Fair enough, but why is the Favorite Things video still up, along with other web videos from earlier in the campaign?

Adam, next time it’s ok to cite Big Muddy as your source. Try not to take it word for word.

http://bigmuddypolitics.blogspot.com/2008/07/did-ag-candidate-violate-federal-law.html

Big Muddy,

I’m showing my ignorance: I didn’t know your blog existed. And I don’t see the word-for-word resemblance you claim.

That said, you did beat me to it, so kudos.

Clark

I am a recent declared Harris supporter but do not have an answer to your question. I guess we will see if it goes back up.

I don’t think you are trying to hide it but if you are the Clark that writes, good stuff I must add, for the Show Me Progress blog you work for the Donnelly campaign.

I am not as knowledgable about the Big Muddy blog but I thought the author of it was Richard Martin who works for Margaret Donnelly campaign. I apologize for that if I am not correct.

Clark, it does makes you wonder, doesn’t it? And that’s exactly the point. We’re talking about the video and Koster’s GOP record when we clearly wouldn’t have been if the video was still online. Very smart play by Harris.

Contrary to what Harris and shecky say, this is NOT good for Harris.

It seems to me that, unless Harris paid royalties for the right to parody the song (highly unlikely), his campaign violated copyright laws and was subject to increasing liability the longer it left the video up. If that’s the case, Harris was lying to Adam when he denied that a copyright problem had anything to do with pulling the video.

On the other hand, if this “now you see it, now you don’t” happening was intentional strategy to keep getting free media attention like this, that’s neither smart nor sophisticated. It’s manipulative.

Either scenario makes Harris look bad.

“…our strategy of being agressive, smart and sophisticated.”

AGGRESSIVE = Try anything
SMART = If we say it enough, we must be Smart
SOPHISTICATED = Smug, Snobbish, Supercilious

One and the same, Jessica. If click on my name, you’ll see that it directs you to Show Me Progress. I see you’re busy on behalf of Jeff, as well. You write pretty much the same comments repeatedly on blogs all over the state anytime there’s a post on an AG candidate. And I’m pretty sure Richard Martin does not have a blog, and that he does not write for Big Muddy. It’s about as likely that it’s Stephen Gregali or Jeff Smith.

Back to the topic, I like Jeff and I mean no disrespect towards him, but it does seem odd that only one of his web videos got pulled from the YouTube account, and it’s that one. I don’t really understand the strategy of taking it down to get more press, because taking it down lends credence to Koster’s accusation that it was copyright infringement and makes the story about that and not about Koster’s Republican past.

Still, I don’t understand how it’s copyright infringement. A parody is generally considered fair use. Maybe Koster pitched a fit, and YouTube pulled it. YouTube’s notoriously overprotective of copyright - they pulled Antonio French’s entire YouTube account because he had a couple of seconds from a newscast in one of his videos.

Taking down that video was only in backlash to the many many negative comments he got on this video. I think he realized people were sick of him only attacking Koster, when he should be defending himself. The only reason he is saying its part of his campaign is because that is the only thing the campaign managers could come up with.

Clark

I agree with your comments on the use of video.

I have been told that Richard Martin, whom I know, is doing the Big Muddy blog. But I have no proof at all that he is. If Richard says he isn’t I believe him.

For the last month or so I have made a number of comments on the blogs in support of Jeff. A year or so ago I was supportive of Jeff but not officially. Then I thought Donnelly would be best. I was also pressured into supporting Koster. But a month ago, I took a hard look at the candidates and decided that Jeff is the strongest candidate. He has a more comprehensive vision for the office and he has support throughout the state. He has a lot better chance of beating Gibbons than Donnelly does.

I am not paid to work for Jeff and will not be helped career wise if he wins. If Koster wins, it may benefit me.

My husband is supporting Gibbons. But, I will enthuastically support your candidate against Gibbons if she wins the primary.

I enjoyed this dialogue and hope we can continue it as we get closer to the primary election.

Thanks Clark.

Jessica, the reason I say Richard isn’t the writer of Big Muddy Politics is because he isn’t very familiar with blogs or blogging in general, and he’s a very busy man. Just like the other two I mention. Nice try, though.

Typical Harris stunt - get caught doing something wrong - then try to cover it up.

Harris’ first tries to determine what you want to hear - he then concocts something to fit that not having a clue or intention of doing it - then hopes he gets it right. If he doesn’t - republicans made him do it.

Harris’ cares about you only until he determines that you don’t agree with him - then he could care less.

Sadly - he probably pulled the ad just in time to save his demogogue rearend - and campaign - from having to pay a fine. Too bad they don’t make an example of a rogue politician who thinks he is above the law - especially since he is running for AG.

If nothing else - you can certainly tell what kind of AG Harris will be and it isn’t one that always obeys much less enforces the law.

Wait, so Clark, JasonB and Oracle have some problem with Harris’ explanation? Please, send in Harpo and Chico, and we’ll have a full conspiracy.

Again, you’re talking about the ad and his campaign, and it didn’t cost Harris a dime. That’s genius.

Shecky - happy to point out Harris’ ego trip and failure to obey the law all the while he wants to be the Chief Law Enforcement officer of the state as he breaks the law.

Shecky, we have beat this one to death. Harris is the most qualified to be the next attorney general because he has been a leader in the House and he knows hjow the office works. You do a great job defending Jeff. The mostly lurkers that are Harris suppporters appreciat it.

Clark is paid by the Donnelly campaign to raise some good points and to his credit I think he has. Donnelly is a good candidate but Harris has been talking the last six months about the wide ranging agenda he has. Great ideas on CAFO’s, subprime mortgages, and the sunshine law. He is the superior candidate.

Oracle may be right that Harris made a mistake. I don’t think so but he does have a logical argument. If what Harris is doing is manipulative so be it. But compared to Koster, Jeff is a saint. He has to be prepared to take out the imposter. But he may have gone over the top on this one.

JasonB has some connections to Rod Jetton I would think. Over on the Columbia Daily Tribune he was attacking Kinder when he attacked Jetton. My Republican friends even believe that Jetton is ethically challenged. His comments that I have read are frankly stupid. He has some kind of personal vendetta against Harris. Harris has been pretty tough on Jetton for his ethical lapses. That may be where this vendetta is coming from.

Jeff needs to learn the law….but not on my dime. It would strike me if Harris had no idea that the stealing of music was against the law maybe he is not ready for the AG’s office.

The idea of violating copyright laws is not new to the Harris Campaign.

His first video from March of this year demonstrates that he considered selling his collection of “mix tapes” on Ebay to raise campaign funds.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=Yit9rawQiPU

What’s next; the parody of Harris robbing a bank?

Is a candidate that is oblivious to the law, or touts violating such, really ready to be Missouri’s next Attorney General?

SORRY JEFF. You SCREWED UP. Now please move to the back of the line.