COMMENTARY

“Could the gutless, spineless, cowardly blogger be a member of the Republican Executive Committee? That seems plausible enough, given the sleazy, underhanded campaign waged against Kramer last fall by several members of the Republican Executive Committee, including Dan Stump, Scott Stradley and Indian River Shores Vice Mayor Gerry Weick.”

MARK SCHUMANN

In his/her post dated Aug. 12, a local blogger and political activist writing under the name, TheObserver, made reference to a campaign kick-off event to be held for Jay Kramer on Aug. 30. The blogger erroneously claimed “most” of the $7,000 Kramer has raised to date in his bid for a seat on the Indian River County Commission was given by members of the Indian River Neighborhood Association.

While creating the impression he/she is associated with the IRNA, the anonymous blogger clearly intends to cast the IRNA in a negative light. “Indian River Neighborhood Association members call to action. The IRNA must stop the sale of Shores electric customers to FL&L (sic)!,” read the headline. (Presumably, the blogger was referring to Florida Power & Light.)

In truth, the IRNA has never taken a position on the proposed power sale, and Kramer has certainly not received “most” of his contributions from IRNA members.

Interestingly, the anonymous blogger did not mention that Kramer’s opponent, incumbent Bob Solari, has already raised some $25,000.

Who is behind TheObserver blog? It is difficult to know, but an interesting clue may be found in the timing of the latest post, which was dated Aug. 12.  As of that date, invitations to the Aug. 30 campaign kick-off party for Kramer, which is being hosted by friends of Kramer who have no connection with the IRNA, has only been emailed to members of the Indian River County Republican Executive Committee and the Republican Women’s Club.

Could the gutless, spineless, cowardly blogger be a member of the Republican Executive Committee? That seems plausible enough, given the sleazy, underhanded campaign waged against Kramer last fall by several members of the Republican Executive Committee, including Dan Stump, Scott Stradley and Indian River Shores Vice Mayor Gerry Weick. Proving themselves to be hypocrites and political hacks, the three were involved in a post card campaign that attacked Kramer for his loyalty to the Republican Party. The post card, which used a pirated and altered photograph of Kramer with Florida Governor Rick Scott, was mailed to registered Democrats.