Bradley Investigating Commentary
October 30, 2002
(Oshkosh). Commentary has learned that Oshkosh Northwestern Reporter Eric Bradley is investigating the Commentary website. Sources familiar with the investigation have told Commentary that Bradley has been in touch with the Wisconsin State Elections Board and the Jim Genisio for State Assembly campaign, allegedly asking questions about postings of Genisio radio ads (on mental health coverage and corruption) on the Commentary site. Sources tell Commentary that Bradley has also been in contact with UW Oshkosh Chancellor Rick Wells. As of this morning, Bradley has made no attempt to contact Tony Palmeri, the editor of the site.
The Commentary website provides breaking news, opinions, and links to such materials for readers across the Fox Valley and beyond. The site is completely nonpartisan and has been praised by Democrats, Republicans, and Independents for its quality. The site is educational and provides UW Oshkosh students with a working model of how to address current events critically.
If editor Palmeri has access to scripts of political radio ads, he will post them for the benefit of the readers. Posting the ads in no way implies endorsement of the candidate. Though Palmeri is a Genisio supporter, he has made every effort to provide balanced coverage of the 54th assembly district campaign. For example, a letter from Gregg Underheim's treasurer (originally submitted to the Oshkosh Northwestern) appears on the site, and Palmeri more than a week ago asked the chair of the Winnebago County Republican Party to consider submitting a letter in support of Underheim. The site also includes several pictures of Underheim as well as a link to his website.
Political websites such as wispolitics.com regularly post radio ad scripts. In the past, letters in support of a variety of candidates have been posted on the Commentary site. It is not known if Bradley contacted the State Elections Board over such letters.
Gregg Underheim or any politician is free to submit scripts of his radio ads to Commentary. We will happily post them.
The professional politicians in Madison have done little to prevent the corruption in the capital that has been breeding for many years. In fact, we now know that most of them have benefited from the corruption. Commentary hopes sincerely that they are not now also trying to destroy our First Amendment protections.