Carnahan to Blame for Fracas

Governor Carnahan’s attack on Senator Ashcroft is absolutely appalling. Carnahan knows he could not defeat a man of such reputation, so he has resorted to a contemptible low, casting charges of racism onto Ashcroft.

Such vicious attacks so early in his campaign prove Carnahan’s total lack of substance and character. Carnahan’s deceptive tactics here are a reflection of what a “Senator Carnahan” would do in his self-serving, relentless pursuit of political notoriety.

One might say the same of Ashcroft, noting the recent “surfacing” of the picture depicting Carnahan’s racist activity. There are, however, two differences to contend with. The first is that the Senator had nothing to do with the picture’s resurfacing while Carnahan has actively made false accusations against Mr. Ashcroft. The second is that the accusations hurled at Mr. Ashcroft are obviously false, based on an intentional misinterpretation of his statements while the picture of Carnahan is very real.

Governor Carnahan owes the voters and the distinguished Senator an apology. We’ll be waiting…

Michael A. Smith, Springfield, Missouri

This article originally appeared in the Wednesday, October 27, 1999 issue of the Springfield News-Leader.