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SIMMONS STATEMENT ON MCMAHON'S REFUSAL TO ANSWER QUESTIONS ABOUT HER WWE RECORD
(MYSTIC) - Rob Simmons, candidate for US Senate, made the following statement today regarding Linda McMahon's refusal to answer questions about her WWE record in light of news reports about the WWE's role assisting her campaign: "Using money earned at WWE and working out of an office at WWE, Linda McMahon touts her experience at WWE in advertisements produced at WWE. But she is unwilling to answer the difficult questions about her real record at WWE. This troubling duplicity is characteristic of Washington, D.C. insiders who love to have it both ways. McMahon can no longer hide behind her WWE fortune without answering the deeply troubling questions about how she earned that money - including eliminating drug and steroid testing at the expense of her workers, and marketing steroid-fueled violence against women and the mentally handicapped and graphic sex to young children. "I answer tough questions about my record every day, and have done so for years, as is the responsibility of a candidate for public office. If she feels Connecticut voters don't deserve answers to questions about her sole credential, she shouldn't be running." FACTS Linda McMahon Claims "It's Time For A Senator Who Is Straightforward And Honest About Her Record" Linda McMahon Mailer: "It's time for a Senator who is straightforward and honest about her record..." (Linda For Senate 2010 Mailer Financed By WWE Profits) McMahon: "If You're In Government Your Responsibility Is To The People Who've Elected You Then You Have To Maintain That Transparency." "So you have to be really careful and make sure your actions are transparent, that your negotiations are straight forward. If you're in government your responsibility is to the people who've elected you then you have to maintain that transparency." ("Q&A: Linda McMahon Talks West Hartford, Politics," West Hartford News,www.linda2010.com, 11/30/09) But In Reality, McMahon Is Refusing To Address Questions Regarding Her WWE Record A Stamford Advocate Editorial Notes That McMahon Refuses To Address Questions Regarding "The Sexual And Violent Nature Of WWE's Programming, As Well As Its Reputation As A Business That Turned A Blind Eye To Steroid Use..." "She had to expect that her opponents would pounce on the sexual and violent nature of WWE's programming, as well as its reputation as a business that turned a blind eye to steroid use and other activities by its wrestlers that some critics say have contributed to the deaths of a high number of them. To date, however, Ms. McMahon has not offered a suitable reckoning that will put those points to rest..." (Editorial, "WWE Rep Will Hound McMahon," The Stamford Advocate, 1/4/10) McMahon Excuses WWE's Raciness Arguing That "WWE's Programming Is Fictional Entertainment." "Some of the WWE's steamy stars also are being debated. WWE signed porn actresses, such as Jillian Beyor and Candice Michelle, under Mrs. McMahon's tenure and featured other 'divas' like Torrie Wilson in sexy WWE scenarios. During one match, available on YouTube, Miss Wilson strips off her skimpy bikini to reveal an even skimpier, nude-toned bikini and caresses and kisses another female wrestler, Sable. ... For its part, the McMahon campaign is downplaying complaints about WWE's raciness. 'WWE's programming is fictional entertainment,' McMahon spokesman Ed Patru said." (Amanda Carpenter, "Connecticut Ring," The Washington Times' "Hot Button" Blog,www.washingtontimes.com, 12/9/09) When Asked About Simulated Sex In WWE Programming, McMahon Only Responds "I'm Glad To See That The Programming Has Now Evolved From TV-14 To PG." "On the sexually explicit content the company broadcast over the past decade, including the time in 2006 that brawny Edge and vampish Lita disrobed one another, hopped into a bed, simulated sex and flashed a bare breast in the center of the ring ('WWE.com's No. 7 Greatest Moment in Raw History,' according to the company's Web site): 'I'm glad to see that the programming has now evolved from TV-14 to PG,' McMahon said." (Jason Horowitz, "Linda McMahon, From Co-Founder Of The WWE To U.S. Senate Candidate," The Washington Post, 2/22/10) Months After Entering The Campaign, McMahon Quietly Resigned From The WWE's Board, Only Made Public Through A WWE SEC Filing. "On November 6, 2009, Linda E. McMahon resigned as a Director of the Company due to the continuing demands on her time resulting from her campaign for the United States Senate, representing the State of Connecticut." (World Wrestling Entertainment, SEC 8-K Filing, 11/10/09) WHY? Because WWE, "Her Sole Qualification For Public Office," Is Also "McMahon's Biggest Vulnerability" Politico's Josh Kraushaar: "McMahon's Biggest Vulnerability As She Runs For The Senate In Connecticut Is Her Career As Chief Executive Officer Of The WWE...""Linda McMahon's biggest vulnerability as she runs for the Senate in Connecticut is her career as chief executive officer of the WWE, an entertainment product that has featured a healthy share of violence and sexually-explicit material over the years. McMahon has played down her professional background on the campaign trail, and dismisses the criticism of the WWE, calling it family-friendly entertainment." (Josh Kraushaar, "A Smackdown Against Linda McMahon," Politico's "The Scorecard" Blog,www.politico.com, 11/18/09) The Washington Post Notes McMahon's WWE Background Is "Her Sole Qualification For Public Office." "[S]gt. Slaughter, the '80s-era professional wrestling character ... wrestled for McMahon, whose entire business experience -- her sole qualification for public office -- has been built on the broad backs of muscle-men and -women in spandex." (Jason Horowitz, "Linda McMahon, From Co-Founder Of The WWE To U.S. Senate Candidate," The Washington Post, 2/22/10) ###
Rather Than Answer Questions, McMahon Attacks The Questioner. "If you've been following this five-month campaign coverage journey, it's not surprising. McMahon's camp has rarely directly addressed a question related to WWE, but typically has focused on attacking the person bringing up questions." (James Caldwell, "WWE News: Linda McMahon's Campaign Spokesman No-Sells Opponent's Big 10 Questions," pwtorch.com, 3/4/10)
