Posted on 07/01/2014 10:07:04 AM PDT by Viennacon
Reverend Steve Fielder, a pastor at the First Union Missionary Baptist Church in Meridian, Mississippi, has accused Mississippi Senator Thad Cochran’s campaign of engaging in an illegal and criminal campaign scheme to purchase the votes of black community members. The suspect votes were cast during Cochran’s successful effort to defeat Tea Party challenger Chris McDaniel in the Mississippi Republican primary run-off held last week.
If true, such an action would be clearly illegal under both federal law and Mississippi statutes, specifically MS Code 97-13-1; MS Code 97-13-3 (2013) (Federal Code 18 U.S.C. 597, U.S.C. 1973i(c)), each punishable by a prison sentence of up to five years.
The revelations and accusations come as a result of an interview given by Rev. Fielder to independent journalist Charles C. Johnson, who, according to Brietbart.com, paid Fielder to participate in the interview in which the Pastor issued his charges.
To back up his claim, Fielder provided four text messages purporting to be sent to him by Saleem Baird, a staffer for the Cochran campaign—messages that would, indeed, appear to indicate that Baird was using Fielder as a conduit to pay black voters for casting their ballot for Cochran. It should be noted that one should always be suspicious of allegations when made in exchange for payment as was the case in the instance of this interview. It is also unclear what culpability would attach to Senator Cochran should a member—or members—of his staff be found to have engaged in such illegal behavior.
(Excerpt) Read more at forbes.com ...
I assumed it was because Drudge was hardcore in the tank for Romney last time. I’m thinking that he and his website are closer to the GOP-E than they are the Tea Party folks.
I just listened to it. Incredible!
I just feel so bad for this guy. He’s obviously been completely used, and the cynicism of the Cochran campaign (through a black manager!) and the Dems really left me open-mouthed. It was cruel, exploiting a simple person who obviously is motivated entirely by a fear of “racism,” cultivated by the Dems. I really felt very, very bad for him.
Anybody who hasn’t listened to the audio should do so. He’s a little hard to understand, but I’ve lived in the South for about 10 years now and have some lower income black neighbors. They all go to church and are the sweetest people in the world, but they don’t feel that they really have a part in this world and they think that everybody is plotting against them.
This pastor sounded very sincere and honest. He’s obviously used to being manipulated by white Dems, and what Cochran did was tap into this predisposition, because apparently he wasn’t the only black pastor to be picking up envelopes and he even mentioned the name of another one (although by accident, because I don’t think he wanted to name anybody else).
And for people here who laugh at those who sold their votes for $15, for a lot of black people in rural areas, $15 is a fair amount of money. Many of them are elderly or dysfunctional.
One of my neighbors was probably never very smart, but years of crack use did away with whatever he had for a brain and a crack fire left him very scarred and semi-crippled (on the other hand, his brother ran his own construction support business until the Obama housing crash destroyed it). So don’t laugh at them for thinking $15 is a big deal. You have to have been there to understand it, I think.
I noticed the Cochran campaign wanted him to delete his texts. That means they were fully aware of what they were doing.
I don’t know if Cochran can be charged in this, since I’m sure he’ll say he didn’t know about it (although I would suspect that he did and probably even suggested it). But remember that Nixon also really didn’t know what his supporters were doing at Watergate, and he still had to pay for their wrongdoing.
At the very least, the election must be overturned. I hope this poor Reverend doesn’t end up suffering for it. He’s a simple, scared person who was easily manipulated.
I think Drudge is just being cautious because of the source of the story. According to the Meridian Star, one Stevie Fielder, 42, of 4258 Poplar Springs Drive, was busted in 2006 for home repair fraud. Also, reportedly, Deacon Robert Markham, of the First Missionary Baptist Church in Meridian, called Fielder a "self-proclaimed" minister. Of course, add to that the fact that the reporters admit paying Fielder for his story.
Also, the guys behind the report, Charles C. Johnson and Joel S. Gilbert (who made the Fielder video), turn out to be birther crackpots. Johnson reportedly (last May) was fired from the Breitbart News Network for converting to the birther viewpoint after being assigned (by Andrew Breitbart himself) to investigate and debunk it. Supposedly, he's getting ready to trot out some DNA theory on Obama. And Atlanta attorney Loren Collins has thoroughly debunked Gilbert's 2012 video, Dreams from My Real Father, which attempted to make the case that Grandpa Dunham's Commie friend Frank Marshall Davis was Obama's biological father.
If the Reverend's story is true, there should be a lot more evidence waiting to be discovered real soon now.
Rick Unger wrote this story .. do people know who he is .. he is one of the most radical liberals on FOX.
He is usually on the Business Block on Sat morn on FOX. I can’t stand the guy .. as he’s a political hack like Bob Beckel.
Anyway, I said all that to say this .. the fact that a person like Rick Unger is exposing this story is HUGE. It could be a real turning point for a lot of the left.
And, speaking of Drudge, did you see the cozy picture of Obama and Valerie Jarrett ..?? Makes you want to go Hmmm??
Unger probably has his own goals. Even though he is a radical lib on Fox, weirdly I find him more tolerable than the slate of emotional steaming leftist re7ards (Tamara ‘Jesse’s whore’ Holder, Jehmu Greene, Sally Kohn the lezbo, Chris Hahn, that black guy who shouts on Hannity).
Still, Unger’s article is WAAAY more balanced thant he crap the Daily Caller decided to post. Tucker Carlson is officially an establishment hack.
Was Rove involved in this ..??
The last few days it has been noted that Karl Rove would not talk about the Cochran election.
I wondered why .. but I hope I’m wrong about him being involved.
After the first primary, Rove and his group said they would not be involved in the run-off. I think they were lying, of course. I would not doubt that McConnell was also involved.
The way to clear up doubts is to get the pastor to swear an affidavit. If he refuses - poof. Otherwise game on.
For some balance
Coolidge was a great president. No doubt about that.
Writing biographies is one thing.
Investigative reporting is another. You've got to realize there are quacks in the profession (e.g., Gilbert) and there are needy sources. Turns out Rev. Stevie has a property up for foreclosure next week:
TRUSTEE¹S NOTICE OF SALE WHEREAS, on the 3rd day of August, 2012, REV. STEVIE L. FIELDER and EDDIE L. FIELDER executed a Land Deed of Trust to THE JOHNSON GROUP, LLC, Beneficiary, John D. Mayo, Trustee, to secure a Promissory Note in the principal amount of ONE HUNDRED EIGHTY-SIX THOUSAND AND 00/100 ($186,000.00) DOLLARS ... WHEREAS, default has been made in the payment of the indebtedness secured by said Land Deed of Trust, and THE JOHNSON GROUP, LLC being the owner and holder of said Land Deed of Trust, having requested the undersigned so to do, I will on, July 8, 2014, offer for sale and will sell within legal hours (between the hours of 11:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.) at the West front door of the Lauderdale County Courthouse in Meridian, Lauderdale County, Mississippi, to the highest bidder in cash, at public outcry, the following described property ...
Well that can cut both ways. Brother gets paid coming AND going.
Nice find.
The pastor does not have a sterling character and he has motivations to lie. On the other hand he has text messages from Saleem Baird and what ever else is on that phone.
See if he’ll swear out an affidavit.
You expected someone in a vote fraud scam to have a "sterling character"??
No of course not. I also think he’s not the brightest. All of which makes it easy to dismiss him. Dismissing him is not the same as discrediting him. I keep hammering it - see if he will swear out an oath. Today has been lost, you can bet the Cochran gang made use of this time.
Good insight. Thanks for the detailed post.
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