When I saw the results of the straw poll conducted at the Friday night GOP debate I was taken aback by the large margin that Michael McPadden seemed to have. After speaking to a diehard republican activist/volunteer I now understand how Mr. McPadden could outshine everyone else on the dais. It appears that not just a few of the ballots handed out already had McPadden’s name selected, this would tend to give a candidate a bit of an advantage in the poll.
This person who happens to be a well respected local GOP volunteer who will go unnamed said that someone came up to him and several of his friends and handed them ballots and were told were they could deposit them. After viewing the ballots they noticed that McPadden’s name had already been selected. They discarded those ballots and got new ones which had not been tampered with.
After having the privilege of a receiving a somewhat intimidating call from this candidate in the not too distant past concerning another post about his candidacy I am not all that surprised by this act of deception by his campaign. This ACORNISH act perpetrated at the debate to make it appear he is the favored candidate along with another incident that has occurred concerning this specific campaign I without a doubt have to question the moral character of this candidate. He is articulate and looks good but then again we have recently found out what happens when we rely on smooth talking candidates, we end up with change that we can regret.
50 Comments
BRG-
This post has reached new depths of disingenuous drivel. I have been a faithful reader of this blog for quite a while, but now it appears your public commitment to another candidate has clouded even the barest semblance of reasonable commentary.
I wonder if you read the comments section at all? The “discrepancy” with the straw poll was explained, in great detail, by Samuel Adams V on another post. McPadden’s camp conducted their own straw poll, (the blue ballots, as Sam pointed out). These were not the official ballots, and thus were not used in the official straw poll.
Furthermore, every single election cycle, the Democrat and Republican parties print “sample ballots” to hand out at polling places. These ballots, naturally, have check marks beside the names of every candidate affiliate with the respective parties.
There is absolutely nothing “ACORNish” about this. And your attempt to equate McPadden with Obama, simply because he is a “smooth talker” does absolutely nothing to help the cause of your chosen candidate. With hit pieces like this one, and attempts to link McPadden to union thuggery (by the most tenuous of ties), are deplorable and succeed only in displaying fear or sour grapes regarding McPadden.
As the straw poll and the Schilling Show poll have pointed out, McPadden has strong support. Might I suggest doing something (ANYthing) to build your candidate’s message and credibility, rather than constantly tearing it down.
I happen to like Laurence & his principles, but this constant attack-mode does not put him in the best light.
At least four people I know of were confused by these “sample” ballots. They should not have been allowed to pass them out. I still believed this tainted the poll.
As far as this “attack mode” not putting Laurence Verga in the best light he has nothing to do with this. This is a personal post and results from other interactions with MP.
Knowing what I know and have observed I would prefer Hurt to McPadden.
Well, we finally agree on something! Woohoo!
“These were not the official ballots, and thus were not used in the official straw poll.”
Stop the lying.
I was handed an official straw poll ballot and directed to place it into the box. When I showed no interest in placing the ballot into the box I was softly coerced by the statement “you’re not going to put it into the box?”
Over 400 people took 2+ hours out of their evening to attend this debate. Thank McPaddens’s campaign for tainting the evening.
During a general election at just about any voting Station there will be pre-marked sample ballots which are normally marked with one party OR the other party! This isn’t Acornish, this is politics, grow UP we are going to have to recognize that the other side are professionals and will stoop to even illegal activities to accomplish their goal. I just recall those Black Panthers with night sticks at the polling station as an example of Acornish activities.
I was at the Debate and handed out McPadden literature as folks walked in. I was also at Mike McPadden’s table after the event and witnessed Joshua hand out the blue pre-marked ballots. In each case he informed the person that the blue ballot had already been marked, making it easy for them to just drop it in the box. Some folks didn’t have a pen or pencil. I loaned my pen out twice that evening. I did not see or hear anyone misrepresenting the pre-marked ballots. This is politics pure & simple. If the person you spoke with didn’t hear Joshua’s comments when receiving the ballot, they were certainly in the right to choose their own candidate from a fresh copy.
The key to your remark is” sample ballots” these were not sample ballots they were used in the actual straw poll. To walk about in a crowd of 400 people and hand out ballots that were already marked is, to be kind, very deceptive. Why did you even bother handing them out why didn’t you put them directly in the ballot box? If you were concerned about people not having pens you should have provided some.
Now to even refer to this poll as having any meaning is an absolute joke. I stick to my ACORN remark.
I did not see anyone walking around with the marked blue ballots handing them out. I saw the blue ballots at the same table the Tea Party poll provided, which I might add was well done, good questions and straw poll.
If there was anyone that mis-represented the blue ballot, I’m sure Mike McPadden wouldn’t hesitate to inform the individual to knock it off. That being said, he does have a large grassroots following and that is important to beat Tommy this fall.
I’m sorry you don’t see a difference between Politics and Illegal Activities!
After posting I read Mr. Rees comments, we both share the same opinion, I hope you would reconsider yours. Acorn is Chicago Politics and can be described in one word, ILlegal!
BTW I had a Feda Morton supporter ask me to sign her petition to get on the ballot. I informed her that I will sign Mike McPaddens, she still wanted me to sign. I said that Feda Morton should have enough grassroots folks to accomplish the petition requirement themselves! WE need to hold each Candidate up into the light, if Feda Morton can’t get enough signatures to get on the Ballot, she needs to reconsider running for Congress.
For God’s sake, why don’t you talk about issues instead of this BS? If you insist on commenting on this, at least get your facts straight. These blue ballots were printed with the words SAMPLE BALLOT in very large type at the top. I do think there was confusion about these because there were blue ballots and also ballots on white sheets of paper that also included questions relating to future debates, etc.
Like all polls of this nature, they are not reliable, and the percentages are especially not reliable, however, the rankings in this poll do reflect the performance of the candidates, in my opinion and in that of others who attended and who wrote commentary on other blogs. I do not know what Verga’s problem was, but he had a very weak performance. I have heard that he is normally better. McPadden displayed the best grasp of the issues, and I think he has the best ability to motivate the base. He is straight shooter who can communicate well with people in all walks of life.
I have to agree with the previous comments. I’m rather disappointed in this post too. It seems to be an attempt to make something out of nothing.
I have to say after seeing the pre-marked ballots I had a pit of disgust in my stomache.
Handing out ballots at a polling place that tells the voter who the Republican or Democrat candidates are is quite different than handing out a marked ballot and telling the individual to just drop it in the box.
The whole purpose of this “candidate debate” is to find the best candidate to represent the 5th district and our shared values. Marking ballots cheapens the whole process and shows that the candidate is just “more of the same” as far as DC politics goes.
I for one, want an honest, straighforward person to represent me in the DC.
Setting the record straight:
The Blue ballots were not created/printed by any campaign let alone the Mike McPadden campaign.
From the post on the website:
“A straw poll was given at the debate. All 7 candidates were listed in this poll. One write-in was added by 4 people
149 Ballots were turned in. 3 contained votes for more than one candidate and so were excluded.”
If three people were not smart enough to only mark ONE candidate I don’t know what to tell you. I find it amusing that instead of working to move your candidate forward that you are attacking a poll.
Before leaving I did walk around and give everyone one last attempt to turn in their ballots.
I am well aware of the potential for straw poll manipulation and was not thrilled to see about 10 pre marked ballots on the mcpadden table. However, once again…if people are not smart enough to change it or pick from the hundreds of NEW/UNMARKED ballots next to the ballot box then as the saying goes “you can’t fix stupid”.
I am waiting to see the results of the large white sheet straw poll to do a comparison. I wonder if the results come back similar if you’ll recant your boo hoo rantings in this blog post…Doubt it.
My apologies. I was led to believe the blue ballots were McPadden’s. Having been at the debate but not being given a ballot, I hope you’ll forgive the misunderstanding.
Be that as it may, I know Fifth Watchdog personally, and I can vouch for his credibility and fairness.
BRG, I hold to my original statement regarding “fear or sour grapes,” but I must say I’m leaning more toward sour grapes with each day that passes.
Sounds like 3 people didn’t notice that their ballots already came with a candidate selected.
I just read some of the same types of comments over at Bearingdrift. There were posters that also had been handed ballots with McPadden’s name marked off. If the McPadden people want to get an idea of where McPadden stands, let him put a poll up on his site.
Also, after hearing some comments made by McPadden on the radio, several weeks ago, before the friday morning debates, I wondered about his national security policies. I believe he said something to the effect that the US should get out of other countries. It sounded Ron Paulish to me. Sure enough, I find that he in fact is a part of the Ron Paul- Campaign for Liberty project-
http://www.campaignforliberty.com/blog.php?view=30988
You can bet that McPadden will be very weak on national security. Probably the only other Republican Rep that would vote with him on national security issues would be Ron Paul. Paul may have a very few half decent ideas, protecting the US from terriorists is not one of them. Good luck with that!!!
BTW- Did you ever see Ron Paul not win in any on-line poll during his presidential campaign? I didn’t think so.
I’m going to try to explain this, but it really requires personal study of the founders and their ideologies. In the book, The 5,000 Year Leap, by Skousen, he defines 28 principles of freedom as assembled by our founding fathers. Principle 25 is titled, “Avoiding Tangling Alliances.” This quote by our very own Thomas Jefferson begins the chapter, “Peace, commerce, and honest friendship with all nations–entangling alliances with none.” This is the principle by which Dr. Paul and Mike McPadden base their views of foreign policy. The founders’ doctrine was “separatism”, much different from the modern concept of “isolationism”. Just a small bit of research may help to clear up your misconceptions about the libertarian (not Libertarian Party) foreign policy.
And to go off topic, this floors me: “Paul may have a very few half decent ideas, protecting the US from terriorists is not one of them.” Seriously? RP is an American patriot of a rare and precious breed, and his concern for our country is as solid and legitimate as the rest of the clowns in DC. If we would seriously consider his “very few half decent ideas”, we might not be in the HUGE mess we are in right not in the US, domestically, internationally, politically, and socially. His views are as close to those of our founders than anyone else in DC, and for that, I applaud him.
BRG, I wasn’t at the debate, but I will tell you a lot of folks thought McPadden “won” the debate. You coming out like this? Comparisons to ACORN? I don’t see it. And just b/c someone is a member of a union, they can’t be conservative? I have to call it like it is —> going off the rails.
BRG, I have been an admirer of yours since you started the local tea party movement and am grateful for what you have done, but IMHO this blog post does not reflect well on you, Laurence, or on the tea party movement. How can you accuse McPadden of an “act of deception” when you weren’t there and don’t really know who did what?
Because he’s a Vergablinded hack.
well what do you expect. I guess if his guy had anything to offer other than trying to throw excrement at the other candidates, like so many other monkeys in the zoo, maybe BRG wouldn’t be so frustrated all of the time.
Wow, what a mess! You know, I was very proud to attend an event Friday night that I thought epitomized what republican, citizen based government is supposed to be all about. I think most people there felt the same way. During the intermission, a friend came up to me and said that it was too bad that we could not distribute these candidates throughout the state and elect them all. Funny, because I had thought the same thing myself. Even funnier later when Ron Ferrin said exactly the same thing during one of his responses.
Now, the level of this whole thread has me thinking maybe the Democrats are right. Maybe the People are too stupid to have a say in government. What do you think? Do you think we can move on to a more grown up topic?
Bill Hay is as full it and as sad as this poll was it was full of it also.
Kurt Feigel did McPaddens website and did this poll, getting Joshua to stuff the ballot box.
Here is the quote from McPadden’s facebook page about his website.
“Mike McPadden For Congress Thanks. Kurt Feigel did a fantastic job.”
Feigel is a slimeball who thinks he is good and sadly has led Joshua down a path he would otherwise never have gone.
But when one knows what McPadden really is this is no surprise. Bill Hay may be wrong about Verga and be his attack dog but he isn’t wrong about McPadden.
Elaborate your thoughts. You give vague indications of slimyness but give no true facts. Please share real facts with us so we can make an enlightened judgement.
I did see a stack of blue ballots on the McPadden promotions table before the debate and saw that they were being handed out after the debate. One fella kept grabbing them off the McPadden table and asking folks if they voted in the straw poll yet. I did not get to see what was on the blue ballots.
well 5th district you know what they say, friends don’t let friends drink and blog. You should get some friends. Now if you have some dirt please share we all wait with baited breath.
If you are going to spew this filth and slander people, at least have the guts to post with your real name, and actually provide some proof for the gutless accusations you are making. Even without your name, it’s very clear who you are, Mr. “5thDistrictTruth”. Haha, “truth”…right.
Kurt is nothing but real, and honest in his intentions. Ask him. He gives his opinion openly and freely. I’m proud to stand beside him as a Tea Party patriot and a resident of the 5th. At least he had the nerve to post here and identify himself, even if it is with a photo. You ought to be ashamed of yourself.
Is the site not working, or is someone blocking posts tonight?
5th District BS, who the hell are you? A disgusting character from your comments. People who habitually engage in character assassination usually do so because they are so lacking in character themselves. This is the kind of behavior I would expect from a Periello supporter. Are you a closet Democrat subversive? If not, please do everyone a favor and get on board with them ASAP! Either that, or get out of the gutter! There is a 7 step program.
Clay,
For some reason this post went into spam, I just noticed it when I went to clear out the spam folder. don’t know why it went there but I guess I will have to keep a closer eye on that folder.
If this is Tucker Watkins or some other GOP hack then he is just mad because I’m pushing for the replacement of ALL Unit Chairman in Virginia. I’ve even got a HOW TO pdf that spells out just how easy it is to do accomplish the task.
It always amazes me how the Republican party so easily and with such glee eats it’s young.
“slimeball”…is that you Tucker Watkins? Sounds like it.
Welcome to the world of the pajamahadine where we all get together and launch suicide attacks with words that we would NEVER say to a persons face.
That poll didn’t show up till intermission as I was busy taping the debate and didn’t have time to pass it out till then. It is IMPOSSIBLE for anyone to have seen it on McPadden’s table before the debate started. Speaking of Tables…Too bad the other campaigns didn’t have the initiative that McPadden’s Campaign had. I think the other campaigns need to step it up a bit at the next debate.
Lets all at least try to keep this civilized.
If by “acornish tactics” you mean the attacks and intimidation being hurled at me from this blog. I have no intention of taking that poll down. I’ll be happy to post the results of the white “pole” when/if it shows up.
FYI: at the next debate the ballots will be handed out as people enter. They will then be counted by the Lynchburg Tea Party leadership in full view of anyone that wants to watch it. That way any of you whiners that are upset won’t have a leg to stand on.
You better bring your A game!
In truth, the McPadden campaign broke the rules. All of the campaigns were advised in advance of the forum in writing NOT to use the tables. I know because I made the rules and sent them to the campaigns.
I had been so busy inside the auditorium that it wasn’t until 10 minutes before the start of the forum that I managed to get out to the lobby. I told the McPadden volunteers that they were breaking the rules, and to look at how the other volunteers were stationed at the doors to hand out material.
So your perception that the other campaigns should have done more isn’t correct. Rather, McPadden and his camp need to listen and respect the rules.
The candidates and the campaigns need to follow the rules, but unless there is a building prohibition on tables, that is a ridiculous rule that only serves to inconvenience those in the public who are trying to gather information.
Carole, since you are involved in hosting the forums, I have a suggestion that did not occur to me at the time I was completing the survey/poll. The questions were Tea Party questions, like big, slow, softballs in the middle of the plate. Next debate bring in some hostile questioners. It will be useful practice for the candidates and more interesting to see how they cope. One forum in which all the candidates and the questioner were all on the same page was okay, but no one needs a repeat of this.
Bring in some media to ask questions, or some local Democrat activists.
“All of the campaigns were advised in advance of the forum in writing NOT to use the
Tables.”
In truth, I was standing at the McPadden table ten minutes before the forum started when you walked up. I heard you tell Joshua that you did not send the McPadden Campaign the Rules for the Forum in advance or contact them in any way because you said you did not have an email address or a phone number for them.
So, why would you admonish McPadden’s campaign volunteers for not listening and respecting the rules when you yourself said you did not provide his campaign with a set of those rules?
Clay – The reason I instituted the rule about the tables was that I had concerns about the amount of space 6-7 tables would take up at the auditorium entrance. It’s not a ridiculous rule, IMO, when one has to consider fire exit considerations. Each campaign was told they could have two representatives (one at each door), standing in the area to distribute information.
I had no input into the questions asked by the moderator, nor into any of the printed polls that were circulating. Mark Lloyd of the Lynchburg Tea Party and moderator Robert Tracinski led the work on the format and questions. I recall that Mr. Tracinski stated in his opening that because this was a Tea Party sponsored debate, the questioning would largely be from a Tea Party patriot’s concern and/or perspective.
I cannot guarantee it will happen, but I recall hearing some conversation that the future debates will likely be a little grittier…or “hostile”, as you say. My only involvement is in the Charlottesville forum as a local point person, so the next two will be as much a surprise to me as to you.
Can I get a witness: What I said (and perhaps you did not hear me clearly) was that because the McPadden web site had no contact phone number or e-mail address provided, the only thing I could do was send the rules/information through the web site submission field for e-mails. Since repeated requests for someone to confirm receipt went unanswered, I could never verify that anyone actually saw my letter.
The McKelvey web site had a similar set-up (no phone/e-mail listed, only a submission field), but at least I received a follow up confirmation from him.
I felt I had to say something to the volunteers because the other campaigns were honoring the rules I sent – and understandably, more than one candidate came to me in the auditorium to point out that the McPadden campaign had set up a table.
I did the best I felt I could under the circumstances.
Side note: I wonder why neither the McPadden nor McKelvey campaigns have a contact phone number or direct e-mail address on their web site? I would think they would want to facilitate effective communication for something as important as a congressional campaign.
Dear 5th District BS Truth: Who the hell are you? A disgusting character judging by your remarks. People who habitually demean and slander others usually do so because their own character is lacking. In fact, this is what I would expect from someone in the Periello camp. Are you sure you are not a closet Democrat subversive? If not, do everyone a favor and go ahead and switch sides. Either that, or get up out of the gutter. There is a 7 step program.
Carole, it seems strange that you are the only person that suggested there were rules against a Campaign having a table. If I may suggest, for the next debate, the rules should be posted at the event and online. If everyone knew the rules? I saw at least two tables being use by Candidates. Posting the rules will maintain order. I would also make them very clear, for example:
No campaign tables will be used by Candidates within the building or grounds of the event.
Campaign Literature must be handed by individuals to individuals.
Rules like my examples would keep things fair for all. The posting of them at the event would keep order. That being said, I disagree on your table rule. Campaigns should have and need at least one table each so folks can look, grab, read, and discuss issues.
On another note:
Different shades of blue! I spread dark blue postcard size brochures out across the table that had Mike McPadden’s campaign slogan, website and picture on it. Another McPadden supporter did also. The blue sample ballot was light blue and was not on the table before the debate started. Truth, you lied or are wrong; as I was there and yes I watched Joshua ask folks to vote McPadden. I also heard people tell Joshua after the debate that Mike McPadden had won the debate! Joshua was energized by other campaigns followers telling him this!
Cardinal Crossing: Frankly, I didn’t see the need to post a rule like “no campaign tables” for the public if I’ve sent the information to all of the campaigns. But since everyone seems so fascinated with my logistical guidelines, here’s a copy of the same letter I sent to the campaigns (my personal information for this blog replaced by XXXXs):
Dear Candidates:
My name is Carole Thorpe and I am volunteering on behalf of the Jefferson Area Tea Party to be the local coordinator for your forum at Lane Auditorium this Friday evening. I have been told by the forum organizer, Mark Lloyd of the Lynchburg Tea Party, that all seven candidates agreed to participate in the forum at the time the date was scheduled. I look forward to meeting all of you on Friday.
I am writing to give you some helpful information and guidelines about the event to make it all run smoothly. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to e-mail me at XXXXXX or call me at my home number in Charlottesville, (XXX) XXX-XXXX. I check my e-mail several times per day and I am generally at home to answer the phone, but you may leave a recorded message if I am out.
I will also give you my cell phone number for use Friday evening in case anything should come up after 5:30 PM. It is (XXX) XXX-XXXX. I advise against calling this number at any other time as I only have this phone on when I am away from home. Please call my home phone number instead.
In general, I am handling the logistics of the forum. I am not involved with selecting the topics or writing the questions you will be answering on Friday. It is my understanding that your moderator, Robert Tracinski, is planning to send you an e-mail that addresses opening and closing remarks, timekeeping, format, and more.
So for my part in the forum, here is some logistical information for you:
1. Please arrive early enough to find convenient parking and get into the auditorium without having to rush. Check in with me inside the auditorium upon arrival.
2. Candidates are welcome to make themselves available to the media prior to the forum, but should refrain from meeting and greeting the public until the conclusion of the event.
3. In lieu of candidates greeting the public, each campaign may station two representatives outside the entrance doors (one at each door) to the auditorium to do so and distribute campaign literature. No campaign tables will be allowed for fire exit concerns.
4. Candidates should conclude media interviews in time to take their seats on the stage no later than 6:50 PM. Each seat will be designated with a nameplate on the table. You may want to bring a notepad and pen to jot down notes during the forum. Bottled water will be provided.
5. Robert Tracinski will be the forum moderator (see his biography at the bottom of this letter) and he will greet you at the table at 6:50 PM. He may choose to discuss a few pertinent items during this time or wait until general instructions are given later.
6. Joe Thomas of WCHV-AM radio will serve as the Host and begin the proceedings at 7:00 PM. Following his opening remarks and introduction of the moderator, Mr. Tracinski will direct the candidate introductions, questioning, and closing remarks.
7. At the conclusion of the forum, Mr. Thomas will return to thank the candidates and audience to conclude the evening. Candidates may then depart the stage to greet the public.
I will greatly appreciate it if you will send me a brief e-mail to acknowledge receipt of these instructions and to confirm your participation. For the most part, I had to rely on your campaign web sites for a general e-mail address and I’m hopeful that all of you will receive this letter.
Regards,
Carole Thorpe
Jefferson Area Tea Party
—————–
You may not like my “no table” rule but I had concerns, as stated, for audience traffic & fire exit considerations. I guess when any of you step forth and volunteer what was 20-25 hours of your time to help organize the logistics of an event like this on your own, then you can make your own rules.
But as you see, I never prohibited any campaign from handing out literature. If we had 2-3 candidates (and not what could have been 7), I would have felt better about a small number of tables.
Ultimately, we live and learn – and like anything I or anyone does for the first time, I would make a few adjustments to a future event based on my experience with this one.
So did you get an email confirmation from McPadden acknowledging receipt of email?
Carole, I think you did a good job. Thanks for volunteering to help organize this event!
With all due respect, citing an anonymous source claiming ballot-box fixing smacks of Obama-style politics. Any person has the right, in America, to face his accuser. I challenge the person who claims Mike McPadden tried to “fix” this opinion poll to come forward and confront him. Making accusations against someone’s character and hiding behind the mask of anonymity smacks of cowardice, and reminds me of Obama’s promises of transparency and full disclosure, and his total failure to keep such promises. If someone has evidence of foul play, they owe it to all of us to make it public. Conversely, if these claims are spurious, they should be retracted. It is time for all Americans to return to the concepts of truth, honor, and fair play.
Kind regards,
Donna Cosmato
Maybe you should read some of the comments.
The difference is I go after Hurt’s record and do not resort to personal attacks and lies.”
blueridgeguy
Posted January 12, 2010 at 10:12 pm
Ahh, the good old days.
Post Updated Here:
http://virginiafifthwatchdog.com/2010/01/tea-party-debates-straw-poll-results/
In an effort to appease the whining thin skinned babies within the fifth I’ve decided to alter this post and do something different.
EVERY WEEK from Monday to Sunday into the foreseeable future this watchdog site will have an “OFF TO THE RACES” poll.
It has already started and ends every SUNDAY if that wasn’t clear enough for you above!
The results will be posted weekly on this site!
Here are the names of the racers:
Spike McPadden
Fiesty Feda Morton
Rowdy Ron Ferrin
Wild Jim McKelvey
Ken “the Kerr” Boyd
Brawler Bobby Hurt
Lean Mean Laurence Verga
This will give candidates and their campaigns to show just how organized and how well their grass roots activism is geared up and ready to roll.
I have no doubt that the sore losers will cry and moan as the weeks move on at how it’s “Rigged” or how it’s “only the internet” but what can I say…
There WILL be a Watchdog Straw Poll at the Lynchburg Tea Party debates. Here is how it will work:
Ballots will be handed out as people enter the debate. If they don’t get one as they come in then that’s too bad. They will be collected as people leave. When all the ballots are turned in. The LYNCHBURG TEA PARTY leadership team ( MYSELF EXCLUDED ) will count the ballots in full view of everyone that wishes to watch. The results will be announced ON SITE and then posted here. If you can’t handle this then go find a nice corner to cry in and don’t get involved with politics.
Let the race begin.
The simple fact that this one act has brought so much ill-will to 5th district shows everyone that McPaddens campaign sccrewed up royally.
sail2sea, EVERYONE? not even close!
If you have been following this thread there seems to be some confusion at best. Absolute words like “everyone” should be held out of conversations unless absolute proof is available.
Everyone must breath to live; for instance.
In your case you want to lead folks into believing that everyone is thinking just like you. Nope not me! There goes your everyone statement, and possibly your motive is revealed? Democrats like to use absolute words, hmmm? Democrats have many many followers and few leaders; they like to be lead.
The debate rules were not published before the debate nor posted for all to see at the debate. After the debate I have read from different folks on this thread that have different opinions.
1. Still we have not seen the rules to interpret them for ourselves.
2. We are not even sure if the McPadden Campaign received the rules, which seems strange since their website and contact information is on this blog.
3. Now it would be difficult to determine if any rules appear on this thread if they were presented before as is!
We need to move on and learn from this. Publish the rules before the debate for all to see. Post them at the event too.
Well you write well. But writing well doesn’t mean one can spot the truth. If one can’t spot the truth and writes well, well that’s just scary.
Ok, Cardinal:
1. Still we have not seen the rules to interpret them for ourselves.
I just posted then letter I sent the candidates above. Take a look at it
2. We are not even sure if the McPadden Campaign received the rules, which seems strange since their website and contact information is on this blog.
McPadden’s “contact information” is not on this blog. Only a link to his campaign web site. Have you bothered to LOOK at his web site? Check around–there is NO PHONE NUMBER or E-MAIL ADDRESS that I can find…only a field under the “Contact” link to which one can blindly send an e-mail. No one EVER responded to my letter or follow-ups.
3. Now it would be difficult to determine if any rules appear on this thread if they were presented before as is!
Well, this comes down to you having to have faith that I’m an honest person – which I am. The only way you can prove it, I suppose, would be to ask people who know me…or to request a copy of the letter I sent from one or more of the other campaigns. I have no reason to change what I wrote and I’ve posted my original letter above (with my contact information X’d out).
What’s really fascinating to me is the incredible level of mistrust and accusations that fly around this blog and others that I have read. This is the first time that I’m involving myself in the pre-election process (I have always voted), and the general nastiness of it – and I’m not speaking about you or anyone involved in this topic personally! – but the general nastiness and suspicions between the various camps is really unsavory. So little of it seems to be positive in nature. As more Americans are getting involved, it’s a damn shame that it’s this way. Just my opinion.
I just remembered — I should add that I did find a general campaign address via an envelope-shaped icon to which I sent my e-mail as well. Neither it nor the e-mail field attempts yielded a reply.
Sail2Sea, Just because you believe something doesn’t make it true! You have accusations with no absolute facts, you attack others without facts! As they say in football, it’s 4th and long, time to punt.
I think I stated this issue very well as you suggest, lets move on! BTW I wonder if you would be name calling others if we were all in the same room together? Hmmm.
Probably not the intention of the original post but… Before all of this I really hadn’t “picked a horse”… now it seems to be McPadden!