After reading the Miami Herald and Philip Levine's response to critics, I am afraid I can't support him anymore. I am going with Michael Gongora.
The Miami Herald said Levine is accused of trying to silence critics:
"A political blogger recently faced similar charges after he wrote disparaging reports about Levine."
Many are SLAPP suits, I am not saying that Levine's is a SLAPP suit but rich people use them all the time:
A strategic lawsuit against public participation (SLAPP) is a lawsuit that is intended to censor, intimidate, and silence critics by burdening them with the cost of a legal defense until they abandon their criticism or opposition.
The typical SLAPP plaintiff does not normally expect to win the lawsuit. The plaintiff's goals are accomplished if the defendant succumbs to fear, intimidation, mounting legal costs or simple exhaustion and abandons the criticism. A SLAPP may also intimidate others from participating in the debate. A SLAPP is often preceded by a legal threat. The difficulty is that plaintiffs do not present themselves to the Court admitting that their intent is to censor, intimidate or silence their critics.
I am very disappointed in Levine's tactics. It makes me afraid he will be a bully in office. That is the worst thing that can happen. These are public figures, there shouldn't be a lawsuit. This article has shook my confidence in the candidate.
The reporter got this response from Levine's campaign, another red flag, who does this?:
You are only authorized to write the answers below, verbatim. You are NOT allowed to edit or paraphrase these on the record answers. You can reference the responses as, "Philip Levine’s campaign responded in writing for the record citing concern that The Miami Herald’s bias in this election would result in a distortion of his answers."Miami Beach has a history of nasty attack ads. That is what they do. Randy Hilliard is the king of the attack ad. Get a thicker skin or don't give them so much material to work with.
17 comments:
This is like JC Planas with the ethic complaint stuff against opposition campaigns. It wastes the time and resources. If the campaign was so strong, why bother? Seeing the "verbatim" remark is a real chill factor. Dictating to the press instead of the press writing about issues is almost as bad as AB fraud. These attorneys running up bills on behalf of campaigns and those having to defend them I guess are now a new third rail in the Banana Republic of North Havana!
SLAPP suits ARE used by Rich People, like George Lindeman on Miami Beach against Maggie Hurchalla in Martin County.
Slapp Suits are used by Vice Mayor John Dubois against a few people.
Thank you for your kind words. It is always nice to be appreciated by another lover of the First Amendment.
This is a classic Christian Ulvert and David Custin BS campaign tactic. These guys are really screwing the pooch on this one. I do believe that Levine is a good candidate but is taking totally bad advice from these two ass clowns. On the other hand you have Hilliard, the prince of darkness and Gongora up to their usual slimy tricks. This campaign decision seems to get clearer and clearer by the day, Vote for the pothead, Steve Burke! Puff puff....
The only reasonable response to today's politics is to get high.
At least Miami Beach lives up to its dirt ball reputation consistently. I'd expect nothing less from Miami Beach citizens.
J.C. Planas is not on the side of the angels.
Randy Hilliard is working for Michael Gongora. If there is any negative spin being spread around about Philip Levine look to the Gongora campaign and his consultant, "the Prince of Darkness", Randy Hilliard.
That is why Levine should just ignore it. Miami Beach is immune to Randy's stuff.
Philip Levine's high paid staff thinks they can outsmart Randy Hilliard. They just proved they can't.
Philip Levine needs to fire David Custin and the other lightweights advising him. Custin might have just lost Levine the election with his stupid letter to the Herald.
Levine would not let blogger Elaine De Valle into his press conference calling her a "paid political assassin". The man has an outsized ego.
I wouldn't say Miami Beach is immune. Levine spent over $2 million spewing pictures of his dog while delivering a cotton-candy message with their so-called "positive" commercials. A big part of that budget was spent pissing on Gongora with his "negative" commercials. Once the voters were educated about the truth about Philip Levine, the polling numbers moved dramatically.
Michael Gongora is only still contending in the race because his "campaign guru" Randy Hilliard is better and smarter than Philip Levine's paid staff. Levine should have hired Hilliard. If he had he would be leading by 20 points.
Gongora is now in trouble for forcing the taxpayers to pay for a glossy puff piece sent from his City Hall office. Bad timing? Corruption? Herald has the story.
Slanderous and low brow attacks via opposition ad campaigns are rampant in Miami Beach. I find the mailings and posters disturbing, and even vulgar. I can understand why a PERSON would seek aid from legal counsel. The attacks may be common practice in Miami Beach, but that doesn't mean they should be common. Frankly, your criticisms of the now Mayor Levine are weak... almost as if you had to think really hard for a juicy criticism, but could only string this together. Yawn...
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