Macon County Puts Mumpower Over The Top

As a Maconian myself, I'm glad it was us that put him back in business!

Here is the latest press release from the Mumpower Campaign:

On Monday Congressional Candidate Carl Mumpower told the 11th District Republican Committee that his campaign was officially on hold until at least half of the counties in Western North Carolina got behind a "Principles First" proposal. Moving beyond their initial shock, Committee members went back to their home counties with a unanimous recommendation for approval. That effort was rewarded Thursday evening when the eighth of fifteen counties, Macon, held their own unanimous vote to join Mumpower in making it clear that the Republican Party is back and on track.

Mumpower's campaign suspension centered on a call for an authentic 11th District rededication to core Republican principles and the establishment of their own procedure for holding local, state, and national leaders accountable to those principles. This unusual strategy was rewarded with timely action by Buncombe, Swain, Henderson, Clay, Rutherford, Transylvania, McDowell, and Macon counties. "I did not expect things to move this quickly, but I should have known better," said Mumpower. "The majority of Republicans I've talked to, including Macon Chair Gary Dills, are ahead of me in recognizing the importance of a return to principles above all other political considerations."

"People have lost faith in the Republican Party because we have allowed power, political correctness, and other pressures to trump our core values," said Mumpower. "It is important that the people of WNC and the country know that the word 'Republican' stands for something they can count on - being careful with their money, restraining government intrusion on their lives, and protecting America."

The Congressional candidate has been criticized for this effort and other maverick approaches to campaigning that may be giving incumbent Heath Shuler a leg up on the race. "Yes, I do want to win - even more I want to help secure the future of America through a Republican Party that is rededicated to the promise and potential offered in our founding principles upheld by principle guided candidates," said Mumpower.

"Now that WNC's Republicans are united behind our real values, my campaign is in full swing effective immediately," Mumpower concluded. "The people of WNC now know that we have a platform that stands for something besides buying a seat in Congress and the promise everything to everyone policies of my opponent and his party."

Carl Mumpower
11th District Republican Congressional Candidate
www.mumpower08.com

Principles before party, power, or popularity - always.

Candidate Website

Swain County GOP Opens New HQ

~PRESS RELEASE~

WHO: Swain County Republican Party
Chairman Mike Clampitt
POB 1963
BRYSON CITY, NC 28713
828-736-6222

WHAT: Grand opening/Open house/ Politician meet and greet

WHEN: Saturday, July 19, 2008
1pm until 5 pm

WHERE: 101 Veterans Blvd.
Bryson City, NC 28713
Hywy 74 East and West

Chairman Mike Clampitt of the Swain County Republican Party is proud to announce the Grand Opening/Open House/Politician meet and greet at a new Republican Headquarters on Saturday, July 19, 2008 located at 101 Veterans Blvd. in Bryson City, NC. All candidates for national, state, and local positions are invited to attend, as well as members of the public.
Voter registration cards will be available for those that wish to update their information in order to vote in the 2008 election. Also, application information will be available for those individuals that may wish to vote by absentee ballot in the 2008 election.The Swain County Republican Party is committed to "GET OUT THE VOTE" in the 2008 election.

###

Preview: Pat McCrory In Hendersonville

Here is a ten-minute preview of Pat McCrory speaking in Hendersonville, North Carolina:

The full hour should be up in a few days.
Videographer was Richard Bernier.

Henderson County Mens Club meeting with Carl Mumpower June 2008

Richard Bernier, or URTV's Sound Off Buncombe, was at the breakfast meeting of the Republicans Men Club of Henderson County yesterday morning.

Radio Hype of Meeting

Mumpower Campaign website

Mumpower Challenged by Party in Henderson County

~PRESS RELEASE~

For many the Hendersonville Republican Men's Club is the epicenter of Republican politics in the 11th District. True to tradition, the club has invited Congressional candidate Carl Mumpower for a Wednesday meeting that has the makings of a show down between a strong-minded group of party leaders and a "maverick" politician with a mind of his own.

"Yes, I am in a struggle of wills with my party's power structure," said Mumpower. "My readiness to violate Reagan's 11th commandment about not saying anything bad about fellow Republicans has upset former supporters." "I have been clear that if our party will not hold itself and our elected officials accountable to our guiding principles, then I will. It is nonsense to waste time throwing criticism at the Democrat's lawn while ignoring the weeds in our own. We mock Reagan and our founding fathers by trying to fight today's challenges with our own version of political correctness. I have faith that good hearts will win in the end, and 11th District Republicans will bond around our core values."

Nationally, many political observers indicate the Republican Party is in trouble. The May election saw the party lose key seats in historically conservative districts - pointing to 2008 as a potentially difficult year for Republicans.

"I am a Republican through and through and believe my party's principles represent the best hope for America and my grandchildren," said Mumpower. "If necessary, I am willing to anger every fellow Republican in the 11th District to reunite my party with our principles."

"It comes down to keeping government in check, protecting our people and heritage, and looking out for the average person's values and dollars," stressed Mumpower. "This was the promise we made to the American people years ago and we betrayed that mission." "We have earned the resulting mistrust, and if necessary I will fight with the devil himself to steer my party back to our mission. When that job is done I will concentrate on my next fight as the GOP nominee - with Heath Shuler."

Carl Mumpower
11th District Republican Congressional Candidate

Principles before party, power, or popularity - always.

###

Candidate Website

Commentary

Carl Mumpower is scheduled to be speaking before the Henderson County GOP as I post this...I hope that someone is there recording it for posterity. I can't be there because I run a carpool that arrives at WCU at 7.30 am.

Ron Paul Hospitality Suite Video at NCGOP State Convention

Ron Paul Delegates - 2008 NC Republican State Convention from ahedgehog on Vimeo.

Here is a video made by Ron Paul Supporters in the Ron Paul hospitality suite at the North Carolina GOP Convention a couple of weekends ago. I think it is important for normal Republicans to watch and listen to these people.

If they are willing to act like grownups, they might be able to help strengthen the conservative wing of the party. As far as their antiwar views...that is Dead On Arrival, and they should realize that from the start.

Oh, and since I am already on Signals Intelligence, there is a Live Thread from the North Carolina Democratic Party Convention on Blue NC, with links to other bloggers covering the event.

For those who have signed up and paid, I will be issuing a private intel report on the message board later today.

Macon County GOP June Meeting Thursday June 19th

Macon County GOP's regular monthly meeting will begin at 6 p.m. (dinner/dutch), 7 p.m. meeting, at The Boiler Room at 1024 Georgia Rd., in Franklin. The meeting is open to all Republicans. For more information, call Gary Dills at 347-6275.

Don Yelton on Sound Off Buncombe

Cross-posted on Thunder Pig.


Richard Bernier, of URTV's Sound Off Buncombe (Charter Channel 20), sat down with Don Yelton for an hour, and here is the video. It will be airing later in Buncombe and Madison Counties.

Macon County Primary Results

Here is how Macon County voted yesterday, with the winner of the race overall for the state or district in bold:

Local Race First...

COUNTY COMMISSIONER DISTRICT III

(GOP)

53.28% 1,363 Jimmy Goodman
46.72% 1,195 Charlie Leatherman

Now, the other stuff, of which Macon County was only a part of the total:

PRESIDENT

(DEM)

66.57% 3,533 Hillary Clinton
30.47% 1,617 Barack Obama

(GOP)

71.88% 1,943 John McCain
14.76% 399 Mike Huckabee
08.66% 234 Ron Paul
03.22% 87 No Preference

US SENATE

(DEM)

44.17% 1,826 Kay Hagan
33.12% 1,369 Jim Neal

(GOP)

89.56% 2,384 Elizabeth Dole
10.44% 278 Pete Di Lauro

US CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT 11

(GOP)

43.29% 1,038 Carl Mumpower
38.53% 924 Spence Campbell
18.18% 436 John Armor

GOVERNOR

(DEM)

49.99% 2,326 Bev Perdue
47.00% 2,278 Richard Moore

(GOP)

50.88% 1,272 Fred Smith
18.96% 474 Bill Graham
14.92% 373 Pat McCrory
11.92% 298 Bob Orr
03.32% 83 Elbie Powers

LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR

(DEM)

41.42% 1,788 Walter Dalton
33.73% 1,456 Pat Smathers

(GOP)

52.17% 1,176 Bob Pittenger
24.22% 546 Jim Snyder
16.19% 365 Tim Cook
07.41% 167 Greg Dority

NC STATE HOUSE DISTRICT 119

(DEM)

81.68% 896 Phil Haire
18.32% 201 Bruce Friedman

Commentary

MACON COMMISSION RACE

In the local county commission race, I think the thing that killed Leatherman was his support for building moratoriums, height restrictions, and the HUGE Bond Referendum that threatened to put an onerous burden of debt on future generations of Macon county. That Bond Referendum, and certain Commissioner attitudes about that will be an issue in the General Election locally.

US PRESIDENTIAL RACE

I cannot help but notice that there was a significant protest vote yesterday. 26% voted AGAINST the presumptive nominee. The Ron Paul Supporters might have been able to make something out of that if they had used honey instead of vinegar in their campaign efforts.


US CONGRESSIONAL RACE

The Mumpower Campaign ran a very efficient operation. I thought that they had shot themselves in the foot on FISA, my major policy disagreement with the candidate.

STATS, STATS, AND MORE STATS

The North Carolina State Board of Elections finally joined the Internet Age with their very prompt posting of results. This, of course, was due to the state being in the National Spotlight because of the Democrat Presidential Contest. I just hope they continue providing this level of statistics...which promises to keep me very busy over the next few weeks as I digest the information.

NC Primary: Winners, Losers, and Protesters

Here are the preliminary results:


President (DEM)

		Percent	Votes
Hillary Clinton (DEM)		42.85%	540,775
Mike Gravel (DEM)		0.80%	10,036
Barack Obama (DEM)		54.89%	692,822
No Preference (DEM)		1.47%	18,512
			1,262,145

President (GOP)

Mike Huckabee (REP)		12.27%	52,802
Alan Keyes (REP)		2.51%	10,793
John McCain (REP)		74.03%	318,513
Ron Paul (REP)		7.27%	31,298
No Preference (REP)		3.91%	16,818
			430,224

I guess Mike Huckabee is gonna get 12% whether he runs or not!!! And the presumptive nominee suffers a considerable protest vote to boot.

Do you hear us, McQeeg?


US HOUSE NC-10 (GOP)

Patrick McHenry (REP)		65.88%	29,408
Lance Sigmon (REP)		34.12%	15,232
			44,640

Ha Ha! Fake candidate, and tool of progressives everywhere, Lance Sigmon is soundly whipped by McHenry.



US HOUSE NC-11 (GOP)

Spence Campbell (REP)		41.48%	15,616
Carl Mumpower (REP)		49.00%	18,447
John C. Armor (REP)		9.52%	3,586
			37,649

Wow! I thought for sure Campbell had bought this race. Now, let's see if Shuler can be coaxed to have a dozen or so debates across the district...

NC GOV (DEM)

Richard H. Moore (DEM)		40.55%	484,048
Dennis Nielsen (DEM)		4.03%	48,125
Bev Perdue (DEM)		55.42%	661,479
			1,193,652

NC GOV (GOP)

Bill Graham		9.24%	38,870
Pat McCrory		45.36%	190,816
Bob Orr		6.81%	28,660
E. Powers		0.85%	3,582
Fred Smith		37.73%	158,717
			420,645

I can't tell you how disappointed I am in this race. Smith and Orr split the conservative vote, and let a RINO waltz through. Moonbat McCrory...crap, crap, crap!!!

And in local races for Buncombe County Commissioner:

DEMOCRATS

21.45% Holly Jones
14.94% K. Ray Bailey
13.81% Carol Peterson
12.29% Bill Stanley


REPUBLICANS

24.07% Joe Dunn
19.79% John Carroll
17.36% Don Yelton
16.29% Ron McKee

Good Night...I've had all I can take.

YMI Cultural Center Gubernatorial Debate Clip

The last of the Gubernatorial debates took place last night at the YMI Cultural Center in Asheville, NC and Richard Bernier of URTV's Sound Off Buncombe was there to capture the action. Here is a short preview clip of the program he expects to have ready sometime this weekend:

(Live Event) NC-11 2008 GOP Convention

If I can establish an internet connection, this is where the video player will be embedded. So, please stand by for further developments.

I anticipate beginning the live feed around 11ish am, and starting the pre-game show at 11.30 am.

The show is now live at 11.00am.

**update** 11.53 The signal strength has dropped too low to stream video, so I'll have to beg out. Sorry.

:

Buncombe County GOP Ladies Club Video

Richard Bernier, of the URTV program Sound Off Buncombe recorded the appearance of candidates Carl Mumpower, Don Yelton, and Mike Fryar at the April meeting of the Buncombe County GOP Ladies Club.


**update** 10.51am The video dies after 15min and 07sec. I have contacted Richard about this problem. He may have to re-upload or re-edit the video.

Mumpower Congratulates Colleagues on Straw Poll 3-Way Tie

PRESS RELEASE

For Immediate Release April 24, 2008

Mumpower for Congress One Oak Plaza - Suite 310 · Asheville, NC 28801 828-252-8390 · www.mumpower08.com · e-express@mumpower08.com

Carl Mumpower, Republican candidate for the 11th District Congressional nomination, congratulated his colleagues Spence Campbell and John Armor today for their strong showing in yesterday's Henderson County straw poll. The results were a dead-heat, with Campbell receiving 24 votes, Mumpower receiving 23, and John Armor receiving 20. It was Mr. Armor's strongest showing yet, coming on the heels of his recent win of straw poll taken among Macon County Republicans late last month.

"John was perfectly charming yesterday," said Mumpower. "He made us all laugh more than once with his characterizations of Congress and Heath Shuler. It was a good morning for all of us, I think, and reinforces my feeling that this will sure be a lot more fun when we're all playing on the same team."

The poll was taken at the monthly meeting of the Henderson County Republican Men's Club, after a spirited debate on the issues that avoided the often testy exchanges that have characterized the primary campaigns so far. It was also the tenth such debate across the 11th District, an unprecedented and highly-praised flurry of GOP pre-primary activity designed to give wide access to voters for the chance of learning more about the three men vying for the chance to defeat Democrat incumbent Heath Shuler in November.

"What I think that this latest straw poll shows is that nothing can be taken for granted," said Mumpower. "I'd remind everyone that the primary is less than two weeks away --- on May 6 --- and I'd encourage every Republican in the 11th District to get behind the candidate they believe in and to go vote. We need to choose the toughest candidate among us if we are going to have any chance of defeating Heath Shuler in the fall."

Mumpower will appear tonight on the "Newsmakers" interview segment of UNC-TV's widely acclaimed public policy interview show "North Carolina Now." That interview, conducted yesterday afternoon in Raleigh after the Henderson County debate, airs at 7:30 locally on Channel 8.



Campaign Website

NCGOP Receives Infusion of Fighting Spirit

The NCGOP has apparently received an infusion of Fighting Spirit from my new heroes, the Carolina Stompers.

Upcoming Live Broadcast: GOP Convention on Saturday (updated)

I will be broadcasting a live videostream from Haywood Community College on April 26th, probably from noon to 2 or 3pm, including the debate between John Armor, Spence Campbell, and Carl Mumpower. So, if you cannot attend, I'll have the stream up here and on Thunder Pig for you to watch. I may also be interviewing candidates for office as well.

**update** 4.46pm The debate has been pushed to around 2pm...so I'll start the show around noon, and I'll be there for the duration, and will have a debate wrap-up, perhaps with the participants.

**update** April 24th, 9.34am I've been advised that the internet connection for Saturday is not 100% reliable, so I may have revert to my normal M.O. That is disappointing.

McLaughlin's Monday Morning Memo

PRESS RELEASE


I know many of you received Walter Jones’ “push poll” this weekend. (At least he paid for it with his campaign, not your tax money the way he did those “constituent surveys” earlier in the year) I have no problem with the use of these types of polls, but I would like to give you the information you need to set the record straight when talking about the call to your Republican friends. Here are the facts in reference to the statements made in the poll and in his radio ads.



Claim: Taxes in Onslow County went up over 60% during my time on the Board of Commissioners.



Fact: The property tax rate went down in Onslow County while I was on the Board. I have no idea where the Jones folks came up with the 60% figure, except maybe property tax revenue. That means the amount of taxes collected. Over my 8 years on the Board, property values skyrocketed in Onslow as they did across the nation. Factor in new construction being added to the tax rolls and I would guess that is where they came up with the 60% number.



Jones Fact: Walter Jones twice voted to raise your taxes last year, breaking his American’s for Tax Reform pledge never to vote for a tax increase. That’s why Grover Norquist, President of American’s for Tax Reform has endorsed me and called Walter a “serial tax increaser”. Walter tries to say they weren’t “real tax increases”, but he was notified by ATR prior to voting for both bills that they contained tax increases and were violations of his pledge. He voted with the liberals in favor of them anyway.

I have signed the no tax increase pledge and I will stick to it.



Claim: The Jacksonville Daily News referred to me as “ethically challenged”.



Fact: That term was extracted from the Editorial Page of the Jacksonville Daily News, not an article. When you take strong stands, you will end up on the Editorial Page. You can expect to see me there for years to come.



Jones Fact: Those who live in glass houses should not throw stones. Ethical questions surround this new version of Walter Jones. Just look at his campaign report.



Walter Jones has taken money from radical anti-war activists, lobbyists, labor unions, shady payday lending companies, Indian tribes who run gambling casinos and even a former Democrat N.C. Secretary of State who is currently out campaigning with Bill Clinton in support of Hillary. And what about his spending?



Jones uses his campaign money to pay his almost $900 a month car payment. He also uses campaign money to pay his tab at the members only Capital Hill Club. He has even used campaign money at liquor stores. I ‘m sure Walter’s donors thought they were giving donations for yard signs and TV ads, not outrageous car payments and booze.



Claim: I had the worst attendance record of any member of the Onslow Board of Commissioners from 2006 to 2008.



Fact: Interesting how they used my 8 year term as a commissioner to factor in tax revenues, but only 2 years to factor in attendance. Yes, for those two years I did have more absences than any other member of the Board. I realized campaigning for Congress had to be my #1 priority and that is why I left my position on the Board of Commissioners.



Jones Fact: Walter Jones is the one who is “missing in action”. He refuses to attend Republican functions within the District and recently informed the Republican Party leadership that he would not be attending this year’s Third District Convention. This event is planned a year in advance and it is ridiculous to think that he has a schedule conflict. Walter Jones does not want to face Republicans because he no longer acts like a Republican.



Walter Jones is a desperate man. He is pulling out all the stops to maintain the family business: politics. My campaign is about returning a conservative to Washington who will represent your core values. With early voting beginning on Thursday, please help spread the word that there is a conservative choice for Congress and the choice is Joe McLaughlin.



See you on the campaign trail!

Joe

Quote of the Week: “Joe McLaughlin understands what it really means to support our troops. Supporting our troops does not just mean supporting them on the homefront. We must support their mission when they are at war.” Retired Major General Joe Rigby www.joeforcongress.com Citizens to Elect Joe McLaughlin 235 Rudolph Drive Beaufort, NC 28516

Flat Rock Debate Videos

Richard Bernier of Sound Off Buncombe is processing the video he shot Thursday of the NC-11 GOP Primary Congressional Debate.

I will place them in this post as he uploads them.

Dr. Carl Mumpower's Opening Statement

Bear Stearns Bailout Reveals Party Leadership Principles

PRESS RELEASE

The Republican Party leadership has lost sight of its principles and become a party of cowards according to 11th District Republican Congressional Candidate Carl Mumpower. "I am ashamed of the self-serving agendas that have kidnapped my party and going forward I intend to challenge that betrayal at least as much as I challenge the Democrat's rush to socialism," said Mumpower in a Monday morning position statement.

"The extraordinary costs and precedence of the Bear Stearns corporate welfare bail out by the Fed was a final straw for me," said Mumpower. "My party has drifted on illegal immigration; further erosion of the Constitution by FISA; a 'made in China' economic stimulation plan; and a host of other actions that speak to convenience over principle." "The party of Lincoln is behaving like a party of lock-step partisan sheep."

"It is not too late to recapture America and the eroding Republican base that is heading for an exit sign marked Independent,", said Mumpower. "The only authentic difference between the major parties is found in Republican principles - small government, sanctity of life, and the 'American Success Equation" of liberty, opportunity, and responsibility. Unless these principles, along with those found in the Constitution, are supported with action, then they become meaningless. Only a party led by cowards would passively allow that to happen. I am not a coward at home and will not behave like one in Washington." 77


Those with an interest may review the following principles as posted on the National Republican Committee's website. Make your own assessment of the power of these principles and the failure to match words with action-

Republican Principles

I'm a Republican Because...

I BELIEVE the strength of our nation lies with the individual and that each person's dignity, freedom, ability and responsibility must be honored.

I BELIEVE in equal rights, equal justice and equal opportunity for all, regardless of race, creed, sex, age or disability.

I BELIEVE free enterprise and encouraging individual initiative have brought this nation opportunity, economic growth and prosperity.

I BELIEVE government must practice fiscal responsibility and allow individuals to keep more of the money they earn.

I BELIEVE the proper role of government is to provide for the people only those critical functions that cannot be performed by individuals or private organizations, and that the best government is that which governs least.

I BELIEVE the most effective, responsible and responsive government is government closest to the people.

I BELIEVE Americans must retain the principles that have made us strong while developing new and innovative ideas to meet the challenges of changing times.

I BELIEVE Americans value and should preserve our national strength and pride while working to extend peace, freedom and human rights throughout the world.
FINALLY, I believe the Republican Party is the best vehicle for translating these ideals into positive and successful principles of government. "

Campaign Website

Paul Perdue Campaign Website Online

Paul Purdue is running for NC House #115, and has the beginnings of a website up and running, and will be adding more as time goes on.

I look forward to visiting his website to find out what is going on in his run for office. His opponent is Bruce Goforth.