Curmudgeon's Corner

Darling Vs. Wasserman Race Off To Bad Start...

Posted by Al Campbell on April 11, 2008

Political, Wisconsin

I received a copy of the statement released by Sen. Alberta Darling assailing rumors that were being circulated about her health.  She was angry over reports suggesting she had health problems that would keep her from serving another term.  An earlier article had appeared in 'Milwaukee Magazine' in which it was reported that she was "struggling with health problems".  Apparently the editor of that publication later admitted not having done the necessary fact-checking and published a statement pointing out the mistake.

Rep. Sheldon Wasserman has denied any involvement in this activity and vowed that he would never add such a thing to the race.  He is a physician and should certainly be sensitive to the sanctity of individual health information.  Among other things is a law called HIPAA (the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) that carries heavy financial penalties for any leaks of personal health information.

All this having been said, there is obviously something going on here.  Articles don't just mysteriously find their way onto a printed page.  This is so terribly convenient to have appeared at this point in what could be a very tough campaign.  Voters have been duped time and again with these kinds of 'bogus' issues, and, unfortunately, they sometimes work; hence these tactics continue to be used.

Sen. Darling is Republican.  Rep. Wasserman is Democrat.  From which side of the aisle would such a story be most likely to originate?  How is it that the story became the talk of the day during a briefing conducted by the Wisconsin State Senate Democratic Committee for some 90 lobbyists on April 2nd?

It is all too convenient to make me think anything other than 'dirty trick'.  If Milwaukee Magazine was used, shame on them, but they are journalists and should've had the foresight to further investigate this item before it found its way into their product.  Will we ever know where this article came from?  Unlikely since the magazine is hiding behind  its journalistic need to protect sources. 

Sen. Darling proudly and thankfully discusses the fact that she is a cancer survivor; she keeps up a pace at her age of 63 that would be a challenge for a person of 43.  She has undergone back surgery and indicates that was a success.  I've been around her at events, and I have to tell you there is no indication of anything other than a healthy, engaged and active person.

We will be conducting a back and forth review of the positions of both the incumbent and the challenger in this Blog and that will commence very soon.  I can only hope that civility and honesty will prevail from this point forward in this campaign.  The Democrats would like nothing better than to push the incumbent from office and take over another seat for their majority in the Senate.

Buckle your chin straps.