You hear the phrase on trailers for action movie sequels when it comes to battle scenes. Here's an instance where it applies to politics.
Comments from Idaho Senator Brent Hill, R-Rexburg, on lasy-gasp radio ad from Laird Maxwell's pro-Proposition 2 organization:
Once again, the promoters of Proposition Two have taken the low road in an effort to deceive voters. But this time it is personal.
I debated promoter Laird Maxwell on two different Idaho Falls radio stations for an hour each time regarding Proposition Two. Obviously, I was opposed to it and he was in favor. Now his group is taking quotes out of our debate and using them in their mail-outs and actually using my recorded voice on their radio ads to make it sound like I am in favor of Prop. 2. For instance, I said somethng to the effect that, “We are on the same page on this one. Proposition two should not affect existing planning and zoning ordinances.†I was referring to the fact that the proposition is not retroactive like the one in Oregon, but they are quoting it as if I were supporting the whole Proposition.
I have had a number of people call saying they heard the radio ads and were disappointed that I was supporting Prop. 2. You can imagine how angry this makes me. I trust people to be honest in presenting their positions and now I find that some cannot be trusted. It is disheartening to me.
I want to make it clear to my friends and constituents that I am against Proposition 2. I believe it would damage the vitality and economic health of Idaho. I have actively opposed Proposition 2 and urge you to do the same.
It should be personal, at well, to the people the ad was intended to deceive.
UPDATE A reply from Laird Maxwell:
For the record, Sen. Brent Hill was clearly identified as an OPPONENT of Prop. 2 in our radio ad.
Below is the script and attached is the radio ad.
Lastly, we sent out a bulk mail letter where we again quoted Sen. Hill and identified him as an opponent. Here is the excerpt of that letter:
Let's give credit to one politician who's opposed to Prop 2, but who admitted the truth on the air.
Last Tuesday on KZNR Radio in Blackfoot, state Sen. Brent Hill said: "I think that (Prop 2 supporters) and I are on the same page on this one. …This should not affect any planning, zoning, or other land use laws that are already in existence."
Senator Hill is right . By its own clear language, Prop 2 will not affect existing zoning laws. That includes, by the way, the current zoning laws that make it illegal to "turn any Idaho property, including farmlands, into junkyards, power plants, or high rises."
In other words, he confirms that that TV spot you've been seeing is a lie.
I know that Sen. Hill is a square shooter, unlike Nampa Mayor Tommy Dale. I have a deep respect for Sen. Hill and we were square with his quote by identifying him as an opponent. I also believe that by clearly identifying Sen. Hill as an opponent in made our point stronger, in contrast, that many of the other opponents, like Tommy Dale were lying.
Last month Kriedler released a report, "An Investigation into the Use of Incentives and Inducements by Title Insurance Companies." Title companies? You usually think of them - and most of us rarely do, other than when buying or selling real property - as stolid, staid, boring, nondescript. (Which is what they should be; and isn't in any event meant as a swipe: Your scribe's sister worked at title companies, in Washington and Idaho, for a number of years.)