will have to ask themselves, ‘What kind of leader is he? He talks about being a strong leader but he can’t even get his top supporters to stop slinging the mud’.” ### The letter follows below. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ October 26, 2005 Commissioner Peter McLaughlin McLaughlin for Mayor 1097 10th Ave SE Minneapolis, MN 55414 Dear Commissioner McLaughlin: As you know, the Police Federation is planning a massive negative advertising and direct mail assault of distortions directed a Mayor Rybak over the next two weeks of the campaign. We’ve been told that a full page ad in the Star Tribune is planned, as well as, radio and direct mail that distorts Mayor Rybak’s record and includes a “Where’s Waldo” theme will be launched in the next few days. My hope is that you do not support this kind of negative campaign of distortions. Negative_ attacks and distortions are old style politics that have no place in this race. The residents of Minneapolis deserve better. Because the president of the Police Federation, John Delmonico, is a key supporter of yours who spent thousands of dollars on your behalf during the primary distorting Mayor Rybak’s record, it is incumbent upon you to publicly request the Federation to curtail its plans. I am asking you to do so. If you do not, the residents of Minneapolis can only conclude that you embrace these negative attacks and condone the use of distortion and misleading statements as legitimate campaign tactics. Respectfully yours, John Fox Blackshaw Campaign Manager To request the text version or to unsubscribe, click here_ (http://www.thedatabank.com/hmsub.asp?aacwc=311410900263434) . REMINDERS: 1. Be civil! Please read the NEW RULES at http://www.e-democracy.org/rules. If you think a member is in violation, contact the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. For state and national discussions see: http://e-democracy.org/discuss.html For external forums, see: http://e-democracy.org/mninteract ________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[email protected] Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
