ex GOP director sentenced in NH phone jamming case

[maxanne]

http://www.thewmurchannel.com/news/4271989/detail.html


CONCORD, N.H. -- The former executive director of the state Republican Party was sentenced Thursday to seven months in prison for jamming Democratic telephone lines during the 2002 general election.

Chuck McGee pleaded guilty in federal court to conspiring to make anonymous calls to annoy or harass. He also was fined $2,000 and ordered to perform 200 hours of community service. He faced up to 5 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

That sentence is far too light, imo.

State Democratic Chairwoman Kathy Sullivan had written a letter asking that McGee not be sentenced to prison. She said he was a "low-level player" who also had cooperated with Democrats in a jamming-related lawsuit against Republicans. She said more senior Republicans should be held accountable.

WTF?? This is sheer stupidity, the kind the GOP will use against us repeatedly. EVERYONE involved should be held accountable. Kissing GOP ass - once again.

[Warpy]

1. Agreed

Tampering with any level of the electoral process should be considered TREASON, since it strikes at the heart of what a republic is supposed to be.

I don't care how low level this scumbag is. He belongs in PRISON.

[Ray Buckley]

2. Once again???

Oh my God, that is a laugh! "Kathy Sullivan kissing GOP ass once again". That has to be the funniest thing I have read all year.

So I want to understand both of your positions clearly, if one of the Watergate burglars was willing to point fingers to a White House staffer (which could possibly lead to Nixon himself)in exchange for a letter saying he shouldn't serve time (after a previous burglar was sentenced to 5 months in prison and it would be highly unlikely that the Judge would sentence anything less) we should just walk away and say no dice?

I am sorry Maxane and Warpy but that is absurd logic.

McGee just got SEVEN months in federal prison, a fine and two years probation and he fingered Jim Tobin a former top aide to Bill Frist and the Bush campaign. And you say Kathy is kissing GOP Ass???

Give me a break!

You two should kiss Kathy's ass for obsessing about the phone jamming issue every day for two and half years. No person with any bit of knowledge about this case gives Kathy anything but great kudos for her tenacity, skill and determination regarding the phone jamming.

If you two weren't so funny, it would be disgusting at how ungrateful you both are.

[maxanne]

3. Oh, boy

I'm certainly grateful to her for pursuing the issue. However feeding the great Republican sneer machine is a big mistake. From this moment on they'll counter all comments about this case by pointing to Kathy and saying, "SEE - even the Democrats didn't think it was so bad."

[Ray Buckley]

4. "oh yes..."

I will take a GOP sneer any day if it comes with the potential indictment of the US Senate Majority Leader.

If that happens, I hope you will send the Chair a dozen roses with your apology.

[maxanne]

5. Snorts

Potential. We'll just see how that goes. In the meantime, prepare for the disgust of Democrats nationwide. It's already being dissed in California.

I don't owe anyone an apology for anything, Ray. Dissent is not yet outlawed in the US. Heck, even those pesky GOPers don't always march in lockstep, at least not on the state level.

I've learned more from my critics than my sycophants.

[polotuama]

6. MCGEE SENTENCING-- APPROPRIATE

People should decide whether they want a cheap one day thrill or whether they want to use this case to get to the heart of the GOP machine that committed this felony in the first place. I am one of the lawyers doing the phone jamming case for the party and it was i who asked Kathy Sullivan to take this action. It was done to maximize the chances of getting to the heart of the conspiracy and to inflict maximum pain on those responsible. you and anyone can dis me all you like, (talk is free and cheap). But you should lay off Kathy Sullivan, who is virtually solely responsible for keeping the pressure on Tobin and his friends. Everytime you see this story in the papers, you can know that it causes the evildoers great pain- and you should thank Kathy Sullivan and no one else for keeping it alive. McGee is totally inconsequential. I suspect you were all quite happy to see Tobin resign before the election in disgrace. The bill came due today. so grow up. ( and keep fighting).
Paul Twomey

[newyawker99]

7. Hi polotuama!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast: