The Ever Changing Story

Last week, Philip R. Klein described the irregularities in Robert Reid's petition for a place on the ballot in the Jefferson County Precinct 2 Justice of the Peace race (emphasis is mine):

Well the Review went to the court today and found that there are two reasons - FIRST : Reid did not put his name in a blank on a page when he turned in his ballot (yes we are being serious) and SECOND : He signed his name in areas to which he should not have signed his name (yes we are being serious again).

Klein's description didn't match that of reporter Mary Meaux with the Port Arthur News, who named her source:

According to Derouen, a candidate is required to take an oath to attest that he witnessed each individual signer place their name on the petition. But Reid had at least three other people helping circulate the petition thus meaning Reid himself did not witness each signature.

After I pointed this out on Wednesday, Philip published a new "editorial" (I use the term loosely) on Thursday where he changed his story (emphasis is mine):

5) Derouen hired a Parker and another attorney (Lewis).

6) They got a petition and ran around asking people if they had signed it and canvassing the signatures.

7) They got eight of a number that would put Reid below the mandated number to run and got them to sign affidavits saying that Reid was not there during signature time and there was two signatures in the wrong place.

This is an excellent example of why Philip refuses to archive his older stories for public review (pun intended).

Philip R. Klein also revealed his personal agenda in this posting (emphasis is again mine):

As I have met Mark a few times, once when he served me with the Gilliam lawsuit papers, once at a function (to yes I made a very rare public appearance) and once maybe around town or at the courthouse. I have always thought of him as a nice young man - although very stand offish - as many are that do not understand the political game.

Since the Gillam v. Klein suit has no relevance whatsoever to the race for Justice of the Peace Precinct 2, Klein is apparently nursing another personal grudge similar to those against Tom Maness and David Sheffield. As an investigator, Derouen is also a professional rival of Philip R. Klein.

Derouen obviously understands the "political game" better than PRK. By simply contesting the irregularities in Reid's petition, Marc eliminated his opponent and avoided an expensive campaign. As noted, self-proclaimed political consultant Philip R. Klein can't recognize a real political strategy when sees one.

We'll revisit this statement in coming weeks:

Reid hires legal counsel and prepares a lawsuit and appeal in the 9th - which by all indications will throw Walker out on his ear and embarrass Derouen and his attorney's.

To be continued.