Ed Patru, spokesman for Linda McMahon's U.S. Senate campaign, stated to Brian Lockhart that they have nothing to do with the "Stand Up for WWE" campaign promoted by Vince McMahon yesterday.

"The company didn't consult the campaign; we didn't ask for anything. It acted independently. You should address questions about that to WWE."

In response, WWE Spokesperson Robert Zimmerman said: "It had absolutely nothing to do with the Linda McMahon campaign, It’s trying to correct inaccuracies that have been reported. ... The attention that’s been put on WWE by Linda’s opponents have focused media attention on the company."

Robert Zimmerman also stated that the upcoming "Fan Appreciation Day" event on October 30 in Hartford, CT was indeed a response to campaign rhetoric. "WWE wanted to thank our fans for the support and putting up with everything that's been said about the company and sticking by us and putting on a fan appreciation show."

The Connecticut Democratic State party spokeswoman Kate Hansen obviously then ripped on the campaign, commenting, “Linda McMahon’s $50 million attack machine now has corporate reinforcements, thanks to the ‘Stand up for WWE’ campaign launched by her husband Vince McMahon. No coincidence, it looks a lot like her political campaign... except this one is probably against the law,” reads a statement from the state party that refers to federal election law that prohibits corporations from coordinating with political campaigns.

Hansen added, "“Linda McMahon’s claim that her husband’s aggressive public relations campaign is independent of her own political campaign is unbelievable, particularly after Vince McMahon specifically cites the Senate race as the reason for the offensive."

Linda McMahon’s Senate campaign is distancing itself from the WWE

http://www.facebook.com/StandUpForWWE

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WWE Defend The "Stand Up For WWE" Campaign


Nancy DiNardo, the chairman for the Connecticut Democratic Party, filed a complaint with the Federal Election committee today asking for an investigation into whether Linda McMahon's senate campaign has illegally coordinated itself with the WWE.

Richard Blumenthal's campaign sent out a mailer today that was asking for contributions and stating that WWE is directing their fans to take to Facebook, Twitter and any means possible to attack Richard Blumenthal. It said, "Linda's husband, Vince McMahon launched Stand up for WWE, an overt and brazen attempt to a corporation--controlled by the McMahon family--to buy an election."

Linda McMahon has a new ad that ties Blumenthal to the Countrywide Mortgage scandal that ended the political career of Chris Dodd. The ad says Blumenthal took care of the company and himself.

Politico.com has an article criticizing Harry Reid for have UFC's Dana White and Chuck Liddell campaign for him while the Democrats criticize Linda for being involved with wrestling. It calls MMA a real violent sport while wrestling is a fake violent sport.

The top five stories on WWE's website are all devoted to the "Stand up for WWE" campaign, pushing promotional articles for SmackDown! and Bragging Rights off the page.

WWE issued the following press release today regarding the political backlash against the "Stand Up" campaign:

WWE DEFENDS ITSELF
STAMFORD, Conn., October 20, 2010 – Due to what the WWE® considers malicious and misleading attacks reported by some members of the media, the company on Monday began a global initiative to defend itself called "Stand Up for WWE" which has resulted in yet more false allegations.

"World Wrestling Entertainment will not be bullied or intimidated by whining allegations intended to censor our freedom of speech," said Vince McMahon, Chairman and CEO of WWE.

WWE will fervently fight against any attempt to muzzle or trample its First Amendment rights. Our fans, employees, and performers are united in this grassroots effort to "Stand Up for WWE."

World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc., a publicly traded company (NYSE: WWE), is an integrated media organization and recognized leader in global entertainment. The company consists of a portfolio of businesses that create and deliver original content 52 weeks a year to a global audience. WWE is committed to family-friendly, PG content across all of its platforms including television programming, pay-per-view, digital media and publishing. WWE programming is broadcast in more than 145 countries and 30 languages and reaches more than 500 million homes worldwide. The company is headquartered in Stamford, Conn., with offices in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, London, Shanghai, Singapore, Tokyo, Toronto and Mexico City. Additional information on World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. (NYSE: WWE) can be found at wwe.com and corporate.wwe.com. For information on our global activities, go to http://www.wwe.com/worldwide/.

Additional information on World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. (NYSE: WWE) can be found at corporate.wwe.com.