Democratic Operative Allowed To Film For Political Purposes In Restricted Area

Today's story in today's Star by Mary Beth Schneider tells you that the video tape recording was made by a Democratic partisan staffer from a balcony in the Indiana House of Representatives' chamber. What it doesn't tell you is that the balcony from where the video taping took place is an area restricted from use by the general public. Access to the south mezzanine balcony is limited to lawmakers, special guests and staff granted permission by the Indiana House Democrats and members of the news media. A guard stands outside the door on the fourth floor leading to this balcony while the legislature is in session. This suggests that either a member of the House Democratic staff or a Democratic lawmaker had to provide access to the political staffer who filmed State Rep. Jon Elrod preparing a mailing himself using letters, envelopes and postage paid for by his campaign. Schneider reports:

Indiana Democratic Party Chairman Dan Parker said Democrats had heard that Elrod was working on his campaign while in the House chamber, so they sent a staff member with a video camera to watch.

From a House balcony, the aide twice videotaped Elrod, once Feb. 5 and once Tuesday, signing the campaign letters.

“It raises questions about Jon Elrod’s ethics,” Parker said. “Here he is on the floor of the House doing campaign work. That says that politics is more important than the people’s work.”

As I previously pointed out, there is nothing illegal about a part-time lawmaker tending to other matters, including campaign-related matters while working at the State House as long as he isn't using state resources to do the work. If Parker is so concerned about the ethics at question here, what about a state employee granting access to a restricted area for the express purpose of video taping an opposing political candidate, in this case a state lawmaker, for political purposes. I think you will find over at the State House as many Democratic lawmakers upset about what happened here as you will find Republican lawmakers who are upset. This is a point Ms. Schneider should have investigated as part of her story if she was interested in fair and balanced reporting. Instead, she simply took what Democratic campaign workers spoon fed to her and spun the story as unfavorable as she could towards Elrod. Absolutely pitiful reporting on her part. Turnabout is fair play. Will there be an investigation into why someone on the House Democratic staff was enabling the surrepticious filming of Elrod for purely political purposes in a restricted area of the legislature?