October 16, 2008 09:56 PM UTC

Musgrave's New "Jail Time" Ad Met With Outrage

• 0 Comments
• by: Colorado Pols

A little over a week ago we discussed the “criminal complaint” that embattled CD-4 incumbent Marilyn Musgrave’s district party chair filed against her Democratic opponent. As you recall, it wasn’t executed all that well to say the least, since the guy admitted that Musgrave’s campaign helped him prepare the complaint. It was also the same GOP official who filed a complaint against Musgrave’s 2006 opponent, which was dismissed almost immediately. Cue slowly-rolling eyeballs.

But of course it was a criminal complaint, however baseless or of obviously mercenary origin, which was the barest fact needed for Musgrave to unleash what may be the shrillest, most over-the-top hyperbolic TV spot of the 2008 election cycle.

Five years in prison? Over this cheeseball complaint filed by a political accomplice who admits Musgrave’s campaign ghost-wrote it, guaranteed to be summarily dismissed the moment the Justice Department gets to it a week after the election? Just like the one he filed against Angie Paccione?

On one hand, it’s great political theater. On the other, it’s a deliberate abuse of the process and of the Justice Department’s name for absolutely baseless electioneering horseshit. Our first thought was “there ought to be a law,” but we realize there probably isn’t.

Reaction from both Markey’s friends and media pundits was swift and unequivocal–this goes way too far and needs to backfire for the good of American politics generally. As the Fort Collins Coloradoan reports:

“I think these campaign ads for her have reached a new low in Colorado politics,” Salazar said in a conference call with reporters. “Congresswoman Musgrave should be ashamed of herself and the voters of the 4th Congressional District should be appalled by her blatant disregard for the truth.”

…Democratic Gov. Bill Ritter also criticized Musgrave’s ad, though in less strident language than Salazar.

“I’m disappointed in Congresswoman Musgrave’s dishonest campaign ads. I’ve known Betsy Markey for years. Betsy is above reproach and has always conducted herself with the highest level of integrity,” Ritter said.

Musgrave’s new ad opens with a voice-over that says, “Like the worst on Wall Street, Betsy Markey gamed the system and got rich on taxpayer money. But Millionaire Markey got caught.”

The ad continues, “The Justice Department has been asked to investigate whether Markey broke the law” and said she could face five years in prison. The ad fails to mention that the investigation request came from the Republican Party chairman in the 4th Congressional District. [Pole emphasis]

Colorado State University political scientist John Straayer said Musgrave’s latest ad could boomerang on her.

“Might we conclude that linking Syscom to Wall Street to five years in prison is intimating, if not stating directly, that Markey is a felon?” Straayer said. “If this doesn’t backfire, there really is a pathology infecting our democracy.”

Please, don’t ever whine to us about the Pink Lady ads again.