Why did our opponent misquote Senator Bramble?

In an email my opponent sent to voters on June 11, 2010, it began with the following statement:

"In the SL Tribune, (April 2010) Senator Curt Bramble is quoted saying, “Utah County is one of the best fiscally managed counties in the state.”"

But Senator Bramble is remaining neutral in our race, so I thought it strange that our opponent would be using a quote from him. I called Senator Bramble, and he told me two things: (1) he did not give permission to our opponent to use the quote above, and (2) he is fairly confident that he was being misquoted.

So I found the actual quote from Senator Bramble in the Salt Lake Tribune dated April 24, 2010, and it reads as follows:

""Under Steve White as a Utah County Commissioner, Utah County is one of the best fiscally managed counties in the state," Bramble said."
(see: http://www.sltrib.com/ci_14952356?IADID=Search-www.sltrib.com-www.sltrib.com)

In other words, Senator Bramble believes Utah County is "one of the best fiscally managed counties in the state" under Steve White. I called Senator Bramble back and shared the actual quote with him, and he made very clear to me that he believes Steve White deserves the credit for Utah County being one of the best fiscally managed counties in the State, and not our opponent. Senator Bramble expressed disappointment that Gary would misquote him to such an extent.

What is almost as strange is that our opponent used another quote from Senator Howard Stephenson in the same email, which reads as follows:

“Utah County is the best managed county in the best managed state in the nation,” Senator Howard Stephenson, President, Utah Taxpayers Association. (Red Meat Radio, 2010)

But Howard Stephenson is endorsing our campaign, and not our opponent, in this election. Senator Stephenson even authorized our campaign to use the following quote from him:

"We need people in office who understand the importance of lowering the tax burden on our families and our businesses. Joel understands that we need to live within our means and not keep holding our hands out for more money from Utah's families. I have seen Joel fight for smaller government and lower taxes everywhere he has served. We whole heartedly endorse Joel Wright for County Commission and encourage you to vote for him."

-Howard Stephenson
President, Utah Taxpayers Association & State Senator, District #11


Bottom Line: I find it odd that our opponent chose to begin his email to the voters on June 11th using quotes from two State Senators who are not supporting his campaign, and then misquote one of them. I'll let the blogosphere decide why he would choose to do so.