| A day after Jennifer Kim's campaign confirmed they had placed anonymous robocalls, the campaign sent out an e-mail today titled, "Let's Not Lose Sight of the Facts." The e-mail accused Randi Shade's campaign of "attempting to use this to distract from the fact that she is taking unpopular stands that will have a direct effect on city services and your taxes." The e-mail denied the claim by some that the calls were intentionally misleading since they failed to say who was paying for them. This call went to voters who received a mail piece about this same issue and used the same language in the mail piece. I do not believe we were being deceptive in any way.
Near the end of the e-mail, Kim once again brings up Shade's agreement to "increase public safety staffing without knowing the rest of the city's needs or financial limits." On January 24, the editorial board of the Austin American Statesman reported on the police and firefighters associations making their City Council endorsement. They said," It was highly disappointing that Cid Galindo and Randi Shade, two of the candidates endorsed this week, promised - in writing - to increase public safety staffing without knowing the rest of the city's needs or financial limits."
I agree with these sentiments. It is irresponsible to make such promises without knowing the financial condition of our city.
The questions (whether they prove to be legitimate or not) about Randi Shade and the public safety unions could help Jennifer Kim in this race, but distractions like the anonymous robocall story are not what the Kim campaign needs less than a week before Election Day. |
