6 Republicans cancel appearance at LWV event in Traverse City
It might as well be a Democrat forum.
Republican commission candidates in Grand Traverse County Michigan are through with the league of women voters.The league has always been ‘suspect’ but appeared to be respectful, and provided a forum to all candidates with no spoken bias.
However, after CEO of the national League of Women Voters was arrested for engaging in civil disobedience protesting the Kavanaugh nomination, it was clear the illusion of neutrality has been blown. There can be no way that the LWV can be trusted to perform such informational services without bias, and that their ‘neutrality’ is for IRS purposes only.
A press release issued Saturday:
For Immediate release!
October 6, 2018
Contact: Rob Hentschel
Gordie LaPointe
Matt Schoech
Ron Clous
Brad Jewett
Dan LathropIn light of the recent arrest of the national League of Women Voters CEO at an illegal partisan protest in Washington DC, it is hard to imagine the organization can be relied upon to be fair and objective in its treatment to all candidates. Candidates have previously trusted the league to be unbiased in their organization of pre-election forums and debates, and would not have expected such a blatant disregard for law and order, much less a highly biased political play.
While we respect the stated historic mission of the League of Women voters, to encourage informed and active participation in government, the current leadership has chosen to embrace partisan politics. We hope to one day see the League return to it’s core non-partisan values, however, at this time the League of Women Voters is not an organization where candidates can count on an unbiased forum.
Therefore, we candidates have decided to exclude ourselves from any forums or debates held by the league or it’s operatives, and will instead make ourselves available to the public for direct contact and more personal interaction.
On Monday, October 8th at 7:30 PM voters are invited to meet with candidates downstairs at Horizon Books in beautiful downtown Traverse City (243 E. Front Street, Traverse City, MI 49684) for one on one open honest conversations about local issues facing Grand Traverse County. No grandstanding or partisan agendas, just people talking to people in the best interest of our county.
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Clearly, there are other ways to reach the voters.
Three of those commission candidates even appeared this morning on the Ron Jolly Show. Its worth a listen.
The League has chosen its path. Candidates who sign on to the forums only legitimize an organization that uses a facade of fairness and impartiality in their presentation. It is good to see the courage of this group of Republicans and their willingness to challenge what has been the unspoken lie the LWV has been carrying for years.
Perhaps this might be happening nationally?
(15)Nuh Uh.
(1)
One need look no further than
what they did to Michigan Voters back in '95 to see where the League's allegiances really stand.
And say, isn't that the same "non-partisan"
group throwing their support behind Prop 2?
Talk about coincidences!
When I ran as an independant, I was the only candidate to respond to the LWV questions, which were due by a certain and specific date. Much to my surprise--about five days later the other candidate (GOP) was allowed to submit her answers. This publication and its 411 cite, was sometimes the ONLY info many newspapers relied on and often included it's publication as a voter guide. And, indeed, the local paper ignored this race completely. I had a great fiscal policy, and the want to help the public and was aware of missteps in the department which was why I was running. I took a lot of flack from the local GOP, and even the state GOP changed it's policy after this effort. The LWV has broken it's rules way too many times to maintain credibility. I'm GLAD THIS HAPPENED.
LWV just continues to prove that the Nineteenth Amendment is a failed experiment.
The Republicans call it an "illegal partisan protest" incorrectly. Those women were exercising their 1st Amendment right to free speech, as well as other constitutional rights like the right to assemble. Surely they know that!
And THAT is why arrests are made. Gotchas.
So tell me Krista: Where do 1A rights allow for property damage and physical threats?