SEATTLE -- After a KIRO 7 report on Thursday, Seattle mayoral candidate Mike McGinn launched automated phone calls claiming that rival Joe Mallahan is siding with the National Rifle Association to repeal Seattle’s new ban on guns in parks.

In response, Mallahan’s campaign sent an e-mail objecting to the phone calls saying, "Today Joe Mallahan called on his opponent, Mike McGinn, to stop lying to Seattle’s voters and tell the truth about public safety."

McGinn’s campaign sent an e-mail defending their attack on Mallahan, "Being mayor isn't about intentions, it's about making actual policies."

See the e-mail exchange that happened Friday between the campaigns:

In a news release from McGinn:

Mike McGinn's position is clear:

"I support Mayor Nickels’ efforts to ban firearms from parks and public places. There is no reason for people to carry guns in our parks, and tragedies like the Folklife shootings cannot be allowed to occur."
- Mike McGinn, public safety platform, September 14, 2009

Meanwhile, Joe Mallahan no longer supports the gun ban:

Joe Mallahan... signals he won't continue the ban if he's elected mayor... "Far too many guns are carried in Seattle today illegally and I think that's where we really need to focus."
- Essex Porter, KIRO-TV, October 15, 2009

"Joe Mallahan says, while he supports what the mayor is trying to do, he is not certain if this is the right way to do it."
- Tonya Mosely, KING-TV, October 15, 2009

"Joe shares concerns about family safety, especially in public parks, and thinks we should look for additional measures to increase safety," says Mallahan spokesperson Charla Neuman. "He has concerns about whether this is the most pragmatic solution though."
- Caleb Hannan, Seattle Weekly, October 15, 2009

"Pragmatic solution" seems to be Joe's code phrase for ignoring public opinion (See Tunnel, deep-bore).

In response, Mallahan sent this news release:

Joe Mallahan Calls on Mike McGinn to Stop Lying and Stop Playing Political Games with Seattle’s Public Safety

Seattle, Wash. -- Today Joe Mallahan called on his opponent, Mike McGinn, to stop lying to Seattle’s voters and tell the truth about public safety. Mike McGinn paid for telephone calls to Seattle voters with an extreme message about Mallahan’s position on public safety issues that is blatantly false. Then, in a news release to reporters, he pretends his message is something else and refuses to reveal the text of his robocalls. Mike McGinn is playing shady politics in a city that expects more from their next mayor than that.

Statement from Joe Mallahan:

“My opponent needs to stop lying to the voters of Seattle. He should also stop lying to reporters when he says one thing in a news release but something far more extreme in his ugly campaign tactics. Mike McGinn’s supporters should ask Mike to start telling the truth.

“First he tries to turn the police chief search into a political stunt and now he’s lying about my position on a gun ban in parks. Mike McGinn needs to stop playing games with Seattle’s public safety.

“My opponent must stop taking the low road and end his campaign of robocalls that mislead families with children, seniors and other Seattle citizens about my commitment to public safety. Mike McGinn cheapens civic dialogue by using public safety as a scare tactic. Seattle voters are wise enough to spot a candidate desperate enough to play politics with a core community value such as public safety.

“Make no mistake: I support what Mayor Nickels is trying to achieve with the gun ban in city parks. I look forward to working with community organizations, law enforcement, and neighborhoods to find pragmatic ways to reduce gun violence and crime in our schools, homes, and public parks. I look forward to working with the City Council, and State Legislature to make sure our laws related to common sense public safety issues are enforceable. I continue to be grateful for the support of the Seattle Police Officers’ Guild, Seattle Police Management Association, former Assistant Police Chief Harry Bailey and others involved in improving neighborhood safety.

“I am also committed to a comprehensive approach on public safety that focuses on youth outreach, prevention, and neighborhood empowerment.

“My opponent should stop making false accusations. His tactics are desperate attempts to hide the fact that he has no plan for how to protect Seattle’s public safety and no support from public safety officials.”

McGinn’s response:

Mallahan says we are lying, but how? We said he opposes the gun ban. His defense: “Make no mistake: I support what Mayor Nickels is trying to achieve with the gun ban in city parks."

Intent is great, but we're talking about a policy that the next Mayor will inherit. Will he repeal the policy and related executive orders, or uphold them? Will he defend them in court?

Last night Essex Porter reported that Mallahan signaled he will repeal the ban, and then had Mallahan on film talking about a focus on illegal guns. That's what the NRA says when they oppose gun control, and it's telling that Mallahan's response to a question about gun control is to use an NRA talking point.

Being Mayor isn't about intentions, it's about making actual policies.

Joe Mallahan should answer this question: does he support the public park gun ban policy? It's a simple Yes or No question.

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Call script:

Seattle is in the middle of a gun crime epidemic, but Joe Mallahan is siding with the NRA and extreme 2nd amendment groups to repeal Seattle's gun ban in parks. That's right. Parks. Joe Mallahan wants to make it legal to bring loaded firearms to playgrounds, pools, and community centers.

Please join me in voting Mike McGinn for Mayor to help make parks safer for everyone. My name is ________ and I'm a volunteer with the McGinn campaign, which paid for this message. For more information, please call me back at 206-xxx-xxxx.

See the story that launched the duel here.