Posts
On July 12,
2012, the GOP will select its candidate for US Senate. This candidate
will run against Democrat Tim Kaine in the general election in November. The
purpose of this post is: (1) to remind you to vote on June 12 and (2) to
consider casting your ballot for EW Jackson to be the GOP candidate in November
(www.jacksonforvirginia.com).
Links to relevant videos appear at the end of this post.
My Thinking
…
Many of the GOP faithful
may be supporting Governor Allen, the GOP favorite. I voted for Governor
Allen for governor and for Senator – twice. That said, I believe it
is time to draw a sharp distinction between the GOP candidate and the
Democrat candidate. In my opinion, Gov. Allen’s record does not provide
that sharp contrast. In many instances, his record is easily confused
with Tim Kaine's. In fact, if he had not stumbled
in his senate re-election campaign in 2006, we would have had one more vote in the US
Senate, which in hindsight would have made a tremendous difference.
So, if you believe we need a different choice and are
for smaller, constitutionally-limited government; fiscal responsibility; and
individual responsibility and accountability, you have one of three choices: EW
Jackson, Jamie Radtke, or Bob Marshall. The following are my reasons
for supporting EW Jackson.
Reason 1 to
Vote on June 12, 2012 for EW Jackson for US Senate: He is inspiring.
After the
Virginia Beach GOP 2nd District Mass Meeting, a Radtke supporter told me after
the meeting that she had been organizing for Ms. Radtke for a while but after
hearing Bishop Jackson, she was going to support him. In fact the quote was,
“This is America, I guess I can change my mind.” Inspiration is just as
important and sometimes more important than perspiration. During the second
Senatorial debate, I deliberately watched the reaction of the crowd around me.
The response to Jackson was palpable, even though the liberal media (read: not
the GOP’s friends) made the story about Ms. Radtke’s attack on Gov. Allen. The
media loves nothing better than dividing the party and playing the GOP against
itself. Now the real story is this: many people who outwardly support Allen,
will support Bishop Jackson in the voting booth. I see the response in every
crowd he speaks to. People respond to leadership.
Reason 2 to
Vote on June 12, 2012 for EW Jackson for GOP candidate for US Senate: He is
experienced.
Jackson is 60
years old, has practiced law for 15 years representing small business
interests, ran a Christian Gospel radio station for a number of years in
Boston, MA (my understanding is the only one of its type at the time). At the
radio station, he fought the FCC for two years (in Washington DC) to get a
license for the station because the other stations in Boston did not want him
to have the bandwidth (not “good public use”). These negotiating and legal
skills demonstrate a level of political competency and persistence in the face
of federal bureaucracy. As a practicing minister, he takes these skills and
competency a step further: he must appeal to people on an ideological level and
depend on their voluntary financial support to make a living. Again,
demonstrating the critical political skills of listening, communicating, and
leading in a way that changes lives.
Reason 3 to
Vote on June 12, 2012 for EW Jackson for GOP candidate for US Senate: He is the
ONLY Veteran in the race.
Very important
to me is the fact that Bishop Jackson is the ONLY veteran in this race. Unlike
his opponents, Jackson wore the uniform and actually has held a position where
he swore an oath to uphold and defend the Constitution of the United States.
American servicemen are the true 1%. Every skill you learn in the military is
100% transferrable to being an effective leader. By stating this, I do not
question anyone’s patriotism or ability to lead. But as a former Navy submarine
officer, I know from experience that when you are 26 years old you have a
different view of the world looking at it through a periscope in a hostile part
of the world. This is a key criteria for me.
Reason 4 to
Vote on June 12, 2012 for EW Jackson for GOP candidate for US Senate: He has
successfully owned and operated for-profit and non-profit small businesses.
Others in the
race claim to have small business experience. I suspect, they claim this on the
basis of a consulting business they either run or have run, with few or no
staff. As a small business person in Boston, Bishop Jackson managed a staff and
had to make payroll every week. He currently operates a not-for profit, STAND (http://standamerica.us/ ).
Reason 5 to
Vote on June 12, 2012 for EW Jackson for GOP candidate for US Senate: He is a
strict Constitutionalist. #va #hrva #rpv #RPofVB #jackson4va
Bishop Jackson
is Summa Cum Laude (Phi Beta Kappa) graduate of the University of Massachusetts
and a Harvard Law School Graduate. He practiced law for 15 years. He is well
versed in the Constitution and its foundational principles. He speaks to it all
the time in his speeches and runs a not for profit (STAND) that emphasizes
these principles. He was recently recognized for his knowledge of the
Constitution by the American Patriot’s Committee (http://www.americanpatriotscommittee.com/)
that certifies such things. I might add, he was one of three people in Virginia
running for federal office who was so recognized.
Reason 6 to
Vote on June 12, 2012 for EW Jackson for GOP candidate for US Senate: He brings
a full and compelling personal story to the race.
Because Bishop
Jackson’s age, his education, his heritage, and his personal life experience in
successfully applying conservative principles to a world divided by race,
gender, socio-economic class, etc., he can certainly represent the GOP to
moderate democrats and independents as well, if not better, than any of the
other candidates may hope to. He will not be a Senator for the next thirty
years: his motivation to take action is driven by conviction and and not by the
next election cycle. He has a limited time to accomplish his objective and will
be measured based on his success.
Reason 7 to
Vote on June 12, 2012 for EW Jackson for GOP candidate for US Senate: He is a
Washington outsider.
Gov. Allen has
experience, much of which will be used by Tim Kaine against him. Ms. Radtke
cites experience as an aide to Sen. Jesse Helms on the Senate Foreign Relations
Committee. In many instances Gov. Allen voted like a Democrat and up until the
1970s Sen. Helms was a Democrat. Does anyone think Kaine will not use this?
Personally, I and most of the people I have talked to working the polls over
the last two years would prefer a total Washington outsider, whom a moderate
democrat or independent will relate to on a personal – not a corporate
experience – level. If you want corporate experience, Gov. Allen fits that
bill.
Reason 8 to
Vote for EW Jackson for GOP US Senate Candidate. It has been 30 years since
Hampton Roads has been represented in the US Senate.
Vote Jackson June 12! It has been 30 years since Hampton
Roads was represented by a Senator in the United States Senate (Sen. Paul
Tribble (R-VA)) . With a Governor , a Congressman , a Senator, and a strong
Republican state delegation from Hampton Roads, we will be a strong position to
be heard in Washington!
· http://bit.ly/JC2Y4Z (YouTube - Message to Pastors)
· http://bit.ly/JrxKRC (YouTube - Message to Veterans)
· http://bit.ly/LLozZt (YouTube - Debate Closing)
