Thursday, July 27, 2006

"Klinefan" unmasked

Rather than engage in an open discussion about the issues, Congressman John Kline has resorted again to hiring people and recruiting volunteers to anonymously attack for him.

"Klinefan" a frequent (and impolite) poster to this blog has been posting his comments from the same ip address that hosts John Kline's re-election website!

Kline campaign spokesperson, Marcus Esmay, who recently sent a letter to the Star-Tribune that uses much of the same arguments in "Klinefan's" postings says he was also the only one who was in Kline's Burnsville campaign headquarters during Klinefan's most recent postings. When I called, Mr. Esmay said he had nothing to do with the postings. Coincidentally, "Klinefan" logged off the site within minutes of Mr. Esmay hanging up the phone. Draw your own conclusions.

John Kline has used anonymous bloggers to attack Coleen Rowley in the past. Michael Brodkorb made frequent anonymous attacks on Rowley as "MDE" until he was sued for libel and was forced to unmask. Brodkorb also happens to be the Republican Chair of Senate District 38, which coordinates Kline's campaign in the Eagan/Burnsville area. As we've reported before, Brodkorb is also on the payroll of a company that does work for John Kline's campaign and is also a paid consultant to the Mark Kennedy campaign.

Minnesota doesn't need a Congressman who resorts to this sort of premeditated skullduggery. It's one more reason to dump him and bring in someone who doesn't leave their ethics at the campaign door.

4 comments:

Rook said...

Great catch!

DeKlined said...

To clarify, we DON'T accept anonymous comments. (Hence the word verification for posting) However blogger accepts people creating their own IDs... so people can try to hide their ID if they wish.

Klinefan was not trying to hide his ID. He was trying to hide his motives. That deserves unmasking. He's also harassed one other member of dumpkline by publishing not only her name, but employer.

This is not an uncommon tactic with paid Republican bloggers. Michael Brodkorb has attempted to do the same with other anonymous bloggers...quizzing them for their employer's name. Unless you're employed by a campaign (as Brodkorb is), who's business is it really?

lloydletta said...

Campaign staff should know better than this. In my opinion, the ethical thing for campaign staff to do, is to comment using their real names - and be honest about their affiliation.

Anonymous said...

You mean bring in a liberal neo-supremecist righteous Democrat???? NAHHHHHHHH bad idea.