We Are Running for Congress -- Maybe

Congressman Billybob's Campaign Website ^ | 2 September 2003 | John Armor

[Congressman Billybob]

Congressman Billybob Sez:

[posted 2 September 2003]

This here's the 366th Report ta the Folks Back Home from the (More er Less) Honorable Billybob, cyberCongressman from Western Carolina.

For reasons that will shortly become quite clear, I'm not gonna turn this over ta ma able assistant, J. Armor, Esq. Instead, fer the firs time ever in seven years of rattin, this column has a shared byline tween yer Congresscritter n his assistant.

We Are Running for Congress – Maybe

by John Armor and Congressman Billybob

Ballot issues always begin with a summary, to assist the voters. Here's my summary: My District needs more jobs and better schools. That means applying both book learning and common sense to what the federal government does, and doesn't do, in this District. I think my background qualifies me to be an effective Congressman. Today I announce an Exploratory Committee to find out what the good folks in Western Carolina think about that.

Mark Twain once wrote, "No one but royalty, an editor, or a man with a tapeworm has the right to use the word ‘we.' " His point was that people using the word "we" instead of "I" makes them seem pompous. Politicians seem particularly addicted to that affectation.

Well, we are running for Congress, maybe. First we explain the "we" and then the "maybe."

More than seven years ago, the (More er Less) Honorable Billybob, cyberCongressman from Western Carolina, sprang into existence in a weekly column then on AOL, under the title "Cong. Billybob Sez:"

Being a "cyberCongressman" (a word created by his "able assistant, J. Armor, Esq."), Ol' Billybob just declared himself elected and later reelected on the Internet. No fund-raising. No baby-kissing. No dreadful TV ads.

Though the approach was sometimes humorous, the intent was always serious. Every word written about political and other issues was intended to communicate legitimate analysis to knowledgeable readers. Now the time has come for someone actually to run for Congress. That cannot be Billybob, so it must be his assistant and alter ego, John Armor.

The first question that should be answered by any candidate for any office is, "Why are you running?" Some readers remember that famous Roger Mudd interview of Senator Ted Kennedy; Ted was running against President Carter, trying to take his renomination away. Mudd asked that critical question, and Kennedy hemmed and hawed in response. What little he said boiled down to this: "the nation owes me the Presidency." After that interview, Kennedy's campaign against President Carter crashed and burned.

So why are Congressman Billybob and John Armor running as a team for Congress in the 11th District of North Carolina (maybe)? President Teddy Roosevelt answered that question better than anyone else. We agree with what he said. His address, "Citizenship in a Republic," included this well-known passage:

"The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again,... but who does actually strive to do the deeds;... and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat."

This was a brilliant speech, delivered to the faculty of the Sorbonne, drawing the distinction between academics and critics and those who actually accomplish tasks. Here's a link: http://www.theodore-roosevelt.com/trsorbonnespeech.html

For forty years I've worked with and for presidential candidates, Senators, Representatives, and hundreds of members of state legislatures. As a lawyer and as a political analyst, I've been deeply involved in other people's campaigns and other people's issues. It's been hard, challenging, and worthwhile work. I was honored to have those opportunities, and don't regret a moment of that (low-paid or volunteer) work.

But I've never been "the man in the arena."

Now it's time to see if the voters agree with my conclusion that I have the skills and background to be a competent Member of Congress, on my own two feet and my own merits. So why do I say I'm running but add the word "maybe"?

One of my books, Why Term Limits?, 1994, recounts the history of House elections from 1790 to 1992. A 2002 article for Contingencies, the journal of the American Academy of Actuaries, brought that research up to date. The article, "Til Death Do Us Part," also contained accurate predictions of the results in the coming House and Senate elections.

To make a very long story very short, there are certain prerequisites for any challenger to be successful in running for Congress. They are: strong personal qualifications, a capable staff, more than 1,000 able volunteers in the District, and $617,000.

Whoa, I hear you cry. That's an awfully specific number. Where'd that come from?

Starting in 1975, all federal candidates had to declare through the Federal Election Commission their total fund-raising and also give certain details on all donations of $200 and up. The average spending for winning candidates for the House in 1976 was $97,700. That number has risen steadily over the years, so the average for winners was more than $900,000 in 2002. But there is a second set of numbers to track – how much money must a challenger raise to have a real chance of defeating an incumbent?

This number also tracks upwards over the decades. It projects to $617,000 in 2004. And this is a workable number in a highly rural District like N.C. 11, with only two TV stations and one daily newspaper, and therefore very low advertising costs compared to most House Districts.

Notice that so far I've said nothing about the interests of the District, or the possible opposing candidates. That is deliberate. Every year there are hundreds of "show the flag" candidates who file to run, raise less than $50,000, and hope that lightning will strike and they will win. Often, such candidates get the nominations of their party against an entrenched incumbent of the other party. And then those hopeless candidates get stomped into the mud in the general election – unless lightning DOES strike and the incumbent gets caught in a nasty scandal or gets convicted of a serious crime.

I refuse to engage in a hopeless campaign. I've already met the first two prerequisites – my own background, and lining up a capable staff. But I shouldn't run, and won't, unless I meet the other two requirements – finding enough volunteers and raising enough money for a competent campaign. I won't make that final decision until January, 2004, just before the N.C. filing deadline of 27 February. (The primary election is now set for 4 May; however, the N.C. Supreme Court has just declared the election law here unconstitutional. If the law remains tied up in court, the primary may be delayed until September, as it was in the last election for state offices.)

The 11th District is Western Carolina, the triangle at the end of the state from Asheville west to Tennessee and Kentucky. The primary industries here are tourism and agriculture. Tourism centers on the Great Smokies National Park. The agriculture is largely tobacco, though of necessity many farmers are moving into other forms of truck farming. The bleeding area of the economy is the loss of manufacturing jobs – a problem common to many parts of the United States. And the two groups who are more prominent here than in most Districts are the Cherokee and retired people.

The Eastern Band of the Cherokee are centered on Cherokee, N.C., on the edge of the Great Smokies. The tribe has done an excellent job of economic development on its own. But it still needs additional help to reach a good standard of living across the board. Retired people are settling in Western Carolina because the climate is excellent, the costs of living are low, and the people here are as friendly as the day is long.

Another factor is the nature of the businesses in Western Carolina. Six of the ten largest employers here are universities or hospitals. In short, there are very few "major" employers. Given the geography and challenges of transportation through the mountains, the heart of employment in Western Carolina is, and will probably remain, tens of thousands of small businesses, family farms, and the like. Small businesses are more susceptible to being shut down by dumb decisions and policies of government, because they lack the clout to defend themselves.

The last major factor is that public education is in a steady and ultimately disastrous decline in Western Carolina. This, too, is common across the country, but the folks of this District will probably be more willing to accept and undertake the kinds of changes like student testing, teacher testing, school choice and charter schools, that more enlightened communities across the nation are already adopting. Also, bureaucrats should help rather than hinder those parents who choose to home-school their children.

What aspects of my background match the needs of the 11th District? I grew up in the 1st District of Maryland, the Eastern Shore. The Eastern Shore is almost as flat as a pool table. It's located between the Atlantic Ocean and the Chesapeake Bay. At first glance, it would seem to have nothing in common with Western Carolina, far from blue water and squarely in the Blue Ridge Mountains (the southern end of the Appalachian chain). Yet appearances can be deceiving.

The Eastern Shore's two main industries are tourism and truck farming. It faces a major challenge to attract and keep manufacturing jobs. And its long term success depends on improving public education. So, whether I knew it or not, I was preparing for this race in this District from my first experiences with the people and economy in Salisbury, Maryland.

What are the background and experiences that I bring to bear for Western Carolina? First of all, I'm "over-educated." I graduated from Yale, from the University of Maryland Law School, and have completed the course work but not the dissertation for a Ph.D. in Public Policy from American University. Along the way, I've met more than a few people who hold a Ph.D., but are dumb as a hoe handle in the real world. Do I share that disability?

One side of my employment history answers that question. My first real job was working on an assembly line at the Washington Aluminum Company's Westport Plant. I've done door-to-door sales, been a short-order cook, and run a retail business. (That retail business failed, by the way, which taught me two lessons. The first is, "These are the problems that a small businessman faces." The other lesson is, "Don't do that again.")

I've accomplished some fairly difficult tasks. I've published six books (so far). I've published more than 500 articles (so far). And I've filed 17 briefs in the US Supreme Court, with a good track record in victories. I must give up filing Supreme Court briefs after becoming an official candidate for Congress. The reason has to do with the Constitution, and the separation of powers between the branches of government. While there is no legal barrier to a Member of Congress filing a brief in the Court, I don't consider that appropriate and would not do it .

Bottom line, I believe I offer the necessary combination of skills in public policy and law, combined with having my feet on the ground in a common-sense way. The voters in Western Carolina will, of course, decide that issue. Much more information about my District and about me than can be presented in a mere column, appears on my campaign (maybe) website. All readers of this are welcome to click over to that website and see what it offers: http://www.ArmorforCongress.com

Lastly, many readers who've known me for some time will want to help my effort. Here are three steps I'd appreciate your taking:

A. If you live in Western Carolina, sign up as a volunteer. I have a short list of very important actions I'd like you to take, depending on your available time and skills.

B. If you don't live in Western Carolina, but have relatives, friends or colleagues who live here, contact them, give them a link to this column, and suggest that they consider getting involved in this effort. And let me know who they are and where they are, so I can follow up with them.

C. Whether or not you live in Western Carolina, if you believe I will make a capable Member of Congress, send me a contribution. All contributions are welcome, and I expect the average donation for about three-fourths of my supporters to be about $35. It all adds up.

My campaign website shows the e-mail and snail mail addresses to use, along with much other information. When the volunteers and the dollars in hand add up to the practical targets I have set, then I can write another column taking away the word "maybe" from the title. Both of us – Congressman Billybob and John Armor – thank you for your support.

- 30 -

About the Author: For this column, nothing need be said, here.

- 30 -

(C) 2003, Congressman Billybob & John Armor. All rights reserved.

List of Zipcodes in the 11th District:

28018, 28019, 28024, 28040, 28043*, 28074, 28139*, 28160, 28167, 28701, 28702, 28704, 28707, 28708, 28709, 28710, 28711, 28712, 28713, 28714*, 28715, 28716, 28717, 28718, 28719, 28720, 28721, 28722, 28723, 28725, 28726, 28727, 28728, 28729, 28730, 28731, 28732, 28733, 28735, 28736, 28737, 28738, 28740*, 28741, 28742, 28743, 28745, 28746, 28747, 28748, 28749, 28750, 28751, 28752*, 28753, 28754, 28755, 28756, 28757, 28758, 28760, 28761*, 28762, 28763, 28766, 28768, 28770, 28771, 28772, 28773, 28774, 28775, 28776, 28778, 28779, 28781, 28783, 28784, 28786, 28787, 28788, 28790, ALL 288 zip codes, 28901, 28902, 28904, 28905, 28906, 28909. * These are only partly in the 11th District. [This list probably contains some inaccuracies, since I have two sources for it and they do not agree.]

[nicollo]

During hearings on campaign finance in 1912, Senator Clapp grilled banker and Republican congressman William B. McKinley (IL) over the $265,000 he raised for his party in 1908. "You are a practical business man and you have been a long time in politics --" Clapp droned. "--Oh no," interrupted Mckinley, without a smile. "I was an honest man until 1908."

Twain, as you noted in post no. 25, said it best. My favorite of his on Congress is: "Suppose you were an idiot, and suppose you were a member of congress; but I repeat myself."

Mr. Billybob, you can enlist me in your campaign, and I hope my friends at FR (ping!) and elsewhere will join. From here, just north of the DC line, I can almost feel the refreshing, cleansing wind coming from the NC hills... My publisher, McFarland & Co., is located in Jefferson. I'm too sad their zip code ain't on yer list. They're in 28640. I'll go visit 'em on your behalf, anyway.

One thing, though: I couldn't possibly let a TR quote go unanswered:

"A National Government cannot create good times. It cannot make the rain to fail, the sun to shine, or the crops to grow, but it can, by pursuing a meddlesome policy, attempting to change economic conditions, and frightening the investment of capital, prevent a prosperity and a revival of business which otherwise might have taken place ... The negative virtue of having taken no step to interfere with the coming of prosperity and the comfort of the people is one that ought highly to commend an administration, and the party responsibile for it, as worthy of further continuance in power.
- William Howard Taft, 1912

Nicollo unmasked: Bromleyisms here

[okie01]

And here's one from a canoeist to a kayak...

[Congressman Billybob]

I think you missed the writer's sarcasm. It was subtle, but there.

John / Billybob

[88keys]

*ping* for a little "internet activism"!!

(here's a chance to show we're way better than "move on", LOL!)

Many of you have read the always excellent and erudite commentary from "Billybob, Cyber-Congressman of Western Carolina"...well, it turns out he's running for the real thing now!!!

Check out his announcement (this thread) as well as his web-sites...IMHO, he'd be terrific, and while we can't vote for him up here, maybe we can help out with the campaign in other ways!

Ohio FReegards!

[windchime]

Bump

[MJY1288]

The best of luck to you Congressman Billybob, You will be just as much an asset to your home State as you are here on FreeRepublic.com. You have lots of support here, so call on us when you need us

Ignore the Polls, keep your eyes on the ball and don't neglect your principles and we will be looking forward to the victory party

God Bless You & Yours,

Mike

[windchime]

Bump

[Caipirabob]

BUMP!

[Vinnie]

Getting the word out to friends in Buncombe Co.

Wish I lived in his district.

[okie01]

Hit your magic pinger, Ernest. There is big news on this thread.

[Iowa Granny]

Great to see you entering the frey.

[billbears]

Here's my summary: My District needs more jobs and better schools. That means applying both book learning and common sense to what the federal government does, and doesn't do, in this District

Ah some more government 'education'? Sorry Billybob, but they've been 'educated' enough up there. Also, if you are to follow the Constitution, where is federally funded education covered?

I grew up in the 1st District of Maryland, the Eastern Shore. The Eastern Shore is almost as flat as a pool table. It's located between the Atlantic Ocean and the Chesapeake Bay

I suggest you run in Maryland then.

There are quite a few items in there that any Congressman can and should do, but few actually do, including Charlie. Read for yourself, and reach your own conclusions whether I would be a more energetic, well-prepared, and effective Congressman than most of the incumbents from any District, not just the 11th in North Carolina.

Thanks but if I lived in Western NC, I would choose Charles Taylor. The Taylor bill in 1995, signed by Clinton, took a step in removing the government from the logging industry. And he has continued to stand up for the logging industry in Western NC. BTW, what's your plan on dealing with the Endangered Species Act when it contradicts how some people up there make a living? That, as you may or may not know, has happened within the last five years in Western North Carolina

You've got a lot of enviro-whackos up there and considering that most of your votes would come from Asheville (hippie land), how do you plan to run there if you are supposedly more conservative than Taylor?

I've published six books (so far). I've published more than 500 articles (so far). And I've filed 17 briefs in the US Supreme Court, with a good track record in victories.

While I believe what you say, if you are to be held to the same standard that Taylor is held to, could you provide sources for your books? I feel that I would be able to make a more informed opinion of your stances based on your combined writings. Secondly, what were the SCOTUS cases and the outcome of said cases? As an informed voter I feel this information would also be imperative to how I vote.

B. If you don't live in Western Carolina, but have relatives, friends or colleagues who live here, contact them, give them a link to this column, and suggest that they consider getting involved in this effort. And let me know who they are and where they are, so I can follow up with them.

I'm related to probably half the native North Carolinians between Franklin and Murphy and I would be more than happy to pass along your information. However I feel that they would need to know what your stances on said issues is as well..

[alrea]

thanks! western nc needs the help.

[azhenfud]

If I were on the left side of the state, I'd seriesly consider you, Congressman Billybob. But seeing as I'm a far piece to the Atlantic from you, I'll prolly be better served to cast a good luck wish your way and do what I do best - worry with the local politicians.... ;-)

[Tax-chick]

Best wishes, sir! We live in the east, or I'd give your campaign a close look. Go get 'em!

Sincerely,
Xy

[spacewarp]

MEGA BUMP!!!!

Go for the win John. It will be a blessing to Western NC and the entire state in general.

[Texican]

Okie:
My friend I have already sometime ago sent the worthy Congressman a message telling him that I would be more than glad to support him with a (maybe more) donation. Being that I live now in California, I can only help with a few dollars once in a while. (Like I do with this wonderful forum.) All Freepers should send in a few dollars to the Congressman when they send in their donations to Jim. In a word, LET US ALL SUPPORT A GREAT FREEPER AND A WONDERFUL FORUM.

Now, let us all support any candidate that we feel is worthy of the office that they aspire to. Here in California we now have a battle going that I wish would soon end. We need a governor with an (R) after his name. One of the most important things that a governor has here in California is the LINE ITEM VETO. We all know that a democrat governor will never use it to stop the spending, but a Republican one just might.

Now I have had my rant so I will close with this!!!

The very best to you and yours.

Semper Fi
Tommie

[Constitution Day]

Shoot! Your post reminds me that I owe you an FRmail.
My apologies!

CD

[Constitution Day]

BTTT

[Texican]

THIS NEEDS A GREAT BIG BUMP