Trying to change the subject from Darcy Burner's "I have a degree in economics" fumble, her campaign managed to find an independently prepared website that doesn't state Dave Reichert's education credentials correctly. This apparently is Dave Reichert's fault...or so the Burner campaign seems to be alleging. Never mind that his own Congressional website and campaign site are accurate.
More to the point, the P-I's Gregory Roberts notes:
The Burner campaign cites the synopsis of Reichert's background printed in an official biographical directory from the U.S. Congress. Reichert, though, has frequently been credited in news accounts with just the associate's degree.
Furthermore, is Dave Reichert's college education of decades gone by of any emphasis of his campaign? No. He's running on his established record as a public servant, including his two terms in Congress.
Darcy Burner on the other hand has been caught with her hand in the cookie jar. Melissa Santos at Political Buzz:
As I noted in a blog post yesterday, Burner's degree is actually in computer science with a "special field" in economics, but she has failed to make that distinction on the campaign trail. Unlike Reichert, she's mentioned her degree numerous times at campaign events and debates, especially when talking about her ability to deal with today's problems in the economy.
Burner tried to claim a degree she doesn't hold. Her course load in economics is the approximate equivalent to a minor. When citing one's degree, does one say one has a degree in one's major (computer science for Burner), or in one's minor?
Exactly.
In addition, does anyone think five classes in economics at Harvard is really the linchpin of what persuadable voters in the 8th Congressional District are looking for in a Representative? Probably not.
What has been revealing is Burner's response to the whole affair. Today's Times story says:
Questions about Burner's degree originated with the National Republican Congressional Committee. Burner said The Seattle Times was being "punk'd" by the Republicans, a reference to the MTV television series featuring Ashton Kutcher playing practical jokes on celebrities."This should be more than people playing stupid semantic gotcha games," Burner said.
Couple that with her Twitter yesterday on the same topic:
It's bad enough Republicans baldly lie. But the MSM press aids and abets. I am, at this moment, glad both institutions are failing.
Is Darcy "FISA sucks!" really demonstrating the maturity one should rightly expect from a Member of Congress?
Inflating her own academic credentials aside, it sure doesn't appear so.
Posted by Eric Earling at October 23, 2008 06:55 PM | Email ThisFight back for Darcy... and for ourselves
by Goldy, 10/23/2008, 2:49 PM
"The Times delivered Reichert a steaming pile of s**t, neatly tied up in a ribbon."~ David Goldstein- Water carrier for Darcy Burner
...that even tops Burner's "Fisa sucks" in immaturity, but what can you expect from a daily Kos reader like Goldstain?
When he didn't get much traction making excuses for patty Murray lite, he decided to start down the road of "well, Reichert obviously lied about his education", which reeks not only of desperation, but desperate blogging in order to reverse the irreparable damage Burner has done to herself with her resume puffing (apparently she didn't learn her lesson from the "microsoft executive" gaffe from the last election)
Sour grapes anyone?
Posted by: Rick D. on October 23, 2008 08:29 PMAs sheriff, Dave Reichert actually worked with a budget, quite successfully. That's called actual real-world economics in practice.
Sitting around and chatting about it or preparing a canned speech? Not so much...
Posted by: Shanghai Dan on October 24, 2008 12:33 AMI whole heartedly agree.
Let's start with Senators Obama and and Biden.
Posted by: Mike H on October 24, 2008 12:51 AMTake a look at Todd's gmail address in this post. Then take a trip to HA which Darcy used to link to on her campaign website, feel the love. Darcy gets downright defensive about not being active in a position of public responsibility. She doesn't volunteer, no charity work. She doesn't serve on any committees or commissions, she hasn't been appointed to any committees or commissions by her Party supporters who want us to vote for her and who control the appointment process. Why? Apparently she simply wants to be placed into office by virtue of having gone to Harvard.
Posted by: Huh? on October 24, 2008 07:57 AMFolks this entitlement mentality has got to find the end of the road somewhere. Can we start with this, tragic figure of a girl-child woman? Please someone take her aside and just talk to her about being respoinsible, having a little interegity and a little accountability.
If we keep electing these kids to be the rule makers soon they will detroy the rules and make us all change their diapers. In that vacuum what will come in -whoa boy do we really want to go there?
Posted by: Col. Hogan on October 24, 2008 08:14 AMShe said that she got a degree in economics at Harvard.
That's the issue. It's a bald-faced lie, intended to boost her qualifications over her opponent at a time when our country is suffering one of the worst economic disasters it has ever seen in recent decades. Had she been on a witness stand making that statement she'd now be facing perjury charges. Don't you think the people of the 8th CD deserve the truth?
Why did she lie? 2 reasons:
1) She wanted to puff her resume to show leadership & education experience to solve our Nation's problems.
2) She has a major character flaw. She lies when the truth will do and does so, convinced that even if caught, the MSM will not bust her.
OR perhaps she suffers from severe dillusional episodes. Neither one is good.
I'm starting to believe this has gone beyond amusing. This woman has claimed to be a good match for the district due to her technology savvy. She goes out of her way to try to come off like a responsible adult, at least through her appearance. She wears pearls and conservative pantsuits and fake glasses. And then she totally reverses the image she is trying to create, by proving she has the mentality of a teenager. "FISA sucks", "pun'k", twittering as "TuffGrrl". Yeah, that's the level of maturity we need representing us. No thanks, TuffGrrl. And she is supposedly ahead in the polls now. I guess the dumbing down of the electorate is complete.
"Good luck with that kiddo" - Joe Biden
Posted by: ameslaker on October 24, 2008 11:14 AMYeah, but if it were Palin and she had claimed a degree she didn't have, the media would go in to such a frenzy, that she would disqualified altogether. That's the difference, with Darcy, since she is on the left, she gets a pass for inflating her resume. Both by saying she was an MS Executive, which was largely ignored last cycle, and this time by claiming she has a degree in economics, which she does not.
She's obviously got an inflated opinion of herself. And its disingenuous. Why does she need to inflate her image if she is such a great candidate?
The voters will decide that she is making these immature mistakes, just like they did last cycle.
Posted by: Jeff B. on October 24, 2008 11:22 AMDarcy ought to at least try serving on a city council (or something similar) before running for a higher office. She should show us that she is qualified to represent her constituents and actually get something done. And then consider running for a higher office when she has some real experience, instead of the support of Dems from outside her district.
Posted by: Gary on October 24, 2008 01:44 PMI don't remember all this negativity when Heidi was going up against Dunn.
I don't remember Heidi lying about her career or education, either...
Posted by: Shanghai Dan on October 24, 2008 03:29 PMWhy don't you go back to blogging about what you ate for dinner and posting pictures of your cat. Political discourse is for us adults. And if it's all the same to you, I prefer Ms.
Posted by: ameslaker on October 25, 2008 03:22 PMAl Gore invented the internet.
Christine Gregoire has a budget surplus.
Darcy Burner was a MicroSoft Executive and has a degree in Economics.
Hillary Clinton had to dodge sniper fire in Bosnia.
I was a delegate for Hillary and she lost my vote when she LIED. I have been the Sarah Palin of the Washington State Democratic Party. It is time someone in our party took a stand to stop the lines and it was the reason I have attack Burner and Gregorie. They makes us all look bad.