Project Vote Smart Repudiates Clatworthy

Filed in Delaware by on October 31, 2008

Project Vote Smart released a statement strongly repudiating Clatworthy’s craven hiding behind this group to spread lies about Mike Katz:

John Clatworthy, candidate for Delaware State Senate District 4 has attacked Michael Katz, his opponent, with false information and has used Project Vote Smart’s name to give his accusations credibility.

This kind of negative campaign activity is precisely the sort of tactic that the Project attempts to counter with its factual database. By using the Project’s name to give credibility to these attacks, John Clatworthy is cheating the public out of their need for trusted, abundant, accurate, factual information.

The Project prohibits the use of its name and programs, including the Political Courage Test, formerly the National Political Awareness Test (NPAT), in partisan political advertising. This policy is posted prominently on Project Vote Smart’s web site and all candidates have been notified of this policy in writing numerous times.

This kind of behavior occurs in less that 00.05 percent of all races nationally. It is our policy to condemn this misuse of Project Vote Smart’s name and reputation and to alert the public to any misuse of our name or programs for negative political activities.

You can contact Ms. Adelaide Kimball at 406-859-8683 for more information.

It is pretty simple, really — this is right out of the rapidly failing Republican playbook and just is further proof that Clatworthy’s priority is going to be representing his ideology — NOT his constituents. Let’s not give this failed strategy any foothold here in Delaware and vote in Dr. Mike Katz.

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Comments (12)

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  1. jason330 says:

    The Clat is spending $70k to get his lies out.

    The Republicans clearly view as a firewall race. If anybody has any free time on election day volunteering for Katz would be the best thing you could do to tell the lying low life Republicans that their day is done.

  2. nemski says:

    There’s an article in today’s NJ, but the links are working today. Anway, Clathworthy calls himself a “conservative” — the quotes are his. What the hell does that mean?

  3. Tom says:

    Ms. Kimbell is an avowed liberal and lifelong democrat. You guys here really are funny. Votesmart is just another smokescreen. Is it any wonder that there always seems to a Republican scandal? What about Katz’s attacks? I guess they mean nothing. Or maybe its just not liberal newsworthy. Clatworthy is running an honorable campaign and I can’t wait till he wins. Maybe he can legislate out all the lies told here. Democrats are the worst. How is John supposed to reach out to you guys? You make it impossible.

  4. nemski says:

    Tom, what part of

    The Project prohibits the use of its name and programs, including the Political Courage Test, formerly the National Political Awareness Test (NPAT), in partisan political advertising. This policy is posted prominently on Project Vote Smart’s web site and all candidates have been notified of this policy in writing numerous times.

    don’t you understand? How is this “honorable” on Clatworthy’s part?

  5. cassandra m says:

    If Vote Smart was a smokescreen, then I imagine Clatworthy wouldn’t have hidden behind that group to lob a bunch of lies at Katz. The scandal is that Clatworthy doesn’t even have the courage of owning his own prevarications.

    And as far as reaching out to us is concerned, if Clatworthy can’t man up enough to own his own words, he won’t man up enough to work with Democrats.

  6. FSP says:

    Did they say he was factually inaccurate, or did they just object to being drawn into it?

    Cassandra — can you forward me the release?

  7. cassandra m says:

    Email? (or email me at ctmpolitics at gmail dot com with your address)

    ps. I copied the entire text above, but will send it.

  8. Geezer says:

    Yes, Dave, they said he was factually inaccurate. You and your ilk are freaking jokes. And Charlie Copeland is the Joker.

  9. FSP says:

    What was factually inaccurate about it?

  10. Drussbo says:

    Tom? Are you a little angry? I find it amazing that anyone who supports the Clat thinks he is being positive. I was just forwarded this release from this summer, when the Clat went negative. To their credit, his challengers focused on issues, and this guy Fleming actually was roasted for having, oh my, lots of democrats supporting him. the Clat only hopes he could get broad support, because it would be the only way he could win. Which he won’t. Read on…

    Dear Friends,

    As many of you have seen, one of our opponents, John Clatworthy, has decided to go negative. Regrettably, John has taken the low road with several silly and baseless attacks.

    In recent mailings, John has accused Michael Fleming of refusing to sign a phony pledge. There is no real pledge endorsed by any reputable third-party. It is a figment of John’s failing campaign. Having worked at Senator Roth’s side for many years, Michael knows the Senator didn’t earn his reputation as the “Taxpayer’s Best Friend” by signing phony pledges or making empty promises. It takes real ideas and real work, building coalitions and advancing important legislation to gain that kind of recognition.

    Of course, John Clatworthy wouldn’t know this because he has no experience in public service and no experience getting legislation put into law – only Michael Fleming does.

    A second “charge” is that Michael enjoys broad support for his campaign. Can you imagine? In addition to local Republican backers such as Louis Freeh, Gov. Dale Wolf, Congressman Tom Evans, Gov. du Pont’s and Gov. Castle’s Chief of Staff Bob Perkins and countless other GOP leaders, Michael’s supporters include Democrats and Independents. Perhaps John has forgotten that in order to win any candidate must have support from every constituency. Failure to recognize this (remember the Reagan Democrats?) is a telling characteristic of John’s failed tenure as a GOP official who did nothing to help grow our party.

    It is disappointing when a candidate with little positive to say about himself decides to hide behind made-up attacks. Be assured, we will continue to run a strong, positive campaign until the end, focusing on the things that matter most to this district and our great state.

    Thanks for your support and don’t forget to vote on September 9!

  11. nemski says:

    Thanks for that Drussbo.

    There are some good Republicans out there running for office. Clatworthy is not one of them. I know some of our readers are upset about how we are going after Clatworthy, but, as many have noticed, we aren’t doing this in all Senate or Legislative races. It’s because Clatworthy is a Special Republican.

    If The Clat happens to squeak by, I promise you all this, we will be on Clatworthy like white on rice.

  12. Steve says:

    Please contact Katie Glazier katieglazier@gmail.com if you can help Mike Katz for Senate
    Campaign this weekend.

    We are in the home stretch, and this weekend will play a major
    role in shaping the outcome of the election. We need around 30 people to
    join us for literature drops on Saturday and Sunday. We are meeting at 10
    am on both days at the JCC main parking lot (Rt 202 behind the Quality
    Inn). We will be heading to several neighborhoods to distribute campaign
    materials. This is very important and we need all the help we can get.
    Please ask your friends and family to join you. The forecast for this
    weekend is pleasant (low 60’s) and sunny, so it will be a nice day to get
    ouf of the house and take a nice walk with others from our community,
    supporting Dr. Katz in his bid to be our state senator. You can bring your
    children – campaigning together as a family is an excellent “teachable
    moment” to talk to them about our government, volunteering, community
    service … take your pick!

    Please let me know if you will be joining us on Saturday and/or Sunday at 10
    am at the JCC main parking lot.

    Thank you,

    Katie