The local Colorado Springs media appears to have finally become aware that something is not quite right in the "grassroots" signature drive to place a recall of Colorado Senate President John Morse on the Senate District 11 ballot this fall. A scathing new report last night from NBC affiliate News 5's Jacqui Heinrich puts key questions about the "grassroots" nature of this paid petition effort to rest–and corroborates Kennedy Enterprises' shady history as laid out to voters in radio ads and robocalls this weekend.
The recall effort is targeting those leaders who showed the strongest support for gun control bills, with Senate President John Morse seemingly at the top of the list. His camp is fighting back with a counter-campaign opposing the recall effort, and while it's clear what both sides are trying to do, it's not clear who is behind the recall campaign.
"This is what we do for a living. We travel around the country, we go from city to city, state to state, we put issues and candidates on the ballot for basically anybody who has money," a man who identifies himself as Tracy Taylor can be heard saying on an undercover video El Paso County Democrats say was taken at a training session for signature gatherers at Kennedy Enterprises. They're group that was hired to gather signatures to support recalling Senate President John Morse. In the past few weeks their workers have been seen gathering signatures outside grocery stores and in neighborhoods around Colorado Springs.
"It's absolutely legal, it's just unethical," Kathleen Ricker, Party Chair for the El Paso County Democrats told News 5…
Though Kennedy Enterprises didn't answer News 5's inquiries as to whether they did background checks on current employees, we did confirm the company faced allegations that they did hire criminals including at least one sex offender that was going door to door on a petition issue back in 2008.
As for the organization at least nominally running the show here? Meet Nick Andrasik, gentle viewers!
As it turns out, Kennedy Enterprises was hired by the Basic Freedom Defense Fund, run by Nick Andrasik. Andrasik has been in the news recently for using unsavory language on his blog to describe some pro-gun control politicians– something recall supporters think could distract from the overall message of the campaign. But since B.F.D.F. is a 501C4 organization, Andrasik doesn't have to disclose who is donating money to the cause, although some out-of-staters have announced online that they're funding it.
It's a big relief to see this story, as the facts of this paid recall effort against Sen. Morse and possibly others in retaliation for the passage of gun safety legislation this year have been pretty seriously misrepresented up to now. This story from News 5 captures everything we've been talking about for weeks: from the distasteful and marginal nature of the original organizers complete with Andrasik's overworking the "c-word" describing female legislators, to the mercenary frankness of "consultant" Tracy Taylor at Kennedy Enterprises.
Will it make a difference? That can't be determined yet of course, and Heinrich's report certainly notes that there are plenty of locals willing to complain about Sen. Morse, on and off camera. But opponents of this recall attempt needed to show that their claims about shady, potentially criminal unscreened petition gatherers are not baseless. Furthermore, the above photo of the hirsute Mr. Andrasik entranced by his giant phallic pistol, as shown to thousands of Colorado Springs viewers last night along with his offensive choice of words, isn't going to help the average well-adjusted adult voter find common ground with this recall effort.
This is meaningless.
I have it from a solid source that Morse is toast. Something about being laughed at, then something (insert miracle) and then the recall wins. I am even sure that President Romney is going to show up and support it too.
I agree. Romney in a landslide! Morse is toast, because people who don't even live in Colorado want it that way! It's a coup d'etat for murkin liberty! Christianity and guns are completely compatible! Four legs good, two legs bad! (Or is it "better?")
I'd find this much more encouraging if average Colorado Springs voters weren't so good at demonstrating anything but being well adjusted adult voters.
What a crock. You found a reporter gullible to make what happens in EVERY ELECTION seem scandalous. Good for you!
Fact: Kennedy Enterprises has NEVER FAILED to get something on the ballot. The scare tactics are a failure. Morse is toast!
AHA!
Now all you need is President ROmney or Governor Maes
Tancredoto show up and endorse this and it's all overDo you deny that Kennedy is effective?
Do you deny that petition companies are used in every election by Dems and Republicans?
This smear isn't going to work. It's that simple. Better luck next recall!
Romney in a landslide!
It's not a smear to note that the petition company employees are not unpaid locals and therefore not accurately described as part of a grass roots movement. See in the real world, as opposed to Rightie Wackoland, facts aren't biased nor do they constitute smears. The fact that Johnny does it too is neither here nor there in that regard.
As long as someone pays the bill, this will get on the ballot.
Do you deny that is insufficient to win the recall?
I agree – Kennedy Enterprises is effective at hiring people who are willing to lie to petition signers, falsify their addresses, and fake signatures if it means getting paid and getting a measure on the ballot.
Shenanigans doth never prosper.
For if it prospers, none dare call it shenanigans.
Romney in a Landslide! Four legs good, two legs better!
some people are more equal than others…..
Finally, you admit Republicans lie, cheat and buy votes in "EVERY ELECTION". Thank you.