TX-10: LJD, KUT, and NAIS

by: MeanRachel

Fri Feb 15, 2008 at 01:38 AM CST

Mark Duncan's attack today on Larry Joe Doherty is a great example. Instead of a responsible examination of the facts, the use of evidence, and a fair presentation of two opposing sides, a bunch of unfounded and unsupported claims are put forward as truth. While it may be fun to try take a whack at someone you don't like, it does readers no good to not practice a little due diligence before attacking someone.  

As an avid Larry Joe Doherty supporter & volunteer, I feel compelled to try to set the record straight.  Let's take a look at facts, and then go from there:

This whole squabble traces back to a simple little online bio of LJD over at KUT. In the middle of it was a claim that LJD supports an NAIS system, and that Dan Grant opposes it. At the time, there was no source to back this up. However, McBlogger picked up on this and ran with it.

Larry Joe's campaign contacted KUT, and asked them to back up on that, since he's against NAIS and there aren't any credible sources proving otherwise. So KUT corrected the bio and issued a retraction:

A spokesman for Mr. Doherty said the candidate is not in favor of the National Animal Identification System. An earlier version of his biography posted on this site reported that he supported the program. KUT regrets the error.

NAIS in the TX-10 Democratic Primary

by: Mark Duncan

Thu Feb 14, 2008 at 05:18 PM CST

Earlier this month, KUT published profiles on Dan Grant and Larry Joe Doherty. In Doherty's profile, KUT highlighted his support of the NAIS (National Animal Identification System) program. In response to Doherty's support of NAIS, Grant released a press release covering the fact that Doherty and McCaul agree on this "Big Brother Program."

McBlogger then ran a great piece on why NAIS is bad for the constituents in District 10:

Doherty supports the National Animal Identification System. Opponents of the program claim it is designed to benefit major agricultural software campaign donors. His opponent, Mr. Grant, is fighting against it.

This is interesting because CD10 is composed of a lot of rural area and a large number of farmers and ranchers, none of whom support NAIS. Not to mention that one of the main reasons people in the rural areas are interested in supporting a Democrat in the general is that McCaul (R - Clear Channel Communications) loves him some NAIS. The fact that it will cause small farmers and ranchers to go out of business and drive up the cost of food at the store is irrelevant to a millionaire like McCaul. Apparently, it is to Mr. Doherty as well.

Doherty's camp then called KUT, demanding they remove this, stating that Doherty had not stated in an interview that he supports NAIS.

When Vince noticed that KUT's story changed, he called in to investigate. KUT confirmed that when they were researching the story, Doherty's website stated that he supports NAIS. Here is Vince's story, and some highlights:

It appears as though Larry Joe Doherty (D-Brenham) is running away from a statements which were formerly on his website that enunciated his unequivocal support for NAIS-the National Animal Identification System.

Via McBlogger, Austin station KUT-FM reported on Doherty's thoughts, which the station culled from his website:

Doherty supports the National Animal Identification System. Opponents of the program claim it is designed to benefit major agricultural software campaign donors. His opponent, Mr. Grant, is fighting against it.

Dan Grant (D-Austin), Doherty's opponent in the March 4 Democratic Primary, even released a statement in response to his opponent's position.

Later yesterday, Vince wrote another piece:

Late this afternoon, Doherty's camp issued a press release calling on fellow Democrat Dan Grant (D-Austin) to "apologize" for misrepresenting Doherty's position on the National Animal Identification System in the TX CD 10 race:

This morning, KUT retracted an erroneous description of Doherty's position on a National Animal Identification System (NAIS).

This is a lie and Doherty knows it. Capitol Annex called KUT and was advised that Doherty did in fact make the statement attributed to him. However, it was on his website and not in an interview, which he evidently never returned calls about conducting. The description not erroneous. It was on Doherty's website! While Doherty is correct in saying it wasn't in an interview, everything else is 100 percent false. Doherty is just trying to run from his support from NAIS.

The only person who should be apologizing is Doherty.

My only commentary on this is - why is an Attorney that prides himself on high ethical standards apparently lying? You be the Judge.