I sent an e-mail to U.S. Rep. Rick Larsen’s campaign yesterday about this Thursday, July 8 forum, and haven’t heard back yet, but the Bellingham Tea Party says that the Everett Democrat will be attending this event (this honestly sounds to me like it’s going to be another version of the Bill Mize Forum at this point, with very quick questions and potentially quick answers back … although fewer candidates):
*UPDATE* - As an FYI, Larsen’s campaign has confirmed that they are indeed going to make it to the event. The campaign was unsure if the event would fit into his schedule but it’s worked out.
The Bellingham Tea Party received phone confirmation from Congressman Rick Larsen’s office late today that he will participate in this Thursday’s “Meet the Candidates” Town Hall forum at Whatcom Community College Syre Auditorium, 237 West Kellogg Road, Bellingham, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
All candidates who filed for office were invited. The updated list of those who will participate (in alphabetical order) is:
U.S. Senate: Paul Akers (Republican), Bob Burr (Democrat), Clint Didier (Republican), and James “Skip” Mercer (No Party Preference)
U.S. House of Representatives: John Carmack (Republican), Larry Kalb (Democrat), John Koster (Republican), Rick Larsen (Democrat), Diane McGuinness (Democrat)
The forum is offered at no charge to the public. Campus parking is ample, and doors will open early, at 5:30 p.m. A second forum will be held next Thursday, July 15th, featuring candidates who have filed for state offices.
The Bellingham Tea Party is a non-profit, non-partisan grassroots organization that has grown steadily since its first Tax Day Tea Party rally last year. The Bellingham Tea Party does not endorse any political party, candidate, or for-profit educational events. All official Tea Party activities can be verified at our official website: http://www.bhamteaparty.org
July 7th, 2010 at 9:20 AM
“The Bellingham Tea Party is a non-profit, non-partisan grassroots organization that has grown steadily since its first Tax Day Tea Party rally last year. The Bellingham Tea Party does not endorse any political party, candidate, or for-profit educational events.” (Bellingham Tea Party spokesperson)
That’s simply not true.
What is untrue can only be a lie.
USA Today
6/25/2010
‘Tea Party’ fundraising PACs surge, but cash comes slowly’
“WASHINGTON — The “Tea Party” movement that’s staging rallies and shaking up GOP primaries with its anti-tax, anti-establishment message is using at least one conventional approach to politics: Its backers have established more than 30 committees to collect campaign cash to influence elections.
A dozen political action committees bearing the Tea Party name have been created since July 2009, filings with the Federal Election Commission show.
Another 24 fundraising committees have been established with the IRS.
Those groups, known as 527s for the section of the tax code under which they operate, can raise unlimited amounts of money for their political activity.”
“ELECTION 2010: For black candidates, top spots still elusive”
http://www.usatoday.com/news/politics/2010-06-16-tea-party_N.htm
July 7th, 2010 at 9:54 AM
West responded: “The principles and values that I espouse, limited government, lower taxes, individual responsibility, and accountability, liberty, and honoring the traditions of our constitutional republic, are connecting me with those grass roots Americans that attend tea party rallies. And I’ve spoken at four to five of those rallies and I’ve not seen any racist type of signs.”
On Wednesday, Alexander talked with correspondent Luke Russert about the fact that 32 African-Americans are running for Congress as Republicans. Russert noted with surprise how “these candidates are actually soliciting support from the tea party, a group that a lot of folks have claimed to be racist against African-Americans.”
Read more: http://newsbusters.org/blogs/kyle-drennen/2010/05/07/msnbc-host-asks-black-gop-candidate-about-racist-tea-parties#ixzz0t1E45f36
AFY!!theheelotsheepdog!!!
July 7th, 2010 at 10:02 AM
Camille - talk about “what is untrue” !!
That USA Today story is a total red herring. The Bellingham Tea Party is a non-profit, totally local, non-partisan, and takes orders from no-one. It’s NOT a PAC. A number of Bellingham tea party “regulars” are running for office — as Democrats. Not very good fact checking, there.
People, get a grip on the conspiracy theories.
July 7th, 2010 at 10:17 AM
GlacierPro,
I know of 2 Democratics running for office who have attended Tea Party rallies, that does not, in my opinion, make them Tea Party “regulars”, whatever that’s supposed to mean.
July 7th, 2010 at 10:52 AM
I’s wonder who will endorse more of which in the general:
League of Women Voter’s endorsement of republicans or Tea Party’s endorsement of democrats?
AFY!!theheelotsheepdog!!!
July 7th, 2010 at 11:20 AM
There are quite a few bona fide Democrats, Independents, and Libertarians who participate in Tea Party events AND attend general meetings. That’s my concept of a “tea party regular.”
July 7th, 2010 at 11:26 PM
After reading through this blog and the comments that have been left I was struck by the realization that I really know little about the Tea Party. As a Democrat I have been quick to label the movement as evil and one that embraces the conservative, republican agenda. So I did a little research and I found out that the agenda of the Tea Party although not what I would call progressive does have some common goals of the democratic party. One example that comes to mind is simplification of the tax system. A system that allows for a code that is no longer than the original length of the Constitution is not such a bad idea. It would be difficult to hide in 4,543 words the loopholes and tax exemptions that are currently employed to discriminate against a populace that cannot afford an accountant to puzzle out the tax system for them. Of course there are things I cannot agree with such as appealing the health care bill or trusting business to regulate emissions by providing financial incentives. The ideological battle we are now warring between Democrats and Republicans is simply not sustainable if we wish to solve the serious economic, environmental, and social justice issues we face as Americans. I vote for listening to all sides and utilizing the best ideas and not rejecting something simply because it comes from a camp that you do not readily identify with.
July 8th, 2010 at 7:22 AM
Shari:
Great post it is to bad more people don’t think like you. Right on!!!!!
July 8th, 2010 at 7:36 AM
Ditto
July 8th, 2010 at 8:52 AM
Nice sentiments. However, the spin machines on both sides of the political divide have been working overtime to demonize members of the other side. So long as people succomb to such propaganda, true bipartisan cooperation in the spirit of liberal democracy is not likely.
July 8th, 2010 at 9:03 AM
The present party system is dead but it won’t lie down. My preference would be for any candidate who espouses and practices common sense and supports the Constitution. This way we could be rid of the crruption of lobbyists and earmarks. Reform Congress now from the bottom up and the top down.
July 8th, 2010 at 9:10 AM
uncle charlie, the candidate you are looking for is running for Congress this time around, and his name is John Koster. He’ll be at the Bellingham Tea Party forum tonight, if you would like to hear what he has to say.
July 8th, 2010 at 10:01 AM
Burn down the house and rebuild according to what plan?
Why are we paying any attention to the drunks who ran us in the ditch and now seem to have found political god by lambasting their very own leadership lapses and programs as if they were of another planet while at the same time shamelessly purporting to now know the way out of the ditch.
It’s a tricky balance trying to meet the needs of the entire country and not be swayed by a populist babble that is simplistic and naive.
The Constitution has always guided us and does still, even if some don’t like to accept it’s historical and legal logic at times.
Especially since the Supreme Court has now invited corporations to gorge themselves at the political table in the name of some activist whacked out world view of conservatism as interpreted by a very confused opposition to everything mob.
July 8th, 2010 at 11:15 AM
Hopefully Rick Larsen will be asked why he has voted with Nancy Pelosi 98% of the time while he has been in Congress tonight at the forum. The 2nd congressional district needs representation that reflects it’s values, not those of San Francisco. The time for sending some tool back to DC to be told what to do by his leadership is over.
July 8th, 2010 at 2:28 PM
So true…worth the repeat…
Why are we paying any attention to the drunks who ran us in the ditch and now seem to have found political god by lambasting their very own leadership lapses and programs as if they were of another planet while at the same time shamelessly purporting to now know the way out of the ditch.
July 8th, 2010 at 2:40 PM
But, Trixi; methinks I’s thought you supported Pelosi & Reid?
AFY!!theheelotsheepdog!!!
July 8th, 2010 at 3:35 PM
I’ll take Nancy Pelosi over Caribou Barbie any time!
Rick Larsen has been doing a very good job of reflecting the values of this moderate Congressional District.
Koster is just one more lock-step rightwinger who’d happily destroy our economy to get elected.
July 8th, 2010 at 4:24 PM
Maybe someone will ask Rick if he believes the financial crisis was caused by “minorities” and Wall Street was just a victim, like the Tea Party leaders believe.
July 8th, 2010 at 11:20 PM
After listening to the Tea Party forum and the candidates I have come away with this:
All of the candidates were (in my opinion) honest about where they stand on the issues
There is a lot of difference between all of the Senate and Congressional Candidates
I wish there had been more questions about economic and energy solutions
Not all of the candidates were well informed on all of the latest issues
Anyone who came to learn about these Candidates, know enough to confidently cast their votes in Aug & Nov
Too bad Rossi and Murray couldn’t make it…their loss and ours, because I’d have wanted to see how they stand up against the other Candidates.
Next weeks forum for the State Legislature Candidates (all 18 of them) I hope to hear more diverse questions from the audience. Knowledge is power in deciding which Candidate has the spine to clean up the mess in DC and Washington State.
July 8th, 2010 at 11:23 PM
My humble thoughts on the Tea Party-sponsored Candidate Forum:
Akers: Was an Eagle scout and when he was 14 years old he went on a camping trip and left his sleeping bag at home, so he slept in the cold; but he never forgot his sleeping bag again. Says we don’t need to change the military policy of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ because a lot of his friends who are in the military don’t mind working with gays so there’s no reason to change it. He’s a Baptist. He’s also an inventor. Speaks good TP gibberish.
Bob Burr: Religion Unknown.
Wants private money out of politics and have publicly funded campaigns. Wants term limits; doesn’t think that corporations should be given the same rights and protections as private citizens. Wants us out of Afghanistan. It was obvious that he’s a very intelligent young man.
Didier: Walks like John Wayne.
Did you know he played for the NFL?
He’d make a great dramatic actor.
He’s proud to be a farmer and says he’s good at shoveling poop.
Oh and by the way, he played for the NFL.
He wants absolutely no government regulation or subsidies for small farms or anything.
He believes that with the help of “Almighty God” he’s going to fix everything that’s wrong with this socialistic country we’re living in, and when he’s done doing that he’s going back home to die on his farm.
He’s pouty and has a chip on his shoulder.
By the way, did I mention he played for the NFL?
Skippy Mercer: Wants to get rid of all government regulations. You’d think that since he’s a professor of physics he’d be smarter than he is. Says he’s a Christian.
The Great Carmack:
This bible thumper’s rhetoric would scare the bejesus out of Jerry Falwell.
Says he knows all the guys at BP and that the spill in the gulf ain’t no thang and will clear itself up in no time.
He said something about ‘Tar-babies’ but it was not an industry term.
Larry Kalb: Religion Unknown
Priority is American jobs, believes in single payer health care, wants publicly-financed elections, wants to end tax breaks for companies shipping jobs overseas. Wants troops home.
John Koster: Seems like a nice enough guy. Doesn’t like federal regulations, says farmers should be able to spray whatever pesticides they want on their crops. Baptist.
Rick Larsen: Has 7 siblings and his dad was a union worker.
He’s a Christian but he didn’t specify his denomination.
Diana McGinness: Religion Unknown.
Doesn’t think our economy is in imminent danger and that things will pan out in the long run. She seems sincere but unimaginative.
A small accident, she spilled her Pepsi on the panelists’ table and had to go offstage for paper towels during her speaking time; one of the forum’s hosts should have assisted her in cleaning it up.
All of the Conservative panelists are anti-feds and yet they all want to be one.
None of their platforms supported ending Social Security and Medicare benefits.
The Conservatives on the panel said that the U.S. is a Christian country, and if you’re not a Christian you’re immoral.
Personally I like people who have no morals, but I never considered that not being a Christian made you less of an American.
July 8th, 2010 at 11:25 PM
The forum tonight was “a full house’ and a very good one. My thanks to the Bellingham Tea Party for its sponsorship. As I expected, the audience was very courteous and respectful of opinions differing from their own, as well as enthusiastically supportive of views corresponding to theirs. I am looking forward to the local candidates forum next week
July 9th, 2010 at 12:45 AM
Camille:
Thank you for your humble thoughts. It is obvious that you were listening AND observing. I laughed out loud on several of your observations, but none louder than when seeing myself referred to as a ” Young Man”.
Thank you for cuing in on ideology rather than chronology.
Bob
July 9th, 2010 at 6:38 AM
Really good playback there Camille. I remain proudly immoral…..
July 9th, 2010 at 6:50 AM
Camille, that was a very fine post!
July 9th, 2010 at 7:40 AM
SL says: Rick Larsen has been doing a very good job of reflecting the values of this moderate Congressional District.
The House controls spending, since Rick has been in the House our debt has more than doubled and this is what we now have:
http://www.usdebtclock.org/
This does not represent the values of any moderate congressional district IMHO! But it does represent the values of those who do not have the understanding that to leave this kind of debt to future generations is not only immoral (sorry my fair lady) but it is also criminal!
People responsible for this kind of debt should not be askin for re-election but should be pleading for the mercy of a court!
AFY!!theheelotsheepdog!!!
July 9th, 2010 at 8:34 AM
Did Glenn Beck talk about getting rid of the EPA (they actually kept calling it the Department of Ecology, which doesn’t exist at the federal level) recently or something? I found it kind of weird that three people asked about the same issue. What’s so timely about the EPA? I don’t recall seeing them in the news as of late in terms of controversy.
July 9th, 2010 at 8:47 AM
ST, me bein the Glenn disciple me be, I’s haven’t heard about dumpin the EPA but has heard about dumping the Department of ED, instead of states sending hundred of millions to DC and only getting back a smaller percentage of that of which was sent, why not just keep the money in the states, methinks, where it can go for education and not a huge DC bureaucracy!
AFY!!theheelotsheepdog!!!
July 9th, 2010 at 8:54 AM
No one on the entire panel said “If you’re not a Christian you’re immoral. That part of Camille’s post is false.
July 9th, 2010 at 9:00 AM
AFY, your partisan stripe is showing again. Plenty of your beloved Rs were there voting for wars, bailouts, and the rest of the agenda. And I recall there was a guy names George (not one of the founders!) who had a hand in it to.
Not suggesting you vote for Rick. Just pick up your game a little and drop the talking points and propaganda.
July 9th, 2010 at 9:02 AM
AFY - I knew I could count on you. So can you recall any of the other sources you read or watch recently discussing the EPA? It was just weird to me to have three people ask on that question. It was just random, because I just can’t remember the EPA, while always being controversial, getting any sort of current coverage that might inspire new questions for this candidate forum.
July 9th, 2010 at 9:34 AM
Man I’s wished I could have been there last night.
The EPA is coming under attack for many reasons, one is farming. Domestic farmer’s water is being cut off by the EPA because of restrictions due to protections of things like worms or snails methinks, Then there is the herbicides and pesticides restrictions for American farmers making them less competitive with foreign farmers who are under selling the locals, like most apple juice comes now from China today, for example.
And my dear GHK, I have many stripes, here’s my position on R’s and D’s, what has been happening in the DC big house would put most any private businessman in a real big house if they’s did the same.
It has been a huge scam just to keep gettin incumbents re-elected from both parties, earmarks for one group so they can give some of it back to the incumbent when he runs agin, a vicious circle that is only screwing over the tax payer. Or let’s talk about social security, both parties are equally to blame, taking money and saying it’s going for social security but really it has been going somewhere else, that is the same ponzi scam that Madoff is sitting in jail for pulling off, and as far as I am concern those responsible in congress (and the white house, past and present) should be more worried about jail than re-election if this was a perfect world but we know it is not.
So my solution, term limit them all, all the guilty from either party, in this election and if the new ones we put in act the same, get rid of them until we get a group whose main responsiblity is to do right and not just this focus on their own re-election which has create the mess everything is currently in.
AFY!!theheelotsheepdog!!!
July 9th, 2010 at 10:44 AM
Come on, out with it AFY. Amply derisive to castigate EPA for preserving clean and abundant water resources, but let’s admit the truth. It’s primarily for salmon and other endangered fish species.
Given a finite amount of water, how do you want to split it up? How much for preserving our natural fish runs? How much for agriculture? How much to water Phoenix and LA so they can keep building in deserts?
You got so many stripes. Let’s see that conservative one. And let’s conserve our resources and restrict our waste of them.
July 9th, 2010 at 10:56 AM
My dear GHK, my outline of why the EPA is under attack should not be construed at all as a call for dirty water and dirty air but truly as more so a call for comon sense (that too often seem to be missing) when we protect out water and air whereas we should also have an eye to not destroying our economy, farms or the jobs everyone needs to feed their families and pay the taxes that the central planners who desire to plan our lives need for their income also!
Well my friend, it has been a great week and now I’s be off to the links but with what last weekend meant I’s would like to share the following with you since I didn’t get to then:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nrvpZxMfKaU&feature=player_embedded
AFY!!theheelotsheepdog!!!
July 9th, 2010 at 10:59 AM
Have a good & cool weekend ST!
AFY!!theheelotsheepdog!!!