NC-03: One big B.S. toss
(And NO, I’m not talking about a bachelor’s of science.)
We’re down to Two in the battle to pick a nominee for the Third Congressional District. The primary was a tough thing for me and the rest of us here at the site. We had friends in many different camps in the GOP field. In a sense, it was a lot like watching a family feud.
One of the most appalling things about the recently-concluded primary is the level of nastiness exhibited. I, personally, was accused of being in the tank for FIVE different candidates. My integrity and my Christianity were questioned. (I’m sure I wasn’t the only one who went through that.)
There was so much personal stuff. And very little talk about issues and where folks wanted to take the district and the country.
Medicaid. Personally, the bald-faced lying really got to me. I know people got some giggles out of the nickname ‘Medicaid Murphy.’ But where was the evidence that Greg Murphy ever wanted to expand Medicaid? (I know I’ve criticized Murphy for a few of his votes in the North Carolina House. )
People in opposing campaigns were claiming his ‘Carolina Cares’ bill — which he cosponsored — expanded Medicaid. The funny thing is — if you bother to read the original bill he put his name on — there’s not one peep about expanding Medicaid. Not one.
Some spokespeople for Civitas and The John Locke Foundation were dishonestly going public with claims that the bill called for the expansion of Medicaid. But the actual text of the bill doesn’t say that.
But why let facts get in the way of a good campaign lie? I had one regular commenter on this site repeating the Medicaid expansion charge against Murphy (using six different aliases) multiple times a day. I asked him to provide some evidence for his charge. He wouldn’t. So, he’s no longer welcome around these parts.
We’re about spreading the gospel of conservatism. Not baffling people with bullshit. (Go somewhere else to spread lies.)
It’s easy to say ‘ObamaCare sucks.’ But the GOP in DC is showing no interest in repealing it or even fixing it. Meanwhile, you’ve got a lot of folks outside the beltway who are getting screwed royally by it. I personally know one couple. They’re married with two school aged kids. Both of them work. They make too much for Medicaid. Their insurance premiums under ObamaCare are astronomical and unaffordable. So, they’re going through life with minimal coverage — holding their breath — praying that none of the four gets sick or hurt.
The lefties’ response is: Have some more socialism. Our side’s response is: ‘ObamaCare sucks.’ Neither approach helps this family. Give Murphy some credit for trying to help people like my friends. Instead of throwing rocks at Murphy, folks on our side ought to be joining him to find a realistic solution that helps these people who have fallen in the cracks.
People aren’t perfect. Politicians definitely aren’t perfect. I worked for Jesse Helms many moons ago. He did some things I disagreed with. But, as a whole, I knew he was the best thing out there for us, our state and our country.
Cash. People are alleging that Greg Murphy’s first place finish was bought and paid for by corporate and out-of-state interests. Flip through his report on the FEC site and you’ll see a shockingly high percentage of individual donors from inside the district. Joan Perry, on the other hand, was loaded down with corporate, PAC and outside-the-district cash.
Conservatism. As you may have heard, Joan Perry cut a commercial in 2012 endorsing Democrat Mike McIntyre over then-state senator (now congressman) David Rouzer (R). Some people have had the nerve to justify that move because — they say — McIntyre was “more conservative” than Murphy.
Really? Let’s look at the 2012 ratings by the American Conservative Union. McIntyre got rated a 60 out of 100. In 2011, he got rated a 40. His lifetime rating? 49.63 out of 100. Conservative? Really?
Now, David Rouzer is not exactly a conservative star. But let’s look at his ratings. In 2017, Rouzer got a 93 out of 100 rating from the ACU. In 2016, he got a 96. His lifetime rating? 93.53 out of 100.
So, Joan Perry — when faced with a choice between Rouzer and McIntyre — took the liberal route.
The ACU has also ranked the North Carolina General Assembly. Greg Murphy was ranked 89 out of 100 in 2018. Granted, we’re comparing the North Carolina House to the US House. But 89 sure is bigger — and further to the right — than 60 or 40.
One of Joan Perry’s top supporters is former state Rep. Skip Stam (R-Wake). Other than his pro-life activity, there wasn’t a whole lot conservative about Stam. His ACU rating in 2016, the last year available for him? 67 out of 100.
Jesse Jackson and The Round Rev go to church a lot and talk quite a bit about Jesus and God. That doesn’t make them conservative.
Meadows. Some of the funnier, yet sadder bits of garbage I’ve heard have been about Mark Meadows. Disciples of some of the unsuccessful candidates on Tuesday claim that Meadows’s endorsement of Murphy was merely a bit of “jumping on the bandwagon.” Those of us who have seriously followed Meadows’s career know that he’s not exactly a bandwagon kind of guy.
Besides, he made his endorsement when there were two possible choices — Murphy or Perry. That would have been TWO possible bandwagons to choose from.
Conclusion. Folks, we can do better. Allen Thomas, an opposition researcher’s fantasy-come-true, awaits our nominee in September. If you’re going to keep tossing around bull-crap, hiding in your respective corners, and pouting, you’re going to basically trash 25 years of good hard work by Walter Jones and a lot of good Republicans in The Third District.
If you’re going to come to this site and run your mouth, be prepared to back it up with some facts. Slander and other related nonsense are not welcome.
And, as far as me being in the tank for anyone — if you’ve been reading this site for an extended period of time, you ought to KNOW BETTER.
“Carolina Cares” is a government subsidized insurance program. It may not say “medicaid” in the bill, but if we are increasing the subsidization of health care in NC, is that not the same as expanding Medicaid? … From my understanding this will rely on the same 90% funding from the Fed’s to implement.
I may be wrong, I have been before, but from my interpretation of the bill, and research it seems to be Medicaid Expansion with a new wrapper!
Close. But not quite. First of all, Carolina Cares is dead in committee. The legislature is fixated on fighting the Dems’ actual Medicaid expansion. Carolina Cares, if passed, would have created new Blue Cross, Blue Shield customers. There would not have been a single new Medicaid recipient.
Just goes to show you the mess some really good, really efficient liars can make when they have the time on their hands.
It’s a fair argument to say get the government out of health care. But the DC GOP is not interested in “fixing” or killing ObamaCare. What’s the answer for all of the commercial fishermen, pastors, small businesspeople and farmers who are priced out of insurance thanks to ObamaCare. Do we, as conservatives, just say “Too bad, so sad”?
A lot of people are getting the DEM plan to expand Medicaid and the Murphy plan mixed up. Some by accident, some on purpose for political reasons. It’s easy and fun to throw rocks and call names. Leading is tougher.
Another way people are getting screwed is by the earned income requirement regarding subsidies. I personally know of one case of some paying $25/month (yes a month) for Obamacare due to subsidies. This person has over $1 million dollars. How do they accomplish this little slight of hand? By manipulating their investment income to not let their earnings go over a certain amount to qualify. THAT is also very wrong.
Points well taken.
I continue to have grave concerns about NC Legislators placing roadblocks before Treasurer Folwell in his efforts to save the State Health Plan.
I share Charles Hickman’s concerns. I am also bothered by Rep Murphy’s co-sponsering of HB 867. That represents a weakness toward the Robin Hayes cabal ( CCA NC Wildlife Federation) to destroy the existence of a commercial fishing industry in N C. A free market supply and demand enterprise . How American is that? I will say I do not think the Representative was fair to himself when he pondered the right and wrong of this issue. Then there was his vote to repeal HB2. Still shaking my head on that one. All that said,
Rep Meadows has my attention
Browny Douglas
Actually, the compromise on HB2 kept us from being stuck with something akin to California or New York by a federal judge. There was no good possible outcome from sticking to our guns and fighting any changes. If you noticed, the sky did not fall.
Our out-of-control judiciary is another story in itself.
The fishing business is highly regulated. Not much pure free marketeering going on around here these days.
Do you honestly believe he wants to cripple commercial fishermen? Are you seriously questioning his patriotism? I think you’re smarter than that. Call the man up and ask him these questions. You know how to reach him.
You really think the Supreme Court would overturn HB2?
I said “a federal judge.” There are lots of them. Try to pay attention.
By the way, you spend a lot of time on this page evaluating people’s conservatism. Is this you? => https://www.insidernj.com/press-release/wainstein-saccos-slick-new-ad-produced-racist-republican-rick-shaftan/
If so, it says you got paid by New Jersey Democrats to do political work for them.
Browny, I’m with you. I’m wondering WHY Mark Meadows has endorsed Greg Murphy. Mark is NOT prone to doing things for bad reasons. I’d surely like to understand what his reasoning is on this.
“Free market supply and demand based enterprise” is one of my hot buttons, too. It’s the most fair economic system ever devised. It always seems to be “open season” on NC commercial fishermen (and women). Our government needs to protect the freedoms, rights, and opportunities of all our citizens, not pick groups to reward (via crony capitalism) and other groups to put out of business.
As for healthcare, the solution is simple, but not easy.
Return to the free market in health care, too. Let insurance companies design and price their contracts as they choose with no impediments. Let our citizens choose freely to buy insurance (or self insure) based on their own evaluation of price/value. Self insuring for the small stuff combined with a “major medical” policy that covered the very expensive problems used to work very well for many people. Allow for purchase of insurance across state lines with no artificial limitations. Also use tort reform to make it much harder and unattractive to file frivolous law suits against physicians. That would reduce their costs for liability insurance, and allow them to reduce their charges, and still maintain a good income for themselves.
The free market functioning freely WORKS!
Great read. Thanks for setting the record straight.
John Law, I must admit error in the way I worded my question, being, How American is that?. I was not questioning Rep Murphy’s patriotism. I was referencing free markets. Again an admitted poorly arranged point.
You are darn sure right about lack of fresh seafood markets. Maybe that is because 92% of consumed seafood in the U S is already imported. REGULATIONS. Does that make good sense?
The Representative and I have had some conversation. We disagree on some things. How any member of the G A can in good conscious continue to support the agenda of the CCA is beyond me. That agenda being to put one man out of business so another man can have his fun. “Americans are just going to have to get used to eating imported seafood” a CCA spokesman said at a NMFS meeting I attended in Silver Springs. Science be damn. Does that make good sense?
I don’t believe Rep Murphy is a prisoner of himself. That is, he will not preclude himself the right to change his mind because he refused to listen to anothers opinion.
Browny Douglas
Thank you for writing an article that has led to some real discussion back and forth.
When the Medicaid expansion allegations first came to light, I did the research, actually READ THE BILL, and found out although it did have elements that concerned me and have been brought to light by Murphy opponents, there is no way it expands Medicaid. There is a reasonable argument that it has government a little too involved in healthcare but Medicaid expansion it is not. However, previously I wouldn’t dare post that in one of those threads because someone would have ripped my head off.
There seems to be a new tone that would allow some reasonable response from both sides that I find refreshing. Let’s hope it continues. Passion is fine. But it shouldn’t be the person who yells the loudest being allowed to dominate the discussion . Facts or at a minimum reasonable assumptions need to take the place of the conspiracy theories that dominate so much of the responses on this site. I think the site will grow in scope and help influence the conservative movement in North Carolina. The Haymaker staff have done their part in bringing stories to light that no one else is covering. I have some friends that label this site as “full of nutjobs”. They aren’t talking about the writers of the articles. They are referring to some of the people that post on here. I think it’s wrong to paint them with such a broad brush. However, I think those of us who are loyal readers who only occasionally post should step up and provide discussion of those stories that have the same tone of objective truth seeking and encouraging reasonable debate as the articles themselves carry. Passion. No political correct politeness. Inspired discussion with facts or reasonable assumptions as their basis.
The site is called the Daily Haymaker. A haymaker is a boxing term for a big swing designed to be a knockout punch.. I believe many of the people who post on this site don’t throw haymakers, they throw hail mary’s. That’s a term meaning a desperate attempt at an all or nothing attempt to end the game. And they are called that because they are rarely successful and if they are, it’s the equivalent of miracle. The Haymaker isn’t a think tank, but that doesn’t mean those of us who post a comment shouldn’t use a little higher order thinking skills every once in a while. Being objective is one of those skills.
Let’s do our part to have the comment section looked upon by others they way we look upon the articles. Passionate, thought provoking but based of fact and reason. There are plenty of other sites on the internet where people can go if they are looking for entertainment.
The 3rd District could have done better. Here’s another way to look at it: https://www.triadconservative.com/
written by a state officer in the North Carolina Constitution Party, which has a candidate in the race. “Supported” by less-than-truthful information peddled by Mike Speciale super-fan Steve Rader. Great example of what the author of THIS POST was talking about.
Well no. Actually, I’m not Steve. lol
Didn’t say you were. The stuff you cite from The Beaufort Observer is all written by Mr. Rader and his 20 different personalities / aliases. He drives the dissemination of so much of the disinformation circulating in this race. Tokyo Rose and Baghdad Bob would be proud of his propaganda skills.
LOL I didn’t cite anything from the Beaufort Observer. Mr. Rader taking over the Observer is news to me.
Jones, you are careening over the border into ridiculousness. The Triad Conservative guy was basing his article on info from The Beaufort Observer. You cited the Triad Conservative article.
The Triad Conservative guy is also an officer in the Constitution Party. So, it is to his advantage to sow dissension in the Republican ranks and peel off some disgruntled folks. His candidate doesn’t come into play until the general election.
The Beaufort Observer used to be a great website. But Mr. Rader and his 20 aliases hijacked it. Most of the pure vitriol and falsehoods on that site emanate from him and his 20 personalities.
Can’t we have a debate without telling absolute LIES about people? I mean, lies that can be disputed with a few minutes on Google are being spit out as the god’s honest truth around these parts. It’s disgusting. It abuses the low-info political newcomers who are trying to do research on candidates and issues. Their heads are being filled with utter crap spawned mostly by one of Steve Rader’s 20 personalities.
Well, it’s the other way around. The Beaufort Observer article was inspired by the Triad Conservative article. Included in the BO article is a link to the original TC article.
Concerning the other stuff: You are entitled to your opinion as others are entitled to theirs.
Holy cow is this getting childish. It’s like debating a five year old. Nanny-nanny-boo-boo and all that.
I am talking about FACTS. You are spreading gossip laid down by your buddy Raider and his 20 personalities as gospel truth. There’s a difference. Say “It’s my opinion that Greg Murphy is not very conservative.” That is an opinion. Not a very informed one. But it is your opinion.
It’s dishonest to say for instance ” Greg Murphy is left of tom tillis” or that he sold his business to vidant. Because neither of those has an atom of truth in them. Not one.
If you want to get together with Rader and his 20 personalities and tell each other lies all day. that’s fine. spare the rest of us. stay off the internet.