SCHotline Press Releases

September 19, 2007

To: Shane Massey

From: Bill Hixon

CC: Local media

Dear Mr. Massey,

I received your letter this afternoon.  Congratulations to you, as well.  I do have some concerns about the remainder of your letter.

You will recall that during the weeks leading up to Tuesday’s election, I waged a positive campaign based on what I believe campaigns should be about: qualifications, experience and positions on the issues.   Despite being unfairly and untruthfully attacked, I kept my campaign positive.

In my first letter to voters, I said: “There are several other candidates, and all are fine people.  I could never say anything unkind about any of them.”

I lived up to those words and kept my campaign positive.  It is my intention to do so again during the run-off campaign. The people of Aiken, Edgefield, McCormick and Saluda counties deserve an open, honest debate, and it is important to me personally to run a campaign worthy of this great community.

Certainly, I will continue to honor the positive campaign pledge that I made to the voters nearly two months ago, and am delighted that you now wish to join me.

However, before your “clean campaign pledge” can be taken seriously by the voters, there are several recent very serious “negative campaign” developments which you will need to address.  Otherwise, your pledge will ring hollow.

Throughout this campaign, various websites have been used to anonymously attack me, my friends and my family.  False rumors and deliberate distortions have been circulated across the Internet, usually from anonymous sources.

Perhaps not coincidentally, the political consulting firm you have paid to manage your campaign has a history of using anonymous Websites to smear fellow Republicans, and just last week, national news reports revealed that your consulting firm was responsible for the anonymous site created to personally attack and spread untrue, hurtful information about Republican presidential candidate Fred Thompson. 

It has also been brought to my attention, Mr. Massey, that you have been in communication and/or cooperation with the out-of-state funded PAC that has mailed voters false and misleading information about me in an attempt to aid your campaign against me.

Mr. Massey, I truly want to believe that your letter is sincere, and more than just a campaign gimmick.  But actions speak louder than words, and the facts are clear:  I am the candidate who ran a totally positive campaign, in spite of being unfairly attacked.  You are the candidate who benefited from those attacks against me.

So here is my proposal:   Will you promise the voters that all negative attacks against Bill Hixon will cease?  Will you instruct those PACs and websites which are supporting you to end their negative attacks on your behalf?

Mr. Massey, when you’re willing to add those two conditions to your pledge — thereby making it meaningful — I will gladly join you in a symbolic affirmation of my continued commitment to run a positive campaign.

                                                                        Sincerely,

                                                                        Bill Hixon