Why is Sec. of State Gwadosky Calling Citizens on Behalf of

From: "Ken Blais"
Subject: Misleading phone call from the Secretary of State
Date: Tue, 5 Nov 2002On Monday, at 12:11 p.m., I received a "canned" voicemail on my home phone from the Secretary of State, Dan A. Gwadosky, urging District 20 voters to support my opponent in today's state senate election. Gwadosky alleged that my campaign was responsible for sending misleading, negative mailers out about my opponent. Gwadosky's assertion is baseless, and I believe a gross violation of ethics for the state's chief elections officer to use his official title in a solicitation for voters to vote for one candidate over another.

This is from the Maine State website:

"The Elections Division supervises and administers all elections of federal, state and county offices and referenda, and in that capacity advises election officials from 500 municipalities, 600 candidates and the general public regarding election laws and procedures; prepares, proofreads and distributes 1,800 separate ballot types and other elections materials; tabulates official elections results; supervises recounts in contested races; and oversees the application of state laws pertaining to candidate and citizen initiative petitions."

Here is the text of the message [transcribed from the candidate's phone answering machine]:

12:11 p.m.

"Hello, this is Secretary of State Dan Gwadosky. I'm urging you to support Paul Chizmar for State Senate. There's been some misleading negative mailings recently. I'm sure you know Paul Chizmar is nothing like he's being portrayed. I've known Paul for many years. He's run a positive campaign. You can trust Paul Chizmar. I hope you'll be voting for him on election day. [Another voice: Paid for by Senate Democrats.]"

To my knowledge, the three mailers sent to voters in District 20 by me or by others, all have focused on issues, and on my vision for Maine's future. None have mentioned my opponent. The only time I have mentioned my opponent in any public forum has been to point out at candidates' forums (there were five independently sponsored forums to which I and my opponent were invited) that my opponent has failed to appear any ANY of these imporant opportunities for voters to meet the candidates and hear their views in regard to Maine's future.

I have worked long and hard to bring my positive message for Maine's future to District 20 voters. My day started at 4:30 this morning.

To have the Secretary of State use his office to mischaracterize my campaign is beyond the pale.

I will be at the polls today, hoping the Secretary of State has no new surprises for me.

My cell phone number is 329-1628.

Ken Blais
Candidate for Senate District 20

He is a democrat, what do you expect?[ 11-05-2002: Message edited by: Ray Richardson ]

Where is the Angus King outrage over political tactics? Where is the Maine Democratic Party other than in the SOS's office?Have you checked any rulings or guidance on election law coming from this office? This current abdication of ethics and responsibility requires immediate and summary removal from office. Out damned spot, out I say.m.

Just leaving to vote now, and bringing my 18 yr old to vote for the very first time. Ken's in my district, and from my conversations with my child, he's got 2 votes coming. [A third when my wife gets out of work.]
Why is Dan using his office as a campaign tool? Quite simply, because he can. Timing was considered carefully here as well; no time to mount a vigorous defense. Will anything [beyond possibly being told not to do it again] be done to Dan? Not a chance. Surely misuse of public office, for the purpose of influencing an election, doesn't rise to an impeachable offense.

Angus....it happened on your watch; you are responsible.

I know there are some of you out there who love to tel Dan Gwadosky how you feel.Here is the number to his office, 626-8400, and here is his email .
Remember not to make any calls personal, we are questioning only his professional performance.

You can listen to Sec. Gwadosky's Democrat GOTV message. I've added a link on the AMG home page:http://www.asmainegoes.com

I understand that Senator Paul Davis is introducing legislation to require that the Secretary of State be elected in State-wide elections.

There has not been one negative ad, newspaper ad, phone message or fliar in the Senate District 20 Race from either side.Until this message was sent out, Democrats have used their money to say how great Paul Chizmar is, and Republicans have used their money to say how great Ken Blais is.Secretary of State Dan Gwadosky lied when he talked about negative ads, implying that there has been negative ads paid for by Ken or made on Ken's behalf.Dan Gwadosky should be removed from office!!!

This is very distrubing. How can one run the elections and at the same time be campaigning for people running in those elections. He should not have to be replaced -he should resign. :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad:

So, how many will even bother to let him know your outrage? How many will ask the Governor to rebuke him?

As Mike Tracers so accuratedly states "Because he can". Remember the SoS is not appointed by or under the supervision of the governor. He is an independent constitutional officer. He is not elected by the people - he is a creature of the legislature, more precicely the majority of the legislature.

As a "constitutional" officer, SOS is virtually immune from any type of sanction. The Governor can't, the Legislature won't, and the AG daren't! And, the likelihood of a Paul Davis bill being enacted is about as great as the likelihood of snow in August -- ah, but this is Maine!

Gwadosky was quoted today as saying he was "worried" about low voter turnout because of negative campaigning. Besides using the title of his office in his canned telephone endorsement, the content of that endorsement itself constituted negative campaigning. Although there is plenty that could have been said negatively regarding the District 20 Demcrat candidate, the campaign never strayed in that direction. There were NO negative mailings in District 20. Gwadosky lied. Now he is trying to split hairs in regard to what he said, which was carefully crafted to implicate the Repblican candidate in mudslinging, wihtout actually saying so. What is the meaning of "is", Mr. Secretary of State?

The Democrat Code of Ethics never fails to amaze me.Look at the current AG in AK ~ and the Past one we all know and love to froget about...There really "is" a better America, we just have to exercise our duty.