Editor’s note: We received this unusual email from the Brian Dahle “elect a farmer” campaign the other day. Though a staunch GOPer, Brian is receiving bipartisan support in his run for state Assembly against Rick Bosetti (another staunch Republican). I wish Brian well:
“Hello
I just wanted to touch base on an issue that shouldn’t be surprising to any of us. Political debates always seem to get increasingly uncomfortable the closer we get to Election Day, even when we have tried as hard as we have to stay away from any unkind words.
As a result, I am writing to ask for your help in reporting any mail, phone calls, Twitter/Facebook/Online messages, etc. that you might have received or will receive during this time. All of your feedback will help us in this campaign.
I want to make sure the TRUTH reaches the people in District 1 and you can help by letting us know what you hear. Please feel free to call me anytime – (530) 251-3888 or email Brian@BrianDahle.com to let us know your concerns and feedback.
Best always,
Brian
Well, Brian, here’s some mail we received this afternoon: A full-color “unkind word” mailer directed at you.
It shows a man on the beach in Hawaii with a ukulele and hula shirt and the caption: “While Californians struggle to find jobs, Brian Dahle has been living the high life … and you have been paying for it.”
“Assembly candidate Brian Dahle travels extensively to attend conventions of elected officials. These junkets cost taxpayers over $8,000 per year for destinations such as Hawaii, Alaska and Saint George”
It cites his “outrageous pension” and adds “keeping a secret.”
“We don’t need any more big spenders in the State Assembly. Let’s reject Brian Dahle.”
The mailer is “paid for by Northstate Farm and Business PAC supporting Rick Bosetti for assembly.” I’m stunned.
Rick, here’s my advice. It goes with the territory in our “mud-pit” political world. In addition, some of your most vociferous supporters (they know who they are) have run “unkind word” campaigns of their own, so check with them about a pithy response. (The Hawaii trip was in 2005, according to a reference in the mailer).
Besides, the guy in the picture doesn’t have much of a tan — let alone a “farmer’s tan” — so he’s not living the real high life.
Filed under: Uncategorized
Jeff,
We are supporting Brian Dahle because he is honest and is willing to work with everybody. I’ve gotten to know him really well this past year and I am convinced he will be a breath of fresh air in Sacramento and will represent Nevada County very well. Conservatives, moderates and democrats seem to like him. This mailer is so ridiculous, I got one today too, it is paid for by special interest groups who are pouring thousands of dollars in this race to defeat Dahle, they don’t want someone down there in Sacramento who thinks for himself. The North State Farm Pac is run by our State Senator’s cousin, just for an FYI.
Kim,
Although we disagree on political philosophy I thought Mr Dahle was a sincere candidate not just party rep like so many are in both major parties. If he wins it will be interesting to see how is received in Sacramento.
Thanks Ben, I know we disagree on some things, but I think we have more in common than you think. I just want to see more regular folks in office, people who have some common sense and are honest, obviosly we are both supporting Brian, it’s nice to be on the same side for a change.
oops dang brain filling in sentences when I type.
just another party rep
interesting to see how he is received in Sacramento.
Brian Dahle served on the Board of Directors of the Sierra Nevada Conservancy and was able to well-represent a moderate perspective. He’ll be my choice. I’m amazed that Ben, myself and Kim Pruett all have the same choice in this race!
Shawn, I am suprised too! But really, I am tired of the same old gang, we need some new faces and perspectives, Brian is a good guy, he is conservative on most things but can work with others on the other side of the aisle, we need this badly, people who think for themselves and try to do what’s best for everyone.
.
Brian is my choice as well. With pleasure.
I hope this poor man’s head does not explode with all the “input.” “Post pattern, Brian. No. Go long. No. Draw. No. Up the middle.”
Good going!
I’m also supporting and voting for Brian Dahle for the good reasons already provided.
I supported Prop. 14 in 2010, and I am supporting Brian Dahle.
Brian was willing to speak to anyone and any group and did so.
We will see his true colors if he’s elected.
In my circle we have left that space blank on the ballot because Brian signed the Grover Norquist pledge. That pledge was an issue among some of Dahl supporters in the last election and now it’s not.
In my opinion the pledge is treason and does not demonstrate common sense in public service. Republicans in general have proven bad faith actors committed to ideology over the needs and wants of the people they serve. In the future Republicans will have to be Grover Norquist free and demonstratively proven in community projects and influence before we will consider casting our vote for them.
I received the same hit piece along with a four-color brochure extolling the virtues of Brian Dahle. The back panel carried the following:
“Warning to North State voters!
“A San Francisco Bay Area billionaire and a Los Angeles special interest group have poured $300,000 into our Assembly race to elect Rick Bosetti. Why? Because Rick Bosetti broke his anti-tax pledge and says he will support $30 million a year in higher taxes on working families.
“Tell the special interests that our Assembly seat is not for sale. We can’t afford Rick Bosetti.”
Spare me the phony piety, Brian.
Those darn San Francisco values keep coming into play!
Awesome…love the post…but I especially love the comments!
So nice to know we CAN support the same candidate! 
He must be a pretty amazing guy! 
“Hawaii calls” to Brian Dahle — all the way from Lassen County, California!
Here’s a “cease and desist” letter from Dahle from today (denying claims in the mailer):
http://briandahle.com/2012/10/facts-about-dahle-10-18-12/
As reported by KRCR:
“The ad is paid for by the North State Farm and Business Pac which makes no secret it is supporting candidate Rick Bosetti. I reached out to Mr. Bosetti to get his take on this mailer. He took our call but declined to comment on the ad sighting legal concerns. But we kept digging, that ad goes on to make bold acquisitions against Mr. Dahle, like taking a trip to Honolulu that cost tax payers $18,000. So, who’s right? Well, it’s not the mailer. The Honolulu headline was actually published in a blog called the County Watchers, on September 27, 2005 that investigate county spending and practices, get this – in New Jersey. The article is actually about a councilman in the state and not Brian Dahle, who calls that ad an ugly part of the political system for groups with special interest.”
“The slanderous claim is being repeated in mail and on radio by this unaccountable outside group,” said Dahle spokesman Tim Clark. “They’ve been caught red handed, and we intend to file complaints with the Fair Political Practices Commission and the Federal Communications Commission. We’ve also sent a letter to stations demanding that they immediately pull down the slanderous commercials.”
We need public financing of campaigns with caps on spending immediately if we are going to save anything about our democratic republic. Money is not speech it is property.