Running for Congress: Expensive. Being Attacked by Twenty Year Incumbent: Priceless.
By: BJ Lawson
We’re making progress, and our incumbent’s machine is feeling the heat.
Early voting started last Thursday, and we’ve been staffing polling places throughout the District to spread the word about the campaign. Our team has been doing a great job — in fact, in some cases they’ve been doing such a great job that the opposition has tried to shut them down.
Theresa and Tiffany were working at a polling place in South Durham on Thursday, and apparently their readiness to engage with voters created a bit of nervousness among the Democratic party staffers. After a few hours, a lady drove up to the polling place, approached Theresa and Tiffany, thanked them for doing such a good job, and told them they were being relieved and could hand over their materials.
Needless to say, this mystery lady was not from our campaign… which raises an obvious question: How stupid do these people think we are?
A few minutes later we received a call from Theresa and Tiffany asking where they should go next, since they’d “been relieved.” Of course, this mystery was too good to pass up. JoLynn and I were driving around visiting folks at various polling places, so we dropped by the place where Theresa and Tiffany had been relieved… and I paid the Democratic party folks a visit.
I was immediately greeted by a nice fifty-something lady who asked me if I needed a sample ballot from the Democratic party. I said yes, and she graciously explained how easy it is to vote Obama, straight ticket Democrat, and then choose the slate of Democratic judicial candidates. I thanked her for the orientation, and then asked her if she’d seen my friends Theresa and Tiffany who had been working at the poll earlier that morning.
“Uhhhhh…. they left. They folded. Guess they got tired.”
Wrong answer.
I was polite, but after expressing my displeasure with the shallow deception used to steal our materials and disrupt our greeters, the trio of Democratic volunteers working at this polling place looked like they’d swallowed something a bit too big for their esophagus.
Some people believe we’re playing a game of simple party politics as we work to advance principled government that serves the people. This isn’t a game, despite the dirty pool being played by these partisan hacks.
I’ve come to the conclusion that rescuing our nation requires that we address two distinct threats: neoconservative sycophants within the Republican party, and latte liberals within the Democratic party. Both are equally blind, and equally dangerous.
After this brief distraction, however, Theresa and Tiffany returned to work their magic. We’ve continued to garner votes at the polls with our fantastic supporters on the ground, and we’re launching a new positive media campaign to stake out the high ground as we head towards election day:
Oh, and about that high ground — today my opponent launched an attack ad in the Daily Tar Heel. It’s a shame when a twenty-year incumbent can’t run on his record, and must resort to undocumented distortions of his opponent’s views:
I ask for your continued support and assistance so we can continue getting our message to the people. We’re making progress, or else my opponent would be content to ignore our campaign for principled change here in North Carolina’s 4th District.
October 23rd, 2008 at 9:58 pm
Wow! I really, really like that new TV ad. I might have to dig deep to help put it on the air - I encourage everyone else to do the same.
Let’s keep it up! David Price is sweating. His reign is coming to an end.
October 23rd, 2008 at 11:28 pm
that is a sad attack ad. Why don’t you run an attack ad on the real issues, war, civil liberties and constitutional government.
October 23rd, 2008 at 11:37 pm
“Opposes the progressive income tax”
“Favors elimination of the Department of Education”
“Believes healthcare is not a responsibility of the federal government”
“Opposes restrictions on carrying concealed handguns”
It sounds to me like Price just gave you a free ad. His next smears will probably be “well read” and “a decent human being”.
October 23rd, 2008 at 11:50 pm
If it weren’t so expensive, I’d second Shaker’s suggestion that you follow up Price’s attack ad with a rebuttal, but I’m not sure how cost effective that would be. I hate party politics.
Here’s hoping Price only has an early retirement to look forward to.
October 24th, 2008 at 12:17 am
BJ,
The story about the Democratic Party workers is both funny and pathetic. Funny because I can just imagine their faces when you showed up and talked to them, and pathetic that they would do something so childish. If you have been in Congress for 20 years and you can’t run simply on your record, then you shouldn’t be in Congress.
David
http://www.davidcarlsonpolitics.com
October 24th, 2008 at 12:22 am
It’s scary how partisanship is apparent even in our culture and society. The politician’s have truly created a “culture war”.
October 24th, 2008 at 12:44 am
Great work, B.J.! This country is in need of intelligent, principled leaders such as yourself because this country can’t afford anymore of the lobbyist pandering politicians that now have invaded our beloved capital…Thank you very much, and the founding father’s would be proud of your principled Constitutional stands on all the issues!
October 24th, 2008 at 12:55 am
Anybody who believes in restoring our rights promised in the constitution and has full support of Ron Paul is ok by me. B.J. keep on fighting and get rid of the patriot act (that big piece of dictatorship pile of you know what).
October 24th, 2008 at 1:11 am
Funny story. It looks to me like you have their attention. I am a Georgia resident with a close eye on this race. It would be a great thing for the country and not just your district to have you in office. Wish i lived in your district so i could have the pleasure in voting for someone that has his head on straight for once.
Best of luck to you BJ, this country could use 435 of you!!
Stephen
October 24th, 2008 at 1:33 am
Hello BJ, I early voted for you today in Morrisville at Cedar Forks community center. One of your good supporters was there passing out flyers, and I told him I was supporting you. I asked if you would be there and he wasn’t sure. You should let your poll volunteers know when you might stop by over the next week. I can go to Cedar Fork during early voting and watch out for sneaky ‘relief’ volunteers.
October 24th, 2008 at 1:49 am
I am watching and cheering from Ca. It is hard to believe that your opponant thinks his are the correct positions. How far our country has strayed. I pray you and many more like you win in the near future. God bless you Dr. Lawson.
October 24th, 2008 at 7:02 am
I agree with Ned. The attack ad makes you sound like Thomas Jefferson and it makes Price sound like a socialist. I think it might actually help you.
October 24th, 2008 at 7:23 am
Interesting that the economy is NOT one of Price’s own “issues that matter most”.
How many media outlets have you reported the polling worker scam to? FEC? Attorney? Hit ‘em HARD on this!
October 24th, 2008 at 7:31 am
Neither the war nor the economic meltdown are among Price’s own “issues that matter most.” I say rip him a new one in a counter-ad in the DTH.
How many media outlets have been alerted about the campaign worker scam? File an FEC complaint. Get an attorney to get an injunction against that “replacement” fraudster. Hit ‘em hard and don’t stop.
October 24th, 2008 at 7:34 am
Unfortunately, Economics 101 is not required when stepping into a voting booth…for that matter neither is having any clue about the issues. That seems to be the real battle here — educating and fighting voter apathy on these issues.
I think you have found a hot button though with the “Read the Bills” act. If people had any idea how the system worked — with thousands of pages of rhetoric and buying votes with pork add-ons…hopefully we’d see some reform. But people only pay lip service to that kind of reform. The idea of cutting federal programs does not sit well with folks who get a lot of money from federal programs.
Luckily, as a few others have said, if I had received the Price handout and had never heard of either one of you, I would think “This Lawson guy sounds pretty good!”
October 24th, 2008 at 9:43 am
After 20 years of playing party politics, ignoring his constituents, destroying our middle class and our civil liberties by voting for such things as NAFTA, the PATRIOT Act, etc, and helping to put our country trillions and trillions of dollars into debt, David Price finally seems to be waking up to the disgust and rage felt by average Americans. The reality is that he is a big part of the problem since he’s a long-term incumbent. Having worked the polls the past couple days, I can tell you that BJ is well liked by many Democrats who know of him. In fact, I’ve had people ask me why he isn’t running as a Democrat. Republican or Democrat, people recognize the truth when they hear it and are sick and tired of the corruption and dysfunction in Washington. David Price should be nervous.
October 24th, 2008 at 10:09 am
David Price’s attack ad, which also appears in this week’s “Independent”, addresses the issue of choice. He claims that BJ “Favors reversal of Roe v. Wade. Believes abortion should be illegal even in the case of rape or incest.” I have been reading BJ’s website, and searched for the terms pro-life, abortion, abortion rights, and Roe v. Wade. I have yet to find a stated position on abortion other than BJ is pro-life and admires Dr. Paul’s career as an obsetrician in working to save the life of the mother and yet still be able to safely deliver the baby.
As a young woman I became pregnant out of wedlock. I chose to carry my child to term and marry the father. Sadly, my child was delivered stillborn with multiple congenital anomalies. My body aborted my child naturally because he was unable to survive on his own. I also had three miscarriages, which by definition are spontaneous abortions. I ultimately was able to have a son and daughter. My point is that I have always chosen life, but my body sometimes rejected my choice. I have to say though that if I had been raped or a family member had committed incest with me against my will I would have chosen to have a surgical abortion. Also, as a mother I know that if my daughter was raped or a family member committed incest with her and she became pregnant through these acts of violence, I would seek a safe, surgical abortion for her. Compounding violence against girls and women by making surgical abortion illegal is definitely a civil rights issue for me. On the other hand, I would not encourage my daughter to have an abortion if she became pregnant through consensual sex, but I ultimately would have to respect her decision to do so and would prefer that she have access to a surgical abortion in a safe, sterile environment by a physician who has the proper training rather than her being frightened into seeking an abortion from unsafe and unscrupulous sources possibly leading to reproductive disfigurement or death. I have taught my son and am now teaching my daughter about the virtues of abstinence before marriage, but as a realist and pragmatist I also taught my son and am now teaching my daughter about the use of contraceptives and safe sex through the use of condoms. Educating young people about their bodies and sexuality in an intelligent, realistic and pragmatic manner will help them make choices that will prevent unwanted pregnancies and potentially life-threatening sexually transmitted diseases. We, the people, are the government. We elect those who desire to represent us in Congress. BJ, please up front and fully state your position on the issue of women’s reproductive rights.
October 24th, 2008 at 10:29 am
this is crazy.
i have forwarded this blog post to everyone in my address book…the dirty tricks must stop.
david price has been in congress for 20 years and can’t run on his own record…thats pathetic.
liberty is PRICEless.
if you haven’t already done so, get out and vote for this principled man…BJ Lawson. The true change maker in this election.
October 24th, 2008 at 10:38 am
David Price doesn’t want to engage on the economy because theDemocrats in the 1970’s started this mess, and Bill Clinton and a Democratic congress in 1999 expanded it and put the squeeze on banks and Freddie and Fannie to offer sub-prime mortgages. The Democrats’ buddies were in charge of Freddie and Fannie.
It was the REPUBLICANS (including John McCain) who tried (in vain) to rein in this out-of-control financial scheme. And now we know why: The Democrats’ buddies in Fannie and Freddie were trying to undermine the Republicans who (nobly) were trying to enact some common-sense legislation.
If the Democrats win a veto-proof control of the Senate, say goodbye to common sense. Its letting the fox into the hen house.
A video presentation on the root causes of our economic malaise, and how to (and how not to) correct it.
http://www.teleprompterpresident.com/2008/10/fnc-fbn-inves-6.html
October 24th, 2008 at 11:06 am
… after more thoughtfully considering Price’s ad, maybe it’s not so bad.
I resent his efforts to resort to typical partisan rhetoric with social issues like abortion, civil rights, and affirmative action, but that’s clearly the best he can do. I’ve made it clear that I’d prefer a substantive dialog that works towards transpartisan solutions:
http://www.indyweek.com/gyrobase/Content?oid=oid%3A266570
His ignoring more immediately critical issues like the economy, war, and civil liberties is telling.
BJ
October 24th, 2008 at 11:17 am
Go get ‘em, future Congressman Lawson. I can’t vote for you (in Texas, where we have a great Rep), but those before are absolutely right: your victory will mean good for more than just your district.
If McBama takes office with the likes of you in the legislature, we the people might have a fighting chance.
October 24th, 2008 at 11:19 am
A.L. - I’ve outlined my thoughts on abortion in response to questions from WRAL:
http://www.wral.com/news/local/story/3732181/
and the Indy:
http://www.indyweek.com/gyrobase/Content?oid=oid%3A266570
I hadn’t made it an Issues point on my campaign Web site because of my frustration with the same social issues being relentlessly used as wedges to divide the electorate and preclude a more substantial dialog.
I suppose it will be the same this year… so I’ve added these comments to my Issues page here:
http://www.lawsonforcongress.com/issues/life/
BJ
October 24th, 2008 at 11:39 am
As if you didn’t already face an uphill battle, now David Price is even closing out games in the World Series!
But in all seriousness, it’s depressing to see a 20 year incumbent who has to fall back to cheap tactics, attack ads, and partisan politics as usual. Anyone who is paying any attention at all knows you’re not a typical Republican, and it’s disingenuous at best for him to try to smear you as one. It’s pretty sad, really.
October 24th, 2008 at 12:05 pm
Regarding the trickery attempt…
I can’t believe they didn’t recognize you when you approached and spoke with them. What does that say about these “ladies”? Well, it says to me, they aren’t supporting Price because they like him as an individual, they’re blindly supporting the Democratic Party. They couldn’t even identify the person they are “fighting against”. I’m not sure which is more pathetic, their attempt at deception or the inability to think for themselves.
October 24th, 2008 at 12:33 pm
BJ~~
help is on the way, there are at least 3 of us comiing from the 6th district (Greensboreo) over to the 4th on Saturday to help in any way we can. We want to make it more,….will see if we can get a car load!
I encourage any and all Freedom Loving North Carolinians within reasonable driving distance to go down this weekend and help B. J.! We MUST get him elected.
Time is short!!! Everybody~~~~Come on DOWN, (or over, or up,) and let’s get this man in CONGRESS~~~!!!
October 24th, 2008 at 2:33 pm
BJ,
I have to say I was concerned when I saw Price saying you would not allow abortion if a woman is raped. I then saw the woman’s comments above expressing concern as well. Finally I read your response, but it seems to dodge the question. You say you are pro life. I am too. But you never say what your stance would be if a woman is raped and wants to abort. What is your stance then? Would you allow her to have an abortion?
I think the policy implications of NOT allowing a raped woman to abort is worse than allowing it. For instance, if rapists now know they can go around and impregnate women in order to pass on their genetic material without fear of the baby being aborted, some will certainly adopt that strategy. Far fetched I think, but it seems to support rapists at the expense of the victims.
October 24th, 2008 at 3:35 pm
Best of luck to you as you seek this office. I wish I had the pleasure of voting for a man of principle like Ron Paul or B.J. Lawson for Congress where I reside in Louisiana.
October 24th, 2008 at 10:26 pm
Neil - I’m not trying to dodge the question. The simple fact is that abortion is too complicated to be treated as a multiple-choice pop quiz. As a result, we shouldn’t be making blanket rulings from the federal bench, or federal legislature.
So what about rape and incest? Well, if one accepts that there is a right to life, and that life begins at conception, there is still a question about that period of time when it is impossible to know if conception has occurred. So in the case of reported rape, it makes sense to offer the victim so-called “emergency contraception” as part of rape treatment — thus preventing the need for a more painful decision further down the road.
The same logic could apply for incest, if reported promptly.
Beyond that, we’re quickly onto the slippery slope. I personally don’t have a good a priori answer for every possible situation, which means that I would find it impossible to write federal legislation to handle this nuanced issue.
How many cases of rape or incest result in pregnancy that end up with mid-term or late-term abortions? I don’t know. Should an unborn child be punished for the sins of another?
These are difficult questions. There are no easy answers, and there is no answer that is going to make everyone happy. My goal isn’t to make everyone happy, though — it’s to advocate for a constitutional federal government and push back against the the rampant corporatism that has resulted in our national bankruptcy, surveillance state, and fear-inspired perpetual warmongering.
Again, my preference is for local dialog and standards as opposed to blanket rulings and regulations from Washington. In that model, communities will reach an equilibrium state that reflects local values and priorities. And given that we still have freedom of movement and association, we should be able to live with those results.
October 25th, 2008 at 7:02 am
Thanks B.J.!
The abortion issue wasn’t a deal breaker for me because I already voted for you. My husband is another story. He is leaning towards voting for you, but he had questions about where you stand on abortion in the case of incest or rape. I realize that you see abortion, gay marriage, and gun control as wedge issues that keep people from focusing on way bigger issues, but for some such issues are deal breakers and unless you address them in a thoughtful manner just like you did in your answer to Neal then folks are going to believe the attack ads and write you off. Just a personal observation from talking to people when I tell them to check out your website to learn about your positions. I’m a Democrat that broke ranks to vote for you for Congress and Mike Munger for Governor. There are many other people that are potential voters for you, but are in search of thoughtful answers that will help them to make the choice.
I’m rooting for you.
October 25th, 2008 at 8:14 pm
BJ,
If the mystery woman actually took those campaign materials away from your volunteers, then she’s committed petty larceny. File a police report, and file a complaint with the FEC.
-jcr
October 25th, 2008 at 8:46 pm
BTW, this was crying out for a rebuttal:
“Tax Fairness”
Price voted to spend $850 billion of your tax dollars rescuing incompetent speculators from their own bad decisions. How fair is that? If you pay people to take unwise risks with the promise that the taxpayer will back them up if they fail, you’re going to get a lot more bankers taking unwise risks.
BJ Lawson will fight to reduce the tax burden on all of us, not just those who can afford to buy manipulation of the tax code with massive political contributions.
“Education”
Price ignores the fact that the United States already outspends Germany and Japan per student, and that we don’t get what we pay for. Instead of continuing the failed Federal programs of interference in education for the benefit of the NEA cartel, BJ Lawson wants to return control of education to the state and local levels, where it was when the United States led the world in the quality of public schooling.
“Health Care”
David Price isn’t satisfied with the horrendous state of our health care system under our current regime, where overregulation and outlawing competition has driven the cost of health care out of many people’s reach. So, what does he want to do? More of the same! Health Care policy is one of the many areas where Congressman Price is out of his depth, and can only mouth the slogans of incompetence. Do you want a government bureaucrat to make medical decisions for you?
BJ Lawson is a medical doctor, who wants to get the government out of the way and let doctors and patients make their own decisions about how to provide health care in a free market.
“Choice”
Representative Price supports Roe V. Wade. BJ Lawson opposes legislating from the bench.
“Gun Control”
David Price supports victim disarmament laws that violate the second amendment of the Constitution. BJ Lawson understands that the right to self-defense is a fundamental human right, and that attempting to disarm the people recklessly endangers us all.
“Civil Rights”
David Price voted for the Patriot act without even reading it first. The Patriot act runs roughshod over the first, fourth and fifth amendments, and strips away the protection of Habeus Corpus from anyone that the president may choose to arrest, with no judicial review. BJ Lawson will fight to uphold our civil rights, by repealing the Patriot act, and any other of the ill-advised laws passed in the panic after 9/11.
BJ Lawson also stands for ending the “War on Drugs”, which has since its inception been the pretext for egregious violations of our civil rights every day, the militarization of our police departments, and the theft of private property without due process of law under so-called “civil forfeiture” statutes.
“Affirmative Action”
David Price supports racial discrimination, as long as it masquerades under a deceptive name like “Affirmative Action”. BJ Lawson recognizes that racial discrimination is wrong, no matter who it’s directed towards.
Hope this helps,
-jcr
October 25th, 2008 at 10:36 pm
Thanks for the response BJ. You have my vote!
October 26th, 2008 at 11:23 am
[...] seeing the similarly disgusting ad that his campaign put out in the Daily Tar Heel, I expected more dishonesty to come from the Price [...]
October 27th, 2008 at 3:58 am
I am just concerned that attack ads like the one above will give voters, especially democrats, a distorted look at what you stand for, and unless they take the time to do the research to find out the truth, they may have been turned off from your campaign due to petty partisanship.
Also, something that came to my mind: when you’re in congress, I would like to see you continue this style of blogging to discuss the nuances of the issues, and also why you vote one way or another. Just a thought.
October 27th, 2008 at 11:21 pm
[...] Crimes Bill”, and the disastrous Bailout Bill, has grown quite uneasy. He is now running desperate attack ads and resorted to smearing BJ Lawson and Ron Paul as dangerous George Bush [...]
November 22nd, 2008 at 4:35 am
[...] Crimes Bill”, and the disastrous Bailout Bill, has grown quite uneasy. He is now running desperate attack ads and resorted to smearing BJ Lawson and Ron Paul as dangerous George Bush [...]