By James Caldwell, Torch assistant editor

Susan Bysiewicz, the Secretary of State in Connecticut, issued a statement today saying there will not be a ban on voters wearing WWE-related merchandise when voting on November 2.

Bysiewicz responded to WWE CEO Vince McMahon filing a lawsuit today in which he requested a federal judge overturn Bysiewicz's "directive" to ban Connecticut voters from the polls if they wear WWE merchandise to vote. Bysiewicz claimed there was no "directive."

"Over the past few days, there have been several media reports suggesting that this office issued a directive to local election officials that voters who wear WWE t-shirts, hats or other apparel to the polls should be turned away from the polls. These reports misstate the law and misconstrue the statements from this office," Bysiewicz wrote in a letter to polling officials.

After Bysiewicz issued her statement, WWE CEO Vince McMahon issued another statement claiming "Bysiewicz reversed her position" on the "directive" to polling administrators.

McMahon also took a shot at Richard Blumenthal, the Connecticut Attorney General and opponent to his wife, Linda McMahon, in the U.S. Senate race. As the AG, Blumenthal would normally represent the Sec. of State, but he recused himself from the legal proceedings.

“The moment Connecticut Secretary of State Susan Bysiewicz issued an un-American, unconstitutional, and discriminatory directive prohibiting voters from wearing WWE merchandise at the polls, Attorney General Richard Blumenthal should have immediately stepped in to enforce the law," McMahon claimed.

"As a result of the Attorney General’s inaction, I brought suit to enforce these basic, fundamental constitutional rights. Within hours of filing the lawsuit, Blumenthal recused himself, and Bysiewicz reversed her position and immediately notified all Local Registrar of Voters and Town Clerks via email. I am pleased that Connecticut voters have had their freedom of expression and their right to vote restored.”

The headline of WWE's news story reads: "WWE makes Connecticut Secretary of State back down." It's part of the narrative in the "Stand Up for WWE" campaign with McMahon trying to "show the world" how powerful the organization and their fans are.

In a follow-up interview, Bysiewicz said her office is not banning WWE apparel from the polls. "If somebody walks in wearing a Hulk Hogan shirt, that's not a problem," she said. "If someone is wearing a t-shirt that says vote for Dick Blumenthal or Linda McMahon, clearly those kind of items are prohibited."

Caldwell's Analysis: McMahon comes across like a mean-spirited, delusional person in these statements putting his own spin on the "controversy" and throwing out loaded statements on First Amendment rights to distract from the Senate race as part of his "feel sorry for WWE" campaign. His reaction is a reminder of to the Denver Debacle last year when any sympathy for WWE and McMahon went out the window when McMahon did his usual bullying routine while throwing a fit because he didn't get his way. It's a classic example of arrogant, overbearing McMahon.

As for Susan Bysiewicz's statement, she seems out of touch referencing a "Hulk Hogan t-shirt" in relation to WWE. Also, blaming media reports won't get her any sympathy when her office helped stir up the controversy on Friday.

[Torch art credit Grant Gould (c) PWTorch.com]

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