If you want to be added, please FReepMail me.
Posted on 11/02/2004 5:18:43 AM PST by I still care
GOP headquarters burglarized
A computer that contained valuable Republican strategies and local voter data was stolen. A $500 reward is being offered.
By BRIDGET HALL GRUMET, Times Staff Writer Published November 2, 2004
NEW PORT RICHEY - Naomi Miller knew something was wrong the moment she turned the doorknob.
The office was unlocked.
Miller, who had locked the door the previous night, opened the door to the Pasco County Republican Party headquarters Monday morning and made a heart-sinking discovery: A burglar had entered the office overnight and snatched the office computer, including the monitor and the printer.
The loss wasn't so much about the equipment, valued at $900.
"The valuable thing is what was on it," said Miller, the office coordinator.
The computer contained a treasure trove of local voter data and GOP strategies - crucial information in the final days before an election, particularly if it falls into an opponent's hands.
"We're at crunch time," Miller said Monday morning. "At this late stage in the game, they (campaign workers) could say, "I need this information right now,' and I can't get it to them."
The Pasco County Sheriff's Office is investigating the break-in at the Green Key Plaza in New Port Richey, 6611 U.S. 19, just north of Main Street. Local GOP chairman Bill Bunting is offering a $500 reward for anyone who returns the computer - or anyone who provides information that leads to the conviction of the thief.
The break-in was the low spot in a nasty campaign season. A couple of weeks ago, someone threw eggs at the Pasco County Young Republicans office at 9812 U.S. 19 in Port Richey.
Other vandals have stolen signs and a picnic table from the Kerry/Edwards campaign office at Ridge Road and Congress Street in Port Richey.
"It's typical stuff you see in political campaigns," said Tax Collector Mike Olson, the Pasco chairman for the Kerry campaign. "It's an annoyance but we're not getting very excited about it."
Anyone with information on the theft can call the Pasco County Sheriff's Office toll-free at 1-800-854-2862 and ask for the west side desk sergeant.
-- Bridget Hall Grumet can be reached in west Pasco at 869-6244 or toll-free at 1-800-333-7505, ext. 6244. Her e-mail address is bhall@sptimes.com
Notice how they complain about "signs missing" at the Kerry offices, but out Young Republicans had to spend hours cleaning windows and such. And frankly, the Kerry office isn't in the greatest area, on a big open crosstreet. In this area, anyone could have decided they would like a nice picnic table. (If it's not nailed down here, it can easily disappear - lots of transients).
Also notice how the Kerry guy (our tax collector!)claims that theft of a computer is "typical campaign stuff". Hmmm - I never thought of burglary of an office as "typical". I guess to a democrat tax collector a computer is small change.
As far as the signs go, we had lots of Bush signs in the area, and lots of Kerry signs. Well, most of the Kerry signs are still up, but most of the Bush signs are gone. I wonder who took them...
These people are slime. And I include the St Petersburg Times in that. They hate Bush more than the NYT, if that is possible.
After like 10 of these burglaries, why haven't the GOP hired security guards and/or put their computers in a safe over night?
What's the old saying? Once is an accident, twice is a coincidence, and three times is enemy action?
Once is an accident, twice is a nuisance, three times and it's time to call France...By Golly!
I am sure that this is a McCauliffe "strategy" for the DNC all across the nation. GOP Hdqtrs in Seattle (Bellvue) and Spokane were also burglarized with the laptops stolen.
As was said before...1 might be a simple burglary, more than one is a pattern. A pattern indicates a plan.
Obviously the plan is the 2004 version of Watergate.
I am disgusted by McCauliffe and the Dems.
Yes, amazing that the headquarters weren't prepared for this kind of stuff since it's been going on for some time.
After like 10 of these burglaries, why haven't the GOP hired security guards and/or put their computers in a safe over night?
Maybe they are decoys???
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.