BINGHAMTON – October 29, 2009 – Independent candidate Douglas Walter Drazen is denouncing his opponents’ practices of having people associated with their campaigns or with former local political officials sending letters to the editor, without disclosing their interest or association. Numerous such letters have appeared in the Binghamton Press & Sun-Bulletin this week supporting the other candidates, or attacking Drazen, including one from current Binghamton City Republican Chair Chris Dziedzic, which omits any reference to his status as city chair.
“Having these people pretending to be ordinary citizens spontaneously expressing their opinions about the race is a deliberate effort to manipulate the public. Apparently, they can’t win on the merits, so they will cheat instead “, said Drazen.
Drazen also says if he was out of the race, or the other candidates were comfortably in the lead, such tactics would not be employed.
“Our information from within both major parties is similar to what it was in 2005, which turned out to be accurate, and this current development confirms, we are neck and neck with the incumbent, with the GOP candidate bringing up the rear.”
As to whether this type of campaigning just goes with the territory, Drazen said:
“Falsely accusing me of being against nuns, grandmothers, and kids, I can handle. Mischaracterizing my positions, or even trying to steal my ideas, I can handle, though I don’t like those things. But misleading the electorate in this manner is thoroughly dishonorable, and disrespectable. It deserves no place in politics, and should be exposed for what it is.
###
