(Cross-posted from www.wulsinforcongress.com by Ady Barkan) Ohio 2nd Democratic candidate Victoria Wulsin wants to ban air conditioning. That's what right-wing operatives have been telling Cincinnati-area voters in nightly phone calls over the past week.
According to two voters who have contacted the Wulsin campaign, a phone questionnaire conducted in support of Jean Schmidt here in Southern Ohio includes malicious and dishonest information about Wulsin, including ridiculous statements like "Wulsin would ban air conditioners because they harm the environment" and other lies about Wulsin's position on abortion, taxes, etc.
Wulsin is in a dead heat with Mean Jean, famous for her "cowards cut and run, marines never do" comment directed at Congressman Murtha last year. The only public poll so far shows the two candidates tied 44% to 44% (July 12). The results of this new feat of fraudulence from Schmidt's supporters may soon be rolled out to argue that the incumbent has the advantage.
"This is another example of Jean Schmidt's reckless disregard for the truth," said Wulsin campaign manager Mary Huttlinger. "It's just one more episode in Schmidt's long record of dishonesty. If Jean Schmidt is behind this malicious `poll' she must to cease and desist immediately. If not, she needs to publicly call for it to stop."
If the Schmidt campaign is knowingly spreading false information about Wulsin, it is likely violating federal election law. Two people have already contact the Wulsin campaign to discuss the push poll, and they are willing to talk to the press on the record.
Mean Jean's record of dishonesty is well documented:
(1) In the 2006 Republican primary, Schmidt was reprimanded by the Ohio Elections Commission for "Reckless disregard for the truth" after falsely claiming that she had earned a second bachelor's degree, ( Schmidt gets reprimand, 'False statements' cited" The Cincinnati Enquirer. April 28, 2006)
(2) Also during that primary, the OEC determined that Schmidt had falsely claimed she had the support of Tom Tancrado (R-CO) and the Family Research Council. ("Chabot, Schmidt spar over support." The Cincinnati Enquirer. March 8, 2006)
(3) As an Ohio state representative, Schmidt knowingly failed to report $5000 in gifts from lobbyists and one month later drafted legislation directly benefiting the lobbyists who gave her those gifts. ("Meal, tickets not reported, Schmidt among lawmakers who attended Bengals game," The Cincinnati Enquirer. July 9, 2005).