September 10, 2013 02:49 PM UTC

Pro-Recall Ad: "Democrat Shenanigans" Killed Mail Ballots

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• by: Colorado Pols

This is an ad which has reportedly running in Senate District 11 for several days. The ad asserts that "due to Democrat shenanigans," voters won't be receiving a mail ballot. The ad instructs viewers to visit polling locations.

As our readers know, mail ballots were indeed halted by a court order this year, but the problem had nothing to do with "Democrat shenanigans." A lawsuit filed by the Libertarian party, on behalf of a candidate who did not even make the ballot, produced the court decision that stopped mail ballots. the defense against that suit included recall campaigns, county clerks involved, and even GOP Secretary of State Scott Gessler–although Gessler backed out of the appeal to the Colorado Supreme Court. Democrats we've talked to are highly suspicious about possible collusion between the GOP and Libertarian plaintiffs, especially after the Secretary of State pulled out of the case.

In any event, to attempt to blame Democrats for the loss of mail ballots, when Democrats were relying on mail ballots to turn out the vote conveniently for their base in these recall elections, is completely ridiculous. If Democrats lose either of these races, any realistic post-mortem is going to view halting mail ballots as one of the key turning points against Democrats.

If that happens, this ad will be insult added to injury.