Wow.
Last week I wrote this diary about a vicious e-mail attack on Ohio Democratic gubenatorial candidate Ted Strickland and his wife sent out by Gary Lankford, an "outreach coordinator" for the Ohio GOP, alleging that the Stricklands were gay, among other things. A couple days later over at Street Prophets, pastordan picked up the thread and noted that the Ohio GOP had fired the outreach coordinator and issued a sort-of apology to the Stricklands.
In the comments to pastordan's story, I noted that I had been contacted by one of Gary Lankford's daughters. She asked that I remove the Lankford family picture from my diary; I did.
And then we exchanged e-mails about the incident. As I wrote in the comments,
Sadly, the man that Gary showed himself to be in his GOP e-mail is, apparently, an indication of the man Gary is in his personal life. And this particular daughter has made the decision to start a life apart from her father and to have nothing to do with him...hence her request that I remove her picture from the story about him.
She seems like a lovely, intelligent, faithful, witty woman with a good head on her shoulders and a loving heart.
Well,
Lauren Lankford has publicly apologized to the Stricklands for her father's actions.
Dear Mr. and Mrs. Strickland:
I wanted to publicly apologize for the attacks in my father's email and the negative media that followed. Although I am a Republican and support Ken Blackwell in this race, I am ashamed of the way my father played his part in the elections. I know first-hand the hurt and anger caused by biting accusations such as these from my father as some have been directed at me. I am so sorry that this email has stained your reputation in this manner. The email my father sent was immature and embarrassing. I am also sorry that his response to the public outrage was further defense, not a humble apology.
Mrs. Strickland, I want to encourage you specifically and give whatever comfort I can. I respect your relationship with your husband and I'm so sorry for the hurt this has caused you. As women, we are called to respect our husbands and be their help-meet (sic); thank you for staying with your husband through his political career despite the public's harsh critiques and impatience.
I have come to understand that as an 18 year old at college and living a life apart from my father, I am not responsible for my father's actions. However, I still want to extend my hand to you even if it is just to let you know I do not agree nor take part in my father's words against both of you. I will be praying for you throughout this election and that God's will be done.
In His grace,
Lauren Lankford
Wow. I am so proud of her, I could cry.