Signs of life: First punches thrown in 7th District primary race

Signs of Life (0.00 / 0)

Interesting observation by Dr. Myers.  I'm no Andre fan, and it's clear the Carson campaign is heavily-influenced by PACs, but:

Dr. Myers has heavily self-financed his campaign.  He's entitled, but the clear impression he's trying to leave is that the 7th district seat doesn't need outside influence.

Where did Dr. Myers get all his money?  It's a fair question, because he's put campaign financing on the table with this self-serving press release.  And I believe the answer would be: serving as medical director of a health insurance company in California or New York.    Because we all know those jobholders get paid big bucks to do one thing: find ways to say "no" to insured folks.

Not exactly the ideal job for my member of Congress.

He's smart, and he may be a good Congressman, but Dr. Myers' act is a tad hypocritical.  

Pot, meet kettle.

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by: Blue State Blues @ Fri Apr 11, 2008 at 13:48:15 PM CDT

A Question(s) for Joh (0.00 / 0)

Has Dr. Myers accepted any contributions from executives at either Ford or WellPoint?  Has Dr. Myers accepted any contributions from any executives at any companies?

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by: Tyrion @ Fri Apr 11, 2008 at 13:59:52 PM CDT

The issue is Andre's hypocrisy (0.00 / 0)

Thomas has an interview in the can which he promised to put up this afternoon which will address the self financing issue directly. What needs discussion now is the hypocrisy of FULLY FUNDING your campaign with lobbyist money and PAC money, then airing a TV commercial in which you claim lobbyists in Washington have too much influence. It is a two faced position for him to discuss lobbyist influence while using lobbyist money to pay for the crew that filmed it and to pay for the airtime bought to subject the viewing public to his monumental hypocrisy.

"All tyranny needs to gain a foothold is for people of good conscience to remain silent." - Thomas Jefferson

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by: finifinito @ Fri Apr 11, 2008 at 14:46:17 PM CDT

Putting "fully funding" (0.00 / 0)

in bold caps doesn't somehow mean I'm not going to point out that that's obviously false.  Andre is funding his campaign from individual contributors as well.

And while I'm sure that's what you would like for us to talk about, the questions are repeated:

Has Dr. Myers accepted any contributions from executives at either Ford or WellPoint?  Has Dr. Myers accepted any contributions from any executives at any companies?

Why won't you answer those questions?  Aren't you the web outreach for the Myers campaign?  As a citizen and potential constituent of Dr. Myers aren't I entitled to some sort of answer?  Or do you only answer fair questions from people who already support your candidate?

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by: Tyrion @ Fri Apr 11, 2008 at 15:02:23 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Cover-ups never work, Joh (0.00 / 0)

All Myers2008 campaign contributions are required to be eventually fully disclosed. Myers first report will be out soon -- do we have to wait and dig out the answers later or will you answer the financing questions in a timely manner?

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by: Wilson46201 @ Fri Apr 11, 2008 at 15:08:31 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

This isnt about Dr. Myers (0.00 / 0)

This is about Andre Carson and his financing, not ours. Andre Carson is beholden to those lobbyists now and must give them first consideration when faced with decisions he is making in Congress for the people of Indianapolis. Are you saying you are comfortable with his entire special election being funded by PACs and individual lobbyists who contributed?

And besides that, why can't Dr. Myers accept contributions from his own friends? If you were to run for an office hell I would contribute to your campaign because I know you, and we are not even necessarily friends or anything. I would donate because I know you and I have a particular set of interests in common that we agree on. With Dr. Myers' executive experience, of course he has friends who are donating. Of course, those friends are executives. If you were he wouldn't you ask your friends to support your candidacy in the open like that?

If Andre is personal close friends with these lobbyists and they dont plan on asking him for anything in return for their support of his campaign, then I will gladly eat crow. When Andre puts $800,000 of his own money into his campaign I will shut up. Until then I am calling him on it.

"All tyranny needs to gain a foothold is for people of good conscience to remain silent." - Thomas Jefferson

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by: finifinito @ Fri Apr 11, 2008 at 15:20:59 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Ummm... (0.00 / 0)

Andre Carson doesn't have $800,000.  Most people don't.  Making that the standard for when you are exempt from criticism is precisely the problem.

So your suggestion is, Andre should get to know corporate CEOs and lobbyists personally -- spend a lot of time with them, have them over for dinner, maybe see them at the country club -- before he accepts money from them?  That's your suggestion?

Contrary to what you are saying, this is about Dr. Myers' funding, insofar as Dr. Myers campaign is suggesting that by accepting money from someone you instantly become beholden to them.  I don't think that's true -- and Andre's voting record already shows that it is not -- but, regardless, if that's Dr. Myers belief, I think citizens deserve to know: has Dr. Myers accepted any money from CEOs, PACs or lobbyists?

Frankly, I don't understand why you are being so evasive about this.  If your stance was that this diary isn't about Dr. Myers finances, I'll gladly post a new diary where you can answer the question.  One way or another, we'll find out in a few days, and when we do, you'll look even sillier for avoiding the question.

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by: Tyrion @ Fri Apr 11, 2008 at 15:29:41 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

I'm not avoiding the question (0.00 / 0)

You are avoing the discussion being held here which is about Andre Carson's credibility. It is simply not credible for Andre Carson to, on one hand accept money from lobbyists hand over fist, and then go on TV WITH that money and bite the hand that feeds him.

I'm sure our campaign has accepted donations from a PAC or two, maybe a lobbyist who went to school with Dr. Myers donated when he heard his friend was running, maybe even some mean old corporations that use to employ him gave some money too, but it wouldnt matter one bit because these folks DO know Dr. Myers already. If Andre wants to hang out with his campaign funders he can do that, but my point is that Dr. Myers is fuding his own campaign so he does not become beholden to special interests, PACs and lobbyists.

In fact, lets look at one of those people Andre Carson has hung out with. Does the name YaQub Mirza ring a bell? I am not one bit comfortable with Andre Carson attending fundraisers and accepting donations from suspected terrorist fundraisers. Who knows what YaQub Mirza would have asked Andre to help him with in the future had he not returned that donation to him. Your man has a lot of problems to deal with on finance issues, your questions are meaningless until Andre Carson addresses these issues publicly and quits lying to Hoosiers about where his financing is coming from.

"All tyranny needs to gain a foothold is for people of good conscience to remain silent." - Thomas Jefferson

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by: finifinito @ Fri Apr 11, 2008 at 15:56:55 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Seriously? (0.00 / 0)

I must really be hitting a sore spot if you're bringing up YaQub Mirza.  That's awful low.  Does the campaign know you're going that route?  I'd run it by them first.

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by: Tyrion @ Fri Apr 11, 2008 at 16:06:15 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Also (0.00 / 0)

By your standards, Andre could have kept the money if he'd gotten to know Mirza first, right?  Brilliant.

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by: Tyrion @ Fri Apr 11, 2008 at 16:08:11 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Absolutely not (0.00 / 0)

I would prefer my Congressman doesn't get to know anyone who is associated with terrorism.

"All tyranny needs to gain a foothold is for people of good conscience to remain silent." - Thomas Jefferson

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by: finifinito @ Fri Apr 11, 2008 at 16:18:32 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

terrorism? (0.00 / 0)

Pulling out the 9/11 card so soon , Joh? Has John McSame put you on the payroll already for the Fall?

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by: Wilson46201 @ Fri Apr 11, 2008 at 16:25:10 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

You and Andre are in agreement then (0.00 / 0)

Which is precisely why Andre's campaign returned the money as soon as they learned who Mr. Mirza was.  It would have been the same if Mirza had mailed the money in, or contributed it online.  As soon as they found out who he was they wanted to have nothing to do with him.  Implying anything different is ugly and feeds some pretty nasty xenophobia and racism.  I expected a lot better from Dr. Myers' campaign.  I'm frankly pretty disappointed right now.  I'm writing an email to Dr. Myers about it as we speak.

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by: Tyrion @ Fri Apr 11, 2008 at 16:26:30 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Its about credibility and judgement (0.00 / 0)

Andre Carson has serious credibility issues with this latest ad. He also has serious judgement issues but I digress to make my point about his credibility. You cannot pay for the commercial with money raised from individual lobbyists contributing along with PACs, the Congressional Black Caucus and the DCCC and then make a crooked statement about lobbyists who have too much power in Washington. It is a slap in the face to intelligent Hoosiers who will see right through him.

"All tyranny needs to gain a foothold is for people of good conscience to remain silent." - Thomas Jefferson

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by: finifinito @ Fri Apr 11, 2008 at 16:32:17 PM CDT

Washington power (2.00 / 2)

It seems Joh Padgett is really worried about too much Democratic and Black political power in Congress. He singles out the DCCC and CBC as examples of "too much power" -- I'm sure the lily-white GOP Caucus in Congress quite agrees with Joh (and vice-versa) !

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by: Wilson46201 @ Fri Apr 11, 2008 at 16:40:09 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

I resent that Wilson (0.00 / 0)

You can smear anyone else you want with that except me Wilson. Funny thing is, you KNOW that and you still try it anyway. I remember when you hated and fought the DCCC just as much as me at FDL. Whatever happened to that Wilson?

"All tyranny needs to gain a foothold is for people of good conscience to remain silent." - Thomas Jefferson

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by: finifinito @ Fri Apr 11, 2008 at 16:46:00 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

I would say (4.00 / 1)

you lack both credibility and judgment when you raise the issue of Mr. Mirza.  It was totally out-of-bounds.  The whole "Andre Carson = terrorist" business feeds xenophobia and racism that hurts not only Andre, but American muslims everywhere.  It is simply beyond the pale.

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by: Tyrion @ Fri Apr 11, 2008 at 16:40:25 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Not out of bounds (0.00 / 0)

It is not out of bounds to question Mr. Mirza's donation to Andre. It is not a racist or xenophobic assertion either, it is a question of Andre's judgement. he should never have personally attended that fundraiser in the first place if he didn't want these questions to be raised about his judgement.

He is the one who must answer the questions here, he needs to explain himself to the voters of Indianapolis as to why he personally attended that event where he knew some members of that organization at that event might not be people who he would want to be associated with. He knew they were a controversial organization when he agreed to attend and accept their money. Thats poor judgement.

"All tyranny needs to gain a foothold is for people of good conscience to remain silent." - Thomas Jefferson

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by: finifinito @ Fri Apr 11, 2008 at 16:51:01 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

You're digging yourself so much deeper and deeper (0.00 / 0)

You'll have my reply this weekend.  You won't like it.

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by: Tyrion @ Fri Apr 11, 2008 at 16:59:20 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

"that fundraiser" (4.00 / 1)

was hosted by the first Muslim Congressman, progressive Democrat Keith Ellison, of Minnesota. Why does Joh think Muslim-Americans shouldn't be hosting or attending fundraisers? What sort of religious bigotry are you promoting for Myers?

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by: Wilson46201 @ Fri Apr 11, 2008 at 17:15:41 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

IPOPA (0.00 / 0)

has some sagacious remarks on this topic: http://www.ipopa.blogspot.com/

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by: Wilson46201 @ Fri Apr 11, 2008 at 19:14:52 PM CDT

Woody's free ride (0.00 / 0)

Doesn't Dr. Myers, the multi millionaire, feel badly about not paying any property taxes on a 2.1Million dollar home when senior citizens and widows in the 7th district are losing their homes because they can't afford the property taxes???

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by: Blue Beard @ Sun Apr 13, 2008 at 08:25:55 AM CDT

Yawn. (0.00 / 0)

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by: Thomas @ Sun Apr 13, 2008 at 09:33:12 AM CDT

[ Parent ]

Bart was bored too (0.00 / 0)

Property taxes didn't seem to be that big of a deal to the Peterson Campaign in Marion County...

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by: Wilson46201 @ Sun Apr 13, 2008 at 09:49:11 AM CDT

[ Parent ]

Yeah... (0.00 / 0)

...and the people who were up in arms over it and got elected ended up being irrational, ineffective leaders.

You guys would be better served focusing on the self-funding issue -- no one gives two shits about the fact that the building where Dr. Myers lives enjoys a tax abatement right now.

And based on the number of anti-Woody diaries/comments on this site over the last week, I'm inclined to think you guys are getting a little nervous.

And for me, the 9th CD political junkie, that means more fun!

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by: Thomas @ Sun Apr 13, 2008 at 09:53:18 AM CDT

[ Parent ]

Self-funding by rich condo owners (0.00 / 0)

The tax-free downtown condo is just another aspect of the "California carpetbagger with copious cash buying himself a seat in Congress" meme...

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by: Wilson46201 @ Sun Apr 13, 2008 at 10:13:36 AM CDT

[ Parent ]

Boo (0.00 / 0)

Several of my diaries have been responses to Woody's attacks on Andre.  Why don't Woody's attacks suggest he is concerned and desperate?  Just sayin'.

The main reason I've been blogging about Woody is that he's the only person aside from Andre who appears to be doing much of anything.  David O, Carolene, and Hippie Joe have all been too quiet.

Btw, when is Hippie Joe's first commercial going on the air?

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by: Tyrion @ Sun Apr 13, 2008 at 12:57:26 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

I probably shouldn't have banned Hippie Joe... (0.00 / 0)

...from the site. That was free entertainment waiting to happen.

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by: Thomas @ Sun Apr 13, 2008 at 13:08:18 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Sucking the oxygen (0.00 / 0)

Myers has been totally sucking out all the political oxygen from Orentlicher's campaign. Orentlicher was widely expected to be Democratic Congressman André Carson's main challenger. Outside of political activists, Orentlicher isn't known too widely so Myers massive, self-funded TV blitz made him #2 to the general public, leaving Orentlicher in the dust.

Orentlicher's fundraising must have been going poorly for him to be so late to start running. He's got only a month to campaign now to the general public on TV and mailers...

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by: Wilson46201 @ Sun Apr 13, 2008 at 14:13:34 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

i agree... (0.00 / 0)

I agree, where is Ol' Dave at? If he is not really serious about running, then why not get out of the way. I thought i might be voting for Dave but with his no show so far i am not sure that will happen now. Way to lose an election Dave, and i liked Dave in the past. I am curious as to what Dave is up too, as wilson expressed here. I have not really noticed anybody on here at least that is like pushing for him, and all other major candidates have someone it seems. Porr Dave, write a book on how not to win an election.Good post wilson!

"I prevail!"

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by: dicktater4life @ Sun Apr 13, 2008 at 16:21:22 PM CDT