Damage control
The decision by the Minnehaha County GOP to hold its own legislative coffees hasn’t gone over all that well. Recognizing that, the chief spokespersons for the decision have been spinning things a bit. Backtracking, maybe? Or obfuscating? Or … lying?
Chairwoman Lora Hubbel sent another email to the party in which she explains what she really meant when she and other party officers voted to withdraw from the coffees sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce.
Dear Republicans,
Golly, I get busy for a few days and don’t read the paper and all you-know-what breaks loose. First of all, let me be clear. THERE IS NO BOYCOTT. There was no rebuke from State Party leadership (no one talked to me except the journalist). We are not sponsoring the Chamber event because of all the problems we have had over several years…and the minutes of our meeting will show exactly what we voted on and who all voted for the new forums.
When I was in Pierre, the legislators from across the state would ask me how my weekend cracker barrel or forum was each Monday when we got back…and they were surprised that I didn’t have one since I was “off” that weekend. Hopefully, now we will be as involved in our community as often as most of the State legislators.
Now, on the “off” weekends we will host the legislators that are not involved that week in the Chamber Coffee. For example, if District 11, 13, 15 are going to the Chamber event…we will host District 9, 10, 12, 14 (or however it ends up being opposite of the Chamber schedule) so all are “busy” talking to their constituents that week.
I hope this clears up any confusion and calms a few souls. We have been getting donations for the forums and if you would like to help also please donate to the following:
That’s not accurate. There was never any talk, before Friday, of lawmakers going to the GOP coffees on their off Saturdays. If that was the case, it was never explained to the public.
Here is what Rep. Manny Steele told David Montgomery for this story:
“What we’re trying to do is get our message across, and they have not cooperated whatsoever,” Steele said. “If they can’t be fair about it, then forget them.”
“Forget them.” OK. Also, check out the video of Steele at the Chamber breakfast on the Montgomery story, where he was asked about the issue last week. Does he explain that the GOP forums were only for lawmakers on their off days? No.
That became the spin when the criticism started to mount.
And of course, it had to be the fault of somebody else. Hubbel’s email had this subject line: BAD PRESS — DON’T BELIEVE IT.
Ahh, yes. It the media’s fault. The press isn’t perfect, myself included. But the press isn’t to blame for the Minnehaha County GOP’s PR blunder.
