Oh, Shut Up

Republican state party chair Tom Fetzer, who sent out the same mailer used against Cullie Tarleton in at least five other state House districts, has apologized to another of those targeted Democrats, Rep. Hugh Holliman of Davidson County. As with the mailers sent out in Watauga and Ashe counties, the Holliman mailer suggested that the representative wanted convicted death-row murderers released from prison and that those released felons were very likely to move in next door to YOU.

Holliman's 16-year-old daughter was raped and murdered in 1985, and Holliman witnessed the execution of his daughter's killer. Plus he has repeatedly said he supports the death penalty.

Fetzer, who learned his racial politics at the knees of his mentor Jesse Helms, said he is looking into the possibility of a retraction. A retraction. Yeah, like you can unring that bell.

"I am responsible for everything that goes out under the party's name," Fetzer said. "But I did not see the mailer before yesterday. We send out hundreds of thousands of pieces of mail. I don't see everything but I am responsible for it. I will look into it. If it turns out to be less than accurate we will take corrective action."

We're holding our breath and expect to turn blue.

Quite the brave dodge there, Mr. Fetzer. "I never saw it. Someone working for me did it. We'll likely find someone to fire, maybe, if the sea catches fire."

And not a word about the others you libeled.