Memo To Bryan Gossage: Get Your Facts Straight, THEN Attack.

Memo

To: Bryan Gossage, GOP candidate, NC-41
From: SMD
Re: Fact Check Your Attack After You Write It

As a professional political operative, I can respect a well-spun political attack, even when it comes from the other side of the aisle. These attacks often feature creativity and certainly have a "how did they come up with that connection?" angle to them.

But geez Louise, if you're going to use this tactic, at least fact check it first. Your article on "Katy's Conservative Corner" last week was just riddled with factual errors. For your easy reference, here's the link - http://katysconservativecorner.typepad.com/katy/2008/03/saying-a-lot-vs.html

I get what you are trying to do. If I were in your shoes, I would try and make hay out of the situation with now former-Representative Wright too. Lacking a substantive record and faced with an opponent whose legislative proposals enjoyed widespread bi-partisan support in the last session of the General Assembly, your only option is to throw crap against the wall and see what sticks.

But here's where you screwed up. You said;

"In reality, the media is reporting today that House Democrats plan to hold a special caucus meeting ahead of the legislative session to discuss Wright's expulsion. My opponent, the Caucus Secretary, says he doesn't know what's on the meeting's agenda."

Ummm....Bryan? Representative Harrell is not the Democratic Caucus Secretary. I don't want to do your work for you, but you can find out who the Caucus Secretary is here - http://www.ncga.state.nc.us/NCGAInfo/leadership.html . Representative Harrell is actually the Secretary for the NC Legislative Black Caucus.

And of course, the day after your article, Rep. Harrell joined the vast majority of his House colleagues in voting for the ouster of Rep. Wright. That's another point to keep in mind - if you're going to make an attack, try and do it in time to remain factually relevant.

Unfortunately, there's one last item you screwed up. In the article, you said -
"he's [Harrell] still keeping secret the audit results from the scholarship scandal in which donor contributions were used for scholarships for caucus members' families."

Ummm....Bryan? The NC Legislative Black Caucus Foundation is a separate non-profit from the NC Legislative Black Caucus. Representative Harrell is not in the Foundation's leadership and has no say in their operations. And in fact, he was quoted in the News & Observer saying the results of the audit should be released to shine light on whatever is going on.

The 41st District has changed. But you should know that having been an instrumental part of Representative Russell Capps' campaign failure last time. How did that hail mary attack campaign work out for you then?

When an attack isn't fact-based, it may get the Rush Limbaugh type crowd going, but that's about it. You've really got your work cut out from you this time, especially given the GOP support that I hear for Representativ Harrell all over the district.

Good luck!

http://southernmaledemocrat.com