Running for Congress, Expecting to Win

Special to FreeRepublic ^ | 16 February 2008 | John Armor (Congressman Billybob)

[Congressman Billybob]

Many of you who read these columns know I ran for Congress in 2006. It was in the primary against a 16-year incumbent named Charles Taylor. Given just that information, you’re not surprised that I lost, getting just 20% of the vote. I was not surprised, either. But 2008 is a different kettle of fish.

I was right, by the way, about the end of Taylor’s career. I said he was at the end of the line. He was. He got beaten soundly by a Democrat whose claim to fame was that he once played football. Heath Shuler’s the name.

In 2008, regardless of what happens nationally in the Presidential Election, I should be nominated for Congress in the 11th District of North Carolina in the primary on 6 May, and then be elected on 4 November. Why am I confident in 2008, when I got trounced in 2006?

Here’s why: the period for filing for office in North Carolina is open now, until 29 February. It is possible that some other Republican might file for Congress between now and then, but it looks like the list of candidates will close at three. Here are the other two:

Carl Mumpower has served six years as an Asheville City Councilman. He is a Doctor of Psychology. Spence Campbell is a 25-year Army veteran, who later worked in insurance. He has a Masters in Russian Area Studies. I won’t say anything about either of these two men, or about any particular issues. See for yourself why I should win the nomination against these opponents.

Go to this Internet address: http://www.youtube.com/ArmorforCongress There you will find the complete and uncut first debate between Armor, Campbell and Mumpower, conducted in Hendersonville last November. That video was shot by and broadcast on URTV, a public access channel in Asheville. It shows what I brought to the table, and how I handled myself, compared to the other two. You may well conclude that I should win the primary with a competent campaign. Five more debates are already scheduled, and there may be more.

Now, the harder part of the equation. Why do I think I will defeat the freshman incumbent Democrat, Heath Shuler?

The 11th District registration is about 40% Democrat, 39% Republican, and the rest are almost entirely Independents. The history of the District, however, shows that it has consistently voted for Republicans in the House, the Senate, and for President for the past 16 years, with the sole exception of Shuler’s win in 2006.

The reason for this is that many of the Democrats and more than half of the independents classify themselves as “conservative.” Shuler ran as a conservative. But the first vote he cast was to elect Nancy Pelosi, a San Francisco liberal, as Speaker. And since then, he has voted 84% of the time the way Speaker Pelosi wanted.

Telling the voters of the 11th District the plain, unvarnished truth about Heath and about me, plus debating Heath every time I can get the chance, is all that it will take for me to win in November. I will have the backing of the Republican Party. As a Washington newspaper pointed out in detail two weeks ago, there are 29 Districts the Republicans must target if they want a shot at regaining control of the House. The 11th District is high on that list.

Want more information about me? Go here: http://www.ArmorforCongress.com Want more information about Mumpower? Go here: http://www,Mumpower08.com Want more information about Campbell? Go here: http://SpenceCampbell2008.com

Yes, I know my website is not as crisp as the other two. My Internet gurus are working even as we speak, to make that visually simpler and better.

How many candidates have you ever run into who give equal time to their opponents? Danged few, I reckon. But I believe in good old-fashioned side-by-side comparison shopping. On the Internet, in fast food, on cars, on politics, and on the ideas of how government should, and should not, be run.

I cordially invite all who read this column, and have read my columns before, to decide whether I would be a good addition to the 111th Congress. If so, please get in touch with me, and help me how you can, now, for the primary. I think you’ll be pleased with the results.

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About the Author: John Armor practiced in the US Supreme Court for 33 years. John_Armor@aya.yale.edu He is running for the 11th Congressional District of North Carolina.

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[Congressman Billybob]

This will be official, official, when I file the appropriate papers with the Board of Elections, and shortly afterward with the Federal Election Commission. For the reasons stated, I expect a much different result in 2008 than in 2006.

John / Billybob

[Spktyr]

If elected, will you continue to post on FR? Er, at least on topics not regarding confidential/secret/defense matters.

[Ingtar]

Best of fortune to you.

[brushcop]

Best of luck to you Billybob, I’ve read your articles too, wish I was a citizen of NC just to vote for you. The local and state elections are where the power really is if we can all just keep that in mind and keep hammering away.

[Mad_Tom_Rackham]

Good move, John. You can count on my support.

[SatinDoll]

BON CHANCE! GOOD LUCK, fellow Freeper. We need many more exactly like you.

[Krankor]

I think he can trust us with secret,confidential stuff.

[Congressman Billybob]

Yes I will. However, I’ll have to cut back my addiction to FR to one day a week, probably. (You’re reminding me of when I quit smoking for the final time, three years ago....)

John / Billybob

[Congressman Billybob]

Absolutely. Since you can’t give the secret handshake over the Internet, just describe it to me in a post and I’ll release all the secret information I know, /sarcasm

John / Billybob

[PROCON]

You Go Billybob, keep us posted...Good Luck!!

[Marie2]

Glad to see someone being part of the solution rather than sitting around complaining.

[Redbob]

Well, based on what I saw of that first debate, you’re esentially unopposed!

Good luck to you!
Do keep us posted on the progress of your campaign.

Now you have me wondering if I was at Yale at the same time as you: I was a freshman ‘65/’66, Pierson College; unfortunately, that was my only year there, but it was educational!

[izzatzo]

With friends, clients, and teachers like Eugene McCarthy(need I identify him), Ross Perot(patriotic nutcase), Larry Craig(I am not queer), and John Anderson(another RINO), I hope your politics are different. I try not to practice “guilt by association” tactics; but, Holy Cow, man your role models are not role models for Conservatives.

The previous names are quoted from your website. Maybe your IT gurus should cleanse the site.

[Congressman Billybob]

We were almost there at the same time. I was in Branford in 61-62, in Ezra Stiles 62-64. You were there, however, at the same time as George Bush AND John Kerry, you lucky dog.

John / Billybob

[Congressman Billybob]

You got right to the point. For decades I’ve been writing research papers, and talking to and about politicians. I finally grabbed myself by the scruff of the neck and threw myself into the ring.

And, you stated the reason why as well as I could.

John / Billybob

[taxcontrol]

If you ever thought of writing a book, a “How to run for Congress” self-help guide would be very interesting to me and many others I’m sure.

[Traveler59]

Best of luck!

Maybe you can get some of the other congresscritters to drop in and see what's going on in the real world.

-Traveler

[Squidpup]

Run John / Billybob run!
Win John / Billybob WIN!

[newzjunkey]

You’ve provided much interesting analysis over the years. Best of luck with your run. No doubt the view from the “inside” would be very interesting.

[Cacique]

ping