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MUST READ FROM THE STAR TRIBUNE: “RITCHIE GAVE PUBLIC LIST TO HIS POLITICAL OPERATIVES”
By Michael B. Brodkorb | November 20, 2007
"Minnesota Secretary of State Mark Ritchie now says that he personally gave his campaign a list of participants in a state-sponsored 'civic engagement' program so it could send them a campaign newsletter that asked for a political contribution.
Ritchie, a DFLer, was elected on a platform of de-politicizing the office, which supervises elections. He has been under fire since two Republican activists who attended the office's publicly funded event filed a complaint over having their e-mail addresses turned over to Ritchie's political operation.
Previously, Ritchie had denied knowing how the campaign got the list. He now insists that it solicited contributions only to pay for the newsletter itself. But its text invites recipients to an upcoming campaign fundraiser.
Ritchie said on Tuesday that it was a mistake for his campaign to use the list and took responsibility, saying he has taken measures to ensure that people can easily 'unsubscribe' from the newsletter and that it will from now on contain only news, not solicitations." Source: Star Tribune, November 20, 2007
Click here for the complete story.
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Secretary of State Ritchie is in very serious trouble. Please check back to Minnesota Democrats Exposed for more information on this developing story.
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14 Responses to “MUST READ FROM THE STAR TRIBUNE: “RITCHIE GAVE PUBLIC LIST TO HIS POLITICAL OPERATIVES””
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November 20th, 2007 at 10:34 PM
Great work, MDE!
It’s now clear that Ritchie has lied.
Ritchie is in very serious trouble.
This is Entenza-gate all over again.
Let’s hope Ritchie has some leftover bandages from his medical procedure, as he’s going to need something to stop the bleeding.
Wow.
Stay vigilant, MDE.
November 20th, 2007 at 10:39 PM
He first claimed to have no knowledge regarding how the list was provided to his campaign. Now he says he provided it directly. Looks like Ritchie lied through his teeth.
November 20th, 2007 at 10:45 PM
I regularly check MDE and have followed the Ritchie stroy. In part this is due to my belief that AFSME used an email address tehy required for a dental insurance plan for political purposes.
The Strib article is good except that it conspiciously fails to mention Minnesota Democrats Exposed which has been “dogging” this case since the start.
It should be interesting to see weather democrats demand the same standards to one of their own.
November 20th, 2007 at 10:46 PM
Doctor Dre: Ritchie lied. He has admitted using his official office to fund his political operation.
Ritchie lied.
November 20th, 2007 at 10:54 PM
This is from Mr. Ritchie’s website:
1. You will be able to register and vote with ease, privacy and dignity regardless of where you live, political affiliation, or physical ability.
2. Your votes will be recorded as you intend on a paper ballot. All ballots will be counted accurately and in a timely manner and your personal election information will be protected.
3. All candidates will receive equal treatment and the same information from the Office regardless of political affiliation.
4. The Secretary of State’s Office will be accountable to all Minnesotans for carrying out and protecting our laws
November 20th, 2007 at 11:48 PM
Okay lets see the problems with this version of Ritchie’s statement:
One, he knew the source immediately, but never said it. The only reason he didn’t tell the truth was he didn’t want to admit he did it.
That’s bad by itself, but lets go on.
Two, he takes a list of people from his Secretary of State purpose (which to the best of my knowledge he couldn’t do) for his own purpose. Keep in mind he said his own civic newsletter. He than uses that to raise funds for himself. The person who he trusts to do that than gives it to his campaign which solicits for his campaign. So instead of benefiting just one way, by his own admission he benefits two different ways.
Three, if he wants to take responsibility he has to write a letter to the governor that says I’m resigning as Secretary of State. Until he does that HE ISN’T TAKING RESPONSIBILITY. GOT THAT MR. RITCHIE. TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY YOU HAVE TO RESIGN!!!!!!
Walter Hanson
Minneapolis, MN
November 20th, 2007 at 11:49 PM
Walter: You have been with me on this story since day one. I want to thank you for commenting about Ritchie on Minnesota Democrats Exposed.
November 21st, 2007 at 12:05 AM
Thanks Mike. You want two new possible angles for this story?
One, I’ve told you about the email that I got from Mark Ritchie. Folks this is a line he wrote in his email when I pointed out he hadn’t answered letters from two lawmakers:
“I am not aware of amy letters to our office being ignored. I will check to see if that is case.”
That is obviously a lie. So what else has he been lieing about?
And two, I just noticed this on the email I got from Mark Ritchie. It’s on the bottum and I hadn’t paid attention:
NOTICE: E-mail correspondence to and from the Office of the Secretary of State of Minnesota may be public data subject to the Minnesota Data Practices Act and/or may be disclosed to third parties.
Okay:
Was there a warning on the sign in sheets for these people to know it. If it was a notepad which is what I thought I remember Ritchie was apperently collecting data without giving a warning.
Do the “Safe At Home” people have these warnings. Keep in mind if I’m reading the warning right Ritchie’s office sending them an email can expose their data even if they didn’t expect this according to this logic.
This has to be corrected. Will any DFL lawmakers want to act to put in proper safe guards since Ritchie can’t be trusted!
Walter Hanson
Minneapolis, MN
November 21st, 2007 at 7:30 AM
Who deos Ritchis think he is, Dean Johnson?
November 21st, 2007 at 7:31 AM
Have Tony Sertich take responsibility for the investigation. He’ll put it in the deep freeze of his Rule Committee and Ritchie will get off scott free just like Attorney General Lori Swanson did last session when the legislature voted 129-0 (twice) for an investigation and hearings regarding her hiring and union busting practices.
The DFL culture of corruption is in full swing!
November 21st, 2007 at 8:23 AM
Ritchie won’t resign. He and the DFL will circle the wagons and defend each other. He will probably call Bill “Cold Cash” Jefferson to get expert advice on how to keep the public from learning more about this little “error in judgment”. Never fear, by election time in 2010 it will all be forgotten and Ritchie will be claiming to be the champion of the people again. What a joke!
November 21st, 2007 at 11:26 AM
Corrupt democrats do not resign, they get awards and standing ovations from fellow DFL’ers. Never in any countries history has there been a more corrupt party void of any values.
November 21st, 2007 at 11:27 AM
Given the DFL party’s noted fundraising problems, I can’t help but wonder if this is more widespread than just Ritchie.
November 21st, 2007 at 11:39 AM
Ritchie is saying that this was used for “official” purpose so this e-mail and newsletter was sent and made at our expense! This should be a huge outrage too, Ritche’s campaign should refund the state for this “newsletter” that was published. “The Oct. 22 newsletter, however, invites recipients to an upcoming fundraiser and links to Ritchie’s campaign website for anyone wishing to donate to ‘help me cover my campaign related expenses for this year.’”