Has Anyone Seen This Tactic Before?

[jberryhill]

I received a recorded telephone call from a local (R) candidate, and it sounded like something I'd heard posted here before, but despite use of the search function I can't find it.

The script was that someone has been vandalizing or stealing his campaign signs, and he urges his supporters "not to retaliate against my opponent" as a coy way of accusing his opponent of being responsible for the vandalism or theft. He then instructs his supporters how to obtain replacement signs.

First off, the veiled accusation is pretty clear.

Second, one would think that his supporters know how to get replacement signs and that he knows how to contact his supporters by a method other than phone-spamming every registered voter in the district.

Just to round things out, if anyone has a pointer to this specific tactic being used before, I would appreciate a pointer to it. I've known this candidate personally for decades, and I would like to put the icing on the cake of telling him precisely what a scumbag he is.

[havocmom]

1. Also seems he is suggesting a tactic to his supporters

Keep up informed if people with signs for his opponent start noticing vandalism/theft. Bet dollars to donuts that will kick in now that the bozo has been making calls putting THAT bee in some bonnets.

[derby378]

2. Pete Sessions (R-TX) has gained infamy for vandalizing/stealing signs

He was able to cushion himself somewhat by citing a strange law Texas has that prohibits political signs from being placed in "a public right-of-way." He was then able to claim that he was only doing his civic duty by removing signs from right-of-ways. Smooth move, Ex-Lax.

[jberryhill]

5. It's not about stealing signs...

...it's about NOT having your signs stolen, and then phone spamming your district to accuse the other side of doing it, in an indirect way.

[MadMaddie]

3. What state are you in?

[jberryhill]

4. Delaware

The candidate is Mike Ramone, candidate for Delaware senatorial district 8.