Libertarian gubernatorial candidate Warren Redlich is the target of one of the most extreme smear campaigns I’ve seen in 15 years of political reporting via a mailer that falsely labels him a “sexual predator.”

redlich

A number of readers have forwarded the mailer, which not only includes a large headshot of the Republican Guilderland Town Board member and reveals Redlich’s home address, but also urges recipients to “call the police” if they see him near a “public school,” “in your neighborhood” or “near your family.”

Apparently, that claim all grew out of a blog post Redlich wrote about Miley Cyrus and her risque photo spread, in which he said:

“Another take is the notion that men who find teenage girls attractive are perverts. If you look at literature like Shakespeare, and at some historical figures like Sir William Johnson (a prominent pre-revolutionary leader in New York), you get the impression that it used to be normal for men, even much older men, to be interested in teenage girls.”

A YNN employee received the mailer and was outraged by it, saying she believed it was a real sex offender alert and had been initially concerned about her kids.

The mailer is attributed to a group called “People for a Safer New York,” which GOP consultant Roger Stone said is a “first amendment group.” Stone told CapCon’s Jimmy Vielkind he has been in touch with the organization, which has no Web presence, and “urged them to do this.”

Stone is running the gubernatorial campaign of “Manhattan Madam” Kristin Davis, who is running on the Anti-Prohibition Party line (an independent line of her own creation). Stone has tried unsuccessfully to get the Libertarians to put Davis on their line, and even pushed for Redlich to abandon his gubernatorial bid and run for state attorney general in alliance with Carl Paladino.

The Redlich mailer arrived at the home of one Capital Region resident on the same day as a pro-Davis mailer.

Stone is an unpaid advisor to the Paladino campaign. I asked Paladino’s campaign manager and Stone protege Michael Caputo if he had anything to do with the mailer, and he replied (via e-mail):

“Why in the Hell would do we that? That would be like Bill Clinton mailing against Pat Paulson in New Hampshire in 1996. You don’t mess with the comic relief; you just get clown white all over yourself and he gets attention.”

Redlich didn’t seem to be buying that, saying: “It’s obviously false and offensive. People have asked me who is responsible. I don’t know, but the WSJ quote from Paladino’s campaign manager seems significant.”

The quote to which Redlich is referring appeared in the Journal in advance of the debate.

In response to Redlich’s claim that he’s the “only real choice for anytone who’s to the right of center,” Caputo repliued that Redlich is “so busy leering at teen girls and pushing for legalized narcotics that Carl wouldn’t want his vote anyway.”

UPDATE: The Redlich campaign just released a lengthy statement asking members of the media (a bit belatedly) not to cover this story because to do so “rewards the criminals for their criminal conduct.”

“While we understand the media interest, the media does not cover someone who streaks on the field at a baseball game. We feel the same sensible rule applies here,” the statement continues.

“No one should have to worry for their children like this.”

“We also recognize that some in the media have, and will, cover the story. To the extent that you do cover it, please obscure the Redlich’s home address in any reproduction of the mailer.”

“We are taking our own measures to deal with this incident, but we hope the voters will hold Mr. Paladino accountable for the actions of his associates.”

Regarding some specific questions we have heard:”

“1. Mr. Redlich has never been convicted nor arrested for any crime. In his 28 years of driving he has been pulled over on occasion for speeding. The only recent incident was a ticket for having a headlight out. The ticket was dismissed.”

“2. The mailer references Mr. Redlich’s “sick alternative lifestyle”. The Redlichs have been married for nearly 15 years and have lived in the same suburban home with their two children for 11 years. They are active members of their synagogue.”

“3. The mailer mentions a blog post Mr. Redlich wrote. Nothing Mr. Redlich has written serves as a basis for this outrage. Any questions about his writings constitute an attack on the victim.”

“4. We will not comment on any civil or criminal legal action that may result from this incident.”

Share|