Pomeroy Staffer Threatens Constituent
This morning on the radio show I was talking about the ethics cloud hanging over Rep. Pomeroy’s head right now, and apparently a listener from the Fargo area by the name of Mark decided to call in and question the congressman about his ethics.
As Mark describes it, he called in and asked about some of Pomeroy’s votes (cap and trade, etc.). Then he asked if Pomeroy had ever taken any bribes or special favors from Obama or anything else for his votes.
At that point the staffer became angry and told Mark that accusing the congressman like that is illegal and that he could contact the authorities. Mark was surprised, and frightened, saying that he’s a frequent caller to Pomeroy’s office and that most of the staffers there know him by the sound of his voice.
By the end of the call, according to Mark, the staffer had calmed down and thanked him for the call.
Obviously, I have no first hand knowledge of what transpired between Mark and the Pomeroy staffer, but it wouldn’t surprise me a bit to learn that the frustration level in Pomeroy’s offices is running pretty high. I don’t think Pomeroy even wanted to be in this race. Now he is, and he’s losing by 9 points already with the weight of his health care vote and his party’s push to the left hanging around his neck.
And then along comes an ethics investigation into Pomeroy’s dealings with lobbyists. Er, excuse me, I mean a “preliminary ethics review” (which is what the Pomeroy campaign wants it referred to as). Because that’s totally different.
So yeah, I get that Pomeroy’s staffers are undoubtedly frustrated. They’re undoubtedly taking the brunt of it on the phones. But that’s no excuse for threatening a constituent like this, assuming that Mark’s characterization of the exchange is accurate.
Tags: Earl Pomeroy, election 2010, North Dakota News
