Jeff Crank
The beginning of the end of the world is supposed to be tomorrow.
But conservative radio host Jeff Crank and Indy Publisher John Weiss are still going at it over “heated” comments that Weiss made on the radio Tuesday night.
Weiss, who worked on mayoral candidate Richard Skorman’s campaign, questioned whether a barrage of television and radio ads funded by Americans for Prosperity were funded by the Ku Klux Klan since Crank, who is the group’s state director, hasn’t revealed exactly where the money came from.
Crank demanded an apology from Weiss, who basically told Crank to go pound sand.
Just before 10 a.m., Crank sent an email to Weiss — and the City Desk blog — stating that Weiss “doesn’t have the decency to understand that this comments” were offensive to the members of AFP.
“John Weiss should have the decency to apologize to the members of Americans for Prosperity for his implication that they might be connected to the Ku Klux Klan,” Crank wrote in the email.
“If he can’t apologize to them, it shows a lack of character on his part and demonstrates the intolerance that he so often claims belongs to those with whom he disagrees,” he wrote.
Here’s the full text of Crank’s email to Weiss:
Unfortunately, John Weiss doesn’t have the decency to understand that his comments about Americans for Prosperity and the KKK were offensive to the 48,000 people who are Colorado members of Americans for Prosperity. He should apologize to them for the implication. John continues to repeat lies and untruths about the AFP ads. Throughout the last month I have repeatedly asked John Weiss and Richard Skorman to provide specific examples of how these ads were untrue. The silence has been deafening, and again, John makes no reference to how the ads which targeted Mr. Skorman’s record – not him personally -were untrue. He can’t because they were true.
John’s comparison between the Christian Coalition mail that was run against me and the AFP issue ads doesn’t hold water. One big difference between them: the truth. The Christian Coalition ads run against me were untrue – by saying that I had personally endorsed Richard Skorman – something I had not, and would not, do. The AFP ads are well sourced and accurate.
Finally, I have explained that these ads are legally defined as issue advocacy. I have repeatedly made the point that the ads were funded with general support to Americans from Prosperity by freedom loving members throughout Colorado. None of the funds used were from outside the state, yet John continues to make unfounded accusations. The city clerk, the city attorney and AFP legal counsel have all indicated that there is no need to file any reports with the city of Colorado Springs. In addition, the city has no form on which AFP could file for issue advocacy ads. Conversely, the Colorado Springs Police Protective Association, which ran direct advocacy radio ads asking citizens to vote for Richard Skorman has filed no reports with the city of Colorado Springs despite the requirement to do so. Any fair reporter – not interested in just smearing someone they disagree with – would report on the fact that the PPA has not filed the necessary reports. But then, John Weiss, publisher of the Colorado Springs Independent, doesn’t appear to be a fair, impartial reporter.
John Weiss should have the decency to apologize to the members of Americans for Prosperity for his implication that they might be connected to the Ku Klux Klan. If he can’t apologize to them, it shows a lack of character on his part and demonstrates the intolerance that he so often claims belongs to those with whom he disagrees.
Jeff
Well, like my Grandma used to say : “it takes two to tango” From what I have read both men need to grow up.
Just another example of how our government is for sale to the highest bidder. The AFP is quite similar to movements like MoveOn.org. No matter what party you are in, there’s big money behind hoodwinking the general population into voting a certain way. Until people start to think for themselves, people like Jeff Crank on the extreme right (and assuredly others on the extreme left) will be able to undermine the political process by throwing money at it. Here’s some interesting data on AFP and how it is funded, if you really want to know who paid for those ads. http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Americans_for_Prosperity#Political_Donations_from_Leaders
I would focus on who did what was legal and who told the truth.
and who paid for the ads? until
disclosed I will say KKK since they
have the same goals as AFP.
Elect Republicans.
It is hard for me to uderstand how Liberals who proclaim open mindedness can call people KKK. I don’t see where the KKK and the AFP have anywhere close to the same goals. Sore losers and name calling sounds like Weiss never made the intellect jump from the playground. I thought the Gazette ran articles addressing these types of remarks on the subject of Bullying. Thank you Mr. Weiss and your loyal followers for being a good example to children of how a bully acts.
What’s the big deal? We all know it was real estate developers who were behind the big $$ in this campaign. Weiss intimating that it could have been anybody (including the KKK) and Crank denying it is a joke – they both know.
Actually, Weiss should apologize to the Klan for smearing them by association with Crank.
Well, I have to agree with Jeff Crank in this instance. Jeff has black-balled me from communicating directly with him because I have disagreed with him on many issues – but he is NOT affiliated with the kkk (I am NOT going to give that organization the benefit of capital letters.) Please, Mr. Weiss – apologize to Jeff Crank – like the good guy that we all know you are.
Not defending Weiss’s comment … it was undoubtedly made in a moment of frustration …. but Crank is hardly one to speak about decency, and he’s blowing this way out of proportion for publicity’s sake. What Weiss basically said was if Crank won’t come clean as to his source, then it leaves the public no choice but to assume. It could have been anybody. A little old lady in Tampa. Fred Phelps. David Duke. The Oakridge Boys. Jesse Jackson. The Tooth Fairy. Probably the Koch Brothers. Anybody. But Crank could easily clear this up if he’d just lift that veil. He has no intention of doing so. And as long as he and his (laughable) 48,000 members (out of a state of 6 million) keep hidden, well then I guess the public will just have to keep guessing. Justin Beiber. My grandma. Crack dealers? God himelf. The Koolaid man?! Elvis!
Look, we all know that AFP is a money laundering machine for the big money developers and corporations. As to whether the kkk was involved is another question. Yes the goals are similar. AFP is basically a Christian-Based organization aiding and abetting candidates and issues which are also Christian. There is also a Tea Party connection there which is not far above a kkk connection. Again the goals are the same. White Christian Supremacy. AFP can buy elections funneling in many millions of dollars from anonymous donors.
Regardless of what “side” you fall on or if you like Weiss or Crank, accusing people of being associated with the KKK is very serious. Again, if you don’t like Crank, there are still the other member of this group that are implicated. If your HOA donated money to a nonprofit Weiss didn’t like and said the money came from the KKK, you’d be offended, too. Weiss was wrong. The best way to end this is apologize and move on.
so since he has not discredited the accusation of where the money came from then it must be true….same logic as cranky.
Rather than a blanket apology to AFP, Crank should provide a list of the the specific AFP members he claims were offended by Weiss. I’m sure Weiss would be receptive to this.
Why do we have to disclose our donations to candidates and parties, along with our workplace and everything- but these organizations are not accountable in any way?
This is a ridiculous fight, but Crank is a dirty SOB.
It would seem to be that rhetoric like this is stock-in-trade for Jeff Crank.
Maybe he could learn from this how hurtful his radio rantings can be.
So are they or aren’t they funded by the KKK?
How embarrassing for the Klan…
Jay,
Jeff Crank said on the radio Tuesday night that the AFP ads were not funded by the KKK.
Daniel
Wonder if John Weiss knows that when he speaks publicly on the radio, that the statement he made reflects on Richard Skorman, since he was his campaign manager. More importantly he owns a business . . .
Why does the Gazette headline say “Klu Klux Klan”?
The KKK is a Far Right Orginzation that is against basic Civil Rights for people “different” than them.
The AFP is a Far Right orginzation that is against basic Civil Rights for people “different” than them.
Umm………..