A situation presented itself to me earlier today on social media that now has me wondering whether or not we really know who we elect or what their real qualifications are.
In keeping with my pledge to neither support nor oppose any candidate in this election, I won’t be revealing just which candidate this occurred with or what race it is in, but it has been brought to my attention that it is common practice among several candidates and has been going on for years.
Needless to say, I disapprove.
Earlier today I made a comment on a candidate’s page and began a brief exchange over what I saw as a whining comment made by the candidate.
As I often do, I shared it on my own page and they followed me back to my page to continue the exchange. Fair enough.
One advantage of social media is that comments made on one’s page are sent to your email address.
I saw someone that was not the candidate left a comment, but quickly deleted it, only to see virtually the same comment reappear shortly under the candidates name.
Having received both in my email allowed me to compare and see they were both made by the same person and that person is not the candidate himself.
I posted screen shots of both comments and who made them, drawing attention to it is not the candidate himself people are interacting with today and received by private message, “Sorry Lew, I was on the phone and [X] was telling me what to write. It is really him.”
In addition to other words exchanged, it was also said, “BTW I can tell you, many of the candidates you like have other people comment for them, and a few candidates you don’t like.”
Sorry, but I refuse to accept that as an excuse or justification.
Candidates run for office and campaign on their abilities and views and we voters are entitled to know what they believe, not someone involved with their campaign pretending to be them, likely hiding the fact that the candidate is either not as intelligent as we are led to believe nor adept with social media.
To me, this practice amounts to duping us, convincing a less than stellar candidate seeking office is much better than they actually are.
It is not the same as any person supporting them or campaigning for them speaking on their behalf, but as who they actually are. At least then we know who we are actually speaking with.
No, it smacks of what I have long complained about in local politics, underhanded and deceptive.
And what of the dozens of other people today interacting on the candidates page with no knowledge they are not actually speaking with the candidate, but someone supporting him or maybe in his hire?
Are they not entitled to know who they are really interacting with?
Not long ago many supporters now enamored with this particular candidate were incensed at the thought that Anna Miller was allegedly posting under David Madore’s name, leveling that accusation several times, each met with denial.
I do not know if she ever did, but do not approve if she did, same as I know condemn this candidate.
Would those same people criticize this candidate for doing what they criticized Madore and Anna Miller of doing?
Regardless, I see anybody or any party posting under a candidate’s name as if they are the candidate as deceptive and sneaky. If the candidate is working, no big deal, wait until after work to post.
Bottom line, we are entitled to know who we are voting for and what they stand for, not what their supporters stand for.
I call upon all candidates to stop this practice if they engage in it and repudiate any other candidate that does.
We deserve to know the real you.
Updated at 3:36 PM.
On facebook it is now known this addresses Jim Mains posing as Marc Boldt today. The Lazy C’s Katie Gillespie sees no problem in someone posing as Marc, deceiving voters in thinking they are reading his words and interacting directly with him.
Lew Waters
3 hrs •
Boldt comes out whining like a titty babyMarc Boldt
It is unfortunate that a group of people in our county’s Republican Party leadership are refusing to honor the will of the voters and that they insist on continuing the divisiveness in our community.
This small group trying to launch a write-in campaign is putting the party above the people, and that’s just not something I can do. Those of you who know me, know that being true to who I am and what I believe, and doing the very best I can for the people I serve—is all I can do. I don’t know how to be anyone other than who I am, and one thing you can count on is that I won’t change who I am.
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Marc Boldt Not whining Lew, this is about the divisiveness in our local party, and it has to stop.
Like • Reply • 1 • 3 hrs
Lew Waters Yes it is whining, Marc. You’ve said nothing until word of the write-in came out. In fact, you have been silent ever since you were voted out and left office. Where have you been the last 3 years about the divisiveness that has been going on since 2007?
Like • 2 hrs
Lew Waters Where you speaking out at Central Committee meetings since you are a PCO? Have you even attended any Central Committee meetings as an elected PCO?
Like • 2 hrs
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Marc Boldt In the past three years I was an elected Freeholder and I helped craft our new government. If you listened to those meetings you would have heard me speak up about the division in our county and in the party. I was one of the only Freeholders advocating for non partisan office. Madore is the one whining after spending nearly 300K of his own money and coming in third place. Now he is using Liz Pike as his tool to continue to divide our community and our local party. I have no problem with a write in campaign. I was the one making Linda Smith signs when she was a write in candidate. The only difference is she did all the work. Liz isn’t doing the work and expecting others to do if for her, which is peculiar to me. I’m not whining, I’m mad and I’m going to do something about it.
Like • 4 hrs
Lew Waters Strange, why did this comment first appear under Jim Mains name? Don’t tell me it isn’t really Marc Boldt interacting with commenters. wink emoticon
Like • 2 hrs
Marc Boldt Thanks Lew – I’m at work and I am in fact sending messages to post to my campaign team. I want to stay engaged on what is happening today. If anyone doubts that it is me please call me on my cell at 360-635-1708 I’m happy to clarify who I am.
Like • 1 • 2 hrs
Lew Waters You should be ashamed to post under Jim Mains name then, Marc wink emoticon
Like • 1 hr
Lew Waters It’s really too bad you chose to remain in hiding last year when I was going after the Berrigan group and getting smeared left & right, even by factions of the Lazy C for doing it. Had you spoke out then, maybe I’d give you a bit more credence today. As it was, I stood mostly alone, few standing with me and they became stronger.
Like • 1 hr
Jim Mains For full transparency Marc is in a meeting and won’t be able to respond for a few hours. Thanks for the wink on the “ashamed” dig. Ha ha. – Just wait till you run for office and I have to post for you Lew smile emoticon
Like • 1 hr
Lew Waters One thing I dislike and why I oppose anybody posting under a candidate they supports name, it tends to make people think said candidate is more intelligent or more caring than they really are. Should I ever run for office, I would not allow anybody to post as me nor have I ever posted as any candidate I supported. It may be common practice, but it smacks of underhanded and deceiving of voters to me.
Like • 3 mins
Jim Mains Gotcha, but as you and I exchanged earlier it’s a practice most candidates and elected do regularly. Marc is going to get set up so he can do it himself later today. I have too many other candidates to post for wink emoticon
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