PRESS RELEASE

MEDIA ADVISORY      
January 24, 2008

Ben Morris to Steve Scalise:
“Take Down Your Dirty Push Poll”

Slidell, LA – Mayor Ben Morris today directly chastised Steve Scalise and demanded that he pull down push poll calls being made in the last several days.

“The voters of this district deserve a candidate who is willing to put his name on his campaign’s activities and not hide behind dirty campaign tactics, lies or distortions,” stated Mayor Morris. “Candidates for public office should lead on the issue of ethics reform and anonymous push polls are the farthest thing from that.”

Ben Morris directly challenged Steve Scalise: “You say you support stronger ethics. Well, actions speak louder than words. Apologize now! Not to me but to our district and take those push poll calls down immediately.”

The Morris for Congress Campaign has received multiple recent reports of anonymous phone calls in the Slidell area that feature glowingly positive remarks about Steve Scalise and misrepresentations and lies about Ben Morris’s distinguished career as a dedicated public servant. Controversial and Illegal “Push Polls” The technique of using so called “push-polls” is controversial and the ethically questionable polls are banned in some states.

Recent changes to Federal Campaign Election laws have strengthened requirements regarding “paid for statements” and have forced candidates to add approval messages to their ads. “Push polls” are often used as a campaign tactic to spread and distort messages because sponsoring campaigns are not required to disclose their participation or the financial support of the calls.

Mayor Ben Morris led the City of Slidell through Hurricane Katrina and served as Chief of Police for three terms. Morris served as a Federal DEA agent for 13 years and rose to the rank of Colonel in the United States Army after more than three decades of service to our country. DURING THAT ENTIRE TIME, NOT ONCE WAS THE INTEGRITY OF HIS OFFICE OR SERVICE EVER CHALLENGED.

“If Steve Scalise wants to say something about my record let him do it, but let him put his name on it out in the public for all to see and inspect,” continued Morris. “Otherwise it proves that Steve will do and say anything to move up the political ladder and leave his integrity behind.”

“Seat Hopping" Scalise

Scalise Steve Scalise, a career politician, was first elected to the State Legislature more than 12 years ago and has run for Congress previously in 2004. Scalise has been soundly criticized for asking his constituents to elect him to the State Senate all while quietly raising money and planning his run for Congress at the same time. A recent Times Picayune editorial disparages his “seat hopping” tactics. In fact, Scalise announced that he was running for Congress even before being sworn in as a State Senator.

Scalise and Morris are in a tight battle to replace newly elected Governor Bobby Jindal in Congress. A recent poll released by respected pollster Verne Kennedy showed the two locked in a dead heat and likely to meet in a runoff. # # #

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