The upshot of the Brian Blair libel suit against Kevin Beckner might be this: A landmark, stop-the-presses case that radically alters how far political campaigns can go in the down- and-dirty, rough-and-tumble give-and-take that is candidate bashing.
But chances are, it will be this: Absent convincing proof that statements made against a public official were both defamatory and made with reckless disregard for the truth, the core of First Amendment protections – political speech – will be upheld.
Two points.
Beckner has fired back with a legal filing that seeks to get Blair’s suit tossed out of court. The filing itself is a veritable laundry list of the considerable public criticism incurred by the ex-wrestler and former county commissioner over the years. Ouch. How ironic that the process of reputation reclamation initiates another rehash of “Blair’s Greatest (Reputation) Hits.”
In response to Blair’s contention that “his good name and reputation” have been damaged and need to be restored, the filing — by Beckner attorneys Barry Cohen and Gregg Thomas — countered sardonically that the motion to dismiss does indeed “join in that endeavor.” It said it seeks “to clarify that Blair’s reputation is, in actuality, one that is a discredit to him personally and to the Tampa Bay community.” Double ouch.
Second. If you’re retaining Barry Cohen, you’re serious. You may say the suit is frivolous, but you’re not taking any chances.