Rep. Osborne has not responded to constituent Amanda McWane about his position on gay civil rights legislation.

Can we say d-u-n-c-e? (Advocate):

A Crestwood, Ky. accountant who asked her state representative to support gay and lesbian civil-rights legislation next year received a reply not from the lawmaker but from an aide, who mistakenly sent comments meant for the legislator to the constituent.

“This is one of those issues where it’s safe to say ‘Thanks for writing, I will consider your views’ and not go too far about your personal beliefs,” wrote Cheryl Long of the Legislative Research Commission and an aide to Rep. David Osborne, R-Prospect. “Seriously, these people really can get out of hand! …This particular group is much worse than pro-lifers!“

“If you reply to Ms. Amanda, make sure you delete my e-mail!” Long said of answering the e-mail from Amanda McWane.

Then Long mistakenly hit “reply” instead of “forward,” sending her comments to McWane and not to Osborne as Long intended.

McWane, 29, said Monday she had never tried to contact a politician until last week, when the Kentucky Fairness Alliance sent e-mails suggesting that supporters write lawmakers about civil rights protection for sexual orientation. “At that point, I didn’t even know who my representative was,” said McWane, who sent her e-mail to Osborne on Wednesday. “But it’s a pretty important issue to me.”

Long did not return calls seeking comment. LRC director Robert Sherman said the aide apologized to McWane upon realizing her mistake. She won’t be punished. “She pushed the wrong button,” Sherman said. “E-mail is a modern marvel, but if you’re not careful, it can get you in a bit of a pickle.”

Hat tip, PageOneQ.