As part of a legal settlement, the North Carolina Republican Party has mailed out an unusual political ad in state House District 51, offering a very public mea culpa to former Democratic Rep. Jimmy Love, Sr.
In late October, 2010 the North Carolina Republican Party distributed a mailer in connection with the contest for the North Carolina House seat in District 51 that accused former Representative Jimmy Love of having abused the power of his office in connection with the North Carolina Department of Transportation's purchases of two tracts of land for a road project. The mailer said Mr. Love had "pocketed" taxpayer money and made a "huge profit" at taxpayer expense.
The accusations made against Mr. Love in the mailer were unjustified and the facts stated in support of the accusations were false. Accordingly, the North Carolina Republican Party hereby retracts the statements made in the mailer, apologizes to Mr. Love, and expresses its sincere regret for any distress or embarrassment caused to Mr. Love, his family, or his supporters.
The Oct. 2010 ad in question said Love owned a piece of land and suggested it was bought by the DOT in a "sweetheart deal." The text called Love a "swindler," featured his photo and quoted him as saying "I Love Gettin' Rich Off The Taxpayers!"
Love, a seven-term incumbent representing parts of Lee and Harnett counties, went on to lose in November to Republican newcomer Mike Stone by 1,423 votes.
Mark Braden, spokesman for the NC GOP, declined to comment on the false ad.
"An agreement has been reached," Braden said. "On the advice of counsel, I can't say more than that."
Braden referred all questions to the party's lawyer, John Branch of Raleigh.
Branch declined to say how many homes the apology went to and whether there were any other terms of the settlement, such as money paid by the GOP to the Sanford Democrat.
"All I can say is that the dispute has been resolved," the lawyer repeated, regardless of which question was asked.
Still, Dome will wager the deal did not include giving Love his House seat back.
Love, who is an attorney, said Monday he feels some vindication. He said that under the terms of his settlement with the GOP, he can't comment on whether he received any cash.
"I'm satisfied with the way this was resolved," Love said. "I think most of the people who know me knew it wasn't true, but for the people who didn't know me personally, it might have stuck."
Copies of both GOP ads are attached below.
Document(s):
GOP Love ad.pdf
GOP Apology.pdf
Comments
Politicians and thier minions lie in other news
June 27, 2011 - 9:37pm — PershingDriver... in other news Dog bites man, Earth circles the Sun, rain is wet. There is not a hairs breath differance on how the Democrats and GOP run campaigns
Republican campaign strategy
June 27, 2011 - 8:58pm — Avowed_Southern...Lie, lie, lie. Apologize after you have stolen the election. I think some good libel money is due for former Rep. Jimmie Love, Jr. The Repuglican strategy book was written by a Florida strategist named (hanging) Chad. Afterall, if you can thwart the will of the popular vote and steal a presidential election, you certainly should be able to lie about a local politician.
Republican campaign strategy
June 27, 2011 - 9:00pm — Avowed_Southern...I hope reasonable minds will come to realize that the Democratic party is the bulwark for freedom, and protection of the minority voters from the tyranny of the majority electorate.
TYPICAL GOP CLAPTRAP
June 27, 2011 - 7:02pm — ahmbdmOnce a liar, always a liar...VOTE next time, people!
Mike "Blogojavich" Stone
June 27, 2011 - 4:51pm — whollarSo how much was the office worth?? $500k.....$1 million. GOP politico Mike Stone gets extra credit for eliminating the middle-man, as well as the voters, from his deal. NC politico should get credit for cutting out the middle man, andNThe NC politico gets extraNCP H
The GOP, Bad for North Carolina
June 27, 2011 - 3:38pm — Carolina1stRepublican members of the State Board of Education know just how bad their party counterparts have performed. Most of the state knows this as well.
With the school year over and the state budget passed over the veto of Governor Perdue, many teachers across the region have learned that they no longer have a job. The North Carolina Republican Party has actively set the state back, and drove the unemployment rate up.
The new Republican leadership has attempted to misappropriate taxpayer money for self-interests, undermine the criminal justice system and press expensive tax increases upon every homeowner with unspecific mandated funding cuts and gasoline tax increases.
Now, they want you to support them in driving this state further backwards, and allowing more extreme GOP policies to restrict your citizenship and voting rights. It is time to say "NO" to extreme republicans, and their ideology.
David W Moore
NCGA District 73, 2012
While there at it...
June 27, 2011 - 2:57pm — TheLibertineCould someone from the GOP please explain why we're about to get hit with an increased tax on fuel? This was an easy fix that they've consciously missed.
Whatever Works
June 27, 2011 - 2:30pm — GetSeriousIf I didn't know better, I'd be tempted to think the GOP's solid-gold integrity was slippin' some. Still, that was *real* nice of 'em to send out an apology. Good home trainin' never disappoints.
Recall?
June 27, 2011 - 2:12pm — postHow can we make sure this will not happen in the future?
KICK HIM OUT!!!!!!