Looks like Republican U.S. Senate candidate Dave Westlake thinks the fix is on in the Republican U.S. Senate primary:
Ashley Schultz, campaign manager of the Dave Westlake for U.S. Senate Campaign released the following statement regarding reports that important information is being withheld from the public due to intimidation by party members:
“We have just received confirmation that members of the Republican Party of Wisconsin are attempting to intimidate and silence those who wish to speak out against our primary opponent Ron Johnson. On multiple occasions, people have been told by those associated with the RPW to refrain from sharing negative experiences they’ve had with Johnson. In one instance, when a member of the college republicans was asked by the press to reveal details about an exchange with Johnson they were told they were not allowed to “bash” the party’s endorsed candidate.
Preventing information about a candidate from being released is misleading to the public and it is alarming that the party our campaign associates itself with would tolerate this type of behavior – this is not what our campaign or the Republican Party stands for. We will gladly work with the Republican Party to ensure that these bullying tactics are stopped because it is imperative that we allow voters of Wisconsin to be informed when they choose the Republican nominee on September 14th.
Now, more than ever, we need to change the way politics are run and the first step to fixing the problems in Washington is to change the way we campaign. The public has a right to know who they are voting for and candidates need be held accountable for the things they say and do.”
Ordinarily I’m loathe to publish a press release from a conservative candidate in its entirety, but Westlake’s press release raises some interesting points about the lengths the Republican Party of Wisconsin may be going to in order to ensure their anointed candidate – Ron Johnson – wins the Republican U.S. Senate primary.
EDITOR’S NOTE: When reached for comment, Dave Westlake issued the following statement:
“We have been notified of numerous attempts to intimidate our volunteers by people either within the party’s grassroots leadership or people associated with the party in some manner. In each instance, we’ve strongly encouraged these volunteers to bring the details of their experiences to the attention of the party leadership. In some cases this has solved the issue; in others, it has not. In those cases where the problems are still outstanding, I am fully committed to working directly with the party to solve these problems…and the party has expressed a strong desire to eliminate this type of behavior from it’s ranks.”
Westlake also noted one of the individuals involved in the situation has shared the information regarding their run in (text messages and details of phone conversations) with a number of reporters (but no liberal bloggers that I’m aware of).
Looks like Westlake is picking up where Wall left off. Show us the proof Terrence. Where is the documentation Dave? Ahhh, the acts of desperation from Westlake are getting ridiculous and instead of gaining support, he is driving people away with these antics!
I’ve edited the original entry to reflect the clarification I got directly from Dave Westlake.
Do you honestly believe the RPW is above trying to get Westlake out of the primary so that the party’s anointed candidate can cruise on to the general election?
Looks like Westlake is doing a good job of it on his own:
http://wcca.wicourts.gov/caseDetails.do;jsessionid=43A625F2F10623FE180E08ED2981B8AA.render6?caseNo=2010CV000767&countyNo=28&cacheId=28EDEAD92CAF9CBB86986D55F56D314B&recordCount=3&offset=0
Nice catch.
It is too bad that while i disagree with everything westlake stands for, I give him credit for how hard he is campaigning. He is truly taking it to the streets, its too bad the powers that be in the party do not let the people decide.