This is part three of a series, which will continue until Election Day, documenting all the lies and smears Geoff Simpson is selling the 47th district voters in a desperate attempt not to lose his job. You can read parts one and two.

Earlier I wrote about this mail piece sent out by Geoff Simpson's campaign. It was also referenced by pudge at the Sound Politics main page. The piece accuses his opponent, Mark Hargrove, of being soft on crime and/or lenient on sex offenders, because of a $100 campaign contribution he accepted from a "sex offender."

The problem is, the "sex offender" is actually an alleged sex offender. His trial date has been set for January 6. This doesn't make him any more or less guilty, and regardless of the legal outcome, the reports in the news media of this man's actions are disturbing to say the least. But the fact remains that the United States Constitution says this man is innocent, at least until sometime after January 6.

Which brings me to my point: the hypocrisy of Simpson on this matter is stunning. Simpson argues that the $100 contribution from him must be returned, otherwise Hargrove is tacitly approving of this man's conduct, even though the despicable acts planned by this individual are still "alleged." Simpson is saying that candidates for public office, and their campaigns, can have absolutely no involvement with anybody who has been charged with a crime, even if the case has yet to be resolved.

The problem is, this logic would dictate that Simpson needed to resign from the Legislature and drop out of the 2008 race back in April, after he was charged with fourth degree assault (domestic violence) and interfering with reporting domestic violence.

So what is Simpson saying?
1) That he's a hypocrite.
2) That assaulting his ex-wife is a relatively less-deplorable crime.
3) That he can get away with anything because he's a bully.

This is yet another example of Simpson's win-at-all-costs and let-nothing-stand-in-his-way campaign strategy.