January 18, 2008 07:44 AM UTC

El Paso GOP calls Doug Bruce a Liar

•  
• by: Go Blue

( – promoted by Colorado Pols)

From Colorado Confidential.

Bruce Spanked for “Reckless Attack” On Fellow Republican

The headline ink has barely dried detailing Colorado Springs Rep. Douglas Bruce’s kicking a news photographer during a prayer in the Capitol. Now, Bruce has received a withering public scolding for yet another attack — this time on a fellow Republican — from Greg Garcia, the chairman of the El Paso County GOP.

The latest involves a three-page letter that Bruce issued, attacking Amy Lathen, one of three Republican candidates who are vying to fill Bruce’s seat on the El Paso County Board of Commissioners. Bruce left that office a year before his term was up, to become a state legislator.

The latest involves a three-page letter that Bruce issued, attacking Amy Lathen, one of three Republican candidates who are vying to fill Bruce’s seat on the El Paso County Board of Commissioners. Bruce left that office a year before his term was up, to become a state legislator.

Lathen, a longtime county GOP activist, announced months ago her plans to challenge Bruce in a primary – if he had chosen to run for a second commissioner term. Party insiders have said she is the likely replacement – and many agree that she is certain not to rock the boat among the other four Republican commissioners. A vacancy committee will officially make the selection this Saturday, Jan. 19.

Which brings us to Bruce and his three-page letter (with an attachment), sent last weekend to the 145 members of the vacancy committee.

In the letter, Bruce accuses Lathen of being, among other things, “compulsive and delusional,” being on an ego-trip, a tax-loving liar, a flip-flopper and a Republican In Name Only (RINO) He also makes fun of her, for “proudly [proclaiming]” on her campaign Web site, that she was an “assistant T-ball coach.”

“That is a qualification for public office?” Bruce asks, in his letter.

In October, Garcia, installed a new ethics policy within the county GOP, which calls, among for candidates and campaigns to follow three basic principles:

1.To be honest and truthful

2. To demonstrate integrity

3. To act with respect

On Thursday, Garcia issued the following condemnation of Bruce’s attack:

1-17-2008

Press Statement from Chairman Greg Garcia, El Paso County Republican Party

Mr. Doug Bruce has recently sent a letter to the approximately 145 members of the County Commissioner District 2 Vacancy Committee recommending two of the three candidates, Mike Burton and Ken Bull, and attacking the third candidate, Amy Lathen. After a careful review, it is clear that the letter is in violation of El Paso County Republicans’ stated policy about ethical campaigning.

The statements in the letter personally and recklessly attacking Amy Lathen are not accurate and truthful. They do not communicate his views about the candidate in a respectful manner. The letter does not come close to reflecting the ideal of an honest and open exchange of ideas and a healthy, vigorous debate about the issues of County Commissioner District 2. Mr. Bruce’s letter is not reflective of the way Republican Leaders in El Paso County ought to conduct themselves.

Chairman Garcia will be addressing the vacancy committee meeting on Saturday, January 19, 2008 at Falcon Middle School to communicate his thoughts on this letter. In the meantime we are trying to communicate with Mr. Bruce to try and fully resolve the outstanding issues.