OPINION & EDITORIAL
Corcoran editorial proves ill-advised
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by Letters to the Editor
Tuesday, February 15, 2005
Dear Editor,
My humblest apologies go out to Austin King, Kami Eshraghi, everyone who worked on my campaign and everyone who was affected by the article I wrote in yesterday’s The Badger Herald. I got carried away in the negativity and lost focus to what is important in public discourse, which is to address issues seriously.
I want to state that I have dropped out of the race, and hopefully the degree of civility will improve between the other candidates. I also want to throw my support behind Austin King, who has done great work repealing the cabaret license, who will make progress on establishing a performing arts venue license and who obviously cares for tenants, students and workers before special interests.
I owe Austin King a debt of gratitude for all his hard work in the past and for what he will do in the future. I sincerely wish the past could be retracted sometimes, however, all any of us can hope to do after such an error in judgment and insight that I made is take responsibility, learn from the mistake and ask for forgiveness. I take full responsibility. I have learned that I am not cut out for politics. Finally, I hope that in time that everyone will understand that I was not attempting to exploit a horrible incident, I just got caught up in a negative campaign and lost sight of what was important: working to make Madison a better place for everybody.
Sincerest Apologies,
Ryan James Corcoran
I am writing to respond to Ryan Corcoran’s statements in yesterday’s The Badger Herald. Although I have acted as campaign manager for Ryan, the first time I saw the piece was when I picked up the paper yesterday morning. Neither I nor the rest of campaign staff were aware of the content of this article prior to its publishing. Personally, I haven’t even been able to get through the entire article yet. It would be far too hard for me to finish it.
I have already apologized to Austin for the misleading comments that Ryan has made. Ryan Corcoran is a good person that simply made a mistake. He has admitted this mistake, and I applaud him for this.
I also support Ryan’s decision to drop out of the race and join him in endorsing Austin King.
Casey Brown
Anonymous (February 15, 2005 @ 1:47am):
Holy Shit. It looks like our feedback really got to him. To go from such a nasty, negative attack piece to a sincere apology and endorsement in 24 hours is impressive. This is definitely a first as far as I know in campus politics.
Anonymous (February 15, 2005 @ 1:50am):
Yeah, weird. Yesterday I was more than happy to scream e-obscenities at him, but now I just feel bad for him. It's a good thing that he realized what an awful mistake he made and he owned up to it. I can imagine that when you're inside a campaign like this it's easy to get carried away, but jeez. Corcoran and Brown must have been under some extreme heat to recant that quickly and within 24 hours, although it sounds like Brown had little to do with the attack.
Anonymous (February 15, 2005 @ 1:52am):
Worst. Campaign. Ever.
Anonymous (February 15, 2005 @ 2:20am):
Wow. What a weird two days. I applaud Ryan for coming clean and apologizing to the community and to Austin and Mr. Eshraghi for his falsifications and exploiting such a horrible and dark time for the community.
Anonymous (February 15, 2005 @ 2:31am):
Do you think King even wants his endorsement after all that? I mean, I'm sure he welcomed the apology, but I bet you never hear him say, "I'm endorsed by Ryan Corcoran."
Anonymous (February 15, 2005 @ 8:44am):
I don't think enough people have seen "Welcome to Mooseport" to justify this re-enactment.
Anonymous (February 15, 2005 @ 9:23am):
I don't believe for a second that there wasn't some kind of collusion between Ryan Corcoran and Austin King all along. Austin is a snake, and this all seems way too fishy to have just happened the way it did.
Anonymous (February 15, 2005 @ 9:37am):
"collusion"??? You really are a tool. Give it up.
Anonymous (February 15, 2005 @ 9:57am):
Collusion? Are you kidding? What would make you think they were working together? Would it be the ridiculous accusations made by Ryan about Austin? Such harsh words spit at Austin I think clearly show that although you'd love it, Kami, your wish ain't coming true. Thanks for posting by the way. It seems fishy because of the ridiculousness of what happened. Look at the facts; a challenger makes ridiculous claims, is ostricized and harshly criticized by the community, realizes his gross misconduct and throws in the towel. He blew it for himself.
Anonymous (February 15, 2005 @ 10:21am):
I support Kami.
I think Austin's all about his own ego and press coverage, and pimping for far-left causes just happens to be the best way to facilitate that in Madison.
Anonymous (February 15, 2005 @ 11:11am):
If you know anything about Austin, he is so far from 'pimping for far left causes.' He works with conservatives more than the left side. He's actually brought out a lot of the bullshit in downtown development of affordable housing, advocating for a smaller percentage of real affordable units and more market rates.
Kami is proped up by a bunch of Persians who want to buy up property and do luxary development, period. Dumb Americans who think everyone is ethically equal in the world.
-- a smart Arab
Anonymous (February 15, 2005 @ 12:50pm):
Corcoran's lame run and "sudden" withdrawal is too much to be a coincidence. It was all a ploy to pump up media attention for King in the newspapers on election day. Why else would he pull out the night before? Why else would Corcoran make such fawning comments about King in his letter to the editor today? Why would Corcoran's campaign manager also just happen to write in to the Herald if they hadn't seen his guest editorial (and also, suprise, surprise, endorse King)?
Smells pretty fishy...but then again, why shouldn't it? Austin King is involved.
Anonymous (February 15, 2005 @ 1:48pm):
You paranoid conspiracy theorists need to start producing some facts or shut the hell up. How incredibly lame!
Anonymous (February 15, 2005 @ 2:11pm):
COMMENT REMOVED: Inappropriate content
Dave Kreisman (February 15, 2005 @ 2:39pm):
My name is Dave Kreisman and I am Ald. Austin King's campaign manager. As a representative of his campaign I would like to make it very clear that the previous post was not, I repeat, not posted by anyone with any connection to our campaign. It is not our intention to sink to this level at any point during this campaign, as Austin has signed and will stick to his clean campaign pledge. As today is the day of the primary, I should think that the efforts of supporters of both sides would focus on get out the vote activities and not on pretending to represent one side or the other. As always Austin and I are always available for questions or comment. Our website has Austin's contact info and my own is listed below.
Thank you,
Dave Kreisman
Campaign Manager
Friends of Austin King
dkreisman@gmail.com
www.voteaustinking.org
Anonymous (February 15, 2005 @ 3:33pm):
Wait, let me get this straight, Kami. You think Austin recruited someone to run against that would smear him in public and then drop out of the race? You're one crazy dude, Mr. Eshraghi.
Anonymous (February 15, 2005 @ 3:35pm):
What a crazy paranoid delusional man this mister ESHRAGHI must be to post such crazy conspiracy theories here... maybe he should spend more time talking about issues...
Anonymous (February 16, 2005 @ 12:40pm):
Why all the Kami bashing? What the hell warrants it? Obviously, at least to most of us, Austin in the better candidate. I see nothing wrong with a race in order to raise some issues, even if you might be opposed to them. No one should ever get a free ride.
Anonymous (February 16, 2005 @ 2:01pm):
Hi my name is Austin King and I just made out with Ryan Corcoran.
He's a good kisser
Anonymous (February 16, 2005 @ 7:37pm):
It's pretty obvious that Corcoran was a ringer for progressive dane. Nice little stunt they pulled off.
Anonymous (February 19, 2005 @ 7:55pm):
honestly if ryan was a ringer for pd don't you think they might try to make austin come out on a little bit more positive note; calling him a racist and bashing him to the extent ryan did doesnt exactly do the job...interesting conclusion considering this "ringer" bailed the day before the primary. its all too weird for there to be some overarching conspiracy, but good try Kami. All you've got left are your nazi youth college republicans now. Good luck! Your going to need it.
