# Politics Hits Another Low **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [June 4, 2004, 10:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/politics-hits-another-low/248597 "2004-06-04T10:55:46Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![cmason32](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/51bf81/32.png) [@cmason32](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cmason32)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2004, 10:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/politics-hits-another-low/248597/1 "2004-06-04T10:55:46Z")
This might be old news for some of you, but I thought I would post it because I was reading about it again and realized how much it pissed me off. [http://www.suntimes.com/output/elect/cst-nws-sen21.html](http://www.suntimes.com/output/elect/cst-nws-sen21.html) > [@](#): > > SPRINGFIELD – For the past 10 days, U.S. Senate candidate Barack Obama hasn’t been able to go to the bathroom or talk to his wife on his cell phone without having a camera-toting political gofer from his Republican rival filming a few feet away. > > In what has to be a first in Illinois politics, Republican Jack Ryan has assigned one of his campaign workers to record every movement and every word of the state senator while he is in public. > > That means Justin Warfel, armed with a handheld Panasonic digital camcorder, follows Obama to the bathroom door and waits outside. It means Warfel follows Obama as he moves from meeting to meeting in the Capitol. And it means Warfel tails Obama when he drives to his campaign office. > > “It’s standard procedure to record public speeches and things like that,” Obama told reporters as the bald, 20-something operative filmed away. “But to have someone who’s literally following you a foot and a half away, everywhere you go, going into the restrooms, standing outside my office, sitting outside of my office asking my secretary where I am, seems to be getting a little carried away.” > > Warfel interrupted Obama several times with heckling questions, but wouldn’t respond when reporters asked him about who he was and why he was filming Obama’s every move. > > “You’ll have to speak to the campaign office,” Warfel said tartly to practically every inquiry. > > Some senior Republicans were turned off by the tactic. > > “I don’t care if you’re in public life or who you are,” Senate Minority Leader Frank Watson (R-Greenville) said. “You deserve your space, your privacy. I don’t think it’s appropriate.” I understand that people running for office sacrifice some privacy, but this is going too far. Following the guy to the bathroom? Videotaping him while he’s talking to his wife and kids? Some people have no shame - and Ryan is a real asshole for letting this guy do this. Hopefully, people will respond to this ugly politicking by letting Ryan know that such tactics will not help him win the election. I therefore pit you, Jack Ryan, for sanctioning abhorrent behavior against your opponent. ---
**Author:** ![Gorgon\_Heap](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/f475e1/32.png) [@Gorgon\_Heap](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gorgon_Heap)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2004, 11:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/politics-hits-another-low/248597/2 "2004-06-04T11:08:52Z")
In fact, it is downright wrong that this prick ius named after the cool main character in the Tom Clancy books, and I think as punishment for this shitty act he should have to change it. How does “Feckless Votewhore” sound? ---
**Author:** ![Cheesesteak](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cheesesteak/32/3694_2.png) [@Cheesesteak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cheesesteak)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2004, 11:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/politics-hits-another-low/248597/3 "2004-06-04T11:18:29Z")
This just cries out for fighting fire with fire. A staffer endlessly taping the staffer who is endlessly taping the candidate. Maybe follow our buddy Justin home to his VAN down by the RIVER!!! What a worthless existance, damn… ---
**Author:** ![RTA](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b4bc9f/32.png) [@RTA](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTA)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2004, 12:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/politics-hits-another-low/248597/4 "2004-06-04T12:21:37Z")
So a Republican uses a scummy and amoral tactic of meaningless harassment - and we are surprised by this? Obama is going to win that race anyway; success will be his revenge. Meanwhile he should be lauded for his patience, for not quietly asking a few goons to smash the camera and give young Mr. Warfel a major league beat down. … “_That’s_ the _Chicago_ way!” It is a serious and dangerous situation though. A suspicious, angry young man, possibly with white supremacist leanings, stalking a black candidate for Senate … ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Moto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9de0a6/32.png) [@Mr.Moto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Moto)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2004, 1:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/politics-hits-another-low/248597/5 "2004-06-04T13:11:53Z")
I’m a Republican, and I don’t condone this. I join the many Republicans who’ve disavowed this tactic. I’d like to know, though, **RTA** , if you have any evidence of white supremacist leanings. Or is this just a baseless libel against the Ryan campaign. ---
**Author:** ![Master\_Wang-Ka](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/master_wang-ka/32/3325_2.png) [@Master\_Wang-Ka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Master_Wang-Ka)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2004, 1:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/politics-hits-another-low/248597/6 "2004-06-04T13:20:23Z")
Jeez. Reality Show Nation. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Long\_Road](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b5a626/32.png) [@The\_Long\_Road](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Long_Road)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2004, 1:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/politics-hits-another-low/248597/7 "2004-06-04T13:33:03Z")
I have to agree with the fight fire with fire approach. Obama should have staff members not only following Ryan constantly, but his family as well. Assemble protests in front of the guys house. Dig up ex-girlfriends/boyfriends willing to dish up the dirt on his hidden secrets. If this brings up the question, “Should Obama stoop to his level?”, my answer has to be yes. Someone throws a rock at you, you swing a sledge hammer at them. ---
**Author:** ![Squink](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b5e925/32.png) [@Squink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Squink)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2004, 1:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/politics-hits-another-low/248597/8 "2004-06-04T13:35:43Z")
After the story hit the papers, Ryan called off his little stalking operation. ---
**Author:** ![Coldfire](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a587f6/32.png) [@Coldfire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Coldfire)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2004, 1:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/politics-hits-another-low/248597/9 "2004-06-04T13:58:19Z")
> [@RTA](#): > > It is a serious and dangerous situation though. A suspicious, angry young man, possibly with white supremacist leanings, stalking a black candidate for Senate … Wha…? I don’t know anything about this case, so enlighten me - what does race have to do with it? If a white person acts like a jackass towards a black person, is that automatically racism to you? ---
**Author:** ![Zebra](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/c0e974/32.png) [@Zebra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zebra)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2004, 2:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/politics-hits-another-low/248597/10 "2004-06-04T14:18:31Z")
I would fight fire with fire but I would have someone follow the guy doing the taping. Record his behavior and show that to the public. You know someone came up with this idea but this Warfel guy deserves pitting for actually doing it. ---
**Author:** ![Duke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e8c25b/32.png) [@Duke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duke)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2004, 2:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/politics-hits-another-low/248597/11 "2004-06-04T14:30:32Z")
Looks like Jack Ryan ain’t succeeding in his attempt at politics-by-Truman-Show: > [@](#): > > It’s Obama By 22 Lengths! > Illinois U.S. Senate candidate Barack Obama is starting to look more like Smarty Jones as the race against Republican Jack Ryan progresses, extending his lead in the state to 22 points. Ryan, hurt by the public’s negative view of him, is struggling everywhere, with his greatest woes in Chicago, where he trails by 49 points. He also trails by 12 points among white voters, and 87 points among black voters…Though November is months away, Obama’s lead appears to be growing more and more insurmountable. [source](http://www.columbiapoliticalreview.com/filibuster/newhome.asp) I think my GF out in Springfield would just shake her head at this story and say, “Yep.” ---
**Author:** ![DadWagonDriver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/edb3f5/32.png) [@DadWagonDriver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DadWagonDriver)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2004, 2:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/politics-hits-another-low/248597/12 "2004-06-04T14:34:39Z")
> [@Mr. Moto](#): > > I’m a Republican, and I don’t condone this. I join the many Republicans who’ve disavowed this tactic. > > I’d like to know, though, **RTA** , if you have any evidence of white supremacist leanings. Or is this just a baseless libel against the Ryan campaign. My WAG: The dude is described as bald. At 5’11", I can’t stretch that far, personally. ---
**Author:** ![rjung](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/45deac/32.png) [@rjung](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rjung)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2004, 6:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/politics-hits-another-low/248597/13 "2004-06-04T18:08:20Z")
> [@RTA](#): > > So a Republican uses a scummy and amoral tactic of meaningless harassment - and we are surprised by this? I’m not. But then again, that seems to be par for the course for the GOP these days, which has unofficially adopted the position of “Win every election, by hook or by crook.” That’s the biggest advantage they have over the Democrats, who still have something vaguely resembling a conscience. ---
**Author:** ![World\_Eater](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/f04885/32.png) [@World\_Eater](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/World_Eater)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2004, 6:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/politics-hits-another-low/248597/14 "2004-06-04T18:29:53Z")
> [@wmulax93](#): > > My WAG: The dude is described as bald. > > At 5’11", I can’t stretch that far, personally. Wow, if you’re white and bald you’re automatically a racist skinhead? I better go inform some of my friends. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Moto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9de0a6/32.png) [@Mr.Moto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Moto)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2004, 6:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/politics-hits-another-low/248597/15 "2004-06-04T18:49:58Z")
That’s a mighty big brush you’re painting with there, **rjung**. Tell me, was Rep. Dan Rostenkowski an embodiment of that vaunted Democratic conscience? You may recall his mail fraud conviction and his 17 months in the federal pen. Or perhaps Rep. Jim Traficant, convicted and in federal prison right now for racketeering, tax evasion and bribery? Or maybe Georgia state Rep. Billy McKinney, who, when his daughter, Rep. Cynthia McKinney lost reelection, blamed it on the Jews? You really should be careful about throwing such charges around, when they’re so easily rebutted. The Democrats hold no monopoly on conscience, to be sure. ---
**Author:** ![rjung](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/45deac/32.png) [@rjung](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rjung)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2004, 8:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/politics-hits-another-low/248597/16 "2004-06-04T20:35:02Z")
> [@Mr. Moto](#): > > That’s a mighty big brush you’re painting with there, **rjung**. Hey, this _is_ the BBQ Pit… 😉 > [@Mr. Moto](#): > > The Democrats hold no monopoly on conscience, to be sure. I never claimed they did, merely that they haven’t sunken as low as the Republicans … yet. ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2004, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/politics-hits-another-low/248597/17 "2004-06-04T20:52:59Z")
Wouldn’t this violate anti-stalking and/or harassment laws? I’d start hitting on Ryan via the camera. Make remarks about how he’s sooo cute, and that I have a crush on him. ---
**Author:** ![RTA](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b4bc9f/32.png) [@RTA](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTA)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2004, 8:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/politics-hits-another-low/248597/18 "2004-06-04T20:57:17Z")
Sure it may be called a stretch, that’s fair, but I believe that **if** you are a young white conservative who shaves his head clean and volunteers to run aggressive dirty tricks against a black candidate, **then** it is possible your motives may be other than partisan. Possible, like 5-1. Possible, hence my use of the word “possibly”. It is a touchy subject to be sure. But Obama’s safety is paramount; the race for the Senate is as close as ever and nobody wants to see a charismatic bridge-builder like him, a shoo-in for the election, go the way of a Carnahan or a Wellstone. ---
**Author:** ![Squink](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b5e925/32.png) [@Squink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Squink)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2004, 9:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/politics-hits-another-low/248597/19 "2004-06-04T21:51:05Z")
Not to hijack this or anything, but Obama is clear of any links to Osama via [the name game:](http://www.rblevin.net/NameGame.htm) > [@](#): > > Obama Obama Bo Bobama > Banana Fanna Fo Fobama > Fe Fi Mo Mobama > Obama! That’s one less tool that his unscrupulous rivals can use against him. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Moto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9de0a6/32.png) [@Mr.Moto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Moto)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2004, 2:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/politics-hits-another-low/248597/20 "2004-06-05T02:38:32Z")
> [@RTA](#): > > Sure it may be called a stretch, that’s fair, but I believe that **if** you are a young white conservative who shaves his head clean and volunteers to run aggressive dirty tricks against a black candidate, **then** it is possible your motives may be other than partisan. Possible, like 5-1. Possible, hence my use of the word “possibly”. So you’re admitting that your charge has no basis in anything at all, other than your own prejudices. Gotcha. :wally [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/politics-hits-another-low/248597.md?page=2)