......then I read a little bit closer!
Posted on 03/17/2006 1:10:58 PM PST by Congressman Billybob
An Open Letter to the Press in Western Carolina
From: John Armor, Candidate for Congress, 11th District
Date: 16 March 2006
re: certain comments by Deborah Potter on behalf of Congressman Charles Taylor
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Below is an exact and complete copy of an e-mail that Charles Taylor's Press Secretary, Deborah Potter, sent to Don Yelton, a friend of mine. (For those who don't know me, I'm a lawyer and author who lives in Macon County, and I'm running against Taylor in the Republican primary.)
The Potter e-mail refers to me as "Armor and his bunch of left-wing radicals who hate Charles so much they would stoop to any low, no matter how wrong and immoral, to try and get him out of office."
I'm not so much concerned that her statement about me is a lie, but that it is such an obvious and childish lie.
A few clicks of the mouse on the computer at your desk, and you will find that I've written my last eight briefs in the US Supreme Court on behalf of a legal charity that has Judge Robert Bork, former Attorney General Edwin Meese, and Dr. Walter Williams on its Advisory Board. There isn't a "left-wing" radical in that bunch.
A few more clicks of your mouse and you'll find many of my 650 published articles on a variety of issues. The war against Muslim fanatics who want to kill Americans (like the one who ran down a bunch of students at the University of North Carolina a week ago)? I'm for it.
Parental choice for parents in the education of their children, vouchers, charter schools, home schooling? I'm for it.
Display of the Ten Commandments and maintenance of "under God" in the Pledge of Allegiance? I'm for it.
Voluntary, private investment accounts under Social Security? I'm for it.
The US insisting on fair, rather than one-sided, trade agreements with other nations? I'm for it.
Lower taxes, and less government regulation of individuals? I'm for it.
Keep clicking your mouse and you'll find a hundred more examples. You won't find a "left-wing radical" idea in the lot.
In short, this lie is like a five-year-old in the kitchen with crumbs and chocolate all over his face, who earnestly insists that he "didn't get into the cookies."
Was Mrs. Potter speaking for her boss, Mr. Taylor? Well, she sent the e-mail from her government account. And, a Press Secretary is always speaking for his/her boss. That's the job description.
For ten years, Jerry terHorst was a friend of mine. In case his name doesn't ring a bell, he was President Ford's Press Secretary. He resigned as a matter of principle, when President Ford pardoned former President Nixon. Jerry couldn't represent what he didn't believe in.
Do I seek an apology from Mr. Taylor? No, I don't. I said in my press conference announcing my candidacy two weeks ago, that I expected there would be "a whispering campaign" against me. Politics 101 says that any incumbent should ignore any challenger and pretend he doesn't exist. But Mr. Taylor's pattern is different, and the whispering campaign is in full swing. Among the other charges offered to local newspaper editors is that "Armor always runs, and doesn't stand for anything."
Again, a few clicks of the mouse and you'll know that the last time I ran for public office was in 1971. And, click on my website and you'll find about 100 pages of my positions on a wide variety of issues -- more than Mr. Taylor offers, and infinitely more than either of the Democrats, Heath Shuler and Michael Morgan, have offered.
Do I suggest that Mrs. Potter resign, like Jerry terHorst did? Nope. As her e-mail says, she's got "2 sweet little girls to support."
What I do suggest is this: The next time you receive any representation about me by Mrs. Potter (or any other Taylor person), give me a call. We'll get the facts straightened out, and then have a good laugh.
And, one more thing. The next time you hear from Mrs. Potter about any subject other than me, maybe you should do a more thorough job than usual in finding out whether "the facts" in that communication are true.
Have a nice day.
Cordially,
John
John Armor, Candidate for Congress, NC 11th District www.ArmorforCongress.com
Post Script: Feel free to use this as you choose, on-air, in an article, or as a letter to the Editor. You may quote any part of it as coming from me, since it's all my words.
From: Potter, Deborah [Deborah.Potter@mail.house.gov] Sent: Tuesday, March 14, 2006 5:28 PM To: 'Don Yelton' Subject: RE: FYI -- From the Charlotte Observer
Don I haven't heard the first thing about Pisgah Legal Services, but nothing Mike SLEasley does would ever surprise me. That entire bunch running our state is as corrupt as they come. Why don't you unleash your buddy Ann Ryder on them, since there is honest-to-goodness corruption down there, unlike in that hatchet piece she thought would cause so much damage to my boss. If she ever had any credibility, it went down the tubes with that piece of trash, as well as the reputation of the North Carolina "Conservative" which is nothing but a blog and probably another front for the Dems.
And surely you know that Wilma is not running again. She has breast cancer.
Anyway I don't want to get in a war of words with you - we've been friends too long - which is why I am personally hurt that you have teamed up with Armor and his bunch of left-wing radicals who hate Charles so much they would stoop to any low, no matter how wrong and immoral, to try and get him out of office. I don't know how well you know this man (who wants to take away the job that supports me and 2 very sweet little girls), but him and Ann Ryder are both nuts. I noticed someone (I'm assuming Peter Dawes) removed all mention of Charles from her second "article". At least Peter has the good sense to know the difference between news and slander.
But Don, I was sincerely very hurt when I found out that you opened your home to those two and screwy hoolie for a "town meeting". Whatever happened to loyalty to your friends? I thought you had much higher moral standards. Especially when you know that man doesn't have a prayer of winning. Anyway, you might as well know how I feel, because I never have been two-faced. I am just shocked. Thanks for listening to me vent and I will pray for you.
Your friend, Deborah
It is Politics 101 that an incumbent Congressman like Charles Taylor should not even mention his opponent's name, much less attack him publicly. Taylor (running for his ninth term), and Press Secretary Potter (six years on the job), have just violated that rule "big time" as Dick Cheney would say, and handed me free publicity that I could not possibly pay for.
Be sure to read the Editorial which accompanied this article, "Say It Ain't So." Here's a link to that:
In his attempt to smear me, Rep. Taylor has put me on the map. I have a real chance now, but still at long odds. I ask my friends on FreeRepublic, if you haven't already, to visit my website and help as you can, in the three separate ways that are outlined in boldface on the front page. Here's the link:
As Finley Peter Dunne wrote, long ago, "Politics ain't bean bag." And as this shows, your own Congressman Billybob is playing the game far better than 16-year incmbent, Charles Taylor.
Y'all come visit me, ya hear?
John / Billybob
P.S. And if you're in North Carolina, you might consider a subscription to The North Carolina Conservative.
Taylor is always tough to beat. And with Heath Shuler running who knows what could happen.
I'm not in N.C. but my sister and her family live there, just down the street from the Blackwater facility in Moyock. They're conservatives as well, I don't know if your district is anywhere near there, but I'll be sure to campaign them for some votes your way.
John, just don your radical armor and slug it out.
Are you sure she didn't mean radical amour?
I don't know how well you know this man (who wants to take away the job that supports me and 2 very sweet little girls),
There is no depth to which some people will not sink in order to further their careers.
Do it for my children!
Bwhahahahah!
PING
Heath Shuler? The failed Redskins QB?!
Yep! And he is soooo cute! Will easily get the female vote.
If you haven't yet, you should get a blown up copy of the e-mail with the claim that you are a left-wing radical highlighted and frame it.
......then I read a little bit closer!
Yeah, he's still got those dimples.
If I get to debate him, I will beat him like a rented mule.
Stay tuned.
John / Billybob
Always knew you were a commie.
(LMAO)
So you're saying that it's easier for Heath to grasp a football than the issues facing Western Carolina? Give 'em all hell, Billybob.
Well, I wish you the best. My daughter worked as a page in Taylor's office last summer here in Asheville. She loves the man. But I do question all the scandals involving his bank. Maybe it is time for some new blood.
May I ask something? What exactly does this mean?
Have you actually stood in the Supreme Court and argued a case or is this like one of those 'friend of the court' statements that are routinely submitted by lawyers across the country?
I wish you could be my rep... (Raleigh).
God bless you!
- Fellow Left Wing Radical
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.