Pearce: Partisan Attack Group Makes Wild Claims

Press Release

PEARCE: PARTISAN ATTACK GROUP MAKES WILD CLAIMS

Today Congressman Steve Pearce responded to false claims that were published by an extreme leftist Washington D.C-based activist group. The organization, Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, erroneously claims Pearce with failing to check a box on a financial disclosure form, as well as strange accusations involving Pearce's long-standing position on economic development in the Otero Mesa.

"I believe it's important to respond to character attacks," said Pearce.

"These claims are utterly and demonstrably false," responded Pearce. "We've checked the law, we've reviewed the forms, and I am confident the law was followed. To double check, I have sent a letter to the House Committee on Standards of Official Conduct to confirm my financial disclosure statements. If a mistake was made on the disclosure form, I would act to clear it up immediately."

"This is the kind of ‘win-at-all-cost' political tactics we've consistently seen from extreme groups like CREW and MoveOn.org. They'll say whatever they have to. They'll call our soldiers liars and traitors. It's disgraceful," said Pearce.

The group also makes wild claims regarding the Bureau of Land Management changing their position in 2000 on drilling in the Otero Mesa. Of course, Pearce was not elected to the House until 2002 so it is unclear how he could have played a role. In addition, the BLM disputes the claim that they changed their position in 2000. Mr. Pearce's office has received communication from the BLM stating they, in fact, never opposed drilling in Otero Mesa.

"My position on Otero Mesa has long been known," said Pearce. Oddly, the group's own press release acknowledges Pearce has been "consistent" on his position.

"It appears the only thing they got right was the spelling of my name," said Pearce. "They don't have their facts straight."

"Their real objective is to tarnish Republicans and suppress the vote in 2008," explained Pearce. "New Mexico is going to be an important state in the Presidential election. If they can get Republicans to stay home by repeating absurd charges about me, then they won't be there to vote against Hillary or whoever wins the nomination."

Source