By Antonio D. French
Filed Wednesday, July 12, 2006 at 8:54 PM
John Cross, of The Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now (A.C.O.R.N.), has been acting as a psuedo Director of Communications for the El-Amin for State Senate campaign, writing and faxing press releases and getting the word out to "the community" about various campaign events. Today, Team El-Amin's need for a real D.O.C. was once again blast-faxed across the 4th District. Labels: ACORN, Commercials
Dave Drebes of the Arch City Chronicle, a longtime supporter of Jeff Smith, one of El-Amin's four opponents in the August 8 election, published a press release written by Cross that refers to Smith, who is white, as "the known Caucasian candidate."
The release then states that polled voters in the mostly black district changed their support from Smith to El-Amin, who is black, after they "learned more about the candidates," suggesting that the poll may have been a push poll, a technique in which a campaign attempts to influence or alter the view of respondents under the guise of conducting a real poll. According to Wikipedia, the mildest forms of push polling are designed merely to remind voters of a particular issue -- such as race.
Cross' communications skills have been called into question before. After Team El-Amin was hit by a double dose of "baby mama drama" and a politically tainted Channel 5 reporter, Cross was put in charge of notifying the media of the campaign's press conference which came four days after the KSDK report. PUB DEF and representatives from The St. Louis Argus, co-owned by El-Amin's father, were the only media that covered at the event.
With 27 days left in this close campaign, there's still time for a change in message -- and messenger.
32 Comments:
Antonio my man, I was just about to shoot you an e and post regarding the same matter. Did you know that John Cross is also moonlighting as SEIU Local 2000 Political Director? In all my years, I have never seen a union official, not rank and file, be the contact for a campaign press release. Very fishy. Given Cross' highly checkered past, he was fired by SEIU State Council for unethical and borderline illegal activities and has an unsavory reputation amongst many union members I know. Now he is colluding with a candidate (and her dead beat dad husband) who claim to be devout Muslims (a religion that promotes peace) to proliferate this type of hate mongering that is a poor influence on the youth in our community. Is this what we want or need in our elected officials? I think not. Heck, Bill Haas destroying Rep. Hubbard's signs and even calling his residence incessantly, harrassing his family, pales by comparison. Although with Haas you just never know when he WILL snap.
7/12/2006 10:41 PM
There is probably an explanation for this ridiculous e-mail, but this calls into question the decision making ability of Senatorial Candidate Yaphett El-Amin.
Why would you allow someone to send out an inflammatory e-mail like that? You talk about your attention to detail and your strong voice for a strong community. Where was that strong voice to stop this e-mail from going out to the media community?
This is an embarrassment for the black people that have been supporting you, and after today it is obvious that you are not ready to be a Senator to lead the people of the your District!
Rep. El-Amin you should be ashamed of yourself for allowing this type of rhetoric to go out with your name attached to it. This is simply unforgivable and shows a lack of good sense. What are black people to do now? I am dissappointed with you!
Damn! Damn! Damn!
7/12/2006 11:33 PM
Lets get real. The problem is not the messenger but it's the candidate, Rep. El Amin and her husband she is trying to get elected to replace her. The two of them never seem to be far from scandal and the kind of hatred and divisiveness that we need to stamp out in our community. El-Amin will never be an effective representative for our district because she will spend most of her time as she has in this campaign battling scandal and preaching division. This is a recipe for someone who will get NOTHING DONE for the people of the 4th district. We need to move FORWARD not backward. We need leadership that will battle Blunt, be effective for the district and bring us together.
Is it really suprising that the two of them are associating with such unsavory charecters. It's impossible to agree on everything with everyone in this race but in Amber Boykins, Kenny Jones, Jeff Smith and Derio Gambaro we have 4 very well qualified candidates to go down to Jefferson City to represent us. I have my own views on who is best but lets make sure we don't elect someone so out of control with an agenda for hatred and power for their family.
I would love to know who conducted this "push poll", who they called and the questions they asked. I suspect that would shed further light on what is going on here.
7/13/2006 7:45 AM
I wholly concur with both anonymous comments. It sickens and saddens me when we see this type of example being set for our youth--the next generation of leaders in our country. How are we ever going to close the racial divide with people like this promoting this type of agenda. Shame. Shame. Shame.
7/13/2006 8:05 AM
^
Its called copy and paste into word processor.
The push poll is another tactic used by politicians to get into office. Misinformation is a tactic. An idealistic dream of mine is the end of negative campaigning. If a candiate cannot win without attacking the opponent personally, then what does that say about the attacker? Does this person have any new ideas, or is he only able to play upon the fears of the people?
7/13/2006 11:00 AM
It is glaringly obvious what Candidate El-Amin's next step should be: withdraw and support Candidate Kenny Jones. Candidate El-Amin is obviously neither willing nor able to represent the people of the 4th State Senate District. And, since the candidate reportedly can't stand Candidate Boykins, and obviously won't support a candidate of another race, she can feel secure in supporting Candidate Kenny Jones. Her withdrawl would be a positive message to the community, as would her support of Candidate Kenny Jones.
7/13/2006 11:03 AM
I am sorry but support for Kenny Jones is just a silly concept. If people are going to get after Yaphett for what they percieve as wrong doing, they need to get after Kenny for percieved wrong doing in his recall attempt of Alderman Boyd.
7/13/2006 11:10 AM
The race is going to be close.
Smith will not win by a landslide.
All of the bases are pretty divided, but Jeff should win by a fair margin, but not a majority.
7/13/2006 11:44 AM
Gambaro is certainly playing the race card. A recent mailing to Southwest City reads in big letters above Derio's mug, "From Your Neighborhood," hinting how Jeff is a County trsanplant and other opponents aren't southsiders.
So El-Amin isn't that different in pointing out the racial differences of her opponents. Yaphett is just likely pissed that she's an "unknown African-American."
7/13/2006 4:14 PM
A neighborhood does not equate to your race anonymous, a neighborhood relates to your geographic location. An example would be North, South, East, and West St. Louis by chance. So Derio Gambaro was not playing the race card, he was playing the geography card!
7/13/2006 4:57 PM
When the Missouri Bakery is your address... your Neighborhood is Italian (white).
7/13/2006 5:45 PM
The Missouri Baking Co is not Derio's address. In fact, Derio doesn't even work there. (Even though Missouri Baking Co is his family's business and he works for his brother, MBC is not the family business (or the brother) that he works for.)
There are reasons not to support Derio (notably because he is too conservative for the district), but playing the race card is not one of those reasons. Let's play fair.
7/13/2006 9:00 PM
There has been some speculation and commentary that the press release in question was the work of John Cross, not Yaphett, and that Yaphett is not to blame for the cross words (terrible pun intended). That works for maybe a day, giving the candidate a reasonable opportunity to disavow the message and apologize. If that hasn't happened, the candidate bears full responsiblility.
7/13/2006 9:03 PM
Oracle,
I'm sure you recall that it took several days for the candidate's husband to respond to claims that he was a deadbeat dad. So, either Candidate El-Amin full supports the language in the press release, or the political machine is trying to find a way to spin this mess into something positive.
7/13/2006 10:52 PM
Or it's like I said, Travis. They have a horrible communications component to their campaign.
That's usually a problem in smaller, less funded campaigns -- which many of the people on Team El-Amin are used to.
It's definately a problem. But it doesn't have to be a fatal problem -- if they make moves immediately to correct it going into the last 3 weeks.
I know you've got a horse in this race, but from the perspective of those of us who'd like to see some top notch campaigning going in the home stretch, it's like fingernails on a chalk board everytime I hear a campaign delivering bad message.
7/13/2006 11:08 PM
Antonio, lets get real about this situation. The problem is the El-Amin family and their can't see the forest for the trees approach. They will do anything to win this election because it is all or nothing. Remember, nothing giving nothing leaves nothing, gotta give something if you want to be in politics! Nobody who is in their right mind would think that they can run everybody for political office everywhere and not give up anything or considering backing anyone anywhere and still be viewed as a fair group of people.
What the hell do you really think about the voters in North St. Louis? Do you think that we are a bunch of blind dumb sheep with wool over our eyes? Hell no, we no greediness when we see it, and there is some greediness going on in the Team El-Amin and Nasheen camps.
We are not going that way in North St. Louis, and we are not going that way ever again. Give a poltician a inch, and they will try to take it all and more!
7/14/2006 12:52 AM
Every candidate in this race represents some type of power and influence, so Jeff Smith is no different. However, Jeff Smith better be worried about Derio Gambaro because has captured at least half of the 2nd Ward voters,and the 6th Ward voters, 7th Ward voters, 8th Ward voters, 9th Ward voters, 11th Ward voters, 16th Ward voters, 23rd Ward voters, 24th Ward Voters, 25th Ward voters.
7/14/2006 1:03 AM
Antonio:
First, I do not have a horse in this race, as I do not work for any of these candidates. I do have full faith and confidence in Jeff Smith, but I have no vested interest in his winning. I merely believe that Jeff Smith would be the best State Senator of those running in this race.
More importantly, I must disagree with you in that I believe Candidate El-Amin's divisive politics and scare tactics are fatal, not only to her campaign, but also to the city. As several posters here have pointed out, voters see through her tactics, such as divisive push polls and paid protesters. And, as her own poll shows, the residents of the 4th are squarely in support of Jeff Smith for Senate.
The most appropriate course of action for Candidate El-Amin to take at this point would be to withdraw and support Kenny Jones for reasons I've already explained in my first post.
Barring that, she should bring you on board as her Director of Communications, as you could keep her on message, and your cooler head might prevail at her headquarters.
7/14/2006 4:58 AM
Travis, clearly rooting for one candidate to win is "having a horse in the race." I don't mean you work for the Smith campaign. I just mean you've made up your mind about who you want to see win.
Is that inaccurate?
Secondly, your suggestion that Yaphett El-Amin drop out of the race and support Kenny Jones is rediculous since:
(1) your objections aside, El-Amin still has an excellent chance of getting the 1st or 2nd highest number of votes on August 8, and
(2) your suggestion is based on the rediculous assertion that she "obviously won't support a candidate of another race."
When did you start watching city politics? While El-Amin and many other black elected officials strive for a more proportional representation of blacks in elected office, she's been a "good Democrat" and supported dozens of white candidates -- including, I believe, the last campaign of the white man currently representing the 4th Senatorial District.
So whose playing race politics here? The candidate who gets the wrong guy to write a press release that is simply trying to say that she is the black candidate with the best chance of beating the white frontrunner, or the supporters of that frontrunner who are trying to characterize his opponent as an angry, racist black Muslim?
Just keeping everybody honest.
7/14/2006 7:10 AM
Anon, right above Travis, most of the wards you mentioned aren't even in this district. What the heck are you talking about?
7/14/2006 7:14 AM
The part you left out of my quote is the word "suggesting." The thing that suggests a push poll is the disasterously worded press release.
And I don't know if "her campaign tries to offload responsibility on others." I haven't heard a word from her campaign about the matter. Which I think is stupid.
7/14/2006 10:42 AM
Antonio:
I'd like to address with you something that gravely concerns me about your response to my earlier post. In your response you state that there are those that are characterizing Candidate El-Amin as, "...an angry, racist black Muslim[.]" For the record, I'd like to state that I've never referred to Candidate El-Amin as angry, racist, black, or Muslim.
While I do believe that in her win-at-all-costs attempt to claim this seat she and her camp have played divisive politics, this is a gross misrepresentation of my positions. For yet another time, let me declare that it does not matter to me the race of a candidate, the gender of a candidate, the sexual preference of a candidate, the religion of a candidate.
What does matter to me is that a candidate is able to put forth good policy, a plan of action to enact that policy, and is able to represent ALL of the candidate's constituents. Clearly, Candidate El-Amin cannot or will not represent all of her constituents because of her beliefs. It is for that reason, among others, that she should not be elected to this seat.
Merely because she has a good chance at winning, by your estimation not mine, does not mean she should occupy that office. (Frankly, I think she will take 3rd at this point, and lucky at that if the voter backlash doesn't really go after her.) But she should bow out of the race because she would possibly be the worst of the candidates in this race in representing her constituency as a whole, not because of her race, but because of her policies.
So, I call on all candidates in this race and all those interested parties watching and commenting on this race to drop the divisive politics of yore, and to, instead, focus on the issues at hand--crime, social services, education, etc.
7/14/2006 11:05 AM
Antonio:
I'd like to address with you something that gravely concerns me about your response to my earlier post. In your response you state that there are those that are characterizing Candidate El-Amin as, "...an angry, racist black Muslim[.]" For the record, I'd like to state that I've never referred to Candidate El-Amin as angry, racist, black, or Muslim.
While I do believe that in her win-at-all-costs attempt to claim this seat she and her camp have played divisive politics, this is a gross misrepresentation of my positions. For yet another time, let me declare that it does not matter to me the race of a candidate, the gender of a candidate, the sexual preference of a candidate, the religion of a candidate.
What does matter to me is that a candidate is able to put forth good policy, a plan of action to enact that policy, and is able to represent ALL of the candidate's constituents. Clearly, Candidate El-Amin cannot or will not represent all of her constituents because of her beliefs. It is for that reason, among others, that she should not be elected to this seat.
Merely because she has a good chance at winning, by your estimation not mine, does not mean she should occupy that office. (Frankly, I think she will take 3rd at this point, and lucky at that if the voter backlash doesn't really go after her.) But she should bow out of the race because she would possibly be the worst of the candidates in this race in representing her constituency as a whole, not because of her race, but because of her policies.
So, I call on all candidates in this race and all those interested parties watching and commenting on this race to drop the divisive politics of yore, and to, instead, focus on the issues at hand--crime, social services, education, etc.
7/14/2006 11:06 AM
Sorry for the double post, web problems.
7/14/2006 11:08 AM
josh--no you don't say--you work on campaigns? Which ones? Oh you answered that one--only those which have no substance, serious discussion of serious public policy issues, retail politicking and actually talking to voters and having intelligent exchanges, and rely solely on hate mongering, scare tactics and pure negativity. Good job bro! We need more of you.
7/14/2006 1:38 PM
Wiese--does the clifton heights neighborhood association tax paying residents know your m.o.? Better not let them know they may revolt against you.
7/14/2006 1:40 PM
Bubba:
Usually you and I seem to agree on issues, but your picking on Josh is off-base here. Josh is actually very popular within the CHNA, as I hear it, and narrowly lost out on being elected Committeeman of the 24th ward. Josh is a progressive Democrat, and I believe feels as you and I do on many issues. I think he was merely expressing his professional opinion, seeing as politics is his career.
I think you have a great many ideas to offer without sinking to the level of name-calling. It only serves to discredit your ideas when you do.
7/14/2006 2:15 PM
I am sure that Josh just forgot to say- when running a campaign against Republicans... He was probably looking for an "atta Bubba" and besides, when you try to oust a 24er (think 49er) (as in San Fran) they sue ya'.
7/14/2006 8:19 PM
Having problems with my account but this comment is from Ebonyand Ivory
I have not read the press release, however, based on the contents of the blogs, I get the gist. Oh my goodness, you mean to tell me this has the magnitude of warranting all of this negative PR hurled at El-Amin.
Why no one was outraged that despite El-Amin’s documented experience as a highly effective House Rep in comparison to Smith’s total lack of experience in that area simply eludes me. When I commented, it was played down. But the minute any discretion on El-Amin’s part arises, there is a major outcry.
I can only imagine the frustration a seasoned, proven person must feel when they are running neck in neck with someone that objective hard data is demonstrative of that person’s superiority in that instance.
Should El-Amin, or whoever, made the statement concerning Smith’s race have been stated? Maybe, maybe not, but the truth of the matter is it is true. Caucasian St. Louisians base numerous decisions on race, but if an African American speaks on the subject, heaven forbid. How does the mention of Smith being a Caucasian equate to hate?
I know others have strong opinions for their bases of which candidate they feel most qualified for the senatorial race. This must be respected by mature intellectual purposes. I recognize that Smith is eloquent when speaking on the issues, but how do I negate El-Amin’s record? It is amazing how selective people can be when race, yes I said it, race is involved.
Let me know when El-Amin’s record in Jefferson City was forged or that she did not really sit on those numerous committees as a Rep, then you will get a rise out of me, otherwise, stop people and do not be fooled by the smoke screens. This was addressed way too extremely-“hate” “evil” come on.
7/15/2006 10:06 AM
Last anonymous, I know I speak positively for my fellow posters--Josh, Mr. Reems, Oracle, when I say, that comment holds no water. Are you trying to say that how a candidate conducts herself on a campaign has no bearing on that candidate's legislative agenda/record? If so, pass the pipe over so we can get on your level of reasoning.
7/16/2006 11:48 AM
Ebonyand Ivory:
Thank you bringing up Candidate El-Amin's legislative record, something she has been afraid to do. Finally, we can have a real discussion about issues that matter.
Candidate El-Amin co-sponsored a bill to raise the penalty for those who pay their property taxes late. Now, some might say this is tax-and-spend liberalism at its worse. But those intimate with the City, know that property taxes are regressive and fall hardest on city residents on fixed incomes, this amounts to a tax increase on the lower middle class, and particularly those already struggling to pay their taxes. So, here we have yet another example of Candidate El-Amin's social conservative stances--tax the little guy. Candidate El-Amin clearly does not represent the people of the 4th District.
7/16/2006 2:28 PM
Thank you for mentioning the record that Yaphette has made in her short 4 years.
She supported increasing the penality for late payment from 10% to 18%. How does this help those that she represents? El Amin's commnunity is poor and not only must struggle with increased fuel and heating costs this winter, but will have an increase in penalty for failure to pay their taxes on time. Remember, property taxes are due in December, in the middle of winter. Late a few times, higher penalities and the next thing you know, people homes will be on the auction block.
Who needs eminent domain when you can get property this easy.
She's also march against police brutality and questions whether they can interact well with African American youth in our community, but sponsors a stronger truancy bill. Don't get me wrong, truancy must be addressed. However, Yaphette speaks one way and does something else.
She says she supports public schools and then turns around and votes for "vouchers" under the name of "scholarships". Everyone painted Rodney Hubbard and Ted Hoskins as bad for supporting this legislation, but no one mentions Yaphette voted for this too!
Why won't she talk about why? More important, why isn't she being asked to explain?
7/16/2006 5:14 PM
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