Posted on 03/29/2004 3:44:18 PM PST by don-o
Abingdon, VAPress Release)
Today, in a press conference held at the Bristol Motor Speedway, NASCAR drivers Jeff Burton, and Ken Schrader and NASCAR car owner Ray Evernham endorsed Kevin Triplett, candidate for Virginias 9th congressional district, and touted work ethic and fairness in his time at NASCAR.
Jeff Burton, who made a trip to Abingdon in December to endorse Triplett, cited a need for a change of leadership in Southwest Virginia and believes Kevin Triplett is the right man to make that change.
He's not a star at all. Front office for NASCAR. But got a couple of known name on the endorsement list.
Boucher needs a whoopin' Looks like Kevin has some $$ and a look from the national campaign.
The fact that the SW Virginia 9th is still represented by a democrat party hack is just, WRONG!WRONG!WRONG!
No doubt that Boucher's district should be represented by a Republican. Will try to help Triplett out somehow.
I'm in the Tennessee 1st, as Republican as it gets. But, we have a lot from the 9th who shop and work across the state line. Hence, my interest in helping rid the Republic of Boucher.
Triplett's campaign needs to get something like that up as well, to expose Boucher. Don't know that there is corruption (above the usual), but his lock step with the democrat agenda ought to be enough, were it laid out, to help the sheeple get their minds right.
Good Luck, Kevin!!!
Hope W will let him get a retake on that pic, though.
Thanks for the bump. Don
Cheney visits region to support Triplett's run
BY MIKE STILL
BRISTOL HERALD COURIER Wednesday, March 31, 2004ABINGDON Vice President Dick Cheney plans to head to Southwest Virginia next month to boost Ninth District Republican congressional hopeful Kevin Triplett in his run against longtime Democratic U.S. Rep. Rick Boucher.
Jim Ferreira, chairman of the Ninth District Republican Committee, confirmed Tuesday that Cheney would visit the region in April to help Tripletts fund-raising efforts.
"Theyre serious about the race," Ferreira said of Cheneys expected appearance. "Im pretty excited, and its a great opportunity for the area. They dont know every detail yet, though."
While Ferreira confirmed Cheneys upcoming visit, Triplett and Cheneys own press office were less forthcoming.
"I dont think I could comment until we got closer to that point," Triplett said Tuesday before Ferreiras confirmation. "Im not in a position to comment."
Triplett said "sure, absolutely" when asked whether he felt voters had the right to know whether Cheney was coming to the region to raise money for his campaign. Triplett did not return phone messages to his campaign headquarters and home phone Tuesday night following Ferreiras confirmation.
Cheney press spokesman Kevin Kellems said that due to security reasons, details of the vice presidents travel schedule are released only 48 hours prior to each stop. Cheney already has made stops to support a number of Republican congressional incumbents and challengers in an effort to build House and Senate majorities favorable to President Bushs policies, Kellems said.
Boucher on Tuesday said he would have no reaction to Cheneys visit until more details were available.
"This is obviously early in the year," the congressman said. "Im not focused on the campaign. Im busy with the work the people have elected me to do."
Cheneys visit was the latest sign of White House interest in the Fightin Ninth. White House Political Director Matt Schlapp came to Abingdon earlier this month to announce that Boucher has been targeted by the National Republican Congressional Committee in the November election.
Part of the interest, according to Schlapp and Triplett, is Tripletts own success in fund-raising compared to his three predecessors, all of whom Boucher defeated. In the last six months of 2003, Triplett raised $218,147, compared to Bouchers $404,151. But at the end of that same period, thanks to reserves from previous years, Boucher maintained an $868,170 war chest compared to Tripletts $190,040.
Triplett a former NASCAR executive and, like Boucher, a Southwest Virginia native has maintained a strong NASCAR theme in campaigning.
He makes frequent references to his own NASCAR background, has a contributor list heavy with racing officials and held a press conference last weekend at Bristol Motor Speedway.
But even Boucher shared the racing limelight, serving as the Food City 500s grand marshal on Sunday. More than 160,000 people were in attendance.
This is great news. I may break my own rule and toss some $$ to Kevin off this.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.