College Republicans endorse Lance Sigmon, snuff McHenry

From Sigmon for Congress

The North Carolina Federation of College Republicans (NCFCR) today publicly endorsed Lance Sigmon in the 10th District Republican Congressional primary race.

In the closely contested 2004 primary, College Republicans assisted Patrick McHenry in securing a slim victory over his opponents. However, as stated in the endorsement by the NCFCR, "As great as our disappointment in the Congressman [McHenry] is, our excitement about Lt. Col. Sigmon is significantly greater. He has nobly and bravely served this great nation in the Air Force. He represents the Conservative ideals we the heads of the NCFCR have sought in our public servants."

The Full Letter

We, the current and past Chairmen of the North Carolina Federation of College Republicans (NCFCR) hereby endorse Lt. Col. Lance Sigmon in his bid for US Congress. As the foot soldiers of the conservative grassroots movement, we stress that honor and integrity make the Republican Party great. Although our organization's policy is to avoid favoritism and endorsements in Republican primary races, we, as current and past leaders, understand that it is crucial to speak out now in favor of Lt. Col. Sigmon.

Many College Republicans have had prior disputes with Lt. Col. Sigmon's opponent in the past, but those experiences are in no way the reason for our endorsement. Rather than focus on past events, it is more important to focus on current issues. Lt. Col. Sigmon's opponent's recent actions in Iraq have disrespected our troops. He even went so far as to endanger their lives in his video post. These outrageous actions are simply unbecoming of a public servant, and we feel as though the Congressman has violated the public's trust in him.

As great as our disappointment in the Congressman is, our excitement about Lt. Col. Sigmon is significantly greater. He has nobly and bravely served this great nation in the Air Force. He represents the Conservative ideals we the heads of the NCFCR have sought in our public servants.

Any conservative who looks at Lt. Col. Sigmon's issue positions would be proud to have this honorable gentleman serving in Congress and representing North Carolina and the 10th Congressional District. In fact, in the crucial area of National Security, we feel that Lt. Col. Sigmon represents a major step up from his opponent, having served in the armed forces himself.

We, the Chairmen current and past of the NCFCR represent the future of this state and this nation. As we ask ourselves which candidate will best represent the future of the 10th District of North Carolina, our answer is clearly Lt. Col. Lance Sigmon.

Samuel Tasher and Tyson Grinstead
Chairman, NCFCR and Immediate Past Chair, NCFCR

McHenry pays for Voter Fraud

From Sigmon for Congress

Congressional candidate Lance Sigmon of Newton struck back against Congressman Patrick McHenry's latest smear campaign today by publicly highlighting the congressman's involvement in subsidizing voter fraud.

The highly respected Capitol Hill newspaper Roll Call reported on April 16 that Rep. McHenry paid $20,000 for the legal defense of former campaign field director Michael Aaron Lay on voter fraud charges.

The criminal charges stemmed from the 2004 NC Republican primary, during which Lay, then a 23 year-old college student, lived with McHenry in Cherryville and voted in the 10th District even though his legal residence was in Tennessee.

In the article, Roll Call exposed FEC report details showing multiple financial gifts to Lay, the convicted former McHenry political operative.

"McHenry's sweetheart gift of $20,000 to Lay's legal defense fund shows that his respect for the law and the voters is shamelessly lacking," stated Sigmon.

"I find it hard to believe that McHenry's contributors ever intended their money to be spent on the legal defense of Mr. Lay, a person who ended up pleading guilty to voter fraud charges," Sigmon continued, "The right to vote in America is sacred, and by paying for the defense with funds raised through his political machine, McHenry was condoning those illegal votes."

"I think the people of the 10th District are tired of having a representative who is constantly involved in some type of ethical or legal dilemma," said Sigmon. "McHenry's continued questionable activities do not reflect the values expected by the hard-working, honest people he represents, and I believe this is yet another example of why he has become a liability to our district."

Patrick McHenry taints debate, Sigmon still victorious

It appears that Patrick McHenry is willing to do anything and everything to keep his position, even when it requires he blatantly cheat. In a recent 10th District Debate, Patrick McHenry held no tricks back as he attempted to cheat his opponent out of a real debate- from specifically having a a supporter of his campaign time the debate to ensuring that his supporters openly ridiculed Sigmon's supporters, one even giving the middle finger to a member of Sigmon's team. The Sigmon for Congress team nor the McHenry for Congress team were available for comments.

In an attempt to "stack" the room and otherwise control the debate, Patrick McHenry of the 10th District of North Carolina today attempted to fill the entire 10th District (NC) debate with his supporters, ordering them to specifically violate parliamentary rules and to jeer at his opponent in what could only be called a childish attempt to gain political points. Supporters screamed, jeered, yelled at McHenry's opponent during his speech, and did virtually everything in their power to support incumbent McHenry- even after being openly warned by the debate moderator. Part of this team included Brett Keeter, who was arrested for a DWI and still paid during his probation by the McHenry team, and Laurie Moody, who has been known to work for the Congressman's campaign, illegal according to FEC laws.

In the debate between Sigmon and McHenry, Lance Sigmon stood firm and explained his points well, points very similar between the two candidates. However, the real "meat" of the discussion came in the format of McHenry's attempt to turn the tables on his recent issues with his own Iraq tapes, blaming Sigmon and "the Democrats" including Nancy Pelosi for persecuting him. While not providing any evidence to this effect, McHenry, nearly red-faced, used direct lines from Sigmon's campaign as he attempted to blame his opponent for his recent troubles on Capitol Hill. These troubles, including being openly ridiculed nationwide by many news and television organizations, has stemmed as the result of many recent McHenry statements.

These attempts were eventually calmed as the staffers of the debate threatened to throw out McHenry's supporters, who reportedly would not become silent as they screamed at McHenry's opponent when McHenry was unable to answer Sigmon's questions. The Sigmon for Congress supporters, in comparison, were not threatened and were relatively calm and silent during the debate, despite the unfair situations surrounding the debate itself.

Patrick McHenry has been known to employ unethical tactics. His Campaign Manager, Dee Stewart, is currently under FBI investigation for voter fraud (including in one of McHenry's previous elections), and continues to work for the McHenry campaign to this day. The McHenry for Congress team has repeatedly been caught in the past stealing opponent signs, lying to voters, calling voters and threatening them, and a variety of other methods to ensure their victory. Naturally, when asked about these discrepancies and issues, Patrick McHenry refuses to respond, often blaming his own issues on Nancy Pelosi and "the democrats".

It is clear that Congressman Patrick McHenry will do anything- from paying off timers to violating parliamentary rules- to avoid answering questions and apologizing to voters for endangering human lives and calling a security guard a "two bit" approximately three weeks ago. What won't McHenry do?

Patrick McHenry used PAC funds for gay lover's lawsuit

Looks like the Dem.s are up to something- apparently Patrick McHenry paid Michael Aaron Lay cash from his PAC "More Conservatives" to defend himself in the lawsuit where Lay committed voter fraid- in McHenry's election. Michael Aaron Lay lived with McHenry and worked for him during a previous election.

http://bluenc.com/mchenrys-pac-paid-for-lays-defense
http://www.rollcall.com/issues/53_121/money_matters/23041-1.html

Lance Sigmon: There when you need him

I think it's time we all asked an important question: when the proverbial crap hits the fan, can you contact your Congressman?

No, I mean really. Your Congressman has his position to serve you- he legislates (theoretically) for your benefit, provides you services, and is supposed to act as something of a liaison between you and your government. Patrick McHenry, in a way, is supposed to be your connection to the Feds.

So, let me ask you this: Have you ever been able to call Patrick McHenry? And I mean the man, not his staffers. Has Patrick McHenry ever done something for you that didn't become heavily publicized or show-offy? Did he ever do something that didn't bolster his political career?

Lance Sigmon, candidate for US Congress against McHenry, is beginning to show an accessibility that's frankly amazing. When I call the Sigmon for Congress headquarters with a question, I don't talk to some sort of mouthpiece or crony- if Lance Sigmon is in the office, I get to talk to Lance Sigmon. I get to pick his brain. If I want to challenge one of his beliefs, I get to do so- and he always has a reason behind his beliefs. He wants to discuss the issues, and he has plenty of reasons why he does what he does.

Just as an example, if I ask Lance Sigmon what he thinks about the war, he not only shows experience from his military service, but he's willing to level with me. I know when a politician just chants Republican Position Papers at me- Lance Sigmon isn't like that. He explains what he's seen, what he knows, what he likes and doesn't like. He tells me what he plans to do, and he guarantees me he'll fight for my interests in the process. I can openly ask him any question I like and he'll answer with just as much fervor- and he'll answer honestly.

Can Patrick McHenry do that? No, of course not. Patrick McHenry is virtually inaccessible. I can't ask McHenry a question- it's always filtered through his staffers or otherwise monitored by other people. Sometimes, my e-mails get "lost". Sometimes, calls get hung up. Sometimes, Patrick McHenry avoids staying at a party convention so no-one has the opportunity to ask him any questions after he speaks.

Has anyone ever seen Patrick McHenry outside of a podium? Of course not. He's secretive and he hides from his people. Patrick McHenry hides away in an undisclosed location where he stays "in the district", only attending random political functions. Patrick McHenry doesn't buy his own groceries, he doesn't shop at the mall like everyone else, he doesn't even go and relax at normal county functions like many of us do- that is, unless he's speaking.

Lance Sigmon is there. Lance is a normal citizen, one that doesn't act like he's too good to go shopping at a grocery store. While Patrick McHenry hides away in his "undisclosed location", Lance Sigmon goes to the small little barber shops, the cafes, the many places that Patrick McHenry would never dare tread. Lance Sigmon travels to every district personally- instead of sending cronies with signs and pamphlets.

So let me ask you this: Which is more available- the sitting Congressman with his cronies and insane amounts of office budget money, or the man who currently is looking for your vote in Congress? The answer? Lance Sigmon. Try it for yourself- e-mail him, give him a call, visit his website. I promise you that you'll get more answers in a minute than you would in a year with Patrick McHenry.

http://sigmonforcongress.com/

Ways to make Patrick McHenry seem important

From Jesus' General

Dear Rep. McHenry,

It surprises me that so few people understand just how important you are. After all, you are a Congressman. That's important. You're also the go-to-guy for strapping, young, Republican lads who need a bed for the night. That's important. You've been tied to a multiple-murder investigation involving homosexual prostitutes and organized crime figures. That's important too. So why don't people see you that way?

I know it's not your fault. You've tried very hard to publicize your importance. In just the last few weeks alone, you bragged to an audience at a Republican dinner that you had berated a security guard in Iraq. And then there's that video you put up on your website--the one in which you proved your importance my broadcasting all the secret operational military information you had.

But, unfortunately, it doesn't seem to be working. If anything, it's backfired. Your own local newspapers are calling for your head.

We need to turn that around. Below, you'll find my suggestions for other ways to make yourself seem important:

Ways to make Patrick McHenry seem important

* Get on Fox and announce the exact location of Dick Cheney's undisclosed location.
* Go to NYC, do the Pope, and put it on YouTube.
* Do a public demonstration on how to build a dirty bomb with easily obtainable materials.
* Call Barack Obama, "boy."
* Take 20 items to the "nine items or less" check out stand. If anyone complains, tell them you can have them "gitmo'd."
* Bitch slap Geraldo and say "I'm getting away with it, just like Fox."
* Take Sen. Lieberman's place at the podium the next time a torturer is honored.
* Stand up in the middle of a floor debate and announce that you're so respected in conservative circles, you often put your "little, but important, congressman" inside Lindsey Graham's mouth without fear of being bitten.

I hope my suggestions help.

Heterosexually yours,

Gen. JC Christian, patriot

Do-it-yourself stupidity is new trend in campaigns

When the history of political news and the 2008 campaign is written, U.S. Rep. Patrick McHenry of Cherryville may deserve a footnote.

The 10th District Republican has been much in the news lately for his reference to a “two-bit security guard” who denied him access to a gym inside Baghdad’s Green Zone. McHenry was there on a photo opportunity so he would look concerned enough about our troops to get re-elected.

Contrary to that mission, however, McHenry may have hurt his prospects for renomination with his own reporting about the trip.

In a campaign where press coverage is down, McHenry may be helping to establish a new trend: candidates who commit political suicide using their own medium of communication without newspapers or network television news playing any part.

The founding father of the Keystone politicians’ camp is, of course, Virginia’s former Republican Sen. George Allen. (For young people, the Keystone Cops were a hilariously incompetent police force from the silent-movies era.) Allen destroyed his 2006 candidacy for re-election and a good chance to be the 2008 Republican presidential nominee with a disparaging remark about an Indian American that was captured on video.

McHenry’s denigration of the security guard appeared in the same kind of venue — a Republican Lincoln County dinner. Apparently, he felt comfortable among friends, as Allen did, in making his arrogant and caustic remark. The problem with this kind of event, however, is that people who aren’t friends often attend and videotape them. McHenry’s opponent, Lance Sigmon, had someone there who video-recorded the speech. It went up on youtube.com.

As if that weren’t bad enough, McHenry added to his woes by then uploading, onto his own congressional Web site, a video from the Green Zone of himself trying to look brave and patriotic. In his best Christiane Amanpour war-correspondent impersonation, he notes how rocket fire one day hit here and there.

I have a personal interest to reveal. My nephew is in the Green Zone. He’s in the National Guard, and it is he whom the bad guys are trying to get. I take personal offense that this chickenhawk congressman is putting information on his Web site that helps these bad guys calibrate and direct their fire onto my nephew — or any other American’s nephew or niece.

Politicians have been stepping on their own toes since the first one took office somewhere, probably in Iraq many millennia ago. In our history, it has fallen to the press to pick up the news of those missteps and to carry it to the public. But this year, political reporting is way down — not in volume, because the presidential race dominates the cable news. It is down in real coverage. On campaign trips, fewer reporters are accompanying both the presidential and lesser-office candidates. There is less coverage in local newspapers of local races, and TV has not come close to picking up that slack. Races for Congress have never gotten the kind of thorough coverage they deserve. Now we know less about our incumbents because the financially troubled newspaper industry is closing and shrinking Washington bureaus.

For incumbents like McHenry and Allen, therefore, there should be less concern that the so-called “fourth estate” will bring about their demise. But that doesn’t stop them from screwing up all on their own.

When a candidate like McHenry says something as stupid as he did and gets taped, the subterranean medium that has become so influential in the past several years — the blogosphere — eats him alive. Then, when he adds to his trouble by so naively posting, on his own Web site, a video that threatens operational security for our soldiers, he just gives his opponents more to work with. That second offense — along with the Pentagon’s telling McHenry that he violated the rules — just plays into Sigmon’s efforts to draw a distinction between his military service and McHenry’s lack of it.

And we here in the big, bad liberal press conspiracy had nothing to do with it. If Patrick McHenry loses his job, the only voice he can blame is his own.