Earlier today there was a post about the Kilgore campaign sending out a deceptive flyer that promoted an independent candidate at the expense of the Democrats. Sure enough, I got one in the mail today. So I decided to call the Kilgore campaign and play dumb....
First of all, it's always fun to play dumb to the Republicans. It's a bit like playing "tall" to a room full of NBA players.
I called the Richmond Kilgore HQ and was put through to voice mail. But when I called the local (Virginia Beach) office they were most interested in what I told them. They asked me to bring the literature in because they seemed to think that Russ Potts (the Independent) had somehow paid for this flyer.
So I dutifully went down to the office and showed it to the volunteers. (What a viper's nest by the way. I think my Irish ass was the most diverse person in a room teaming with volunteers.)
They were outraged! "This is illegal!" "He can't do that!" They said. "Where is the 'paid for' line?"
"Right there." I helpfully pointed to the "Paid for by Virginians for Kilgore".
Then their mood changed. The two lead henchmen exchanged funny looks and asked "Uhh, can we keep this?"
"Why?
"Because we need to investigate it."
"That's okay. I'll investigate myself."
So they asked to copy it and I assented. They offered me bottled water and a bag of gold fish. (The salty snack not the marine life.)
When they came back from the copier they thanked me profusely. I played along. "Oh but what was that you were saying about this being illegal?"
They looked at me like I was insane. "Ilegal? This isn't illegal it's just kind of...well, it's stupid."
"I would have said deceitful." They didn't nod along to that point. These guys were good.
"Even if it is illegal, the fine is only $100."
"Oh, only $100. So why bother looking into it? I mean, misdemeanors in election law don't matter do they?"
"You know the Kaine campaign was fined for something similar."
"Thanks for your time. Let your bosses know that I'm voting for Kaine."
So this was the classic line of Republican defenses.
1. Deny
2. Deflect
3. Equivocate (two wrongs make a right)
I can't wait to kick their ass tomorrow.