Comments on: Beware of paid slate mailers

By: Tobi Dragert

Tobi Dragert — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 00:22:39 +0000

Tell us how we can make slate mailers tell the truth.

By: Beware of paid slate mailers, part 2 | Political Blotter

Beware of paid slate mailers, part 2 | Political Blotter — Thu, 03 Jun 2010 22:06:14 +0000

[...] up on last week’s post, here’s more from the shameless slate-mailer file: A “Democratic Voter Guide” hitting local [...]

By: Steve Talh

Steve Talh — Sat, 29 May 2010 20:59:40 +0000

Kelly Moran works closely with another political scam artist named Bill Hemby. Both have been involved with the COPS organization listed on these deceptive slate mailers.

Mr. Hemby was actually named as a defendant in a lawsuit filed by the California Department of Justice, as part of a nationwide sweep called “Operation False Charity.”

Mr. Moran was caught in an embarrassing scandal related to California’s Proposition 8.

You can find more details on how both of these belly-crawlers make hundreds of thousands of dollars by damaging our political process by visiting billhemby.com or petpac.org.

By: Jason C

Jason C — Sat, 29 May 2010 12:38:07 +0000

Yeah right. The Voter Information Guide? A real public service by a Democratic activist? It says Democratic recommendations but then lists Peterson as itts “choice” for DA. Well, Peterson seems to be running as a conservative Republican. So either Peterson will say anything to get elected (which seems to be the case), or the so called Voter Information Guide is not quite the bastion of Democratic activism that Ted thinks it is.

By: Ted Lawrence

Ted Lawrence — Sat, 29 May 2010 02:54:00 +0000

This is really out of place and a misleading column. Slate mailers have been a California phenomenan starting early in the 20th Century because state law wouldn’t allow political parties to endorse and candidates looked for a way to get the word out about what they stood for and started combining resources. Most slates (including specifically the ones you named) are run by longtime activist who could make a lot more money in commercial mail and put these mailers out to help causes they believe in. The Cops Voter Guide has a Board that has to approve all endorsements and Voter Information Guide is published by the father of a former Democratic Assemblyman and represents the point of view of most Democratic elected officials in Sacramento. People that have a gripe with the vendors put them down, but studies have shown that slates which have been around for any length of time are probably among the most effective ways to reach voters because they develop a following and voters want to know who they support. That’s no different than what your newspaper does since I notice every time they endorse they try and sell ads to the candidate they support. Same concept.

By: Lisa Vorderbrueggen

Lisa Vorderbrueggen — Sat, 29 May 2010 00:59:05 +0000

Amen. I’m warning readers in my column on Sunday, too. I have a half-dozen of these mercenary mailers on my desk. Toss them. Into the recycling bin, of course.

By: Bill P.

Bill P. — Fri, 28 May 2010 22:52:21 +0000

I hope that all voters, sooner rather than later, will figure out that these “Information Guides” are really nothing more than junk mail. The default position should be to vote against the “paid appearances” unless independent evidence supports them.

I’ve seen a “VOTER INFORMATION GUIDE FOR DEMOCRATS” by Voter Information Guide of Sherman Oaks. This one includes “paid appearances” by Gavin Newsom for Lt. Gov., Alberto Torrico for Atty. Genl., and Dave Jones for Insurance Commissioner. In addition “Yes on 16″ and “Yes on 17″ paid for their “endorsements.” The Guide apparently gave free “No on 14″ and “No on 15″ slots. For Contra Costa County offices, there were “paid appearances” by Gus Kramer for Assessor, Mark Peterson for District Attorney and David Livingston for Sheriff/Coroner.

The Kramer for Assessor “paid appearance” in the Voter Information Guide says, “Endorsed by Contra Costa Water District President Joe Campbell, County Treasurer & Auditor-Controller.” I’m flabbergasted that incumbent county officials actually would endorse Kramer, who seems to be a case study in what is wrong with county government. Did the County Treasurer and Auditor-Controller really endorse Kramer? If so, they need to be “retired” and/or ousted immediately!