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Man bought Web domains linked to Haire: Inman has contributed to GOP rival's campaign
(Messenger-Inquirer (Owensboro, KY) (KRT) Via Thomson Dialog NewsEdge) Apr. 17--People looking online to find information about Reid Haire's 2nd Congressional District campaign won't find anything at reidhaire.com.
For that matter, they'll also come up blank at reidhaire.net and haireforcongress.com.
All of those Web domains were purchased by an Owensboro businessman who is not supporting Haire's campaign.
Owensboro businessman J. Todd Inman purchased the three Web domains sometime prior to Haire's officially announcing his intention to run for Congress. Although Inman released one of the domain names at Haire's request, the name was scooped up by an as-yet unknown firm that specializes in acquiring relinquished names and reselling them.
Haire, who is Daviess County's judge-executive, is competing for the Democratic nomination against state Sen. David Boswell. The winner of the Democratic primary will face state Sen. Brett Guthrie in November.
One of the three will replace Rep. Ron Lewis, who chose not to run for re-election.
According to Guthrie's campaign finance reports, Inman gave $1,000 to Guthrie on March 10.
Inman is also Daviess County chairman for Republican Sen. Mitch McConnell's re-election campaign.
Tim Shock, Haire's campaign manager, said "it seems to me that Mr. Guthrie's supporters are playing dirty tricks."
Brian D. Smith, Guthrie's campaign manager, said Inman is a supporter but is not affiliated with the campaign. "I don't know anything about" Inman purchasing domain names related to Haire, Smith said.
Inman said he purchased the domain names to prevent anyone from using them to create bogus Web sites that would damage Haire's campaign.
"In a lot of political campaigns, domain names are bought to be used or not used," Inman said Wednesday. "It's like buying billboard space. It's the same thing as trying to get the best space in the newspaper.
"Those (domain names) aren't being used for any purpose -- positive or negative," Inman said. " ... They were acquired so they couldn't be used positively or negatively in anyone's campaign. To me, it makes it a fairer race. If you take those out of commission, it makes puts everyone on an even playing field."
Inman said that purchasing the domain names prevented Haire from using them, "but, at the same time, it prevents someone from using it against (him)."
Inman said that shortly after Haire announced his campaign in January, he received a call from Haire and agreed to release the domain name reidhaire.com.
Inman said he released the domain name through the Web site Go Daddy, which allows people to register, transfer and buy domain names.
"I even got a copy of the release notice," Inman said. "We didn't want any money or anything like that."
Inman said he has spoken to Haire recently, and there is not any animosity between them.
"We disagree ideologically on a lot of things ... like taxation," Inman said." ... But on several social issues we agree."
Shock said the domain name never became available for the campaign to purchase. Adam Strohl, a web designer working for the public relations firm that is handling media for Haire's campaign, said the firm attempted to purchase the domain, but lost it to another buyer.
"Somebody got to it before we even had a prayer of getting it back," Strohl said. When told Inman had released the name, Strohl said he contacted Go Daddy to see about purchasing it, but was told it was on hold. The best the campaign could do was put a "backorder" on the name, which means they were to be notified when the name went up for sale, Strohl said.
"What happened was my backorder lost against this larger company," Strohl said. A buyer that purchases multiple domain names at once would have had a competitive advantage against someone trying to purchase only one name, he said.
The name was purchased through eNom, a firm that claims to be the largest reseller of domain names in the world. The buyer's name was not listed Wednesday.
"I'm assuming in a day or two we'll find out who (they buyer) was," Strohl said. Inman said he did not release the names reidhaire.net or haireforcongress.com because Haire did not ask for them.
Strohl said the firm is trying to create a campaign Web site with another name.
"We've got a collection of alternatives, but that guy got all of the good ones ... That's the obnoxious part," Strohl said.
"There's nothing illegal or illegitimate" about Inman purchasing the names, Strohl said. "But ... it's very poor sportsmanship."
To see more of the Messenger-Inquirer, or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://www.messenger-inquirer.com.
Copyright (c) 2008, Messenger-Inquirer, Owensboro, Ky.
Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services.
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