If at first you don’t succeed, try, try, try again
Yep, Wayne Parker is considering running for the AL-05 congressional seat for the fourth time. Just think, if he doesn’t win this this time the slogan for his next campaign could be “Fifth for the Fifth.”
Rumors that he would run have persisted ever since his defeat in 2008. A few weeks ago I was hearing everything from 50/50 chance, to probably in, to it’s a done deal. If I bet on such things I would put my money on him jumping in. (As a side note, neither the wayneparker10.com nor wayneparker2010.com domains are currently registered. In 2008 he used wayneparker08.com.)
Wayne certainly brings a lot to the table in terms of both name ID and proven fundraising ability. His big concern has to be fatigue among voters, donors, and volunteers. How many times will people be willing to walk door-to-door or hand over hard earned cash only to see Wayne come up short in the end? I’ve heard from one person who worked on all three of his campaigns who expressed reservations about working on a fourth.
This campaign presents a different dynamic than the first three, which could work to his favor. Previously he had to square off against an incumbent (twice) and a well funded state senator in Parker Griffith in 2008 (before everyone learned what a self serving phony he is). All indicators point towards a weak Democrat in the general. Steve Raby is the biggest name being tossed around, but he’s a behind the scenes money guy who isn’t well known outside of the political chatting class. While Wayne nearly escaped a crowded, but weak, primary field in 2008 he wouldn’t have such a luxury this time. The field already includes a wealthy, well-funded (but unprincipled) incumbent, a well known and solidly conservative county commissioner, and an energetic veteran who has strong support from the Tea Party crowd. Can Wayne continue his prior primary successes in this field? If so, I think he coasts to victory in the general. (I think whoever the Republican nominee is will win, but I think Parker would win by the widest margin.)
I’m already seeing comments here and elsewhere proclaiming that Wayne is the only chance Republicans have of ousting Griffith simply because Wayne has raised money well in the past. Maybe. Personally, I don’t make my voting decisions solely based on perceived viability. One could argue that ability to raise money hasn’t put him over the top in his three previous campaigns. I voted for Wayne over Griffith once and I would do so again, except that I feel Mo Brooks is the better choice for Congress.
On the subject of the AL-05 race, please indulge me on a slight tangent…
I think conservatives/Republicans/whatever need to maintain some perspective. The enemy, in political terms, isn’t Mo Brooks or Les Phillip or Wayne Parker. The enemy is Parker Griffith. I would argue that people who support or have supported any of the first three are fairly similar. Sure, we all have our own reasons for picking a candidate (you only get one vote, after all), but those reasons are trivial compared to why one should not vote for Griffith. Brooks/Phillip/Parker supporters would be well served to tone down the attacks on those candidates and their supporters. The principle goal should be defeating Griffith as any of the other three would be FAR, FAR better for the district. Please, argue FOR your candidate. Passionately. But just remember when you call a fellow conservative candidate a poo-poo head that you may end up eating crow after the primary when you suddenly become a supporter.
If, and this is a big if, the GOP manages to defeat Griffith in the primary, then I will relish us keeping this seat. Now, I believe the election will be close, but I thought Griffith would when as a Democrat and w/o him on the ballot I wouldn’t be to sure we don’t retake this seat. To paraphrase, “No amount of clapping will bring you back from where [we] will send you. Ha, ha, ha.”
You’re pretty confident in the Dems winning despite A) not living in the district and B) they don’t even have a candidate. There’s a reason they don’t have a candidate. All the smart ones know they would face an electoral buzzsaw thanks to the national Dems. Right now all they even have rumored is a behind the scenes guy and two newbies who are probably just interested in building name ID to support a future run for some office. The seat will have an R in it after November not because the GOP did anything special to earn it or that they will have a superior candidate (even though they will). The GOP will win because of what Obama and the current Congress are doing.
Haha… Wayne Parker is not even a has been… he is a never was… What a joke…
Thank you.
Can anyone name 1 thing Wayne Parker has ever done (other than running for AL-05)?
Another Dem whose name I keep hearing tossed around is Jeff Enfinger. He would seem like their best hope.
Everyone I’ve talked to about Enfinger predicts he is gearing up to challenge Paul Sanford in SD-7. Making requisite appearances in Montgomery and what not.
I was mostly joking just because the GOP was so optimistic last time (as many times before) and came up short. To be honest, we lack a good candidate right now, but if one should emerge, at least prepare for heartbreak (again.), if not celebrate finally taking (or retaining) a seat by electing a no principal ed party-swapper like Parker Griffith. Also, I think it is a little presumptuous to say that my living in the district has anything to so with how I feel the seat will go, and how accurate that feeling is. I will predict a winner, and if I think the GOP candidate wins I will say so. Aside from that, I expect Griffith to be nominated and maintain the seat.
“The enemy, in political terms, isn’t Mo Brooks or Les Phillip or Wayne Parker. The enemy is Parker Griffith.”
WTF
If the Democrats retake this seat by some miracle this will be the reason. You do remember the Democrats, remember them? The ones that apparently only I thought were the enemy? You better be ready to kick my account if the Democrats win because I will be on here everyday telling you “I told you so”.
There is no doubt that the Republican primary is shaping up to be a hard one and there is going to be a ton of mud slinging at Parker Griffith, but just remember that negative campaigning can backfire and we stand a chance to kill ourselves in this process if we keep forgetting that the ENEMY IS NOT PARKER GRIFFITH it is the Pelosi Democrats that you might just pave the way to get elected if the voters tire of the Republican infighting.
Said it before that I will most likely vote for Mo Brooks but you can bet the farm that I will vote for the Republican nominee in the General election no matter who he is because I did NOT forget who the real enemy is.
A word on the actual topic here is that without any evidence at all I still have an uneasy feeling about Wayne Parker and he is definitely in the “only if there is nobody else” category to me. I always felt that he was a bit of an Elitist IMHO but all this is baseless and just my opinion.
That is simply a point we’ll have to disagree on. Maybe I’m stubbornly principled, but I’d rather have a Bud Cramer type Democrat that I can at least trust, even if I disagree with him on some issues, than a person like Parker Griffith. Griffith is a wild card that will vote in his own interests instead of the district’s. His vacillating positions make him unreliable. He supported “universal” health care in the recent past, now he is opposed to Obamacare. Maybe it isn’t radical enough for him. He was in favor of card check – and took money from labor unions – now he isn’t. What lies will he feed to Republican voters to get reelected? Sorry, I’m not going to get burned by him like the Dems did.
Yes, I want Pelosi out of power. Primarily because I think divided government is good for America. But I’m not willing to vote for Griffith to make that happen. You’re certainly free to do so or rub it in my face later if a Dem wins, but I will have no remorse.
I understand your position, but I am going to have to disagree. In the House of Representatives, the individual reps have very little power. The leadership holds a stranglehold on power, and as such the main thing that matters there is the numbers. I will vote for Griffith if he somehow manages to win the primary, which I pray will not happen. But it is more a vote for Republican control of the House than for the man.
On the flip side, I would completely agree with you, if we were talking about the Senate. As each Senator has far more power to control the outcome of events. I would rather have Bud Cramer (D) as my Senator than Parker Griffith (R).
The enemy is based on political party. It is based on ideology. Parker Griffith is not a real advocate for limited government. Parker Griffith is the enemy.
I have volunteered with two campaigns. Wayne Parker 08 was one of them. I have to say, Wayne Parker is a poor campaigner. Not saying anything against his politics or his character, both I believe were great. But as a campaigner, he did a rather poor job. I was at a debate during the GOP primary (I had already thrown my hat with Parker), and the issue of the FairTax came up. Most of the candidates were pro, and Parker was mildly against. It is better than the current system, but he was more of a Flat Tax person. But when he tried to explain his position, he came off weak, and was not able to clearly articulate his position to the people. Granted most people in the crowd (at least the vocal ones) were FairTax people, but his delivery left a lot to be desired, and the pro-FairTax people clearly got the upper hand there.
His attacks against Parker Griffith were poorly done, and I can’t tell you the number of people I called and door-knocked who turned against him because of some of those attacks. Now you can argue that they wouldn’t have voted for him anyway, and I can’t refute that, but my perception from the ground was the execution of the attacks hurt him.
On the flip side, a more perfect campaign couldn’t have been done than the Phil Williams campaign. He was outstanding. Targeted, Focused, Principled. I realize his was easier given the much smaller area he needed to cover, but still, I give the Williams campaign an A+. Wayne Parker: C+
As for voting, I have to admit I was a Les Philip guy, but Brian is slowly turning me to Mo Brooks.
is not based on political party*
All:
Please envision the following:
Griffith as the GOP nominee in November.
1. Conservatives refusing to vote for Griffith because Griffith’s public record (voting, public statements, gratuitous insults cast at GOP officeholders, contributions, etc.) is just too much for them to disregard
2. Voters who value honor and principle refusing to vote for Griffith (see above).
3. Non-stop TV ads . . . . rerun from 2008 (yes, THOSE ads – wherein the NRCC, RNC and Wayne Parker attack Griffith time after time) . . . with the Democrats merely reminding voters about what PG’s own party (the GOP) says about him.
4. Millions of dollars being raised against Griffith with “justice” and “revenge” motivating the contributions (in part, to deter other Democrat defections).
Now ask yourself this question. Is Griffith a viable general election candidate?
Mo Brooks
Brian – Bud Cramer wasn’t a “Bud Cramer type Democrat” until he almost got beat by… wait for it… Wayne Parker. Bud was sliding on several issues until he got an election-results reminder of who he represented.
I’m still trying to figure out why Griffith got elected, despite what I thought was convincing evidence that he should not have been elected. I mostly blame it on a good year for Democrats, plus Griffith came across as a good candidate despite the Huntsville Hospital documents. About the “unwarranted pain and suffering”, a friend reminded me that I’m not an attorney and that I’ve never been involved in a malpractice case – they get exceptionally nasty and that is something to consider.
Somehow, that the GOP and Wayne Parker made the Hospital documents public ended up hurting Parker as much as Griffith (IMO – if someone has polling numbers to explain – share!).
I’ve got to respect Griffith’s political skills and I don’t think Griffith would have switched parties unless he thought he had a path to victory. How he thinks he can win the GOP primary baffles me, but there it is.
Are there that many GOP primary voters who haven’t committed to Mo or Les (or Griffith)?
I’m still trying to figure out why Griffith got elected, despite what I thought was convincing evidence that he should not have been elected.
A: Wayne Parker was a really, really lousy candidate. Just makes you wonder what he’s smoking to think running again is a swell idea.
Very interesting comments about Wayne (I wish my last name were not) Parker. I have heard from many about his weaknesses, but those are easy to find in us all. Can someone here point to any strength of his, from a political standpoint? I believe in the election process, and think having more candidates – to a point – is a good thing. Having four candidates will be good for all of us in AL05. However, regarding the dems, I don’t see one who can win – but remember that guy from Arkansas back in ‘91 – he ended up doing ok.
Here is my June 1 prediction:
Griffith: 36%
Phillip: 26%
Parker: 24%
Brooks: 14%
Then the run-off:
Phillip 59%
Griffith 41%
I know at this time that seems crazy – but Phillip is the best campaigner in the group, and is building momentum everday – while Brooks talks about what he has done, and Parker thinks about what he almost did.
It really isn’t fair to say things like this. How am I supposed to respond when my muscles are still convulsing from nearly laughing myself to death? Ajay, the only thing you’ve told us with this post is who you are supporting.
As for Phillip’s campaigning, I would rather have someone with a proven record than someone who is a great campaigner. Mo Brooks talks about what he has done because he has a record that can be examined and a record that proves he is a true conservative. As an attorney, Mo Brooks knows how to approach the law and that is extremely valuable for someone that will be a law-maker. Not only that, but Mo Brooks is invested in Huntsville because he is from Huntsville and Mo Brooks is up for the fight that is ahead in Washington. We need to put someone in office that will be our Champion and Mo Brooks is THE MAN. GO MO!
What a joke. The results will be:
Wayne and Mo on top, Griffith 3rd, and Phillips last.
Edward – didn’t you work for the Coakley campaign – keep drinking the kook aid bro.
Ajay,
Although we agree on who we are supporting, I think your prediction is very off. There is no way that Brooks finishes dead last in a four way race with PG, LP, WP. And definititely no way he loses by 20+ percentage points. While I may have not support him in the primary, Brooks is a very good candidate and has demonstarted that he can raise money without having to spend money. His name id is great and his strategy of delaying the start of his campaign until March or April, thus amassing a sizeable warchest, could be a winner.
As supporters of Les, we must remember that he is the only candidate whose name has never appeared on the ballot, ever. All three other have ran(and won) in District 5. PG in the general in 08, WP in the GOP primary in 08, and MB in the Lt. Governors race in 06. MB was out fundraised by a mragin of 20:1 by Luther Strange and still beat him by a sizeable margin in District 5 including a 35% win in all important Madison County. We should not underestimate Commissioner Brooks.
I think we all here can agree that Griffith is the kind of guy who would spill a drink on your carpet and move the chair to cover the spot.
and Les Phillip is the John Wayne of Conservatives.
You guys, are you serious?
Parker Griffith, never voted with Obama on ANY major spending bills. You guys wanted a republican so bad for the 5th congressional district now you have one and your still bitching I dont get it.Obama cut the Ares program and I believe BRAC 2015 is seriously in jeopardy.
Ok, Ok, most of you will argue that he’s not a “conservative”, yet, Les Phillip has PAID to get Huckabee endorsement and loss money at the event. He claims to be a defender of true conservatives but how can he be when he is willing to spend more money than he makes doesnt that make him a democrat. How can he be expected to “Protect” the Constitution when he is paying an outfit out of Washington approximately 80% of the money he raised to stay in this contest.
Of all of the candidates in the race I expect Moe Brooks to do the best. He is a politician and right now we need someone with experience to bring money back to this district. Les Phillip continues to wave the flag and the Constitution around as a distraction to the fact that he is not educated on the needs of this district nor has he raised any significant money in this district. Moe has a proven track record and shown that he is willing to stay true to his convictions regardless of how unpopular they maybe.
Les’ henchmen have repeatedly whispered that Mo is a mormon and somehow unfit to lead, that is a cowardly, cowardly way to run a campaign especially from a guy hailing from a military academy. If he were such a shining star of a patriot while serving tell me why he got out of the service? Dont most of those guys go on to be leaders in our nations military? Im voting for Mo come June. He is the best answer for this district.
Griffith isn’t conservative. Period. The guy ran around shouting the benefits of universal health care a few years ago. Some of his former Dem friends claim it was “scary” how liberal he was (is?). He doesn’t vote on principle. He told Dems he believed in certain things then he went to D.C. and crawfished on a number of promises. He just says whatever voters want to hear and then once in office he sticks his finger in the air and votes however he feels the wind is blowing that day. No, he isn’t conservative. He’s an opportunist.
I must comment on your remarks. First of all, “henchmen”? Give us a break here. Who are these “henchmen” and where did they come from. I know of none, and am not aware of anyone working for Phillip except a few people and they are practically volunteer. Maybe their doing it in private, secretly, covertly.
Second, Brooks is a Mormon. Why would anyone have to whisper about that? He is. Christians know that Mormons look upon The Doctrine and Covenants and The Pearl of Great Price as divinely authoritative. The Bible says to take away from or add to it will cost anyone who does that a great price. Using any other source but God’s inspired Word is not “christian” no matter how the mormons wish to paint themselves as such.
I really don’t want to harp on this but you brought it up and there are many Christians who know what I’m saying is true. The Christian church uses the Holy Bible alone as its authority from God. Joseph Smith is not recognized as a prophet.
The Mormon church sees God as the Supreme Being of the universe. However, He gradually acquired that position over a long period of time by living a perfect and righteous life. God the Father has a body (flesh and bones). The Christian church proclaims God as eternally and infinitely supreme. He is the same today as always. He is a spirit Being.
The Mormon church teaches that humans exist as spirit beings before their birth. At physical birth, bodies are given to these spirits. They are also given an opportunity for free-will choice. The physical world represents a period of probation. The status of a person in the afterlife is determined by the way that person lived his/her life on Earth. If the person lived by a satisfactory standard, (including the fulfillment of Mormon temple obligations) that person has the potential to become a god in the after-life. The person can also produce “spirit children” to populate a world of his own (like God did with the earth). The Christian church holds that humans do not exist as spirits prior to being born into the world. Humans cannot attain godhood or populate other worlds with “spirit children.”
The Mormon church views Jesus and Satan as spirit brothers and sons of God. God put forth His plan of salvation for the world, and Satan proposed his own plan. Jesus accepted the Father’s plan and offered to implement it as the Savior. The Father chose Jesus, and the spirit of Jesus was given a body through the virgin Mary. He was crucified on a Roman cross, and rose from the dead three days later to establish His deity. The character and life of Jesus is attainable by anyone who performs at such a righteous level. The Christian church teaches that Jesus Christ has existed eternally as the Son of God, the second “person” of the Trinity. Jesus took on human flesh about 2000 years ago and was born into the world through the virgin Mary. He was crucified on a Roman cross for our sins, and rose from the dead three days later to establish His deity.
Mormons believe in salvation through works. This is a direct contradiction to christian faith. Forgiveness of sins requires faith, repentance and baptism by an approved Mormon priest. The practice of baptism for the dead is an extension of this belief, in which Mormons are baptized in proxy for those who have died without proper baptism. The Christian church teaches that we are unable to live a life righteous enough to meet God’s perfectly holy standard. Therefore, we establish a relationship with God by faith in the work of Christ on the cross, not by our own works. Baptism and good deeds are acts of obedience to God, but not the means for gaining eternal salvation.
The Mormon church maintains that although there is temporary punishment for those that are most wicked, Jesus Christ will establish a new kingdom that will consist of three levels: the celestial kingdom, the terrestrial kingdom, and the telestial kingdom. The Christian church holds that there are only two possible fates after death, heaven or hell. These locations are final, both physically and spiritually.
So, yes Brooks is a Mormon and he believes in the false doctrine of a cult. Why would anyone have to whisper about that? Any devoted christian knows the things I just commented about. They are FACT, not speculation. So how can a man who can be so duped by a cult ever represent the christian people of this state or of our nation or our district?
We’ve already got a follower of Islam in the White House. That is trouble enough, especially in light of the fact that they want to kill all infidels. That would be Jews and Christians and anyone else who isn’t a follower of Islam. And mentioning that, let’s do look at Griffith’s voting record and comments about Islam. This is the real test to see just what he believes and doesn’t believe and how conservative his really is, shall we?
Griffith’s voting record is far from conservative. Granted, he voted against the Big 4; Obama’s first budget, no-voted the Stimulus, Cap and Trade, and Obamacare. However, his vote on the budget is slightly deceptive since he originally voted for 9 of the 12 spending bills that make up the budget. And, he voted against all the Stimulus Amendments that would reduce its size. Hmmmm? So he voted AGAINST all amendments that would have reduced the size of that incredibly effective stimulus bill that Obama now wants us to do again?
Griffith voted YES on the 2009 pork-filled Omnibus; YES on Cash for Clunkers, NO on waiving the harmful Davis-Bacon provision, and had a pathetic 0% score on the 2009 RePORK Card. So, with Griffith, we have a pro-pork moderate Congressman, and as the NRCC reminded us in 2008, he has some naivete on the issue of terrorism.
Politico commented the following about Griffith:
“Democratic State Senator Parker Griffith has been under fire in recent weeks for comments made to a local Baptist association in which he suggested radical Islam isn’t a threat to the U.S. ‘We have nothing to fear from radical Islam. We have nothing to fear from any other religion if we are strong on our own beliefs. I don’t fear radical Islam’, said Griffith. This is from an audio tape made of his appearance. Adding insult to injury, Griffith had already pointed a finger at American culter: ‘I think America’s greatest enemy is America and its materialism’, he said. “
Hmmmm. Conservative? Hardly.
And, what made Parker Griffith qualified for the job to begin with? What makes Brooks qualified and what makes Phillip qualified? We have two RINOS and a conservative. Excuse me, A RINO, a Mormon RINO and a true conservative who happens to be a Christian. Who are most people who appreciate fiscal conservatism; the Constitution which is being trampled upon by almost every one of our esteemed representatives in Congress, and a well-respected business man who is getting the support of Tea Party members all across the U.S. going to support?
So, let’s don’t say people are “whispering” about anything. Why should anyone whisper? In a day when we have to be so “PC” about Islam, do we have to do the same for cults? I don’t think so and as a Christian, I want to be the first to say exactly what Brooks’ religion is; a false doctrine of a cult. He is gullible and he is extremely politically “hungry”. Most people I know would say that is a combination that we don’t need more of in Washington, D.C.
First, you are a MORON.
Nice to see Thomas Beach’s Mormon line is back after being debunked.
I love that you are relying on bigotry to get people to agree with you.
You need to have your rights to breed and vote revoked.
Once again… http://theattackmachine.wordpress.com/2009/10/24/the-gop-primary-for-al-05-away-we-go-into-the-silliness/
So is Mo Brooks lying? Has Thomas Beach ever recanted?
@Brian, my point is Les is just the same opportunist as Griffith and not as “conservative” as he claims to be based on his fiscally careless means of raising money and campaigning.
Wow – yeah right IS soo…left? Only way I can make sense of the rhetoric. He starts with “you guys” then doesn’t even know how to spell the name of the guy he is pushing “Moe” Brooks. Please, I don’t blame you, if I was a liberal, I too would want Brooks to run – more power to you, best strategy on here!
Young GOP – I don’t mean to discount what Mo’s name recognition will do for him – that is why I put him in double digits. Have you been out there, simply put, people don’t like him very much. Also, it is very clear that he does not have what it takes to be a congressman. Listen folks – we need someone who has the ability to draw people to their vision (if you have been at ANY event where Mo and Les are, you have seen the crowds around Les, and watched Mo walk from person to person trying to gain a conversation) and the ability to fight the good fight against the Marxist mentality of the left (sorry yeah right).
By the way – to ALL, where are your specific predictions and the reasoning to back it up?
ajay,
constant hyperbole just makes no one care about what you have to say…
as for my predictions..
Close first race between Mo and Griffith…
Griffith – 46%
Mo – 44%
Les – 10%
The uninformed show up at a lower percentage in the runoff and Mo takes the cake easy.
Runoff
Mo – 65%
Griffith 35%
Well I can probably predict one thing, Griffith will probably get all the votes he will get in the first round, I see him as a probable loser in a runoff with anyone since I doubt he would pickup many votes from the conservative candidates.
They don’t have any. It’s Jackson and Flashpoint, they are the support for Brooks, and are trying their best to give him all the “local” support he can get.
It’s bad enough what the GOP is trying to ram down our throats here in the 5th AL Congressional District, but to have the little local “machine” do it as well is an insult to the people here. People see through this and will vote against this type of behavior.
Why were all of the Tea Party chapters started? To fight against the very thing these people are touting, right here on this blog.
Get a grip. You’ve got Brooks who is on the Executive Committee of the Madison County GOP and the State GOP and you’ve got the RNC love fest going on over Griffith. How corrupt can that be? You think about that.
And why are Phillip’s supporters mad at me? Because I put a prediction out that showed Les getting 9% of the vote. Is the implication that I like Griffith more than Phillip because I think he will get 40%? Really? Is it part of a strategy to help Griffith too or just hurt Phillip?
Which conspiracy am I in on?
Scott Brown references? Really, that is weak. Les is not the only conservative in this race like Scott Brown was. This is a primary and you guys better get some thicker skin if you want to play with the big boys.
You Phillip supporters, your hurt feelings and your attack, attack , attack mentality is nauseating.
I haven’t made an endorsement, (I will) but I have made my predictions and feelings on this race and the issues as they develop clear. Why is it anything short of outward praise of Les Phillip is met with anger? Do you think that helps Les Phillip?
You sound like a paranoid, delusional nutcase.
@Ajay,
Liberal seriously. I guess liberal in your mind is anyone who doesnt support phillips. I would just caution you that internet support doesnt translate to votes at the box nor does 80% of the money he’s taken from people outside the district that can not vote for him. How much money has he raised in the district and how much did it cost for him to do it? I believe there is a direct correlation between locally raised money and support of a candidate. Les Phillips is fiscally irresponsible and thats just all there is to it and he will not be getting my vote come June.
Have you also considered that Les is the only one that has been actively campaigning in the race with a paid staff and doing advertising to get the name recognition he has to have to be considered a solid contender? Those things don’t come free you know? You have to spend money to make money. That being said, I can’t believe he doesn’t have more on hand then that. Maybe Huckabee will come do a real fundraiser for him and not charge the appearance fee this time?
I’m interested in something missing in Mr. Brooks’ campaign though. I didn’t see in his expenses anything that would relate to his website. I guess it could be donated though.
Both of those guys have got to pick it up this quarter to make this a real race with Parker Griffith.
@wolfmanjack Brooks’ first website was done for free by a supporter. His second website wasn’t in Q4.
@Cathy “To insinuate that Phillip has contributions from out-of-state is insinuating something sinister.”
No insinuation is required. The majority of his contributions HAVE come from out of state… Also it and comical and retarded when you write that a) Brooks is a good ole boy b) say that because he’s small time he will be targeted by PACs c) say that because Les Phillip has even less political experience he’s the man for the job…
Statements a) and b) contradict each other. You are saying that he’s small time while at the same time calling him a political insider. What? Statement b) by itself is stupid… Brooks ran for Lt. Governor and didn’t take any PAC money. Also, he is considered the front runner by many and 2nd place by everyone else… PACs would LOVE to buy his vote.. yet he has 0% contributions from PACs whereas your boy, Les Phillip, paid a PAC money for their support then listed the contributions that he got through that PAC as coming from individuals. c) and a) don’t make any sense together either. As a man with less political record we can trust Les less than Brooks to not sell himself to PACs!
I am very happy that Americans are waking up after the sharp turn to the left in Washington but it is annoying to see active political novices get duped by politicians the same way as before. We CANNOT trust someone simply because of the words coming out of their mouth! We have to gain trust in them based upon what they’ve done in the past! What Brooks has done in the past should make him a saint to any conservative onlooker but instead these guys are drooling over the first charismatic politician to shake their hand… how disappointing.
To insinuate that Phillip has contributions from out-of-state is insinuating something sinister. Nothing could be further from the truth. Phillip has many tea party activists across the country sending in $25, $50 and $75 donations. I wouldn’t call that bad. In fact, I believe that is an indication of strong support of Phillip outside the City of Huntsville.
If that’s the best argument anyone can come up with against Phillip; Brooks is in trouble. Why has the man run for office seven times? What DOES he think he can do for this District, State and our Country that he can’t do here? Spending has gone up since he became a Commissioner, and there are some things that people have questioned about Brooks. I’m not saying he has done anything illegal but I am saying that he is political. That is one thing that’s wrong in Washington, D.C. Why send another good ‘ole boy to do the job a man who has no ties to any political entity could do better?
Before you say Brooks is more qualified, please expound upon that. I wouldn’t say being a County Commissioner or any of the other things Brooks has done great accomplishments. He is a small-time politician who has aspirations of bigger things. Those types of people, historically, are the ones who get stars in their eyes and money loaded into their pockets by lobbyists (and freshmen congressmen and senators) are the ones who are targeted more by lobbyists for that very reason.
Phillip, on the other hand, represents better the values of the 5th Congressional District and of Alabama. He is a conservative, a constitutional conservative. He is a Christian who leads an upstanding life and all who know him or have had business dealings with him know that he will not compromise his faith. There are those who say they have faith, they use the title and there are those who talk it and walk it. Les Phillip talks the talk and walks the walk.
Brooks being elected for this seat is about as good as Griffith getting it. In fact, if it came down to Brooks and Griffith in the election. I will vote for Griffith. But, I firmly believe that Phillip is the best man of the three.
Get a better argument against Phillips than the grassroots support of tea parties. Just because our local tea party here in Huntsville hasn’t got the guts to support a single candidate doesn’t mean others do not. And don’t make the mistake of thinking that just because they can’t vote, doesn’t mean they won’t support him in other ways.
Who was it that said that all the infighting stands a very good chance of putting a Democrat back in office? OH yea, that was ME! Today’s enlightening rants on Mormon’s and the denial of the Mo Brooks unsaid endorsement is starting to make ME look like a prophet. Keep it up folks, keep shooting those holes in the bottom of our own boat. Just as an aside, never been in a Mormon service and know just enough to feel it is not for me, BUT I look at who is fighting the good fight out west against homosexual activists that want to throw the vote of the people out the window and I see the Mormons and not much of anybody else. Everybody else seems to want to be politically correct, at least they are sticking to their guns. I don’t care much what you do but don’t tell me that the “rights” of a very few trump the rights of the majority in any situation. I believe in what I thought was Democracy i.e. rule by the people (majority?). Ok this is rambling, must need better drugs.
dcm
For the person who stated, “I believe in what I thought was Democracy i.e. rule by the people (majority?).” Since you want to define democracy I would like to point out that would be great except that we are NOT a democracy. Its scary that people that do not understand this (& that includes certain politicians) are dangerous. Please if you are going to vote or run for office learn what this country is. I find it funny that the only candidate that could answer my question related to this was Les Phillip.
From a blog I wrote several years go. “I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America,and to the Republic for which it stands,one Nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.”
In the Pledge of Allegiance we all pledge allegiance to our Republic, not to a democracy. “Republic” is the proper description of our government, not “democracy.” I invite you to join me in raising public awareness regarding that distinction.
Just after the completion and signing of the Constitution, in reply to a woman’s inquiry as to the type of government the Founders had created, Benjamin Franklin said, “A Republic, if you can keep it.”
Not only have we failed to keep it, most don’t even know what it is.
Well let’s look at those quote again, OK?
“I believe in what I thought was Democracy”
Hmmm, did not say what I thought THIS country was, ain’t that odd.
“Since you want to define democracy I would like to point out that would be great except that we are NOT a democracy. Its scary that people that do not understand this ”
Well instead of launching into a primer on government, maybe you should just concentrate on reading skills? Hmmmm? It’s “scary” that people read what they want to and not what was printed.
“Please if you are going to vote or run for office learn what this country is. I find it funny that the only candidate that could answer my question related to this was Les Phillip.”
Huh? Where did that come from, oh , those darn reading skills again. I find it odd that suddenly this blog is filled with Les supporters, somebody tell on us or something?
Anyway I still believe in “democracy” as I understand it, wherever it may be practiced.
dcm
@Cathy: There is no insinuation there. Phillips has NOT raised money locally. The outfit out of Washington that has raised money has charged him $4 for every $5 raised. They get that by doing direct mail to donors with a proven track record of giving to “conservative” candidates. To that point, you could put a picture of my dog with the quotation “conservative” and they would give.
Might I remind you that no one ever heard of les phillips until he lost his a@@ on getting Huckabee’s paid endorsement?
Can we really trust him do we really know who he is? He has yet to offer any solutions to this districts problems and continues to run on national tea part rhetoric.
I will vote for Brooks come June.
Cathy,
I was leaning towards Les but you have go to the the most air headed representative that Mr. Phillip has. Do you honestly think that you are helping his cause by insinuating that Commissioner Brooks is a secret Mormon cult member RINO?
Brooks was the FIRST Republican ever elected to the State Legislature north of Birmingham, he has fought literally all his adult life for conservative and republican values. He is NOT a Mormon, he has said so on numerous occasions. He is NOT a career politician; while he has held elected office for most of his life he has always had another job as a nationally konw and respected attorney.
So why do you feel the need to continually slander this good man? Does Mo Brooks have problems as a candidate? Sure, but he does not need idiotic members of his own party tearing him down anonymously on internet forums.
I hope Mr. Phillip can control his supporters better and that you are simply the exception to the rule. I have met Les personally on three occasions and know him to be a true patriot, a man of honor and integrity. But you, Cathy, are running his good name through the mud by bold faced lying openly about a fellow conservative.
STOP! You are losing more votes(including possibly mine) by this garbage. Mo Brooks and Les Phillip are both great individuals and will be equally great Congressmen for North Alabama.
Parker Griffith is the enemy, he is the one who has stabbed us in the back, he is the one we must defeat; not each other! What do you think PG thinks about seeing you tear other conservatives down? He loves it. A divided conservative base means a win for him in June.
@Young GOP well said. Though you will probably be called a liberal for advocating for mo.
Cathy = “Why were all of the Tea Party chapters started? To fight against the very thing these people are touting, right here on this blog.”
The writers of Flashpoint have been supportive of and active in the local Tea Parties. I’ve attended several and written about it. Mo Brooks spoke at the first one in Huntsville.
http://www.flashpointblog.com/2009/04/15/huntsville-tax-day-tea-party-a-huge-success/
Cathy = “Just because our local tea party here in Huntsville hasn’t got the guts to support a single candidate doesn’t mean others do not.”
Our local tea party supports any Republican but Griffith. IMO the group is smart not to choose between two candidates (Mo and Les) who both support the group. Guts? I’ll respond by saying that the local Tea Party organizers have done a great job of forming an influential political group in less than a year. Search on “tea party” to see just how much.
Disclosure – Mo used to post here at Flashpoint, but of fairness to the GOP Primary he stopped. We are friendly to Mo, because Flashpoint is basically a few people who should be doing other things, and Mo was kind enough as County Commissioner to provide valuable insights into government.
43 comments
Dear Young GOP,
If Mo has told you he is not a Mormon than you are naive and Mo is twisting the truth like he always does for political reasons. Ask if he was a former Mormon and if he says no ask him if he was ever a Mormon and where he goes to church now. If he cant be honest do you really want another politician in Washington not telling the truth.
MO has been in public office since 1982 , so yes I would consider him a career politician. One more thing, Mo was known as the most ineffective House member in Montgomery, the publication he refers to as voting him the most effective is a well known conservative publication that in the 1980s and 90s were trying to promote republicans. Even Republicans worry about him getting elected to Congress because of his antagonistic personality. He has never laid out his plan to be successful in Congress, he just bellows out about how bad Nancy Pelosi and Reid are. Please dont let his smoke and mirrors deflect the image he is, an opportunitist. With that said where is the true Republican with conservative values, I am not sure anyone running is.
Someone told me today that Mo’s idea of getting things worked out in DC was to play tennis and chess with the libs. Said that was what he said at some luncheon this week. Has anyone else heard that? I don’t want to elect a congressman to go to D.C. to be buddies with the Dems. That’s what’s gotten us in the mess we’re in.
Wolfmanjack (and the others on this blog who prefer rumor to truth and triviality to substance):
I recognize each of you is hiding behind an alias and so your reputation will not be sullied by the silliness or falsity of your remarks, but would it not be better if the Les Phillip’s internet team would stop making things up out of thin air?
Wouldn’t that help your candidate more?
Our country faces serious issues that deserve serious attention and discourse.
It would be more constructive if you would focus more on public policy solutions to America’s challenges and less on triviality and false gossip.
This Les Phillip campaign tactic is amateurish, counterproductive, and helps explain why our nation is in the situation we are in.
And, from your perspective, I hope you understand how you are doing your candidate more harm than good. Les Phillip deserves better than what you are giving him.
Mo Brooks
“political hack”,
I will challenge you in the same manner that I have challenged other mudslinging, childish, broken record-like supporters of Les Phillip. Maybe you will have the dignity to respond (I doubt it). Here is a list that entails why Mo Brooks is the best candidate in the race:
Why Mo Brooks is the right man for AL05 and the United States:
1 ) Mo Brooks was considered one of the most effective legislators in the Alabama legislature by an Alabama newspaper.
2 ) Mo Brooks ranked #1 out of 140 legislators in the fight against higher taxes by the Alabama Taxpayers’ Defense Fund.
3 ) Mo Brooks was elected House minority leader three different times in the Alabama legislature.
4 ) Mo Brooks fought against the Amendment I tax increase in 2004 (which would have been the largest tax increase in Alabama’s history) that was being pushed by Governor Bob Riley (R) – Mo is more loyal to our conservative principles than he is to GOP big whigs.
5 ) Mo Brooks’ discretionary budget for those he represents (Madison County Commission District 5), increased 19-20 fold from 1996 – 2009. This increase occurred without any General Fund tax increases.
6 ) In 25+ years of public service, there has never been an ethics complaint filed against Mo Brooks to the Alabama Ethics Commission.
7 ) Mo Brooks doesn’t use public money for a county car, car insurance, gas, cell phone, computer, copier, etc (all other county commissioners have some if not all of these paid for by the county). Notably, Les Phillip has already used the people’s money, in the form of donations, to clean his teeth! http://query.nictusa.com/cgi-bin/dcdev/forms/C00462481/450811/sb/17
8 ) Mo Brooks has sponsored, promoted and passed legislation before.
9 ) Mo Brooks is willing to make personal sacrifices to change the course of our government. My parents have 3 jobs right now. If elected, they will move to Washington and their 3 incomes will change to 1.
10 ) Mo Brooks has experience in law and in a legislative body. He has spent his career, in both of his jobs, honing his ability to create and verbally express logical arguments to the end of convincing others the legitimacy of his stance. Mo’s experience matters because it is important for a congressman to be able to defend his beliefs with skill so that he gains the rapport of other congressman. You can judge Mo’s effectiveness at speaking here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iAxLqNlmx4g
11 ) For the last 70 years, every single candidate who has run for Congress, regardless of party, who had not first proven himself in public office lost. Mo Brooks passes that litmus test for Huntsville’s government employees.
As your Congressman, Mo Brooks will:
1 ) “…strongly push for a balanced budget Constitutional Amendment (not just co-sign an amendment and passively watch to see what happens).” This would make it unconstitutional to pass a budget where the Congress plans for a deficit.
2 ) “…remove illegal aliens from America, thereby immediately freeing up millions of jobs for America citizens.” Here is his plan to make this happen:
- The federal government should not bar states and local governments from dealing with the illegal alien issue. If a state or local government has a workable idea, they should be allowed to implement it.
- Taxpayers and those of us who pay for our health care should not be forced to pay for the cost of health care for foreign workers. Employers are the ones who profit from the hiring of foreign workers. Hence, they should be the ones who pay for foreign workers’ health care costs. This additional cost of hiring foreign workers will make American citizens more attractive for employment.
- Similar to the above, American citizens who are victimized by foreign workers (auto wrecks where the foreigner has no insurance, for example) should have recourse against the employer of the foreign worker (the principle being that it is better for the employer who profits from the foreign worker to pay the damages suffered rather than force the innocent victim into bankruptcy). Again, this additional cost (insurance) of hiring foreign workers will make American citizens more attractive for employment.
- States should be allowed to impose “foreign worker employment taxes” on all employers of foreign workers . . . to help offset taxpayer costs created by the foreign worker: schools, jails, health care, AFDC, etc.
3 ) “…sponsor and vote for a constitutional amendment limiting senator and house member terms to 12 years.”
4 ) Mo will protect our free enterprise system from Socialism and reign in the federal government. Mo has a B.S. from Duke in Economics. He understands and is very passionate about the free enterprise system. The Decatur Daily wrote an article about this here: http://www.decaturdaily.com/detail/51130.html?content_source=&category_id=&search_filter=&event_mode=&event_ts_from=&list_type=&order_by=&order_sort=&content_class=&sub_type=stories&town_id=
If you have any intelligent reasons why you support Les – things like facts – then please share them. There are good things to be said about Les. Otherwise, we will have to assume that you are a Les supporter because his pretty commercials (that say nothing) gave you a man-crush on him or he was the first charismatic politician for you to shake hands with.
Well, “charismatic” certainly would eliminate Mo from the discussion.
Lost in your diatribe were any answers to the comments you appear to be so vehemently defending.
Is Mo Brooks now, or has he ever been, a member of the Mormon Church?
“political hack”,
Mo’s religion has been fully addressed several times on this blog, on other blogs and even in this very thread. Personally, I have never heard anything bad about Mormons and by most accounts they deviate from your average member of society by being extremely straight edge and serious about representing Jesus with the most sober means available. However, as you feel differently than our founding fathers and myself when it comes to religions that are not your own; you can look at Dale Jackson’s response to Cathy above or Brian’s response to you below.
In short, Mo has attended several different churches. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (LDS, Mormon Church, etc) being one of them. Mormons require that you be Mormon to enter their temples. Mo’s daughter was married in one of these temples. Mo refused to lie by claiming to be Mormon and thus he was unable to attend his own daughter’s wedding.
Now back to my challenge which you dodged: Do you have any intelligent reasons for supporting Les (facts)? There are good things to be said about Les. I know of one or two. I am asking you to share what you know. I understand that things like facts may bore you but I consider facts to be fundamental to any argument. I look forward to a fact filled response…
Is it just me or do we suddenly have a handful of writers that want to support Les Phillips and/or defame Mo Brooks? In this political climate I guess I am just paranoid, but they seem to have come from nowhere and most are just dropping innuendo and rumors. I suggest anyone voting in this age make an informed decision and believe very little on these blogs now that they have become targets of political hacks also unless you can verify what was said. Let me let you in on one little secret, most honest hard working folks either don’t want to get into a dirty business like politics or they don’t have the time, not to mention they could never raise the money required. Just think about that and figure out who in this race really fits that “ethical” mantle that so many here are eager to put on anybody but Parker Griffith. I am really getting back into that mood that got me to vote for Ralph Nader for president.
Political Hack, I’d like you to review the commenting policies here, specifically the part about campaign operatives.
You’re pretty eagerly pushing the Mormon thing, which Brooks has addressed here. Let’s just quit dancing around this issue. Tell us what problems you would have with anyone who belongs to the LDS church. Please, lay out your bigotries in all their glory.
bigot- A bigot is a person who is intolerant of or takes offense to the opinions, lifestyles or identities differing from his or her own, and bigotry is the corresponding attitude or mindset.
Brian, by that definition our party is full of bigotry. All one has to do is look at a tea party rally or our national convention to see exactly how intolerant we are. In fact, lets just look at the posts I have seen here on Flashpoint.
There clearly is a lack of latin americans, black americans, asian americans, homosexuals, from our party’s platform surely one of these groups have some conservative leanings.
Whether Mo is a mormon or not has no bearing on who I will be voting on come June. Mo is a proven conservative with a proven track record.
One thing is certain – this primary is going to be more contested then most thought. I hear from people I talk to that they are just against Parker Griffith – that really doesn’t accomplish anything, so for all who are on here taking a stand – that is positive.
@YoungGOP: I couldn’t agree more that the negatives “about the other” are to prominent here, and do more to drive the undecided conservatives away from Mr. Phillip.
I would encourage all to spend some time observing both and vote based on the positive qualities of the candidate you choose. I have selected Mr. Phillip based on his ability to attract people to listen to his viewpoints without relaxing his position. He has engaged a few friends of mine who are lifetime democrats, but now are leaning more toward conservative principles. That is the type of leadership I want in a congressman, and I suspect most of us want the same.
I have only heard a couple things that Mr. Brooks has said that I question (well one heard, and one repeated to me). 1. On Dale Jackson’s show he said he would not go public with his campaign until April – which is irresponsible to the district with the RINO Griffith out there on a GOP honeymoon. 2. (This is the one repeated to me by a friend who was there) Mr. Brooks said at the Republican Women’s Lunch @ the Ledges last week that he thinks that it is important to be social friends with liberals in congress (play tennis with them etc.) in order to be able to work together. I find this to be in poor judgment for two reasons – first, most who know Brooks better then I seem to suggest that he struggles with being likeable (really don’t mean that to be negative – just what has been said to me) and that being socially friendly with people who want to destroy our country – not somethine I want in a friend, much less someone in DC.
I love that Mr. Phillip has a plan that will win and a vision for what to do once he is in DC – and that doesn’t include Tennis.
Let’s break this down outside the context of bashing here and there. As I’ve mentioned before, I support Les Phillip. Many of you know me in person, so there is no mystery as to who I am. I say what I say on here with the intention of being able to look Mo in the eye next time I see him, shake his hand, and show respect.
I support Les Phillip for several reasons, many of them having to do with electoral science. We are in an unprecedented anti-incumbency, anti-politician political environment this year. There is a strong anti-attorney contingent to that as well, not because attorneys make bad representatives, but because the ratio of attorneys to other vocations has become disconcertingly out of proportion. Mo may be a conservative, but he suffers the distinction of being the embodiment of the wrong candidate when it comes to his bio and appearance. Mo Brooks is far more conservative than John McCain, but Mo Brooks has the feel of a John McCain candidacy without the military heroism as a distinction.
There are two main points to consider when voting in a primary; who has the right values, and who can beat the Democrat. If we argue that Mo Brooks and Les Phillip have essentially the same values (the nerds in here can make distinctions, but ultimately we’re looking at two guys that would vote similarly), then it comes down to electability. Who wins the popularity contest? Who’s better at making and keeping friends? Who can, as Reagan did so effectively, pull in crossover votes without compromising values?
Mo has a loyal following as a GOP fixture in the Huntsville area, and as such will have ardent defenders. I appreciate that and take it into account. When you take those loyalties away and break it down to science, Les is a more appealing candidate for the general election. There’s a lot of talk about Mo’s personality being abrasive. I’ve heard it from enough of Mo’s personal friends, and heard it long enough before this race began, to know that it’s not just campaign gibberish. I get along fine with Mo, but understand where his conversational style is lacking. Nationally, Les will be the “tea party” candidate in a way that Mo simply could not be. You can’t put a square peg in a round hole, and while Mo has been welcomed as a participant in our tea parties where we know him, his image won’t be an easy sell to the national movement that pumped so many millions and so many phone calls and emails into Scott Brown’s race.
Yes, I mentioned Scott Brown… We have a unique opportunity to make this a target race of the conservative movement. Parker Griffith represents everything the Tea Partiers hate, and offers them an opportunity to make a bold statement to the Republican party that a symbolic R is not good enough. We need the best candidate for rallying this movement and focusing them on this race, and I believe Les is distinctively the right candidate to appeal to that crowd. Is that enough to bank the race on? Absolutely not! But combined with an active and organized grassroots outreach, a full time schedule on Les’ part, and a solid conservative message, I’m betting on Les being our candidate in November.
The arguments against Les so far? A few of his supporters, many of whom are not long-time political junkies or debate team captains, have made some off the wall comments on this blog. The sphere of influence of this blog is, successful and informative as I find it, not a turning point of an election. The other argument, inexperience, is a failing argument in this political climate, as anti-incumbency and anti-politician attitudes are at least strong enough to negate experience as an electoral advantage.
We all need to step back, look at the primary in AL-2 for 2008 as an example, and brush up on extolling the positive characteristics of our candidate of choice, and why they would be the better bet against the Democrat in November. The great Morton Blackwell makes a habit of reminding his students that being right doesn’t matter, if you can’t get elected.
Well said. A good example of how similarly minded people can come to different positions in an agreeable manner.
Vince,
You say: “Let’s break this down outside the context of bashing here and there.”
Then proceed to base every argument on Mo’s negatives:
“Mo may be a conservative, but he suffers the distinction of being the embodiment of the wrong candidate when it comes to his bio and appearance.”
He is the wrong appearance? Are you saying that Les has a better chance because he’s black? I still contend that Mo’s solid record as a conservative and bread winner (his discretionary budget increase 19-20 fold in his 13 years as county commissioner without any general funds tax increases) are a bonus to government employees, contractors and anyone with sense. A reviewable record that shows exemplary performance is always a positive.
“There’s a lot of talk about Mo’s personality being abrasive. I’ve heard it from enough of Mo’s personal friends, and heard it long enough before this race began, to know that it’s not just campaign gibberish. I get along fine with Mo, but understand where his conversational style is lacking.” This is the same thing that the other Pro-Les commentators have said but phrased with a college education. Let’s focus on the facts. Despite his “abrasive” personality Mo was considered one of the most effective legislators in Alabama (by an Alabama newspaper) and elected the leader of the minority party in the Alabama legislature THREE times. Aggressive personalities do well for political strength (Ex. Johnson, Theodore Roosevelt, Jackson, etc. They weren’t elected President because they were politically flaccid..).
“There are two main points to consider when voting in a primary; who has the right values, and who can beat the Democrat. If we argue that Mo Brooks and Les Phillip have essentially the same values (the nerds in here can make distinctions, but ultimately we’re looking at two guys that would vote similarly), then it comes down to electability.”
The problem with this is we have no idea what Les’ beliefs are because a) he has no record b) he has said some very strange things c) his campaign has liberal allies and d) he has never contributed to any Republican candidate prior to this election. Examples:
b) WBHP 8/11/09 “The government should require that everyone buy catastrophic health insurance (just as they do for bike helmets).” Les wants to mandate health insurance.
His website says that the Huckabee fundraiser was “sold out”, yet he lost $36k hosting the fundraiser.
c) Phillip says he is anti-tax, yet his campaign manager, Jim Link, helped lead fights for higher sales taxes.
Phillip says he opposes illegal aliens, yet Jim Samuelson, one of the strongest defenders of illegal aliens, helped host a Phillip fundraiser.
Phillip says he opposes what the Huntsville Housing Authority is doing, yet HHA media spokesman Paige Rucker helped host a Phillip fundraiser. Paige Rucker has also endorsed Les Phillip.
Furthermore, to say that Les is more electable is to contradict the opinion of every political pundit whose opinion I have read or heard.
“I support Les Phillip for several reasons, many of them having to do with electoral science.”
You support Les Phillip because you are a member of HuckPAC and work for Les Phillip’s campaign. This being your vocation, I have a few questions that I think only you can answer.
In regards to HuckPAC – How does this organization get around definitions like “employee” and “money raised by a PAC”? Les has received help from HuckPAC, yet it says that his contributions are 100% individual. You work for HuckPAC, yet you do not consider yourself an employee. Explain.
In regards to Les’ campaign – here is a list of Les’ expenditures. One of these expenditures goes to Les’ teeth getting whitened. Sure, cosmetics are a common political expense, although, similar vanities are notably absent from Brooks’ expenditures despite his longer time in the lime light and “career politician” status (Brooks also lives significantly less on the taxpayers dime than his county commissioner colleagues which is a dividing line between Mo and Les). Another thing to notice on the link above is “Delicious Events Catering.” The address is 4155 Sullivan St. Les’ catering business is called “The Budding Chef” yet these two catering services have the same address. Here is google’s response to “delicious events catering” huntsville alabama . As you can see, nothing shows up. I think it strange that Les reports to have spent money on a catering company that does not exist but is located at the same location as his own catering company. Please enlighten me with an explanation.
“The arguments against Les so far? A few of his supporters, many of whom are not long-time political junkies or debate team captains, have made some off the wall comments on this blog.”
Les has many weaknesses:
1) those already mentioned above
2) He worked for Vulcan Materials. A rock quarry company. Hampton Cove, Limestone County and many other communities have been “anti-rock quarry” communities for years.
3) He runs on being a businessman so let’s talk about his business record. In the 90s he started a business which failed and now he runs a business which he keeps from failing by employing it with his own political campaign.
4) Who is Les Phillip? Even today I see reporters call him “Les Phillips.” He has no name identification whatsoever.
As you have written on mostly negatives of Mo (many of which I consider positives). I will challenge you to give a list of Les’ positives. My list of “Pro-Mo’s” will follow. Good luck with your compilation.
Why Mo Brooks is the right man for AL05 and the United States:
1 ) Mo Brooks was considered one of the most effective legislators in the Alabama legislature by an Alabama newspaper.
2 ) Mo Brooks ranked #1 out of 140 legislators in the fight against higher taxes by the Alabama Taxpayers’ Defense Fund.
3 ) Mo Brooks was elected House minority leader three different times in the Alabama legislature.
4 ) Mo Brooks fought against the Amendment I tax increase in 2004 (which would have been the largest tax increase in Alabama’s history) that was being pushed by Governor Bob Riley (R) – Mo is more loyal to our conservative principles than he is to GOP big whigs.
5 ) Mo Brooks’ discretionary budget for those he represents (Madison County Commission District 5), increased 19-20 fold from 1996 – 2009. This increase occurred without any General Fund tax increases.
6 ) In 25+ years of public service, there has never been an ethics complaint filed against Mo Brooks to the Alabama Ethics Commission.
7 ) Mo Brooks doesn’t use public money for a county car, car insurance, gas, cell phone, computer, copier, etc (all other county commissioners have some if not all of these paid for by the county). Notably, Les Phillip has already used the people’s money, in the form of donations, to clean his teeth! http://query.nictusa.com/cgi-bin/dcdev/forms/C00462481/450811/sb/17
8 ) Mo Brooks has sponsored, promoted and passed legislation before.
9 ) Mo Brooks is willing to make personal sacrifices to change the course of our government. Mo & Martha Brooks have 3 jobs right now. If elected, they will move to Washington and their 3 incomes and careers will be reduced to 1.
10 ) Mo Brooks has experience in law and in a legislative body. He has spent his career, in both of his jobs, honing his ability to create and verbally express logical arguments to the end of convincing others the legitimacy of his stance. Mo’s experience matters because it is important for a congressman to be able to defend his beliefs with skill so that he gains the rapport of other congressman. You can judge Mo’s effectiveness at speaking here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iAxLqNlmx4g
11 ) For the last 70 years, every single candidate who has run for Congress, regardless of party, who had not first proven himself in public office lost. Mo Brooks passes that litmus test for Huntsville’s government employees.
As your Congressman, Mo Brooks will:
1 ) “…strongly push for a balanced budget Constitutional Amendment (not just co-sign an amendment and passively watch to see what happens).” This would make it unconstitutional to pass a budget where the Congress plans for a deficit.
2 ) “…remove illegal aliens from America, thereby immediately freeing up millions of jobs for America citizens.” Here is his plan to make this happen:
- The federal government should not bar states and local governments from dealing with the illegal alien issue. If a state or local government has a workable idea, they should be allowed to implement it.
- Taxpayers and those of us who pay for our health care should not be forced to pay for the cost of health care for foreign workers. Employers are the ones who profit from the hiring of foreign workers. Hence, they should be the ones who pay for foreign workers’ health care costs. This additional cost of hiring foreign workers will make American citizens more attractive for employment.
- Similar to the above, American citizens who are victimized by foreign workers (auto wrecks where the foreigner has no insurance, for example) should have recourse against the employer of the foreign worker (the principle being that it is better for the employer who profits from the foreign worker to pay the damages suffered rather than force the innocent victim into bankruptcy). Again, this additional cost (insurance) of hiring foreign workers will make American citizens more attractive for employment.
- States should be allowed to impose “foreign worker employment taxes” on all employers of foreign workers . . . to help offset taxpayer costs created by the foreign worker: schools, jails, health care, AFDC, etc.
3 ) “…sponsor and vote for a constitutional amendment limiting senator and house member terms to 12 years.”
4 ) Mo will protect our free enterprise system from Socialism and reign in the federal government. Mo has a B.S. from Duke in Economics. He understands and is very passionate about the free enterprise system. The Decatur Daily wrote an article about this here: http://www.decaturdaily.com/detail/51130.html?content_source=&category_id=&search_filter=&event_mode=&event_ts_from=&list_type=&order_by=&order_sort=&content_class=&sub_type=stories&town_id=
Well folks, with no fanfare the recent “invasion” by Les supporters has now got me firmly behind Mo Brooks as the candidate to vote for. I see this as the beginning of a campaign of mud slinging and Obama like deception so I will stick with Mo Brooks and once again I will say also that I will still vote for Parker Griffith if he ends up being the nominee I don’t care who the Democrats run (with the possible miracle exception of Bud Cramer). You can tell a lot about a candidate from the ilk of his close supporters.
First, talking about Mo’s legitimate negatives is not “bashing.” I’m a student of political science (hold a B.A. in Political Communication), and I’m looking at the political environment. Many of Mo’s negatives might be positive in another time or another race. His appearance, profession, and demeanor are not moral or character flaws, only electoral weaknesses. As a future old white guy, I believe that an older, white haired guy is a negative on image this year, in this race. Is it a lynchpin issue? No… but it’s a factor. The GOP establishment doesn’t have a problem supporting guys like John McCain, with no regard for their appeal in the general election. McCain wasn’t just too liberal, which I won’t accuse Mo of being, but McCain was boring! He lost to the MTV president. We’ve got to step up our game and put up candidates that the conservative base can get fired up to support, not just the little pocket of political junkies that hang out in the campaign offices, and that can pick up crossover votes based on appeal, not compromised values, as Reagan did. We need substance AND passion, not one or the other. The discussion in this race, and any comparison/contrast of Mo and Les, should be oriented around who has the most general election appeal in this political environment.
Pointing out that Les has received support from people that you say disagree with him politically is arguing that a politician should only accept support from ideological purists. Reagan won with broad support from people that disagreed with him on policy issues, but liked his style, communication skills, and leadership. General Link is not the campaign manager, or for that matter even active enough in the campaign for me to have met him. He’s certainly not contributing to the message or effecting the policy positions of Les or the campaign.
You’ve also argued that ONLY someone with an established political career can be trusted, and that the ONLY way to know what someone’s beliefs are is to wait until they’ve served in elected office for several years, then look back at their record. You’re really backing yourself into some rhetorical corners here, and not doing Mo any favors in the process. I suggest you stick to copying and pasting the issues section of his website over and over, as that part is positive for Mo, and doesn’t look desperate on your part.
Furthermore, you continue to insist that I work for HuckPAC. I’m really VERY curious where you’re getting your information, because it draws into question your research skills in formulating these posts. I signed up as a volunteer blogger on HuckPAC’s site, where I’ve made no more than a couple posts in the course of 2 years. To say I work for HuckPAC is to say I work for Facebook, Myspace, Twitter, and Wordpress also. For that matter, point out where I’ve taken a paycheck, or even expense reimbursement, from the campaign. Throwing wild accusations around, about a campaign volunteer posting on a blog, does not contribute to the legitimate vetting of these candidates.
I love how you make the assumption that an expense at a dentist was “teeth cleaning.” That was a speaking engagement where the campaign reimbursed the host for the cost of lunch, a very legitimate campaign expense. Furthermore, if you had a cooking school and a catering business, would you not run them from the same location? And would you not save expenses by using your own catering business for campaign functions so you could pay at cost.
To save space and encourage ease of reading, I’ll just link Les’ website instead of cutting and pasting it into my post.
http://www.lesphillip.com
Vince,
What I want to see is a list of positives on Les Phillip. All that Les Phillip supporters have done on this blog is lambaste everyone but Les Phillip. Granted, your language was not guttural to the point of bashing; however, when read with an eye on comprehension and not linguistics, your post amounts to the same as every other post by Les Phillip supporters.
As for the political environment – you have it all wrong. Today, a typical voter considers all candidates for office guilty until proven innocent. In Mo’s 25 years as a public figure, he has less negatives than Phillip who has been a public figure for 2/3 of a year (1/37.5 as long). Onto the topic of Mo’s race and age… haha… they will not be a defining characteristic of this race. If race and age are worth mentioning, it suffices to say that conservatives’ antipathy is a young, black president and that this election is being held in North Alabama.
As for Les Phillip being an “MTV” candidate and having “substance AND passion”… what??? Anyone who has seen Les Phillip and Mo Brooks speak would understand this to be a very strange position for you to take. Mo Brooks has more fire at Republican Women’s breakfasts than Les Phillip has at tea parties. If you would like a fair comparison, here is Mo speaking at a tea party.
Les’ political allies are important because we have very few facts by which to judge him. You are taking the position of MSNBC and CNN who defended attacks on Obama based on the company he keeps. Look where ignoring facts, for comfort of a warm smile, has taken us today.
General Link is not a member of Les Phillip’s campaign? You insinuated that I am bad at research yet you do not know the name of Les’ campaign Chairman? Jim joining Les’ campaign was a big splash. Perhaps he has jumped ship since then?
In regards to HuckPAC – I never said that you were paid by them. Only that you worked for them. If volunteers don’t do work, I maintain that they have no purpose. I was unsure as to whether they paid you and that is why I asked.
Issues that you have dodged:
1) How does HuckPAC get around the “money raised by PACs” definition?
2) Give us a list of pro-Les facts. Not website propaganda gibberish. Voters want facts. Not words framed around the obvious question in GOP voters’ minds: “How conservative are you?” Voters want facts that prove to us that Les is innocent; not guilty. Until facts are presented to me and other scrupulous citizens, Les Phillip is a face with words and money to turn smoke and mirrors into whatever he believes we want to see.
P.S. Do not be daunted by the size and scope of Mo’s list. Do the best that you can.
Please allow me a moment to put the Huckabee issue to rest. For anyone who would really like to know the truth on this. I know first hand that Les has spoken with Brian on this issue personally but since it is still out there, let me fill everyone in. After the State of the Union Address in 2009 Les became determined to do something about the direction of the country. He had the foresight to understand how much damage the Left was going to do in the upcoming 2 years. He was certainly right about that. After talking with several people about their plan, including Mo who told him at the time he was not going to make a decision to run until January 2010, Les began to put in place a plan that could lead him to the republican nomination for the 5th District House Seat in June 2010. There is a reason he chose to run for the House. You as a voter, should ask anyone who wants to represent you in the House of Representatives, “WHY the House of Representatives?” The first thing he had to do was get his name out there. In politics, name ID is the number one goal. So to do that he decided to bring in a big name (Huckabee won the the 5th District in a 3 way race). Les was already beginning to work to secure Huckabee’s Speaking Engagement before we even met. The other side to this story is me. I was the State Coordinator for Huck PAC at the time (I am not an “employee” of Huck PAC because it is a volunteer position). I was not able to attend the April 15th Tea Party because I had a sick child so after the event I was looking around on the web and I came across the video of Les at the Trussville Tea Party. I was told that he was going to run for Congress and I was given his email address. So I emailed him and asked him if he was planning to run and if so would he like an endorsement from Huck PAC. At our VERY FIRST MEETING, he told me that he was working to bring Huckabee in for a Speaking Engagement. I spent 2 1/2 hours with him at that first meeting and I was so excited about his run for this seat that I went home and immediately began to work to get him the endorsement for Huck PAC. I knew after that first meeting that I didn’t care who else got in the race because this was the guy that understood my exact reasons for getting involved in politics. For me, I just want to leave a future for my 2 girls. I knew that the American Way of Life was slipping away. I didn’t understand exactly why until after that lunch meeting with Les. He just kept telling me over and over, we HAVE to go back to the Constitution. I worked solid for about 3 weeks to get that endorsement from Huck PAC. But it came AFTER the contract was already signed for Huckabee to come in and there was nothing anyone (including Huckabee) could do about it. It was a company that deals with his speaking engagements and both parties had already come to an agreement and a contract was in place. I was the one that didn’t understand at the time that it wasn’t a “fundraiser” and so I must take the blame for that one. It is my own fault because I assumed and I assumed incorrectly. Les is a businessman and we have always looked at this campaign as a business. You have to spend money to make money in business. He had no connections or political clout when he started a year ago. All he had was a vision. America is his adopted country and he was not about to stand by and watch all the things that had allowed him to have the opportunities he had slip away without a fight. I cannot begin to describe the doors that were open to Les because of that one event. I know the political class likes to deal in “cash on hand” and “where the money comes from”, but quite frankly…..who REALLY cares about that stuff in the real world? All that really matters is do you have the resources and a plan in place to put you in first place on June 1st. I know first hand that not only do we have a plan, we will have ALL the resources we need to execute that plan.
In full disclosure, I am currently Les Phillips campaign manager and technically I am still one of the State Coordinators for Huck PAC in Alabama.
Ouch. Paragraphs please.
As a former Huntsville resident now living in Ohio, I have applauded Alabama’s continuing trend toward conservatism since I left in 1995. For conservatives such as me living in the midwest where liberals still hold sway over great swaths of the population, I am encouraged by the south’s standing as a bulwark against the progressive movement in America. I wish it were so in Ohio. But a word of warning:
Beware the populist politician with the sweet vocals who can craft a great speech, but seems light on experience. We have one in the White House today. While as conservatives we are all about defeating people who see public office as a path to power, wealth, influence, etc., we are not about electing neophytes and people who will be steamrolled by the powers that be in Washington. Les Philip may be a wonderful man in many ways, but he will be devoured by the craftiness and cynicism of the nation’s capital. We all like a “Mr. Smith goes to Washington” but Mr. Philip will stand no chance against the likes of Pelosi and the entrenched power of the Democratic party in DC. Even for such experienced and hardened politicians as my own Mr. Boehner here in Ohio, it is difficult to navigate the minefields set by the Democrats and their myriad of supporters and lobbyists working in Washington. You need a representative who has fought these battles before; who understands just how effective a minority party can be in Congress, but who when to stand and fight and when to infiltrate.
If Parker Griffith were a Conservative he might well be that guy. But we all know he’s not a Conservative and that he’s a Republican in name only. You send him to DC and he will be mistrusted by the GOP and will be targeted for a special punishment by Pelosi and her people — and the real victim will be the residents of the 5th district.
Mo Brooks is really your only viable option and he’s a good one. He has served in public office for many years while supporting his family as part of a law practice. He understands what it means to rise each morning with a full plate of legal responsibilities, public service duties, and family needs. He has stood in the minority in Montgomery and not only survived, but thrived as a respected representative. He will not back down from his rock solid conservative principles; he knows when to speak and he knows when to listen.
Now, one final thought. I love and respect the south for a great many things. In so many ways, you people of Alabama and the south lead this great nation of ours in humanity, dignity, faith, and in may other qualities. But there is one thing I deplore — the willingness of some of you to destroy good men and good women because of their church affiliation. Mo is not a Mormon in any sense that we might call someone a Mormon. I wish he were. But Mo has chosen to find God and worship God as a nondenominational Christian because he is not so sure just which church God can be found. Perhaps he can be found in all good Christian churches. But you will not find another public office holder with greater faith in and respect for God, for his country, or for his family.
I heard Dale Jackson speaking with Les Phillip this morning on WVNN. I find it interesting that Mo Brooks has participated in this discussion and has corrected some of the many false accusations made by Les Phillip supporters (as well as campaign staffers) on this site, but Les acted this morning as though he had no knowledge of this discussion.
I have no reason to think that Les Phillip is behind any of the muck raking going on here, but it is true that if you surround yourself with people who have no problem being loose with the truth, you will lose credibility. Les will lose credibility if he does not get involved in clarifying his personal and his campaign’s position on some of these accusations that are being made about Mo Brooks. Some of the mud slinging above is likely being done by ill informed supporters, but some of the comments above appear to come from people who are actually associated with the Les Phillip campaign. I strongly suggest Les Phillip do a little digging into this and if it is found that his campaign workers are the source of these smears, I suggest Mr. Phillip do a little house cleaning.
I know that Mo Brooks can and will run a positive campaign based on facts. He has a proven track record of doing so – which is one of several reasons why I intend to support Mo in the primary. I am sure that Parker Griffith will NOT run a campaign based on facts. There is a long record of him changing his position based on what way the political wind is blowing at the time. The man is a chameleon and simply cannot be trusted. The question is whether Les Phillip will follow the example set by Mr. Brooks, or Mr. Griffith. I honestly hope that he will look to Mo as how to run an honorable campaign – as I believe Les Phillip to be an honorable man. I will support Mo in the primary but would like to be able to support Les if he should win in the Republican nomination. If by some miracle Griffith wins the nomination, I will likely just refrain from casting a vote in the general election. Griffith will not get my vote.