Red State

Congressman Heath Shuler is running for office, while running from debates at the same time...that is quite an act!

Richard Bernier of Space Mountain Productions was the latest person to ask...then chase Shuler...only to see the Congressman get into a black SUV and drive away.

See it for yourself:

Call and ask why won't he debate?

Why is he afraid to face Carl Mumpower and Keith Smith?

After all, these men (as far as I know) aren't like the men of his NFL days who intercepted his passes and chased him down in the backfield and sacked him...

Here are a few numbers to reach his staff while he is busy running away...

(828) 348-0414
(828) 252-1651
(202) 225-6401 (in case he runs all the way back to Washington, DC!)

Previously:

Will Congressman Heath Shuler Debate Carl Mumpower?

Congressman Heath Shuler at WCU

Carl Mumpower Calls Out Heath Shuler

Cross posted at Thunder Pig.

The congressman has already fled me once when faced with a question of debating his challenger. Watch what happens when I ask the question again...

If you think Congressman Shuler should debate Carl Mumpower and Keith Smith, please call his offices and ask why won't he?

Has he been captured by Washington Values?

Washington Number (202) 225-6401
Asheville Number (828) 252-1651

I am sure we would all benefit from seeing how Shuler stacks up to his challengers, Carl Mumpower and Keith Smith.

Cross-posted at Thunder Pig

Candidate Web Site

In North Carolina, judges have been changed over to nonpartisan races because Republicans were winning all the races, and since the Democratic Party has been in control of the state for the past 140 plus years...it was to them an intolerable situation.

Bob Hunter does a good job describing exactly what the Court of Appeals in North Carolina does, and the types of cases it hears.

Controversial Congressional Candidate Carl Mumpower recently suspended his campaign to make sure he had the support of the majority of the party leaders in the 11th Congressional District in western North Carolina.

I have covered it extensively on my local and state issues blog. And here is a taste of how the local TV station covered it:

Here is the latest from Richard Bernier, the producer of a local TV Show called Sound Off Buncombe, which airs on URTV. He filmed this as they were returning from the grand opening of a local county GOP Headquarters in Swain County:

This is a two video playlist.

Candidate Website

Carl Mumpower is running against freshman Congressman Heath Shuler, who moved back to North Carolina to run for the seat at the request of the national Democrat Party. Both Bill Clinton and John Edwards, of National Enquirer fame, claim credit for talking him into the move.

Last night, the North Carolina House of Representatives passed a second reading of a bill entitled: "AN ACT to improve Drought preparedness and response in North Carolina, as recommended by the Environmental review commission."

Like all legislation, the devil is in the details.

The legislation sounds like a good thing until you read what is actually in the thing. Here is just a smattering of what I found before blood started shooting out of my eyes, and what I think the battle to stop it will revolve around:

SECTION 6. The Environmental Review Commission, as part of its ongoing study of the allocation of water resources in the State required by Section 1 of S.L. 2007‑518, shall study whether and to what extent private groundwater wells and the use of water produced by private groundwater wells should be regulated by the State or units of local government. The Environmental Review Commission shall report its findings and recommendations, including any legislative proposals, to the General Assembly as provided by Section 1 of S.L. 2007‑518, as amended.

There has been a series of denials by members of the General Assembly that anything like putting meters on private wells is under consideration, including this video (the meat of the matter is at 4m 15s to 5 minutes).

The vote, at least in the western delegation from the mountains, is mostly along party lines, with Democrats voting for it, and Republicans against. Since the General Assembly in North Carolina has a Democratic majority, the reading of bills is mainly a formality, as there is little discussion allowed on the majority of legislation...most of the work is done in conference committees. The last state budget was approved in less than half an hour with no discussion on the floor allowed by the Democratic Leadership.

For more information, check out the bill for yourself.

I blogged earlier today about Carl Mumpower's announcement that he was putting most of his campaigning activities on hold, and here is an interview he did with a regional radio station:

He was recently embargoed from riding on a float in the Coon Dog Parade by a local county party for his stand against the President's Immigration Policy.

One thing is for sure, this campaign season in western North Carolina won't be boring.

This is a video of Dr. Carl Mumpower, who is challenging Congressman Heath Shuler for the US House Seat representing the North Carolina 11th Congressional District, speaking and taking questions at the monthly meeting of Citizens For Change in Buncombe County.

He goes over some of his principles, and discusses recent activity and controversy in his campaign, and takes a few questions from attendees.

What makes this video different is that it is the work of longtime conservative activist, Kathy Rhodarmer. She will be another set of of eyes and ears on the ground for the people of North Carolina, and Buncombe County. Another Citizen Journalist is being born!

I look forward to seeing more of her work in the future, and collaborating with her, and others in Buncombe County on event coverage.

Note: My old diary at beta.redstate seems to have disappeared. Pity.