Republican Reed faces GOP wrath over recount decisions

[Twist_U_Up]

The machine rolls on.................

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/politics/2002138732_reed03m.html

OLYMPIA — On Christmas Eve, Secretary of State Sam Reed took a little of what has been precious free time during the gubernatorial recount to e-mail about 25 close advisers he calls his "kitchen cabinet."

Reed told them that his role overseeing the recount — a role that meant the Republican would soon certify the Democrat the victor in the race — had created "some very raw nerves and emotions."

"While I anticipate emotions calming down as time goes by, there are certainly people very angry with me now — including some very good friends and supporters," Reed wrote. He closed by saying any advice would be appreciated.

It wasn't exactly advice he got back a few hours later from his friend of 30 years, John Giese, a Republican political consultant and close adviser to Republican gubernatorial candidate Dino Rossi.

"How convenient to blame 'emotions' for the mass discontent within Republican ranks over your handling of the major legal issues in this gubernatorial recount," Giese wrote to Reed and his fellow members of the kitchen cabinet.

"I am one of those who has no intentions of supporting you in the future either, because you didn't listen."

[coloradodem2005]

1. People can't do their jobs anymore.

I love it. :eyes:

[Nothing Without Hope]

2. Reed deserves support and praise, not abuse

I don't know what else can be done besides writing letters, but here is a man being punished for upholding the law.

The other lesson here IMO is that we need to question assumptions if we start thinking all Republican officials are "Pawns of Satan." That kind of black-and-white thinking is counterproductive in a number of ways.

This topic was discussed earlier today in this thread:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=203x227480

[Pithy Cherub]

3. Another potential Profile in Courage recipient.

At least he can sleep at night knowing what he did relects well upon him!

[pa28]

4. This is so sad.

We know Sam Reed is not biased toward Democrats. That's a given.

He simply followed the law to the letter and refused to fix the election for Rossi. Thank you Sam Reed for not following the corrupt model of Blackwell and Harris. Now brace for the reward . . .

[suffragette]

5. Sam Reed has widespread bipartisan support here.

Heck, even the two Seattle alternate papers endorsed him in his re-election bid.
He's shown himself to be fair.
That's why those around Rossi hate him.

[FreepFryer]

6. a nice sample letter that I would send...

Dear Secretary of State Reed:

I am very sorry to learn of the depth of attacks you are experiencing. To my outside view, it appears that the most vociferous attacks come from those who disagree with the result of your actions in conducting the recount, rather than your actions themselves.

If you honestly feel you did your best, based on the law and your responsibility to the democratic process, and did so not for party but for the civil rights laid out in the Constitution, then you should be comforted to let your record speak for itself.

And if those who would condemn you do so because of the outcome, despite that you acted independently of your party affiliation to ensure a fair vote, then I am also sorry... sorry that you find yourself aligned with such rank partisans.

I wish you well.

Thanks,

[thanatonautos]

7. If we could count on more Secretaries of State talking this way,

"There are people who think I should be using
the position of secretary of state simply to weigh
the scales on the side of my own party. I just don't
accept that, and it would not be proper," he said.

"There are some people who have been dismayed that
I wasn't a Katherine Harris who took the position,
'I'm a Republican, and by God that comes first.' "

then I would feel a lot happier with the crazy system
we have, whereby partisans are put in the position of
running -- or should that be ruining -- our elections
in the first place.

Good for Sam Reed, and I hope he'll do well in the
future.