The Maine Republican Party is attacking a Democratic candidate for State Senate over her "time-consuming double life" as a player of World of Warcraft.
Colleen Lachowicz is running as a Democratic State Senate candidate in Waterville, Maine. David Sorensen, the communications director for the local GOP, said, "Today, Colleen is playing at level 85 -- the highest level one can attain. Studies have found that the average World of Warcraft gamer is 28 and spends 22.7 hours per week playing."
"Her character in the game is called 'Santiaga,' an Orc Assassin Rogue, and Lachowicz lives vicariously through her, making comments about World of Warcraft and other topics on the liberal blog, The Daily Kos," said Sorensen. The Maine GOP rounded up her comments on the site.
So I’m a level 68 orc rogue girl. That means I stab things ... a lot. Who would have thought that a peace-lovin’, social worker and democrat would enjoy that?!"
"Yes, I am seriously slacking off at work today. And I called my congresswoman’s office today. And told them I would probably be calling everyday."
"I spent my day leveling my alt -- an undead warlock…"
"I’m lazy, remember?"
"Now if you’ll excuse me, I may have to go and hunt down Grover Norquist and drown him in my bath tub."
"Or my dream from election season last year where John McCain sat at my childhood dining room table and I reamed him a new a**hole about Sarah Palin."
The Maine GOP is sending out her comments as a local mailer.
Lachowicz, according to her website, has worked for Kennebec Behavioral Health since 1997. She is running against State Sen. Tom Martin.
Colleen Lachowicz responded to the release in a statement. “I think it's weird that I'm being targeted for playing online games. Apparently I'm in good company since there are 183 million other Americans who also enjoy online games. What's next? Will I be ostracized for playing Angry Birds or Words with Friends? If so, guilty as charged!" she said.
“What's really weird is that the Republicans are going after my hobbies instead of talking about their record while they've been running Augusta for the last two years," she continued. "Instead of talking about what they're doing for Maine people, they're making fun of me for playing video games. Did you know that more people over the age of 50 play video games than under the age of 18? As a gamer, I'm in good company with folks like Jodie Foster, Vin Diesel, Mike Myers, and Robin Williams. Maybe it's the Republican Party that is out of touch."
Maine Democratic Party Chair Ben Grant also criticized the attack, calling it "a new low" and "childish" in a statement. "Tom Martin and his allies have been in power for two years, virtually unchecked, and they have nothing to show for it, and no record to run on. Instead, they want us to debate the personal, private life of our candidate and what games she plays for recreation," he said. "Colleen may play 'World of Warcraft' online, but it has been far more harmful to Maine people that Tom Martin has been playing 'Worlds of Hurt' (at level 90) with their pensions, access to health care, and public schools."
This story has been updated to include Lachowicz's and Grant's responses.
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