Attention, DU lawyers! My husband's campaign needs some advice!

[saracat]

Our Republican opponent is implicating our campaign in vandalism and sign destruction on her website. She told a local newspaper that he was NOT responsible and then posts the opposite on her campaign site! She also got access to a private email and published it! What action should be taken? We have a party attorney but he is unavailable till Monday.

[Scooter24]

1. I'd have someone draft

an immediate cease letter and have it couriered over.

Then I would call your ISP and inform them of the email tresspass so they can look into it.

[Solo_in_MD]

10. There is no such thing as email trespass.

If it was forwarded to them there is nothing that can effectively be done.

Never put anything in an email that you would not send on a postcard.

[ccpup]

2. Damage control.

Get the news out NOW about what your Opponent is doing and indicate that, unfortunately, you'll be speaking with your attorneys on Monday. Nip this in the bud now rather than waiting for the story to build.

Furthermore, bring the attention back to the issues. Illustrate how your Opponent is focusing her Constituent's precious time on vandalism and sign destruction when there are huge problems in your District, State, whatever that need her attention. Move the conversation away from vandalism/sign destruction and into what's been working for your hubby as, obviously (in light of the repug's focus on sign destruction/vandalism), your Opponent feels threatened by that.

Good luck!

[ClassWarrior]

6. Exactly. Point this back to a discussion of your campaign message.

Always stay on-message.

NGU.

[MrCoffee]

3. you don't need a lawyer, you need a press release.

immediately refute the charges of vandalism as unfounded and reckless, and as far as the email goes, find out who gave it to her and fire them.

[ccpup]

4. Unfounded and reckless

doesn't hit them where it hurts. Spotlight how the Repug opponent is wasting time with these "silly accusations" when there are big problems affecting her constituents that need her attention. Then segueway into all the things that have been ignored since the last election (I'm assuming she's the Incumbent?) and that the Dem, your Hubby, will pay attention to. It's a good way to make her look like an idiot and spotlight how your Hubby is the "mature one" in the bunch.

If you have a Press conference, run the tape of her saying that your Hubby is not involved juxtaposed against a computer screen shot of her Website saying the exact opposite. That will further spotlight not only her dishonesty, but also her guilt.

And then ask why she's putting time into this when she hasn't answered for her inaction on subjects A, B and C? That's what the Voters want to know about.

[MrCoffee]

5. ccpup's way is better.

[ccpup]

7. There's not a good/better/best dynamic

at work here. It's all about this woman's hubby getting out on the ground NOW and, in essence, laughing these charges away. If he can question why his Opponent is going to get so up in arms about her signs being damaged (which could have been a result of rowdy teenagers -- people will nod their heads in resigned agreement with that) when she doesn't get upset about the area's economy struggling, the rise in crime, the property taxes and gas prices. Just think what could happen if she got as riled up about THOSE issues as she did about her paper signs stuck in the ground with a stick!

That way, her Hubby takes it back to his territory, engages the voters in conversation about issues that matter to them, and makes this a non-story as well as making his Opponent look like the idiot she is if she tries to resuscitate it. (she won't if she's smart)

Let us know how it turns out.

[SouthernBelle82]

8. I agree with everyone else

The only thing I think you might need a lawyer for is the breach of privacy. Oh and also point out to the people of your area that if the opponent had no problem in breaking you all's privacy than why would she have a problem breaking the fourth amendment for anyone else in the city? Get that out there and make it look as bad as it is. She broke the fourth amendment. You might could also go to the ACLU if you'd want to bring them in.

[ccpup]

9. I'd keep it simple.

Bringing in the 4th Amendment and the Constitution could muddy the waters a bit two weeks before the Election. Keep in on-message and about the issues facing your Constituents. After the Election, if need be, hire an Attorney and take whatever legal steps are necessary. Running to an Attorney and taking steps now would give the Repug another issue to run on and move it away from what the Voter's care about: their money and their quality of life.

It's too bad you couldn't make a commercial with a list of the top 3 things wrong with where you live and then, asking what the Repug is focused on, show a yard sign slightly off-kilter with a tear in it. Follow that image with the promise that your Hubby will focus on what matters and then hit your major campaign points. Put that in heavy rotation and watch the repug's numbers nose dive.