John Weiss/Photo by Cayton Photography
John Weiss, publisher of the Colorado Springs Independent, issued the following statement in response to Jeff Crank’s demands for an apology over Weiss’ comments on the radio Tuesday night.
Here is the full text of Weiss’ statement:
For a man who throws around lots of mud, Jeff Crank certainly has very thin skin.
Yes, my analogy was a tad over the top. While driving home last Tuesday night I heard Crank gloating on the radio about the election results. I called KVOR-AM to point out that Crank’s shadowy front group, Americans for Prosperity (for millionaires and billionaires), had just used Joe McCarthy-like tactics to flood the local airways with a $100,000 ad buy that unfairly smeared and distorted the record of a great man, Richard Skorman.
My comments, while heated, were 100% factually accurate. Why do I call Jeff Crank’s group shadowy? Because Jeff Crank’s refuses to inform the public where he gets his money. Obviously, the people funding Jeff Crank do not want it known that they are spending big bucks to influence Colorado Springs elections. Thus, he runs a shadowy front group.
For all we know, Crank could have gotten money from a group who did not want a human rights do-gooder elected in Colorado Springs? Or perhaps the billionaire Koch brothers? Was he funded by Doug Bruce? Or some corporation seeking a mayor who might want to privatize Memorial Hospital?
As the great economist Milton Friedman stated: “He who pays the piper, call the tune.”
Who paid Crank to do their dirty work – and why is still wanting to hide who paid for his ads?
People of good will, of all political stripes, must challenge Crank to let the public know who paid for his attack ads. For if we remain silent, then this practice will expand in future local election cycles. And that will be a sad state of affairs for the citizens of Colorado Springs.
This election is over. Like everyone from the Skorman campaign, I wish Mayor-elect Bach the very best. And I pledge to do my very best to help him move our city forward.
One last comment about Jeff Crank. When he ran for Congress, he vehemently denounced the very same independent expenditure committee ads paid for by secret out-of-state money. These TV, radio and print ads, paid for by now Congressman Doug Lamborn supporters, actually accused Crank of being a homo-loving, big taxer. No lie. Now Crank turns around and uses the same tactics he once publicly deplored.
Jeff Crank is a hypocrite.
John Weiss
Publisher
Colorado Springs Independent
Didn’t hear an apology in that statement.
Right on, John! Funny how politics work, ain’t it Jeff?
“Americans for Prosperity… used Joe McCarthy-like tactics to flood the local airways with a $100,000 ad buy that unfairly smeared and distorted the record of a great man, Richard Skorman.”
Why did Mr Weiss not spend any time or effort refuting those ads, and instead choose to personally attack Mr Crank?
Me thinks he doth protest too much…
Whoanellie: Way to look out! Good eye.
Of course I think that’s probably the point.
John Weiss was never able to separate himself as the publisher and himself as one of the influential forces behind Skorman’s campaign, depsite the fact he said he “gave up” publisher duties during the campaign. I noticed this week’s Indy with that flattering “photo” of bach. I’m sure if Skorman had won the election, it would have been a photo of Richard in a halo. I was in skorman’s court until I learned Weiss was giving him serious campaign advice. Skorman’s campaign ended up being more about how awful Bach is than the many good things Skorman has done. That’s why he lost. He listened to some bad advice, so John Weiss should understand he dug the whole he’s in today.
Weiss: “My comments, while heated, were 100% factually accurate.”
Notice how Weiss excuses his own bad behavior by dodging the issue.
1. He stated no facts, rather he made an assertion, an accusation without factual support. He accuses Crank of running a shadowy front group, and supports his accusation with his definition of such a group, not with any sound information about the connection.
2. Weiss’ questions about the source of funds: McCarthyism, the KKK, D. Bruce, etc., smacks of immature and emotional ranting.
Weiss reflects poorly on his paper.
Independent? Loose cannon more like it! Kind of nice to own the platform and have zero accountability. I call what you did cowardly and irresponsible.
Ken Diehl