Posted on 09/12/2006 3:57:49 PM PDT by Libloather
DNC: Dean Sends Mehlman Letter on RNC Funded Discriminatory and Un-American Campaign Activities
1 hour, 16 minutes ago
To: National Desk
Contact: Stacie Paxton or Luis Miranda, 202-863-8148, both of the DNC Press Office
WASHINGTON, Sept. 12 /U.S. Newswire/ -- Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean sent a letter to Republican National Committee Chairman Ken Mehlman today calling on him to stop RNC-funded campaign activities that promote discrimination and endorse violence against political opponents. The letter was sent after a Michigan newspaper revealed that an RNC-funded organizer in Michigan is coordinating "Catch an Illegal Immigrant" and "Fun With Guns" events at the University of Michigan, similar to Republican events in other states like Pennsylvania and Texas. In the first event participants would win prizes for catching others posing as illegal immigrants and in the latter, "young Republicans would shoot cardboard cut-outs of Democratic leaders such as Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-N.Y.) and Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.)."
The report of these RNC-funded activities also comes just two days after the Washington Post reported that "in a pivotal year, (the) GOP plans to get personal." (The Michigan Daily, 9/12/06; Washington Post, 9/10/2006) Additionally, the RNC and College Republicans have a track record of inappropriate and discriminatory campaign tactics:
-- RNC Hired Intern is Planning "Catch an Illegal Immigrant" and "Fun With Guns" Events. "Morgan Wilkins, the intern hired by the Republican National Committee to win the hearts and minds of Michigan 20-somethings, is planning events that some may find odd. To others, they may be offensive. One such idea is 'Catch an Illegal Immigrant Day,' in which a volunteer would play the part of an illegal immigrant and hide somewhere on campus while others try to find him. The winner would receive a prize. Her other ideas include an event called 'Fun with Guns,' in which young Republicans would use a BB gun or paintball gun to shoot cardboard cut-outs of Democratic leaders such as Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-N.Y.) and Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.)" (The Michigan Daily, 9/12/06)
-- College Republicans at Penn State Proposed Playing "Catch an Illegal Immigrant" As Segue Into Immigration Discussion. The College Republicans at Penn State University wanted to enter the debate about the nation's borders by playing a "Catch an Illegal Immigrant Game."People would be invited to "catch" group members wearing orange shirts symbolizing illegal aliens. Amid the student outcry that ensued, they softened their plan to an illegal immigration awareness day in which leafleting and speech- making would let both sides air their views on immigration policies. (Scripps News Service, 4/14/06)
-- Catch an Illegal Immigrant Day Reportedly Planned at University of Texas. Members of the University of Texas' multicultural center cited UT Young Conservative's proposed "Catch an Immigrant Day" last spring as one of the causes of Latino students feeling unwanted at UT. hough there was no such event on March 2, and representatives from YCT denied planning it, the idea caused uproar and protest from multiple organizations on campus, including the Latino Leadership Council. (University Wire, 6/15/05)
In the letter, Dean points out that "we'd read that the RNC would use its funds to engage in negative campaigning in a desperate attempt to hold on to power and mobilize Republican voters in November, but these un-American attacks and violent, inflammatory campaign tactics are beyond the pale."
Dean further challenged Mehlman to help "elevate the political discourse in America, and...act to have these desperate, inappropriate attacks stopped"
A full copy of the letter is included below.
Ken Mehlman, Chairman
Republican National Committee
310 First Street, SE
Washington, D.C. 20003
September 12, 2006
Dear Ken,
A troubling article today reported that a Republican National Committee-hired intern is planning events that can only be described as divisive, potentially dangerous, and discriminatory to promote the Republican Party's agenda at the University of Michigan.
Promoting "Catch an Illegal Immigrant Day," which has been used by the Republican Party in other states including Pennsylvania and Texas, is not only offensive, it promotes discrimination for political gain. And an event titled "Fun with Guns" that encourages young Republicans to shoot cardboard cut- outs of Democratic leaders further promotes intolerance and violence. These un-American activities cannot go unchallenged.
We'd read that the RNC would use its funds to engage in negative campaigning in a desperate attempt to hold on to power and mobilize Republican voters in November, but these un-American attacks and violent, inflammatory campaign tactics are beyond the pale. As Chairmen of America's two major political parties, we have a responsibility to elevate the political discourse in America. Whether this is directly an RNC funded activity or not, I ask that you not only order such events ceased but also denounce these types of campaign tactics that breed only hatred, division and fear.
You said yourself to a gathering of Hispanic elected officials that America is a "nation of immigrants.a nation united by ideas, not race, creed or place of origin." That same day you also acknowledged that "we are all held to account by a common rule of law," and that "respect for this basic concept is critical to an America where we are all treated the same." To demonstrate your commitment to these words and ideals you must immediately act to have these desperate, inappropriate attacks stopped. America's democracy can only continue to work if we respect each other, and uphold the values that have made our country great. I hope to hear back from you on this important matter promptly.
Best regards,
Howard Dean, Chairman
Democratic National Committee
---
Paid for and authorized by the Democratic National Committee, http://www.democrats.org. This communication is not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee.
Why am I always the last to find out about the really cool stuff?
Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean, seen here in May 2006. The US Congress, run for years with an iron fist by hardliners in President George W. Bush's Republican party, will get a radical makeover if opposition Democrats win Novembers midterm election.(AFP/Getty Images/File)
He's grasping if he thinks anyone cares with what a student intern comes up with on his/her way to go get the coffee and do-nuts.
Hmmm...i guess movies about assasinating Bush is just political discourse. I am now getting the feeling that these guys dont think it will happen for them in Nov
They sure are firing off lots of letters lately.
The RuleChangers: Democrats
How could he? It's a movie being filmed in Britain...
The Un-American Party
Which is going to be shown in the U.S.
I like the "catch an illegal immigrant", but I'm not sure about the shooting democratic leaders. No, I'm sure, I don't like it.
Does it remind you of the UN?
I'd still like to know what is in his Gubenatorial records that he had sealed before he ran for President....I'm sure there is some elevated dialogue in them.
Damn! First they took away our pigeon shoot and now they want to stop our assh*le shoot. Just damn.
> Has Dean demanded that a movie showing Bush being assassinated be stopped?
The movie is execrable, and Dean is a boob, but there's a difference between a foreign twit making a horrible movie and the RNC sponsoring events inviting people to shoot personal effigies of the opposing party. Keep in mind I was also not a huge fan of Libby saying we should put targets on ATF agents. If that makes me a pinko, so be it.
I'd like to think our side is better than this. To my mind it's a legit complaint, unlike the Clintonista mewling about the 9/11 movie.
If this is true and Mehlman knew about this, he should be fired.
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