I believe that the reason this is an issue is that the policy changed this year. This is not how it is traditionally done, even in Hamilton county. Please correct me if I'm wrong, but I think the candidates were all planning to go and were informed just this week about the new policy.
I would like to sincerely apologize to Mr. Gobble. I can see now that I misunderstood his statement quoted above. This being the case, I expect to hear in the news Sunday that he either paid the $2000 or did not attempt to speak at the event. I apologize for assuming otherwise.
This is also what Gobble said knowing that half that candidates won't be there.
"Tim Gobble, 3rd District House candidate, said he plans to attend the Hamilton County Lincoln Day Dinner on Saturday night, and he said he should be allowed to speak without paying $2,000."
http://www.chattanoogan.com/articles/article_175994.asp
I'm sure he does want ALL the candidates that do attend to be able to speak.
For those on the fence between Van and Chuck... I've met Chuck several times. He is a nice guy, but he doesn't have the skill set for this job. Van does and here's why. 1. He knows what the job is - to defend the Constitution - and the proper role of the federal government - to be limited by the Constitution. 2. He has an iron will. He will not bend to DC culture - DC culture will bend to him. He will be a constant reminder to every other Representative and Senator of what their sworn duty is and educate them on how to uphold that duty. 3. He is smart and resourceful - with a 10th the budget of his competitors he has made this a 3-way race. I know he has ideas for getting DC to function on a 10th of their budget too. Check out his website - www.van4congress.org and you'll see he's not your average candidate.
Gobble most definately did not take a stand on this. He is asking for special treatment. He's asking that they break their own policy for his benefit. The HCRP can set whatever policy they like and live with the consequences, which they are seeing now. But to ask them to break that policy just for one candidate is worse than what HCRP is doing.
Thank you Van, Chuck and Tommy for standing up on this issue. Hamilton county is the only county to require payment for candidates to speak at the dinner. As the former state GOP chair, it's no surprise that 'party boss' Smith is using her connections to keep this race from being a fair competition. We need the Republican party to represent 'we the people' again. This country doesn't have time for petty party politics.
Candidates to boycott Hamilton County GOP event Saturday
I believe that the reason this is an issue is that the policy changed this year. This is not how it is traditionally done, even in Hamilton county. Please correct me if I'm wrong, but I think the candidates were all planning to go and were informed just this week about the new policy.
Candidates to boycott Hamilton County GOP event Saturday
I would like to sincerely apologize to Mr. Gobble. I can see now that I misunderstood his statement quoted above. This being the case, I expect to hear in the news Sunday that he either paid the $2000 or did not attempt to speak at the event. I apologize for assuming otherwise.
Candidates to boycott Hamilton County GOP event Saturday
This is also what Gobble said knowing that half that candidates won't be there.
"Tim Gobble, 3rd District House candidate, said he plans to attend the Hamilton County Lincoln Day Dinner on Saturday night, and he said he should be allowed to speak without paying $2,000." http://www.chattanoogan.com/articles/article_175994.asp
I'm sure he does want ALL the candidates that do attend to be able to speak.
Candidates to boycott Hamilton County GOP event Saturday
For those on the fence between Van and Chuck... I've met Chuck several times. He is a nice guy, but he doesn't have the skill set for this job. Van does and here's why. 1. He knows what the job is - to defend the Constitution - and the proper role of the federal government - to be limited by the Constitution. 2. He has an iron will. He will not bend to DC culture - DC culture will bend to him. He will be a constant reminder to every other Representative and Senator of what their sworn duty is and educate them on how to uphold that duty. 3. He is smart and resourceful - with a 10th the budget of his competitors he has made this a 3-way race. I know he has ideas for getting DC to function on a 10th of their budget too. Check out his website - www.van4congress.org and you'll see he's not your average candidate.
Candidates to boycott Hamilton County GOP event Saturday
Gobble most definately did not take a stand on this. He is asking for special treatment. He's asking that they break their own policy for his benefit. The HCRP can set whatever policy they like and live with the consequences, which they are seeing now. But to ask them to break that policy just for one candidate is worse than what HCRP is doing.
Candidates to boycott Hamilton County GOP event Saturday
Thank you Van, Chuck and Tommy for standing up on this issue. Hamilton county is the only county to require payment for candidates to speak at the dinner. As the former state GOP chair, it's no surprise that 'party boss' Smith is using her connections to keep this race from being a fair competition. We need the Republican party to represent 'we the people' again. This country doesn't have time for petty party politics.