After complaint, dead Idaho activist’s sign gets humorous makeover, ‘message from heaven’
By APFriday, October 8, 2010
After complaint, ID activist’s sign gets makeover
CALDWELL, Idaho — The men running a giant electronic billboard in Idaho, made famous by a libertarian curmudgeon before his death last month, have changed its message to bring it in line with campaign laws.
Dan Symms and Maurice Clements, Ralph Smeed’s executors, removed an endorsement of Republican U.S. House candidate Raul Labrador.
That’s after Democratic U.S. Rep. Walt Minnick’s campaign complained there was no disclaimer of responsibility or accounting of the sign’s cost, as election rules require.
Clements says they want to help oust Minnick, but don’t want a fight with the Federal Election Commission.
The sign has a new message for Minnick, something that probably would have pleased Smeed, known for his biting wit.
It reads: “Message from heaven: Walt, keep smiling. They’ll wonder what you’re up to.”
