UPDATED: Mysterious phone ad causes stir in governor's race

   LISTEN TO THE CALL

UPDATE: LISTEN TO THE BESHEAR CAMPAIGN'S RESPONSE

Both candidates for governor say they have nothing to do with a mysterious automated phone call being made across the state today that purports to be an endorsement of Democrat Steve Beshear by the "homosexual lobby."

The call does not identify who paid for the message, a potential violation of state election laws. It directs people to visit the web site of the Fairness Campaign, an advocacy group for gay, lesbian, bisexual and trans-gendered individuals.

Although the Fairness Campaign's political action committee has endorsed Beshear, the group says it had nothing to do with the call.

"For the first time in 20 years the homosexual lobby proudly endorses a candidate for governor, Steve Beshear," says the call. "Beshear is receiving major support from out-of-state gay activists."

Anne Ferguson of Danville, who received the phone message, said it is clearly designed to discourage people from voting for Beshear.

"They shouldn't be able to get away with something like this," Furguson said. "This is the ugliest thing I've heard in an election probably in my lifetime."

Darryl Weaver of Lexington called the message "a dirty trick."

The message says Beshear is "publicly committed to same-gender relationships; employment of more homosexuals in state government, including teachers; and support for homosexual adoption of children."

"If you believe these rights are fair, vote for Steve Beshear for governor," says the ad.

Spokespeople for Beshear and Republican Gov. Ernie Fletcher said they were not responsible for the call and do not know who is responsible.

UPDATE 1:10 p.m.: Here are the reactions from the different sides.

The Fairness Campaign, in Louisville, which runs the Web site referenced in the call: "It is not us. We are trying to find out who is making these calls and where they're coming from. We think the calls are a sad attempt at this late moment to change the vote using a fear tactic," said Darnell Johnson, organizational manager.

The Beshear campaign: "Obviously it's panic time for the Fletcher camp," said spokeswoman Vicki Glass. Beshear "welcomes the support of all Kentuckians," but he has stated that -- according to his religious beliefs -- marriage is between a man and a woman, and he would not give special preferences to any group as governor.

The Fletcher campaign: "I don't know who would be impersonating the Fairness Campaign," said spokesman Jason Keller. "Obviously we wouldn't support anybody misrepresenting themselves in a call." Having said that, Keller added that the Fairness Campaign's political action committee did endorse Beshear, and "certainly there's a fair question to be asked there."

UPDATE 6:05 p.m.: Beshear's campaign has put out an automated phone message responding to the anonymous ad.

"Ernie Fletcher is spreading lies to scare you," says Rev. John Dunaway, a retired Baptist minister who has volunteered in the Beshear campaign. "Don't fall for the last-minute dirty tricks."

- John Stamper and John Cheves

Comments

I hope all the Ernie supporters will be on here tomorrow after the election. It will be fun to discuss the results with you.

Wonder why attack ads by republicans are seen as at the direction of Ernie but those by democrats are from unnamed persons?

I do not care who wins as long as Greg Stumbo goes to jail - the most dishonest politician in Kentucky.

[Bill Adkins]

Here's one for you - Martin Cothran has interpreted Ernest Fletcher's position as to several issues by juxtaposing them against those Cothran attributes to Steve Beshear. Ernest's positions are as follows:

1. Support discrimination in employment, housing and public accommodations.
2. Oppose adoption of children by loving families regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.
3. Sign an executive order requiring discrimination in state government.
4. Oppose recognition of same-gender relationships.
5. Support and sign anti-fairness legislation.

I hope that clarifies it for all of you and helps you decide accordingly. It's always helpful when bigots acknowledge just who they are. For Cothran's original post, see here. http://merepolitics.typepad.com/weblog/2007/11/alessi-leaves-o.html#comments

[John Kraft]

This reminds me of the 1960 Presidential race when voters in South Carolina were called to tell them if John J. Kennedy won there would be a set of rosary beads added to the Statue of Liberty. It resulted in a lot of sympathy votes for JFK because of this despicable charge. Trouble was the phone calls were made by the Kennedy campaign.

Beshear4sure 2:10 - "I have said it before I'll say it again. Fletcher gives church folks a bad name. However there is a place for Republicans who only use the church to get votes. It is call Hell."

Yeah, but it's perfectly okay to exploit the black vote for years and years like the Democrats have? I guess we'll all be together burning for eternity.

[Joyce]

Well, Govenor Fletcher is the best man for the job. Steve B. has problems with knowing the truth and right from wrong. Raised by a preacher and he is for" gambling and gay rights". Everything he has said he would do in office, Govenor Fletcher is doing and I think Govenor Fletcher is the right man to continue and will do more for our State than Steve B. could ever do. The Democrats were in office over 20 years and tied up everything and kept our State in a mess. Govenor Fletcher has done more and will do more than any Steve B. could ever do

[Joyce]

Well, Govenor Fletcher is the best man for the job. Steve B. has problems with knowing the truth and right from wrong. Raised by a preacher and he is for" gambling and gay rights". Everything he has said he would do in office, Govenor Fletcher is doing and I think Govenor Fletcher is the right man to continue and will do more for our State than Steve B. could ever do. The Democrats were in office over 20 years and tied up everything and kept our State in a mess. Govenor Fletcher has done more and will do more than any Steve B. could ever do

Beshear4sure 2:10 - "I have said it before I'll say it again. Fletcher gives church folks a bad name. However there is a place for Republicans who only use the church to get votes. It is call Hell."

This person is an idiot

Looks like Beshear is having buyer's remorse for this endorsement. Too Liberal For Kentucky!

[Andrew Sandfoss]

These tactics are the lowest kind of slime. It reminds of Ohio governors race last year when Blackwell tried to smear Strickland in the last few weeks. But it has had an effect on my vote. I was going to vote for Trey Grayson and Richie Farmer but if these are the kind of people they like to hang out with, if they as Republicans approve of such goings on, then to hell with them too. Good going, GOP, instead of getting a Fletcher vote, you just lost Trey a vote (hopefully more than one).

Beshear was way too quick to jump on the "Blame Wagon". Methinks he planned the whole thing.

7:55, let's get the Attorney General to subpoena some phone records, and find out who's making these illegal calls. And let's send their as$ to jail, no matter who they are.

We got that silly fear-mongering call from that strange group. I feel sorry for the Fletcher people because they just don't know any better. They thrive on dividing Kentuckians.

They tried to divide on health insurance in 2004, they tried to divide on labor unions, they tried to divide on the same sex amendment, they try to divide on private matters from abortion to gender, they try to divide on religion and they've spent all 4 years dividing by class.

The great result is even with all that division they've actually unified a wide segment of voters from progressives and liberals to libertarians, traditional Republicans, Yellow Dogs, moderates, business conservatives, independents and even evangelicals.

Thank God for such unification.

5:13 I did not say who was going to win, Nasty is going to win, I think you know what I mean.

[KyDem]

Pitiful Trash, even for little Ernie. We laughed at this first grade garbage. I hope Steve beats him by 30 points. One great thing, there won't be another Repug Governor for 20 years.

This has Beshear written all over it.

[Jay]

This is one Democrat who just got angry - I had liked Fletcher, but had been amazed at his ineptitude. Now he has crossed the line, and has made this state look like the worst of stereotypes in the process. You and your bunch are going down tomorrow, Governor, and after tomorrow we'll set our sights on Mitch...if you thought the rumors of "San Francisco Treats" this time around were fun, Republicans, you just wait until Larry Flynt's done with your boy.

[David]

I love this state. I was born and raised here, and I will bleed blue until the day I die. However, I am sick and tired of people in the state being afraid of homosexuals. Why should it matter that the Fairness campaign endorsed Beshear? When is the Republican party going to find someone else to blame for the problems of this state. Ask yourself this, how many homosexauls have ran this state....NONE!!!!!! It has been run by straight people, and for some reason many of them are scared to death of gays. I am gay, I pay my taxes, and pay taxes for straight peoples children to attend school. Stop telling me that I don't matter and shouldn't have a voice. Maybe the Republicans and right wing need to focus of something that really matters...healthcare, poverty, jobs, education, environment, just to name a few. And for those of you that worry about Kentucky becoming the next San Francisco, you can stop. Most of us that are gay really like to live in a place where we are excepted for who we are, not a place that promotes hate. So see, since our leaders have allowed Kentucky to fall in the latter category you have nothing to fear.

Beshear is running from this endorsement.

Fletcher is running from this upcoming criminal indictment for campaign law violations.

How to go from just losing an election to spending time in the penitentiary? Just ask Ernie!

[observer]

when did Karl Rove move to kentucky?

He will serve his time when Patton does.

Someone broke the rules and should be punished. But until we have proof who it was, stop the blame game! However, the message actually appears to be true!

I cannot believe that Kentuckians could actually elect a liberal pro-gay, pro-abortion, pro-gambling, pro-big government lawyer like Beshear! The hiring mess was a set-up! Vote for Fletcher...not perfect, but by far the better man!!

David, 'homophobia' is a widely misused term. No one is afraid of homosexuals.

Remember this Trey and Farmer. Beginnig tommorow I will vote my first straight Democratic ticket and I will never vote for you or any member of your party ever again

[Kenneth]

It does not appear to me that Ernie is misrepresenting himself as Christian. I think he is a credit to the State of KY. I'm excited about the Games in 2010 and the plans that are being made to 'show off' Lexington and surrounding counties.

I'm a Democrat voting for THE MAN Ernie Fletcher in the morning.

[Kenneth]

It doesn't appear to me that Ernie is untruthful or not a Christian.

Tomorrow, I am voting for Ernie. Not because of any ads that I've heard or watched. He is a strong leader doing positive things for Kentucky.

Is it too much to ask of leaders to put politics aside and do the 'right' things.

I'm a Democrat but I'm voting for THE MAN Earnie Fletcher in the morning.

[Bonzo2007]

This kind of tactic came straight out of Karl Rove's play book. The republicans can deny responsibility all they want to, but I'd be willing to be there's a connection somewhere. Ern's campaign has not been able to get traction on any other issue, so its time to pull the "queer card" in a last desperate attempt to win the election.

I came home this evening and had this obnoxious message on my answering machine and felt insulted that some moron would actually think I'd vote for Ern based on this idiotic ad. Say goodbye Ern.

Good night, Ernie. Wake up tomorrow to Morning in Kentucky, when Hope is Reborn, and the great Commonwealth of Kentucky votes you off the island.

JFK pulled a similar stunt. This is a liberal trick.

Yep. This is old school Democratic tactics.

[Rob]

I dont support illegal phone calls where they dont state who paid for them, however that being said no one in the Democratic Party seems upset about that. They are more upset about what they ads say. They say that Democrats support Gay Rights. Democrats DO support Gay Rights. So what exactly is the problem here? Wait could it be that Democrats are afraid people in Kentucky may find out thy support Gay Rights? Nahh. That cant be the problem. After all we always know where Democrats stand on all issues............. Okay point made nevermind.

[Duh]

Am I missing something here? When all legitimate polls show Brashear with major leads, why would he need to put out a robocall that could potentially offend those voters who are conservatives? If a call comes out and no one claims it, you can bet that it is not from the front runner. I got one of the calls and have never been more offended.

[Duh]

Re-do: I meant to say not conservatives, isn't it amazing how a little word can change all meaning.

I just can't believe Ernie Fletcher has been dumb enough to parlay an election loss into criminal charges with stuff like this.

Aside from the state charges, don't using phone calls like this also bring in federal criminal jusisdiction?

[jimmy]

Hey, Eddyville needs a good doctor.

The general assembly is going to see a prefiled bill very soon that will allow same sex marriage in ky.

10:31, that's hilarious. Did you come up with that one on your own? Beshear has stated over and over again that he is against same sex marriage. That's why he is refuting these calls, because they state otherwise, which is a lie.

[Observer]

Steve Beshear is "the other guy" in this thing. It has been Fletcher's campaign and record as governor that has been driving this thing into the democrats' laps.

For those of you stating there was progress, for believing Fletcher's a good Christian, or thinking that this has all been a democratic smear campaign, just google up some historical facts on Fletcher's administration to set yourself straight. Specifically, Martha - Fletcher didn't avoid conviction because Stumbo couldn't make it stick, Fletcher avoided conviction as a plea deal to drop the charges, in which he "regretfully admitted to making errors in judgment" in regards to politically appointing and firing government employees.

So, Kentucky, if "the other guy" is even remotely less crooked, you're coming out ahead.

11:04, it will destroy any chances Dems have for taking back the Senate. And it will turn rural voters away from a couple dems in the house. beshear will stay away from it, but several people in his administration will help it along.