Rep. Taylor's office caught in obvious lie in attempt to smear John Armor

The North Carolina Conservative ^ | 17 March 2006 | John Armor (Congressman Billybob)

[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

[dirtboy]

Billybob bump

[Bahbah]

Armor and his bunch of left-wing radicals

LOL. Does she know anything about you at all?

[Congressman Billybob]

The answers to your questions are no, and no. As I've said on FreeRepublic and elsewhere on the Net over the years, I've never gotten to argue a case before the Supreme Court. I have won two cases where I was lead counsel. But both were requests for Emergency Relief.

The Court never hears argument from counsel in those cases. They are decided solely on the papers you file with the Court. On the other hand, my briefs have not been like the ones that are "routinely submitted by lawyers across the country."

Mine have Judge Bork's name cited, and that means mine get read by at least some Justices, personally. Plus, when the Court cites you Amicus Brief with favor in the majority Opinion, that's proof positive that your brief was read, and had a good effect.

Lastly, in Bush v. Gore, Round I, in December, 2000, the Court did exactly what my brief recommended, and no other counsel in the case had recommended that.

So, no, by briefs are not like the ones which are routinely submitted. Mine got the job done, in the Anderson case in 1983, and the Bush case in 2000.

John / Billybob

[Congressman Billybob]

Charles Taylor routinely calls his opponents, whoever they are, "left-wing." He's done that for years, and it has worked in the past. So, he's just true to pattern.

Since I've made thousands, maybe as much as 10,000 posts to FreeRepublic over the years, anyone here can reach their own judgment about my political philosophy. And in answer to your specific question, I am not "pro-choice."

John / Billybob

[KC Burke]

I love the condescending tone of her chatty e-mail -- perfect for a functionary that doesn't know the toilet chain has already been pulled on their small bay where they envision themselves as a mighty tug boat.

[George Smiley]

On what basis are they calling you left wing?

Because he was invited to meet with, and did meet with, the Asheville (NC) blogerati, who are, shall we say, progressives.

Here's a link to John's column describing the meeting, which is aptly entitled Daniel in the Lion’s Den – A Red Candidate in a Blue Meeting

And, like the story in the book of Daniel, John obviously was not eaten alive by the Asheville bloggers.

In fact, almost all of them actually said nice things about him on their weblogs.

[Tax-chick]

Not my part of the state, but best wishes, and congrats on making the news :-).

[visualops]

She called you immoral and nuts???
She better watch that hatefulness doesn't eat her up like a cancer.

I'll pray for your campaign. Folks up there would be very fortunate to have you represent them.

[GladesGuru]

May I ask for data about the "bank scandals"? Like your daughter, I think highly Congressman Taylot and would need hard data rather than hard ball politics to justify any reappraisal of Congressmen Taylor.

Thanks for sharing any data you may have.

[Robert A Cook PE]

If I get to debate him, I will beat him like a rented mule.

Stay tuned.

Lettuce enjoy that outcome!

[mlc9852]

http://susang.dailykos.com/tag/Charles%20Taylor

I don't know details but I'm sure you can find much more - I just Googled "Congressman Charles Taylor savings loan" and got quite a few articles.

If I have time later, I'll see what else is out there.

[Congressman Billybob]

The press has ample reporting of the first Taylor bank scandal. The President and General Counsel of his bank, Blue Ridge Savings, were convicted of federal bank fraud. Also convicted was a customer of the bank who was a major Taylor contributor.

Two of the men convicted said, under oath, that Taylor was well aware of the details of the fraudulent transactions as they occurred. But Taylor was not even investigated, much less prosecuted. As I say, that's first bank scandal, and it is thoroughly reported, including copies of the affidavits saying that he was involved.

There are many more situations involving corporate and land deals, public money in private hands, and false affidavits. Some have already come out, some are about to come out.

If "hard data" means a final, criminal conviction, as with Rep. Jim Trafficant, and Rep. Duke Cunningham, that won't happen for at least a year or more. But if you mean enough facts for a reasonable voter to question Taylor's integrity, that's already out there.

John / Billybob

[185JHP]

BTTT

[momincombatboots]

WNCarolinian voter here. I will be praying about my vote.

[TBP]

And with Heath Shuler running who knows what could happen.

You never know what could happen when he's passing either, but in either case it's probably not good.

[mlc9852]

I am so dense! I read your response several times before I understood it. That being said - LOL!

[AGreatPer]

Billybob bump. John, your the greatest. Thank You.

[Congressman Billybob]

Good line.

John / Billybob

[TBP]

Thank you.