Free Republic named in smear campaign scandal

[Ian David]

I'm sorry if this is a duplicate...

From http://www.crooksandliars.com

Free Republic named in smear campaign!

WaPo: Baltimore Mayor Asks for Apology from Md. Governor
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A10953-2005Feb9.html

Aide fired by Rep. Gov. Ehrlich for spreading false rumors.

Mayor Martin O'Malley and his wife briefly told a crowd of reporters today that they have a faithful, loving marriage, a day after the mayor accused agents of Maryland Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich Jr.'s administration of spreading false rumors that he had an extramarital affair. The emotional press conference came in response to a report in today's Washington Post which disclosed that a longtime aide to Ehrlich, a Republican, had sent e-mails suggesting there was an orchestrated effort to spread a rumor that the mayor had committed adultery.

Ehrlich fired the aide, Joseph Steffen, from his state job last night. And the governor said yesterday he would be open to an independent investigation by the Maryland State Prosecutor to see if Steffen's actions were part of a broader conspiracy to smear the mayor.
<snip>

Just another usual day in republican politics. Is O'Reilly going to do a segment calling on Hugh Hewitt to discuss Free Republic's roll in this scandal? Doubt it.

More:
http://www.crooksandliars.com/2005/02/09.html#a1543

[fertilizeonarbusto]

1. drip, drip drip

Karl Rove says: "Hit them at their strongest point." Their strongest point is the reactionary media. Hit them there repeatedly.

[calimary]

2. So now, we need to keep track of this Joseph Steffen (if that's his

real name) to see where else he turns up. Because these cockroaches tend to crawl away under some rock and hide for awhile, and then reemerge to spread more filth when they think the coast is clear.

[Ian David]

3. Apparently, the Freeper connection is allegedly someone named NCPAC

From FreeRepublic:


"How in the world did they find out he was NCPAC?"

No one can figure that out.

What can I say other than the Governor had no knowledge whatsoever of any postings on FR. For the record, I offered to resign before being asked to do so. And, no, I have not spoken directly with the Governor about any of this.

The Baltimore Sun will be running a piece on this as well on Wednesday. They called Tuesday night and were ready to pin the whole thing on the Governor, and I couldn't let that happen because it simply isn't true. The Governor had no knowledge of anything involving O'Malley or the "rumors."

Also, the Baltimore Sun has a list of FReepers they read off to me to see if I was "also" posting under those screen names. I don't remember all of them, but CrushKerry was one.

It's been one wild ride, FRiends.

46 posted on 02/08/2005 9:29:48 PM PST by NCPAC ("I believe the very heart and soul of conservatism is libertarianism." - Ronald Reagan)

[fooj]

4. These bastards have no ethics whatsoever!

[Dark]

5. Wow. Republicans are just oozing morality. . .n/t

[BikeWriter]

6. Typical GOP lies...