Tracy Riley 
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Tue Nov 06, 2007 at 09:03:56 PM EST
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11pm update: Dianne Allen (r) Conaway and Connors (d) return to Trenton in the 7th. GOP retain Senate seat, both Assembly seats in the 8th.
I just arrived at the hotel ballroom where the results of the 8th district race will be announced soon enough. Fran Bodine, Tracy Riley and Chris Fifis are the democratic slate looking to make inroads in this historically red district. (NJ Sen. Martha Bark and Asm Larry Chatzidakis are not running for another tilt.) Props to the Wyndham for their whitehot wireless connection speed. I am gonna make the rounds. Updates will be forthcoming!  Image: Newly minted democrat Fran Bodine takes a swing at Martha's Bark's senate seat. In the meantime, we eat shrimp cocktails. Also spotted tonite: candidates Chris Fifas, Rich Dennison and others. As of 9:43 the mood is still quite festive. (more pics below the flip)
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Fri Nov 02, 2007 at 02:48:37 PM EDT
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True to form, with the prospect of some of the most right-wing members of the legislature losing their seats to Democrats, Republicans in Jersey have decided to play the terror card. September 11 is not a distant memory for most in this state, and the GOP knows it. So they're really left with no other way to go after an increasing Democratic majority than by appealing to fear.
The New York Times wrote up a comprehensive review of their tactics this morning. Here are the most galling examples. I think you'll agree that the charges of terrorist sympathy are stretches at best and straight up lies at worst.
- In Bergen County's 39th LD, incumbent Senator and right-wing lunatic Gerald Cardinale is attacking Democratic challenger Joe Ariyan because Ariyan's law partner is an Arab-American who is involved with the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee. The ADC is a favorite target of David Horowitz, whose front-groups are clearly the source of the Cardinale campaign's talking points. But according to Cardinale's own wife, the state chapter of the Anti Defamation League has refused to condemn the ADC, denying that they are aligned with terrorists, calling them "benign." This whisper campaign against Ariyan has only started peaking its head in the press, but it's widely expected that the GOP will be doing a heavy direct mail campaign on this to close out the election.
- In Burlington County's 8th LD, Democratic Assembly challenger Tracy Riley is being attacked because her husband is the court-appointed public defender for one of the men accused of plotting a terror attack on Fort Dix. Mail sent to voters in the district shows photos of masked men with guns overlaid with the question, "Tracey Riley: Whose values will she represent in Trenton? Ours? Or theirs?"
- In Toms River's mayoral race, Democratic challenger Richard Strada is being attacked by the incumbent Republican's campaign for holding an interfaith panel as the dean at Ocean County College, which was attended by an associate of Sheik Omar Abdel Rahman. The associate, Mohamed Nabeel Elmasry, was not invited by Strada, who was also unaware of his association with Rahman.
In the case of both Ariyan and Strada, their Republican opponents had conducted polling (some called it push-polling) that implied that the Democrats supported terrorism. And in all three races, Republican favorites are feeling the heat from Democratic challengers.
Sadly, this is what we've become used to from Republicans in New Jersey and across the nation. Since September 11, every time they're in trouble, they pull the proverbial fire alarm and scream terrorism at the top of their lungs. It's interesting to note that this time, the media doesn't seem to be buying it. Though the Times is the first to give this trend its attention this election cycle, PoliticsNJ reporters Matt Friedman and Max Pizarro have been on these stories from the start (check here, here, and here for examples).
We can only hope that the voters are as astute as the reporters in sifting through these Republican scare tactics and recognizing them for what they are -- baseless garbage.
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Tue Oct 30, 2007 at 08:48:00 PM EDT
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Today, the U.S. District Court Judge hearing the case of the alleged attacks against Fort Dix had the pleasure of viewing the despicable flyer put out in the 8th district against Tracy Riley by her Constitution hating opponents trying to tie her to terrorists and he wasn't pleased..."It's pretty despicable stuff," the judge said, noting that Dawn Marie Addiego, one of the Republican candidates, is a lawyer. "She should know better." He's exactly right, she should know better. They all should know better. In an ironic twist, now the judge has to decide if the mailer has the potential to not only sway a political election, but taint a whole jury pool in the process.
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Wed Oct 24, 2007 at 02:50:41 PM EDT
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 There's no justification for the cowardly and fundamentally un-Constitutional mailer sent out by the Republican candidates running in the 8th legislative district against Assembly candidate Tracy Riley. The irony of course is that they accuse their opponent of being soft on terrorism, while in the same breath trampling on the very rights and liberties our Constitution guarantees.
Who needs to fear terrorists when cowards within our own country like these three candidates are willing to undermine the fundamental rights that make America great?
Today, Tracy Riley responded to their outrageous attacks: "Last week, the GOP took campaign literature to a disgusting new low. Their mail piece displays outright contempt for our Constitution and our democracy. My opponents' most recent effort to hide their record of failed leadership, tax increase after tax increase and insider deals to their cronies is light on facts and full of falsehoods," said Riley.
"I demand that my opponents apologize for this mailer that makes a mockery of our Constitution, makes a mockery of our democracy and makes a mockery of the serious threat of terrorism. In America, our legal system is the cornerstone of our democracy. To trivialize our Constitution and terrorist threats in the name of petty, partisan political gain is truly disgraceful. Haines, Rudder and Addiego must apologize for this. They should be ashamed of themselves," continued Riley.
"My commitment to public service is rooted in my desire to help those people who need help the most. That is why I am running for Assembly," stated Riley.
"How dare they question who I will represent in Trenton. I will always stand up for the honest, hard-working taxpayers of Burlington County. I will always fight to give our military, first responders and prosecutors the tools they need to keep us safe. Terrorism is a serious issue that we all must face together as a nation, regardless of party. To suggest otherwise is utterly reprehensible," concluded Riley.
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Wed Oct 17, 2007 at 09:25:05 PM EDT
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First, Dawn Marie Addiego attacks Italian-Americans (of which she is one),when she ran against Dean Buono. Now she is attacking Muslims. Freeholder Addiego, are all Muslims terrorists? You are a supposed lawyer, as such, you are sworn to uphold the U. S. Constitution. To jog your memory, in America you are innocent until proven guilty.
Tracy Riley, whom you Rudder and Haines (also a lawyer) attacked in your garbage mail piece is not a lawyer, therefore your BS statement of "If she goes to Trenton, will she really fight for tougher crime laws that could hurt her clients?" is not only misleading, but unethical and most likely libel, as you, Freeholder Addiego, County Clerk Haines & Mayor Rudder should know. Isn't one civil law suit for slander and libel enough for you Ms. Addiego?
Tracy Riley has spoken on the record that she is pro death penalty, therefore once again, you have lied to the voters with your statement of "Will she repeal death penalty laws for terrorists?"
My favorite part of your attack piece is "Now, Tracy Riley's Family's Law Firm Is Defending Him..." Really Mr. Haines? We know her mother is not a lawyer, her father was not a lawyer, her daughter is not a lawyer and Tracy herself is not a lawyer. So Addiego, Haines & Rudder must be talking about Mrs. Riley's husband; Mike Riley, whom is the only lawyer in the bunch. The only lawyer qualified to be appointed by the FEDERAL COURT SYSTEM to represent the alleged terrorist you speak of in your attack piece is Tracy's husband, Mike Riley. Ms. Addiego, you are not qualified to defend anyone, neither is Mr. Haines. You are both lawyers?... Addiego, Rudder & Haines keep padding their pensions with their County & Township jobs (like Mr. Rudder's father did for Martha Bark) and spitting out lies.
Let's add a little truth, because as we all know, the truth hurts...
Ms. Addiego has received most of her political contributions from developers (source ELEC). The truth is Freeholder Addiego "let's save the open space" is a developer herself, does Krystal Development mean anything to you Dawn. How about the Aurora (Aurora means the Dawn)room at the money sucking Indian Spring golf course you gave us. How about raising County taxes while lowering the rate and stating you've never raised taxes? We are not stupid, we can add. Your lies don't add up and we in Evesham are fed up with them.
Mr. Haines, where exactly do you live? Oh that's right, with your disabled brother whom doesn't pay property taxes. Our tax dollars certainly pay you enough money to actually buy a home and pay taxes like the rest of us.
Mr Rudder, last but never least, shall we hang on your head as you have tried to do to Tracy, through her husband, the past sins of your father. Through the BCIT with Senator Bark and her pension padding no show jobs your father made that possible? How does it feel Skippy to have mud slung at your family?
My advice to the Haines, Addiego & Rudder team is learn the Constitution you took oaths to uphold, without doing so, you are as guilty as the alleged terrorist. Your source for your attack piece was the Burlington County Times, even they think you are bogus. See their editorial below.
Politics by innuendo
Burlington County Times
The Republicans must think Burlington County voters are stupid.
How else to explain a misguided letter three GOP mayors leaked to the press this week?
In it, they challenge a candidate for state Assembly on grounds that her husband is representing a man accused in a failed terrorist plot against Fort Dix.
The heads of North Hanover, Wrightstown and New Hanover sent their letter to Tracy Riley, a Democratic councilwoman from Mount Laurel running for office in the 8th District.
It urged her to ask Michael Riley, a former Burlington County prosecutor, to withdraw from his court-appoint position as lawyer for Shain Duka.
Duka is one of six suspects in the case that came to light in May.
Five men, including the Cherry Hill resident, face life sentences if convicted of conspiracy to murder military personnel; the sixth is charged with weapons offenses that could draw 10 years in prison.
During an election in which Republicans here are being seriously challenged for the first time in decades, the mayors' missive smacks of fear and desperation.
We don't think voters are dumb. They will see through the innuendo and recognize this ploy for what it is: political maneuvering at its basest.
The mayors represent towns near Fort Dix. Their letter not only seeks Michael Riley's abandonment of the case, it also asks Tracy Riley - who works at her husband's firm - how she feels about such topics as abolishing the death penalty and cracking down on illegal immigration.
"... We feel it's imperative you answer some questions about how your penchant for defending lowlifes like this would affect decisions you make in the Legislature," the letter read in part.
Mayor Lou DeLorenzo of North Hanover said he sent the letter to Riley and area newspapers from a fax machine at the North Hanover Municipal Building.
That means it went out on the taxpayers' dime.
His explanations that the letter represents public business on behalf of township residents ring hollow.
It's impossible to conclude this move doesn't play into the campaign plans of 8th District GOP candidates Phil Haines, Dawn Marie Addiego and Scott Rudder, who quickly issued a statement saying they agree with the mayors.
A fourth area mayor whose town is near Fort Dix was left out of the loop when it came to drafting the letter,
That would be Mayor David Patriarca of Pemberton Township. He's a Democrat.
The exclusion was an oversight, Mayor DeLorenzo said.
Pretty convenient one, we say.
Two points to remember in the fog of political war are the Constitution guarantees legal representation to every accused, no matter how heinous the crime, and a defense attorney has the absolute right to defend any client.
Trying to smear Tracy Riley because her husband is carrying out his country's constitutional mandate is a foolhardy tactic on the part of the mayors - and the Republican organization backing them.
"Quite frankly, these mayors need a civics lesson on what the Constitution provides," said Joe Pinto, president of the Burlington County Bar Association.
They could also use a refresher in campaigning with integrity.
My opinion on the alleged terrorist, if found to be guilty, give them the death penalty or better yet, kill them and save the taxpayers money. An eye for an eye.
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Wed Oct 17, 2007 at 04:09:58 PM EDT
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This is the mailer that just hit from the Constitution-hating 8th district Republican team Phil Haines, Dawn Addiego and Scott Rudder. It's hardly unexpected from the party that so easily throws away the rights and liberties afforded by the Constitution. But back in August when they were first using this line of attack and newspaper editorial boards were smacking them around for it, Riley never fought back, and the Republicans seized on the milquetoast response as an invitation to shit on the Constitution some more:
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Wed Sep 19, 2007 at 03:36:10 PM EDT
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When 2007 began, women held just 23 of the 120 seats in the New Jersey Legislature. That's only 7 women in the Senate out of 40, and only 16 Assemblywomen out of 80. Of those 23 female legislators, 16 were Democrats, including 5 of the 7 Senators.
What a difference a day week year can make. Turns out, my predictions last week kinda sorta came true, with the recent unpleasantness producing two brand new Assemblywomen, Elease Evans (LD-35) and Mila Jasey (LD-27), and a very likely winner this fall added to the 38th District ballot, Connie Wagner.
Add them to primary winners earlier this year - likely future Senators Dana Redd (LD-5), Teresa Ruiz (LD-29), and Sandra Cunningham (LD-31); and likely future Assemblywomen Cleopatra Tucker (LD-28), Grace Spencer (LD-29) and Caridad Rodriguez (LD-33), and suddenly, the Legislature is starting to feel a little more estrogenated. Without a single upset in November, we're already looking at a record 10 women in the Senate (8 of them Democrats), and a record 21 women in the Assembly (16 of them Democrats).
That's right - there will be more Democratic women in the legislature next year than there are women total there now. Historic, yes. But, still nowhere near where we ought to be.
Of course, there's still more story to tell, because it wouldn't be election season if there weren't a cool upset or two brewing. With a record number of women challenging Republicans all over the state, how many more women do you think can land in the legislature next year?
*Take the poll* on the flip (and share the reasons for your votes in the comments):
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Thu Sep 06, 2007 at 10:35:27 PM EDT
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In the 8th District, the Republican ticket of County Clerk Phil Haines, Medford Mayor Scott Rudder, and Freeholder Dawn Addiego have good reason to try and distract voters with a mindless campaign based on questioning Riley's patriotism because her husband is a public defender in the Ft. Dix case. This Republican ticket, which is running for Martha Bark's seat and has strong connections to Boss Glenn Paulsen, has refused to do anything remotely close to the level of support for ethics reform proposed by Tracy Riley and Chris Fifis, both of whom put forth strong ethics proposals while serving on the Mt. Laurel city council and Pemberton economic council, respectively.
In fact, Riley and Fifis have challenged their Republican counterparts to sign onto a pay-to-play ban and to enact such legislation as BurlCo freeholders and mayors -- not surprisingly, the Republicans refuse to join in recent pay-to-play bans in local townships. Riley, who has some potential for a bright political future, says the following about the Republicans' inaction:
"It's time for them to lead for once?It's time for them to do the right thing for taxpayers who are paying more than ever and seeing more of their tax dollars lost to insider deals like up to $50,000 a month 'lobbying' contracts for GOP bosses at obscure county agencies, $330,000 in no-show jobs for a state senator so she could lobby herself and $9 million squandered at a public country club while career politician Dawn Addiego's family profited. Enough is enough."
The Democrats in District 8 are bringing the fight straight to the Republicans who refuse to sign on for clean government. This is one more reason why change is needed there in the all Republican freeholder board and the Republican-held senate and assembly seats.
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Wed Sep 05, 2007 at 07:09:45 PM EDT
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PoliticsNJ has an interesting article today on the current state of the race facing the GOP candidates in the 7th district who were very excited about their prospects when they recruited former Philadelphia Flyer Brian Propp...But Propp may be the victim of limited GOP resources. One year after Democrats won the Burlington County Surrogate race, the Republicans are on the defensive: their main goal is hold their two Freeholder seats and re-elect Sheriff Jean Stanfield. And a party switch has made the normally Republican eighth district a little more competitive -- Assemblyman Francis Bodine, a Republican elected official for the last thirty years, switched parties earlier this year (after the GOP dumped him) and is now running for an open State Senate seat against County Clerk Phil Haines. That has also put the two open Assembly seats in play.
As a result, the county GOP organization -- where former GOP County Chairman Glenn Paulsen effectively dumped successor Mike Warner in June and replaced him with lobbyist Bill Layton -- has pulled out of the seventh district. Its amazing what a difference a few wins make. If I would have told people that the Burlington County GOP would be on the defensive 2 years ago, I would have been laughed out of most political circles.It looks like it will be up to Diane Allen to carry the water in the 7th, where she already has ads up on cable, while the party loads up all its ammo to trash the constitution in the name of winning an election against Candidate Tracy Riley and her running mates. It'll be interesting to see how the 8th District Democrats respond to the GOP shift in resources since we know that money will be used to trash them.
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Fri Aug 10, 2007 at 10:46:48 AM EDT
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The Sixth Amendment is pretty clear in guaranteeing the right of counsel to the criminally accused in America:
In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the State and district wherein the crime shall have been committed; which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the assistance of counsel for his defense.
Given such Constitutional clarity on the matter, why is it that Republicans continue to attack Assembly candidate Tracy Riley for a judge assigning her husband to defend one of the accused Fort Dix Six? In an article featured in Campaign & Elections yesterday, here's what Riley opponent Dawn Addeigo had to say:
"I do believe everybody is entitled to legal representation," said Republican candidate Dawn Addeigo, a practicing attorney. "But there is an inherent conflict in representing this man who threatened Fort Dix and those who live in the surrounding area. [Riley] wants to represent those same people [in the Assembly]."
How is there a conflict of interest here? Since Mr. Riley is committed to defending one of the most important Constitutional rights that exists, his wife is somehow a terrorist-coddler? That's just laughable! Every accused person, in the American legal tradition, gets a defense attorney. Everyone. Period. Mr. Riley didn't choose this case; he was assigned to it by a judge. He's just fulfilling his civic duty-- defending the Constitution.
The Burlington County Times has already slammed the kind of sleazy attack Addeigo is peddling, calling it "political manuevering at its basest" that assumes "Burlington County voters are stupid." Joe Pinto, President of the County Bar Association has already said folks making this kind of attack "need a civics lesson on what the Constitution provides."
Such shameful attacks are repugnant to founding spirit of the American legal system. And they reek to high heaven of a desperate GOP, willing to slime even the Constitution to try and score a cheap political point.
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Mon Aug 06, 2007 at 10:54:40 PM EDT
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Late last week three Republican mayors from Burlington County made a mockery of themselves when they feigned outrage that Assembly candidate Tracy Riley's husband is a defense attorney. They were shocked that he was appointed to represent one of the men accused of the Fort Dix 'terror plot'. Their thin grasp of the Constitution quickly earned them a thorough smackdown from the Burlington County Times editorial board which reminded them that "they could also use a refresher in campaigning with integrity."
The irony was probably lost on them. While they try to scare people with their terrorism fear-mongering, they are in fact that ones who - without so much as a fight - are throwing away those things that are so fundamental to our country. Due process, the presumption of innocence, the right to an attorney...they're all just arcane afterthoughts to be discarded and used for political ammunition.
It looked bad enough that they would ruin their reputations for a cheap political attack on behalf of their legislative candidates. But the public humiliation must have been too tempting for the candidates to resist. Today eighth district Republican candidates Phil Haines, Dawn Addiego and Scott Rudder issued a press release once again attacking their opponent and her husband's job.
To know in advance the ridicule and mockery that await you. To know that you are crapping on our country's most cherished values. To attack the document they each swore to uphold and defend. And to defend the indefensible. That is what desperation smells like.
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Sat Aug 04, 2007 at 11:51:54 AM EDT
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 I wish i could take credit for that title, but it's actually the 1st line of an editorial in the Burlington County Times today ripping the 3 Burlington County Mayors who shamefully attacked Assembly Candidate Tracy Riley because her husband is doing his constitutional duty serving as a public defender in the high profile Fort Dix Case. The editorial continues...During an election in which Republicans here are being seriously challenged for the first time in decades, the mayors' missive smacks of fear and desperation.
We don't think voters are dumb. They will see through the innuendo and recognize this ploy for what it is: political maneuvering at its basest. Ah, but the story gets better because not only was it political maneuvering, but public tax dollars paid for it...Mayor Lou DeLorenzo of North Hanover said he sent the letter to Riley and area newspapers from a fax machine at the North Hanover Municipal Building. That means it went out on the taxpayers' dime. Apparently however, they didn't have all the mayors in the area participate in this exercise to save Burlington County residents...A fourth area mayor whose town is near Fort Dix was left out of the loop when it came to drafting the letter,That would be Mayor David Patriarca of Pemberton Township. He's a Democrat.
The exclusion was an oversight, Mayor DeLorenzo said. Pretty convenient one, we say. I'm shocked, actually I'm not but I'm really glad the paper is calling them on all of their bullshit. They conclude the story reminding the Mayors and the Burlington County GOP as a whole of some basic civics lessons to help them better represent the people they say they are trying to protect with this political stunt...Two points to remember in the fog of political war are the Constitution guarantees legal representation to every accused, no matter how heinous the crime, and a defense attorney has the absolute right to defend any client. Trying to smear Tracy Riley because her husband is carrying out his country's constitutional mandate is a foolhardy tactic on the part of the mayors - and the Republican organization backing them.
"Quite frankly, these mayors need a civics lesson on what the Constitution provides," said Joe Pinto, president of the Burlington County Bar Association.
They could also use a refresher in campaigning with integrity. It's a shame that these constitutional cowards attacked Mr. Riley's wife because she is a convenient political target for them. Candidate Riley said it best, "A woman shouldn't be made an appendage of their husband. He's his own person with his own views, and so am I." I look forward to seeing her fight back more against these pathetic attacks and I hope the local media continues to call it for what it is. Shameful.
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Fri Aug 03, 2007 at 09:41:34 AM EDT
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Not like there aren't enough real issues facing the state to tackle in the campaign, the Republican mayors Lou DeLorenzo of North Hanover, Thomas Harper of Wrightstown and Dennis Roohr of New Hanover are attacking Democratic Assembly Candidate Tracy Riley because her husband was assigned to serve as the Public Defender for one of the defendants on trial for the plot to attack Fort Dix.The letter was faxed to Tracy Riley yesterday morning at her husband's law office in Mount Holly. It urges Riley to ask her husband to quit the Duka defense. It also asks her to clarify her positions on issues pertaining to the legal rights of accused terrorists, abolishing the death penalty, and laws intended to crack downs on illegal immigration. I know its politics, but this is just ridiculous. Attacking a candidate because her husband is doing what he has sworn to do?Michael Riley said his wife has had "zero involvement" in the Duka defense and attempts to link her to the case are "absurd and grossly unfair." He said he was appointed as Duka's public defender by the federal court due to his legal experience as a defense attorney and former Burlington County prosecutor.
"I'm an officer of the court, just like the prosecutor and the judge," he said. "In our country, we afford people protections through the Constitution and that's what I'm doing." That's the constitution, you know, its kind of an important document that he is trying to uphold, despite how dispicable their actions may be if proven true. For her part, Candidate Riley isn't taking this pathetic attempt to tie her to something because of her marriage without fighting back...Reached yesterday, Tracy Riley said she was surprised and offended by the letter, which she described as a political attack orchestrated by her GOP opponents.
"The fact they are tying me to my husband's living I find offensive," Tracy Riley said in an interview. "A woman shouldn't be made an appendage of their husband. He's his own person with his own views, and so am I." You're damn right. Next time they bring this up, she should ask why the Mayors hate the constitution they have also sworn to uphold and defend so much?
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