The New York Observer, August 2nd, 2006
Morgan Ortagus, KT McFarland's usually mild-mannered and sweet-natured spokeswoman, just sent Ryan an angry letter accusing the Spencer campaign of falsely claiming the support of National Republican Senatorial Committee chair Elizabeth Dole.
Here's are a couple of samples:
"The fact that he needs to pretend he has Mrs. Dole's support is a little sad, frankly."
"Trying to gain advantage in the Republican Primary by spreading falsehoods--wrongly using the good name of a prominent and respected U.S. Senator in the process--only belittles your candidate. It makes him look small. Please stop doing it."
The NRSC folks must be thrilled.
(Full text after the jump.)
--Jason Horowitz
August 2, 2006
Mr. Robert Ryan
Spencer for Senate
P.O. Box 864
Yonkers, NY 10702
Dear Mr. Ryan,
I am writing to respectfully request that your candidate and his campaign aides stop dropping Elizabeth Dole's name all over the state. As you well know, Mrs. Dole, who heads the National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC), has not endorsed Mr. Spencer in this race, and it is unbecoming and disingenuous of Mr. Spencer to keep suggesting otherwise. The fact that he needs to pretend he has Mrs. Dole's support is a little sad, frankly.
The NRSC has a long standing policy of not taking sides in Republican primaries. I have spoken with the Communications Director at the NRSC on more than one occasion to confirm that these reports coming from your campaign are untrue, and Rich Galen, a member our campaign team, has spoken with Senator Dole directly about this matter. We were assured in the clearest possible terms that Senator Dole has not endorsed Mr. Spencer, nor will she be making a primary endorsement. That is a matter of strict NRSC policy.
Trying to gain advantage in the Republican Primary by spreading falsehoods--wrongly using the good name of a prominent and respected U.S. Senator in the process--only belittles your candidate. It makes him look small. Please stop doing it.
The NRSC and Senator Dole will not take sides in this primary election. Period. I respectfully ask that you, your staff, candidate and volunteers please stop spreading these untruths.
Sincerely,
Morgan Ortagus
c.c. Members of the Media
