A Tale of Four Candidates
Posted by MFScooter on January 31st, 2010or Impressions of the Field of Conservative Candidates for Washington’s 3rd District
BY: MICHAEL FROME 1.31.10
With Dr. Brian Baird’s pending retirement from Congress this year, there is a vibrant and dynamic competition for the Peoples’ Seat: Washington State’s 3rd Congressional District.
This weekend I was able to hear three of the four of the major Conservative contenders for Washington’s 3rd District congressional seat (and I’ve heard the fourth several times in the past), and I’d like to share my impressions. I must make a few disclaimers, first. I am supportive of candidate Jon Russell’s campaign, as I am an independent with a strong libertarian streak…but it is important to understand that I feel comfortable when we have such a good, competitive field from which to choose our next representative!
I also must state up front that I cannot in good conscience vote for a Democrat in the coming cycle no matter how good a person they may be, because I equate that party firmly in my mind with the Progressive movement…with which I have no truck (that libertarian bent, again). Caveat emptor complete, here are my impressions.
David Castillo (first speaker):
David spoke very well, I think. He is very easy to listen to; his oration is fluid, smooth, and clearly audible. He is adroitly capable of engaging his audience. Mr. Castillo touched a little bit on his background and his credentials, and was able to properly articulate the general conservative values he represents. He spoke of the debt burden our governments are heaping upon our children…a subject I personally am quite passionate about. He understands that this burgeoning generational debt is unconscionable. He “gets it”. I did note, however, that he chose to use the current ‘official’ federal debt number of roughly 14 trillion in articulating this. As astonishing and staggering as that sum may be, it is not a survival threat to the United States as the preeminent economic force on our world. The real number (see www.usdebtclock.org) is on the order of 55 trillion dollars…which places our entire society at risk going forward. I firmly believe the voters are not in need of panacea; and that the first step in reconciling our government expenditures with reality is recognizing the true scope of the problem.
Jamie Herrera
Jamie spoke reasonably well, but was not particularly inspiring to me. She has an advantage in that she currently represents Washington’s 18th District in Olympia, and as a staunch Republican in a liberal dominated state house, she can really look to her record to give examples of how she will work for us in DC (thank you for your work, Jamie!). However, in her piece, she did not focus on any particulars in this way. She did give us some background about herself, which is somewhat important, but one thing that I noticed in both Jamie’s speech and David’s was a lack of specifics. I frankly found this type of ‘we have hard work ahead of us’ pabulum reminiscent of campaigning from a time when most voters weren’t that engaged…say, just a few years ago. I know that this was intended to be primarily an introduction, but nonetheless I mark the absence.
Jon Russell
As I earlier stated, I’m quite familiar with Jon’s position on many issues, and have chosen to back him. You must therefore accept my comments with that provision in mind!
Of the three speakers I heard on Saturday, I thought Jon was the most motivating; the most connected with the audience. He did a little bit of an introduction by stating he was the one candidate there that was a business person first and foremost rather than a career government person, and this gave him a better basis to understand the societal contributions and needs of small businesses. I appreciated the way he was able to make relevant his intro and bio to his behavior as a future legislator. Jon also did speak to some specifics; of the three, he was the one who specifically stated he holds to term limits, and that he will propose legislation to make this the law of the land. He spoke of how he uses the Constitution of the United States as the prism through which he shall analyze all legislation he considers. He said these things is a measured yet passionate tone that I think will be able to connect to voters…voters who will respond with emotion to his Constitutionalist message as well as intellectually to the specificity and thoughtfulness inherent in that message.
Dave Hedrick
I was unfortunate in not hearing Dave speak at this event; I’m not sure if he was expected by the organizers or not. He had an opportunity to speak some time after the others had concluded and I was engaged elsewhere. I have, however, heard him speak several other times and will comment on his general presentation, not the specifics of his piece.
I first saw Mr. Hedrick at the famous First Baird Town Hall last summer. It was gratifying to see 3,000 people all wanting to speak their minds! There were several quite articulate speakers at that event…but Dave was the one who put it all in a nutshell. He was able to encapsulate the frustration at the arrogance in our government the best, even though he was not by any stretch the most eloquent. When Dave shouted, “You keep away from my kids!” I looked at my wife and stated “that guy is going to be on TV”.
Having heard him subsequently, I stand by that original assessment. Dave represents the righteous wrath of a constituency treated like sheep, rising up against the cynical faux-tyrants in government who would prefer to keep it that way. Semper Fi, Mr. Hedrick, continue the fight! I’m just not positive that the best service he can do for us is sitting in DC. I’m also skeptical that a message of anger borne of extreme frustration (however righteous and appropriate) is going to connect with enough voters to get him there.
So there it is…my ‘gut check’ reaction to this past Saturday’s event. As always, this is my opinion you’re looking at, and I totally understand there’s more to picking a candidate than just an initial reaction of one guy. Please take it for what is worth, “do your own due diligence”, and for the sakes of your country and your children, be vigilant…educate yourself and others…find your candidate…and work to “Take Back Your Republic”.
Our Contributors’ views are their own, as always.
Tags: 3rd congressional district, baird, brian baird, candidate, conservatism, dave hedrick, david castillo, election, gadsden, jamie herrera, jon russell, libertarianism, politics, striking gadsden, washington state
Well stated my friend.
I noted that Jaimie Hererra was proud of her fundraising ability. I wonder, were these contributions to her campaign from legitimate concerned individuals or from special interests?