Flowing Shit In The 38th

As many of our readers know the 38th AD has seen its share of dirty campaigning, usually directed at Democrat Jim Alger. As the most well known of candidates in the 38th, Alger has come under increasingly scathing attacks both on and off this blog. This old, dead, Republican Mayor has learned that in the political arena when a candidate is behind and it doesn't look good, shit, or mud, hits the fan. Witness the desperate attacks by Rocky Delgadillo against his 41 point ahead opponent, Herry Brown.

At a recent LA County Young Democrats event, a supporter of Alger's main primary opponent - Lyn Shaw-Hilfenhaus - shouted at the top of their growing lungs, "Is it true you are a convicted felon?" Alger promptly replied "No, thank you for the question." This came not long after all candidates pledged to not run any negative campaigns and to hold their supporters accountable as well.

The most recent charge lodged against Alger, that he has multiple convictions for check fraud in Duval County Florida appears to stem from a public records search. Working in an industry that makes heavy use of background checks for both our employees and customers, I can tell you that these searche reports come with a disclaimer instructing the user that the information "should be independantly verified" and "not relied upon." The charge against is particularly scathing because Alger has been running a campaign of disclosure, even disclosing his scrape with the law over 10 years ago, a case that was eventually dismissed. It would be a daming indictment of a candidate for public office who would acknowledge one incident but hide another. It would raise concerns of candor, honesty and trustworthyness if it were true.

The Sister City has come into possession of official government documents that show Alger was never arrested for or convicted of anything in the state of Florida whatsoever (click image above). As an old friend once taught me, your opposition research is only as good as the due diligence to which you have approached it. Whoever found what they thought was a gem of a stone to toss at Alger, literally stepped on their, well, you know what.

It amazes me the level of venom that Mr. Alger inspires from a small segment of the local landscape. Indeed, past friends from my days within the Democratic party have contacted me, literally begging us to slam Mr. Alger. But every charge so far just is unfounded. Among other things, the virtiolic, hateful campaign practices of the Democratic party is just one of the reasons I switched my registration to Republican. Some of the comments made about Mr. Alger, his wife and family are just repugnant and those who have made them should be called on the carpet.

If you don't like and agree with a candidate - talk up yours! Its sheer, hateful, nasty political attacks on candidates - like we have seen against Jim Alger - that drives more and more people away from politics and voting.

Shame on you people!