Government Agencies now actively working to elect Democrats?

Using Unemployed Workers for Dem Precinct Walking campaigns

From Eric Dondero:

Bryan Myrick reports over at RedCounty, that the quasi-governmental WorkSource in Washington State is actively assisting the reelection campaign of Senator Patty Murray. An employee overseeing hiring for Veterans recently sent out a letter soliciting help for weekend "door knocking." He explicitly urged Veterans in the community to vote for Senator Murray, saying "she has done a lot for the Veterans." Incredibly, the employee in question began his letter with the disclaimer this is "not an endorsement."

An email that was sent in mid-August from the domain of a Washington State agency to job-seeking veterans could have damaging implications for Sen. Patty Murray in her hotly contested U.S. Senate race against Dino Rossi.

On August 12, a local veteran employment representative in the Vancouver, Wash. office of WorkSource – the public/private joint venture working in tandem with the Washington State Employment Security Department – made a direct appeal from an Employment Security Department email address for vets to get out and start hustling for Patty Murray’s reelection.

The WorkSource representative’s plea to vets read:

First I would like to say this is not an endorsement, just a call out to Veterans who may be interested in assisting with a “walk and knock” to remind people to vote. Specifically for Patty Murray. Whether you have voted for her in the past or are thinking of or planning to vote for her, the bottom line is she has done a lot for the Veterans of our community. Take a look at the attachments I have included and if you want to get involved contact Kerala Hise at 360-828-7898 or kerala@pattymurray.com.

Nobody answers at that number and there is no voice mail message.

Murray supported Worksource with Stimulus funding

Senator Murray has a blog for her constituents.

Back in Feb. 2009 she posted this item at Senator Patty Murray's Washington View:

Stimulus: $55 Million Will Help Washington State Workers Access Job Training Resources

Through no fault of their own, many Washingtonians are finding themselves without a job and without the skills to find a new one. That’s why I am fighting to include $55 million for unemployed Washington state workers to access job training in the Economic Recovery bill. This money will go directly to Washington state to help laid-off workers find new jobs and get the training and career counseling necessary to get back to work. Unemployed workers will be able to access these resources by contacting their local WorkSource affiliate. – Details

To find your local WorkSource affiliate visit my One-Stop Economic Resource Center and click on WorkSource career center.

It appears that the agency may be aware of the serious mis-use of governmental resources, and the potential violations of strict guidelines prohibiting government employees from endorsing candidates for public office during work hours.

Curiously, a letter to the editor appears after Bryan's post from the Communications Director of the Employment Security Deptartment:

Please be assured that the Employment Security Department strictly enforces ethics rules that prohibit employees from promoting political campaigns during work hours and/or using agency equipment and materials for that purpose. Employees who violate these rules do face disciplinary action. Thank you for the opportunity to confirm Employment Security's commitment to ethical standards. Sheryl Hutchison, Communications Director, Employment Security Department

Photo above is of the Vancouver, WA WorkSource where the Murray supporting employee works.