Mitch McConnell's desperation

Technically, it was sent out by the Kentucky Republican Party, but the notice says that it "was approved by the McConnell campaign."

This image (below) is a mailing that went out to voters in certain (Democratic majority) counties in East Kentucky, which McConnell very badly needs to carry.   The envelope is designed to look like an official notification, even to copying the font type and references to a legal code violation. It's return address is Frankfort, KY, the state capital.

"Election Violation Notice" is obviously intended to make the receiver think s/he is being accused of a violation.    How is this not voter intimidation and suppression of the vote?

Carefully read by a savvy person, the letter inside simply accuses Alison Grimes of making false statements -- hence by voting for her the voter would be participating in a "fraud."   That's the substance:  a false accusation of making false accusations.  It's about nothing (except the Mitchell team making false accusations.    But a legal code is even included, which has nothing to do with this, but it is very much a coded message to make people fear they will be arrested if they try to vote.

The code of violation cited has to do with felons who are not allowed to vote and the penalty if they try.    And one source said that 40% of black men in Kentucky have police records that make them ineligible to vote.    So folks know about getting in trouble if you try to vote when you're not supposed to.

Thus the very strong covert message to unsavvy voters is:   you could be in real trouble if you try to vote in this election. 

The Grimes campaign says that they have been receiving calls from voters who say they are confused, afraid they shouldn't vote.    So Grimes is suing the Republican party for voter intimidation and has asked for an injunction to stop any further such mailings.   A hearing is scheduled for the day before the election.

The important thing is not what happens in court, however, but the bad publicity that will backfire against McConnell -- because Grimes stood up to him.

I say it is an act of desperation on McConnell's part -- because, if he thought he was going to win, why would he do something so stupid and so risky of creating the backlash that this is doing?

Ralph