Capitol Alert: Denham strikes back
 |
Submitted by Brandon on Thu, 2008-04-10 13:22. |
If you've been following the saga of the Jeff Denham recall effort, you'll probably be interested to read this blog entry by Steve Wiegand for the Sacramento Bee's Capitol Alert.
Nothing personal
For those keeping score on SB 1686, it got out of the Senate Public Safety Committee yesterday on a unanimous vote. For those not keeping score, this is a measure by Sen. Jeff Denham, R-Atwater, that would make it a crime for signature-gathering companies to “knowingly” direct or allow people to lie about what they’re gathering signatures for, or lie about whether they are eligible to solicit voters’ John Hancocks on recall, referendum or initiative petitions.
Currently, the law only punishes the actual signature gatherers who transgress state election laws. Under Denham’s bill, their bosses would also face penalties ranging up to $5,000 fines and three-year prison terms.
This may seem a bit esoteric for most – but not Denham. The senator and his supporters are legally challenging tactics used by a Sacramento signature-gathering company hired by the Democrats to circulate recall petitions against Denham.
The recall qualified, and the election is skedded to coincide with the regular June 3 primary. Denham’s sole challenger in the nominally Democratic 12th Senate District is Monterey County Supervisor Simon Salinas, a former Demo assemblyman.
“California is tired of this fraudulent activity,” Denham said in a press release. “These ruthless organizers will be punished for continuing these unethical efforts.”
Unethical efforts in a political campaign – shocking.
Also, today "Friends of Jeff Denham Against the Recall" announced a new ad, featuring former Secretary of State Bill Jones, that will begin appearing on televisions near you. Here it is:
Syndicate
