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Camas and Washougal may not be big cities, but their elected leaders are never at a loss for supplying controversy.
As in the video excerpt from the 1939 Jimmy Stewart movie, “Mr. Smith Goes to Washington,” Washougal city council member Michael Delavar seems to be standing alone right now as he alleges ethics violations against the hiring of Camas’ soon to be ex-mayor, Paul Dennis to head the proposed Camas-Washougal Economic Development Association.
Camas mayor’s new job causes stir
.
As most know, Michael Delavar mounted an unsuccessful run to unseat Brian Baird from the U.S. House of Representatives in the 2008 election. Although his bid was unsuccessful, he still mounted an impressive 39% of the vote in Clark County, not too shabby for someone young with no political experience under his belt. He has nothing to be ashamed for as he did mount a good campaign and performed better than many expected.
Michael, a pilot with Horizon Airlines, has taken his initial defeat in stride and focused his sights on running for the Washougal City Council, Position 6. A position that he says
“is a position that I can bid around with my flying job and not have to take time off for.”
Michael, 34, is the father of 2 young boys, which is what impressed me from the first meeting with him, viewing his interaction with his children when he didn’t know I was watching. More fathers need to embrace their role in the raising of their children as Michael has.
Regular readers of Clark County Conservative may recall that I did not endorse or support Michael for his run for Congress, mainly due to our differences on our involvement with Iraq. Even with that I readily agreed he held some sound fiscal ideas and values.
It is due to those ideas and values that I wholeheartedly support and endorse him in his bid for the Washougal City Council.
His campaign website has changed to MichaelDelavar.com where he outlines his vision for the City of Washougal, receiving over 2200 votes in that City alone. From a city with a population hovering around 9,000, that many votes is quite impressive.
Michael advocates reasonable taxes in a time that others think increasing taxes and fees to be appropriate. Michael is correct as increasing what taxpayers must pay during such economic troubles we currently face can only cause further economic strife for families.
He believes in “Ensuring the public has the necessary input on projects,” which I can personally attest too. Even with one who opposed his run, he was very approachable and open to listening, as acknowledged on his campaign site,
“I learned a lot during last year’s campaign. The biggest thing was that there are good people on both sides of the political spectrum. I am glad to leave behind partisan politics.”
Another thing learned by Michael last year in the “partisan politics.” is the viciousness associated with a run for federal office. Perhaps that is why he told me in email, “I have no plans for moving on to a higher position than city council right now,” indicating he plans to actually work to better Washougal and not use the position as a stepping stone to a higher office.
In working with the other City Council Members, Michael would be a good addition who would retain the small town flavor of Washougal while working to draw “responsible, sustainable businesses” to the community and giving vital input countering current measures Washougal residents are unhappy with.
Washougal, I encourage you too take a serious look at Michael Delavar and support his common sense approach to local government by electing him to your City Council
I decided to go to the “Meet and Greet” at the Republican headquarters over on 78th street. I am not a PCO. I want to let everybody know what I witnessed.
I am not a politically involved person, but what I saw happen there was nothing but dirty.
This was held for all of the PCO’s (Precinct Committee Officer’s) to get a chance to meet and chat, just get to know who we are working with to accomplish our goals. I was really looking forward to what was scheduled for us.
Here is what happened. Once our gathering commenced, someone barged in the door and made a scene. He wanted to know where the Michael Delevar signs and stickers are, and why there aren’t any displayed. He was loud and negative. There were two or three Michael Delavar PCO’s, and yes that is what I will call them. Here is why, they wore shirts displaying the name of Michael Delavar. These three to four guys did nothing to help the upset and angry man even though they heard him.
I found out later the very angry man is someone named Alex, I do believe a PCO, don’t know for sure though. A PCO? I don’t know.
My husband who is 60 years old, a Vietnam Veteran, with high blood pressure, and has recently recovered from Bells Palsy, was bombarded by these Micheal Delavar supporters. One then two, then the third, and finally the angry Alex. What was the topic about? Ron Paul. Trying to force my husband to support a candidate that does not see the importance of protecting our nation from terrorism.
This whole thing turned into a Michael Delavar campaign event, which is not what was scheduled. Watching them take over our headquarters was upsetting to myself and my husband. Here is why. They do not support any other of the Republican or GOP candidates. They only have one agenda. That would be to bring into Congress someone that supports and is funded by Ron Paul supporters. They have no desire to advance any of the other candidates. ONLY ONE.
In the end they bombarded my husband to the point that he had to leave. I watched this as when one would leave the conversation another one would step in. I am sure they feel as though they accomplished something grand. Trying to FORCE allegiance will not work. Socialism will not work.
How much of their monies and time is advancing the Republican Party candidates? NONE, except Delavar.
Michael Delavar needs to squash this problem and let his people know that trying to bully people will not win him votes nor accomplish anything.
NOTE: This post addresses the 2008 election, not the current 2010 campaigns.
Elmer Fudd For Congress
With just 3 weeks left until the November General Election, I had hoped to see a good challenge to Democrat Brian Baird from Michael Delavar, running as a Republican. I previously wrote of my dilemma in who to support in this race in hopes that Michael would see the light and get behind our Troops and their Mission, both in Iraq and Afghanistan in fighting radical Jihadists.
All hopes that he will see the light were dashed yesterday, not so much by Michael, but by supporters of his who have snuck into the Clark County GOP as PCO’s and have shown their intent to follow other Ron Paul Libertarians in a nationwide attempt at taking over the Republican Party.
Visiting Michael’s web page I see that he clings to the Ron Paul notion of abandoning the current fight and outsourcing our defense to mercenaries by using the ridiculous and outmoded Letters of Marque and Reprisal, outlawed by other nations for over a century. With Victory within sight in Iraq, our Troops would be withdrawn and the Iraqi people abandoned, just as the anti-war left Democrats caused with the Viet Nam War, resulting in untold millions of innocent Vietnamese and those who stood up against the Communists to simply disappear.
Getting back to yesterday, October 11, 2008, all newly elected PCO’s were invited to the Clark County GOP Headquarters office in Hazel Dell for a “meet and greet” get together and to receive some instructions on just what the responsibilities of PCO’s are to the party.
Entering the office, the first thing I noticed was several in attendance wearing Michael Delavar T-Shirts and holding campaign signs. Shortly after the meet began, another person entered and the first chance he got, interrupted Party Chair Ryan Hart demanding to know where all the Michael Delavar campaign literature and signs were. Alex, I believe his name was, went on stating the Delavar IS the Republican candidate and his literature should be prominently displayed along with local candidates. While I obviously don’t know for sure, I have every reason to believe this was a pre-planned confrontation.
Michael Delavar did not receive the party endorsement before the primary election and has not received it since he defeated Christine Webb, partly due to his refusal to endorse the GOP ticket for president, Ron Paul being his candidate of choice.
Mr. Hart aptly parried the interruption with word that the Baird/Delavar race is a Federal Race and endorsements would be from the state party level and informing ‘Alex’ that he had just informed all Michael Delavar supporters to visit Michael’s web page for information and updates.
The meet broke up into individual visits and discussions after our responsibilities were outlined with the Michael Delavar supporters in attendance minigling and turning the event into a campaign event for Delavar.
For some reason, perhaps my outspoken opposition to Ron Paul, I felt targeted as 4 Delavar/Paul supporters confronted me one after the other without let up with their rhetoric and Bush-hating message. ‘Alex’ was the last and most vociferous, following the recent call of Democrat Barack Obama of “argue with them, get in their face.”
I don’t respond well to bullying tactics as ‘Alex’ got in my face and leaned in towards me. Feeling something welling up inside of me I haven’t felt since serving in Viet Nam, I abruptly left, rather than knock ‘Alex’ and his infant son he had draped over his shoulder on his ass.
‘Alex’ lost any support I was trying to have for Michael with his pro-Ron Paul lunacy and circular anti-war argument. If Baird weren’t so much of a Pelosi following liberal, I’d vote for him out of spite.
Republicans, wake up. While we are focusing on a National Race to stop the Marxist Obama and his minions from seizing America, we have being infiltrated by Ron Paul followers with their hidden anti-war agenda and desire to take over the GOP with the Libertarian view.
I stumbled across an entry in a Ron Paul forum from Michigan that was posted earlier this year. The title, “Take Over the GOP! Join the Republican Liberty Caucus, Ron Paul is a Member!” speaks volumes to me. Within that post, we read,
“We attend GOP events to cultivate relationships within the Republican Party and identify like-minded party members. We also work with single-issue groups and combine forces to pursue mutual interest. Essentially, our mission is nothing short of changing the GOP’s political culture to one rooted in libertarian ideals.”
And,
“I know many of you probably are concerned that, by joining the Republicans you will be assimilated to the point where you may have to sacrifice your principles and beliefs. That is why I urge you to join us because we operate, although within the GOP, completely independent of the party’s leadership. None of our funds go to the Republican National Committee because we are well aware that their agenda is to elect people and not necessarily promote the ideals of liberty and freedom.”
Twenty four pages of comments and replies are very telling on their true intent.
Michael Delavar prominently displays the endorsement of this “Republican Liberty Caucus” on his web page.
On the Mainstream Libertarians web page are instructions on becoming Precinct Committeemen and obtaining lower level offices to build the “movement” from.
Also telling is a post by Eric Dondero, considered a traitor to the Libertarian Ron Paul Revolution by faithful followers of RP, outlining discovery of a restricted web site for RP followers use earlier in the year by Washington States own Sound Politics and instructions on “assimilating” to the GOP as they infiltrate our party.
As we know, Ron Paul failed in all attempts to win the nomination, but his movement, they call it a Revolution, has not ceased. In fact, they claim they “have only just begun.”
This ‘Ronulan,’ or as I prefer to call it, ‘Paulistinian,’ movement has taken on cult-like status. As seen in ‘Alex’ yesterday, speaking against RP is considered ‘blasphemy’ and met with tempestuous confrontation, in your face arguing and yes, shouting down your view along with ridicule of your views, even if a War Veteran, as I am.
What could I possibly know about War, right? I didn’t read the books or fall for the Paulistinian movement; I only served in the war.
As any Right Wing blogger can tell you, any posts revealing or opposing Ron Paul during this elongated campaign season has been met with your blog being deluged with angry Paulistinians “correcting” you and “setting you straight.” It has been and continues to be a well-organized ‘putsch’ from within the GOP by anti-war elements that seek to undermine our country during war and blaming terrorist attacks on America over the radical Jihadists themselves.
In June 2008, Brian Iannucci wrote “Why the Republican Liberty Caucus (RLC) is not Republican” at TownHall. He further reveals where they lack true Republicanism and conservative ideals.
I was hoping to see a good conservative Republican challenge Baird this year, but it doesn’t appear so. Baird with his liberalism won’t receive my vote, nor will Delavar with his anti-war libertarian pro Ron Paul rhetoric.
I guess I’ll just write in Elmer Fudd!
Michel Delavar
While I have been laid up dealing with the onslaught of Bell’s Palsy, it would appear that Michael Delavar has picked up somewhat of an admirer in the Columbian’s Kathy Durbin. On Friday, September 11, she devoted two posts to Michael, here and here.
I can’t say she shouldn’t, Michael is a nice and likeable person, having met with him and talked face to face now. I even like him personally, I just have issues with his stance on fighting terror and keeping the American people safe.
After our somewhat contentious exchange through email weeks ago, I have to admit that getting the chance to meet him and having the brief discussion we had was a pleasure.
I do feel he tried to pigeonhole me a little when he asked if I were prepared for a Religious War, but seemed taken aback somewhat with my reply, “do we have a choice?”
Continuing, I explained that they have been coming after us for some time now and it isn’t because of our dealings overseas, it is because they genuinely dislike Western Culture in their misguided interpretation of the Islamic Holy Book, the Qu’Ran.
We saw this in history with many misguided interpretations of our own Holy Scripture and for the most part, have corrected much of it, at least to where incidents like the Salem Witch Hunts and the Inquisitions wouldn’t occur today.
Still, Michael did admit that when attacked, we should respond with “overwhelming force,” a step in the right direction towards keeping America safe, I feel away from any ill-fated notion of hiring mercenaries to fight for us.
Ms. Durbin seems perplexed as to why the Clark County GOP hasn’t endorsed Michael and states it is because he won’t support John McCain, Sarah Palin ticket, the GOP nominee for president. She laments how the party backed Christine Webb, who I also supported.
Did she forget her own employer, the Columbian in July, endorsed Webb over Delavar as well? At that time, they said,
“For conservative voters, Webb offers a solid choice with her pro-McCain presidential views and her anti-tax, limited-government ideas. She drew an endorsement at her party’s state convention. The fourth candidate, Michael Delavar, is trying to seize on the Ron Paul passion that rose but now fizzles among many conservatives.”
As we all now know, Michael defeated Webb and has the spot to challenge Brian Baird in November, a task I hope he is up to, for his own sake. Unseating an experienced incumbent by a novice, while not impossible, won’t be easy to do.
Ms. Durbin claims the party is “shunning” Michael, but from what I witnessed of him interacting with party members a couple weeks ago, while he may not have an official endorsement, he is hardly being shunned.
I don’t claim to speak for the party and have no idea if they will issue an official endorsement, but he would do himself well to shy away from the policies of Ron Paul, if he expects to pick up more conservatives from the 3rd District. Although the Pauliacs had a good showing in the primaries, the general election will most likely be entirely different, with Paul not in the running and encouraging voters to back loose cannon candidates such as Cynthia McKinney.
Personally, I am left in quite a dilemma as who to cast my vote for in November. Baird has seen the light and now supports winning in Iraq and the War on Terror, which garnered him much vitriol from the anti-war left Democrats and which also drew Michael into the race. Like Michael, Baird was opposed to our efforts until a trip to Iraq and meeting with Iraqi’s and the Troops showed him this effort is well worth finishing victoriously.
Otherwise, Baird is a down the line Pelosi following Liberal. Michael is a strong fiscal and social conservative, but misguided, in my opinion, on victory in the war. At this point in time, I have no idea who I will cast my vote for as I see winning this war just as important, even somewhat more so, than many domestic issues.
Michael says,
“One of my goals is to meet with businessmen and regular Iraqis and find out what they are dealing with on a daily basis, I also plan to meet with soldiers from the local area.”
I think this is an excellent idea, as long as he doesn’t travel there pre-disposed of the outcome of the trip.
Much like Brian Baird did, Michael just may come to realize what he has been fed by the likes of Paul and the National Media isn’t what is happening and our efforts are well worth finishing in Victory. He may even discover that we have had a definition of Victory all along and he, like many others, just refused to see it.
If Michael returns and realizes just how foolish Ron Paul has been with this notion of Letters of Marque and Reprisal and withdrawing our Troops back within our borders, returning to a failed position of isolationalism, Baird may be facing more of a challenge come November than he thinks.
Michael, go to Iraq with your eyes and mind open. Listen and learn to what, not only Iraqi’s, but our own Brave Troops, who continually volunteer to return have to say.
Christine Webb is a late comer to our primary. She filed just under the deadline. But she needs our vote.
She is running against incumbant Brian Baird, challenger from Baird’s own party, Cheryl Crist and Libertarian/Republican, Michael Delavar.
Beating an incumbant is very difficult. Baird is firmly entrenched in his seat. Crist labels herself as the “Peace Candidate,” who like Delavar, would abandon yet another struggling ally to their fate, invalidating the Brave sacrifices of of over 4,000 Young Americans.
Delavar and Webb share strong fiscal conservatives views, but of what good will they be if we end up fighting suicide bombers and IED’s on our own streets?
Baird boasts about how he “stood up to President Bush,” but I see nowhere that he stood up to Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi.
Delavar has a well financed campaign and has been running some effective campaign ads, citing his fiscal views. Not mentioned is the strong support for and adoption of the views of failed presidential candidate, Ron Paul.
Delavar and Paul advocate outsourcing the defense of our nation to mercenaries under an outdated and banned in Europe for over a century, Letters of Marque and Reprisal.
Webb would depend upon our own strong and well trained all volunteer professional Military for our defense.
Please join me in voting for Christine Webb, candidate for the United States House of Representatives, Washington’s 3rd District, endorsed by the Washington State GOP, 3rd Congressional District, the Columbian, the Chronicle, Human Lifepac, Human Life of Washington, her own kids and more.
Illustration supplied by API
55% of Pacific Northwest voters recently polled in July 2008 support increased access to domestic oil and natural gas resources.
Pew, Zogby and even CNN are discovering that the majority of Americans, including Oregonians and Washingtonians are tired of spiraling oil and gas prices and see our best choice for relief is more energy supplies.
While conservation is still desired, it isn’t nearly enough. Americans all over the nation are realizing that conservation alone will not keep our society running and maintaining our lifestyle. Increasing domestic supply is the best immediate answer while alternative energy sources are discovered and perfected.
Data from the Federal Government reveals the U.S. has enough oil and natural gas to fuel more than 65 million cars for 60 years and enough natural gas to heat 60 million homes for 160 years, yet 85% of the outer continental shelf and 83% of onshore federal lands remain off limits to drilling for our own energy sources.
Are we in danger of depleting the earth’s oil? Some don’t think so.
The American Petroleum Institute has prepared a “Truth Primer” showing all aspects of why we saw such a drastic increase in cost the last year, to include the decline of the dollar, world unrest in Oil Producing Nations and a breakdown of how every dollar we spend at the pumps is broken down.
Separating the Rhetoric from the Reality, API supplies us with real answers to real questions, instead of the usual political rhetoric we continue to hear.
Bottom line is, America has energy needs and our own sources remain locked away from our use due to government policies. One party remained behind while the other enjoys a 5-week paid vacation, hoping to get some relief for Americans.
President Bush lifted the Presidential ban on drilling our own resources. Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi refused to allow any discussion or even an up and down vote on lifting the congressional ban and left, with her party, to relax and stump a failing book.
The U.S. Department of Energy estimates that fossil fuels will continue to meet at least 80 percent of our energy demands through 2030. Where we get it from depends a lot on you.
Do you want more elected officials who place snorkeling in the Galapagos above our needs? Or, ones who remain to fight for your interests?
Brian Baird and Cheryl Crist would keep us dependent upon foreign energy sources, falsely thinking conservation or alternative fuels are the immediate answer to cure our energy needs.
Michael Delavar and Christine Webb agree that we need to harvest more of our own sources for energy relief.
Their differences seem to be more in how best to keep America safe from the terrorist attacks we have endured these past three decades, until we took the fight back to them.
On those marks, Christine Webb comes out ahead and deserves our vote to face Brian Baird in November. Let’s elect Christine Webb not only for an energy independent America, but also for a safer America.
FREEDOM ISN"T FREE
With only a little over a week left before our August 19 “top two” primary votes due, we have some choices before us. Many have already decided and returned their mail-in ballots. Many others in the 3rd District are still contemplating between 4 candidates vying for one seat in the House of Representatives, now occupied by Brian Baird, seeking another term as our Representative.
Baird has been the darling of the Liberals up until he saw the light and switched his position on the Iraq Theater of the War on Terror. Once he decided the endeavor was worth finishing and announced it, the left turned on him, in spite of his being joined at the hip with the likes of Nancy Pelosi on other Liberal matters.
This move has left him facing three challengers, one anti-war Democrat, Cheryl Crist, an anti-war Libertarian running as a Republican, Michael Delavar and a strong conservative Republican, Christine Webb.
Two of these candidates will advance to the November General Election to determine who will be our Representative for the next two years.
Ms. Crist is really a long shot, so this race is in essence between Delavar and Webb to face Baird, who assuredly will win one of the top two positions in the primary and will be difficult to beat in November.
Ms. Webb has won the endorsement of the Republican Party over that of Mr. Delavar, leaving some with the impression that Delavar is a bit miffed over it. Delavar has stated he believes he missed the party endorsement over his,
“opposition to keeping U.S. troops as an occupying force on Muslim soil in Iraq, his criticism of the United Nations and insistence on having the U.S. out of the U.N. and his refusal to sign a pledge of support for John McCain, the presumptive nominee for President.”
Delavar, a staunch Ron Paul supporter, presents somewhat of an enigma for Washington States 3rd District GOP. While he presents some formidable conservative ideas on government and spending, much as does Webb, he is totally misled and completely misses the boat when it comes to the Iraq Theater of the War on Terror.
I have found that he tends to contradict himself in regards to the war as well. He joins with the anti-war left in labeling our Troops as an “occupying force” in Iraq. Yet, in excerpts of a debate with Christine Webb, placed on You Tube by Delavar, he states, “they are a sovereign nation, we have given them their sovereignty.”
Ms. Webb supports fighting terrorists overseas, where they are. Delavar says he supports “the appropriate, overwhelming and vicious response to any terrorist attack against the United States.” He also says, “I support hunting down Osama bin Laden and eliminating him.”
He goes on to say, “I will not support occupation for the sake of nation-building,” adding, “Occupation is the single greatest recruiter and motivator in the jihadist’s cause. While we occupy holy Muslim land, we will always have a highly motivated, patient terrorist threat.” He apparently has missed that many terrorist attacks by extremist Jihadists occurred years before any of our Troops were placed in the Middle East and that many were against nations that have no Troops in the Middle East, some opposing the U.S. Policy in Iraq and Afghanistan.
He also seems to have missed that several European nations that have no Troops in the Middle East have been facing a radical Jihadist threat for some time.
Totally baffling is when he says,
“Our very presence on holy Muslim soil fuels the fire of jihad against the United States and unites our enemies against us. We can and should pursue terrorists with the intent of retribution, but should not occupy Muslim lands.”
Just how does he propose we accomplish that? Fly the Troops over before breakfast and have them home before dinner? Sorry, Michael, but fighting war isn’t your typical “9 to 5 job.”
Dangerously close to an anti-Semitic comment, he states,
“Furthermore, if we pay attention to the declaration of war against us by al-Qaeda, we will notice that they fight us because of our continued support for regimes that oppress Muslims. We must stop giving taxpayer money in the form of aid and support to oppressive regimes.”
From the Fatwa issued by Al Qaeda in 1998, long after coalition forces ejected Iraq forces from Kuwait, at the request of Muslim governments, I might add, and before any actual forces were sent back into Iraq, we read,
“they come to annihilate what is left of this people and to humiliate their Muslim neighbors. Third, if the Americans’ aims behind these wars are religious and economic, the aim is also to serve the Jews’ petty state and divert attention from its occupation of Jerusalem and murder of Muslims there. The best proof of this is their eagerness to destroy Iraq, the strongest neighboring Arab state, and their endeavor to fragment all the states of the region such as Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Sudan into paper statelets and through their disunion and weakness to guarantee Israel’s survival and the continuation of the brutal crusade occupation of the Peninsula,”
and
“All these crimes and sins committed by the Americans are a clear declaration of war on God, his messenger, and Muslims.”
Again, missed by Delavar and Paul is that U.S. Troops were sent to the Middle East by request and permission of Muslim rulers. Also missed is that many terrorist attacks have been carried out against fellow Muslims by the radical Jihadists that demand all follow their twisted view of the Holy Qu’Ran.
When Delavar says, “We must stop giving taxpayer money in the form of aid and support to oppressive regimes,” is he falling for the anti-Semitic rhetoric from leftists that hate Israel, the only Democratic nation currently in the Middle East? I certainly hope not.
Where Delavar and Paul really miss the boat is in believing that the radical Jihadists hate us and attack us because we “occupy” their lands. Radical Islam, unlike the more moderate majority of Muslims, desire to impose their strict radical views on all “by the sword” if need be. Returning to Al Qaeda’s Fatwa, at the very beginning we read,
“Praise be to God, who revealed the Book, controls the clouds, defeats factionalism, and says in His Book: “But when the forbidden months are past, then fight and slay the pagans wherever ye find them, seize them, beleaguer them, and lie in wait for them in every stratagem (of war)”; and peace be upon our Prophet, Muhammad Bin-‘Abdallah, who said: I have been sent with the sword between my hands to ensure that no one but God is worshipped, God who put my livelihood under the shadow of my spear and who inflicts humiliation and scorn on those who disobey my orders.”
Along with that opening statement, the true underlying motivations was revealed long ago and has been disrupted by our taking he fight back to them, something terrorists did not expect since Bin Laden declared American Troops were but “paper tigers.”
Delavar advocates issuing Letters of Marque and Reprisal, outsourcing the fight against terrorists to mercenaries, in essence.
Delavar also is against amnesty for ILLEGAL immigrants and promises to “secure our borders,” but opposes the idea of building a border fence. He advocates stripping ILLEGALS of any benefits, but doesn’t seem to realize that terrorists also slip across the borders easily, if they desire. I agree with no benefits for ILLEGALS, but how do we “secure the borders” if no fences are to be built? Terrorists won’t come in to take advantage of benefits or hope for amnesty, but to do us harm. And, we can expect them to be well funded, not needing those benefits.
Michael claims to be a long time conservative Republican, but after the State Convention, his wife, Katja said, “We are trying to integrate with the Republican Party; they see it as a take-over,” lending credence to the thoughts of many Republicans that Ron Paul Libertarians are and have been plotting a takeover of the GOP since their party can’t seem to get up to speed.
The County Party has also seen this, as they state that Ron Paul Supporters have mounted 67 contests in PCO races, a volunteer position usually difficult to fill.
Lastly, at least for now, Christine Webb has clearly stated there isn’t enough scientific evidence to support the claim of manmade global warming. I am unable to find any definitive statement from Delavar addressing the notion of manmade global warming. I will be happy to amend this once the most ardent Ron Paul and Michael Delavar supporters come in to “set me straight,” again, if they would supply such a statement.
Like many of us, Delavar has opinions, some good, some not so good. He is no doubt an excellent pilot; a good father and I hear quite an accomplished ballroom dancer. That does not equal the experience Christine Webb would take with her to Congress.
Seats in the House are not equipped with training wheels.
I am afraid Delavars’ naiveté, should more Ron Paul worshippers who fell for him during the presidential primaries obtain office alongside anti-war Democrats, would result in fighting in our own streets, if not direct terrorists attacks in major cities, negating any fiscally conservative ideas.
As Michael asked me once in a personal email, “[has] the Republican party become the party of war?” No, Michael, we remain the party of liberty and freedom and see what price must be paid to have it.
My vote remains with Christine Webb.
UPDATE: Congratulations to Michael Delavar and his followers for winning the face-off with Brian Baird. Ya’ll waged an aggressive and effective campaign.
On a more personal note, Good Luck in the remaining months before November. So far you have had little real competition and pretty much an easy road. If the Dems take you serious, be prepared. You ain’t see nothin’ until you are up against the Democrat Attack Machine.
I was somewhat surprised last evening to receive an email from Candidate Michael Delavar about midnight. No, it was not the usual run of the mill “vote for me” email, but a personal note asking why, back on May 26 on Victoria Taft’s forum, I said I would not vote for Delavar and would cast a vote for Democrat Brian Baird instead, due to his support for winning in Iraq now.
Apparently, Delavar, 34, considers himself the sole conservative running. In subsequent emails, he speaks of the race as between him and Baird, neglecting that the Washington State Republican Party unanimously endorsed the candidacy of Christine Webb, not Michael Delavar, to run against Baird and another Democrat anti-war activist, Cheryl Crist.
I’ve never met Delavar, Crist or Webb, but I have Brian Baird. Even as a Republican I was going to vote for Baird over Delavar, but due to Baird’s joining fellow Democrats in not supporting the Broadcaster Freedom Act, I am having second thoughts on that.
Currently Delavar appears ahead of Webb in gaining enough votes on our August 19 Primary to face Baird, but Webb is a late starter and just getting going.
Delavar can be found on many Ron Paul forums, supporting his failed run this year. Paul considered himself a conservative Republican, but has a history of being a lifelong Libertarian, losing a previous bid for the presidency under that parties banner in 1988.
Delavar and Paul both have some excellent fiscal ideas that I agree with. Then again, even a broken watch shows the correct time twice a day.
I was a bit surprised that a candidate for the House of Representatives would be thin skinned enough to contact a single voter who expressed opposition to him for an explanation of why. Out of the thousands of voters in the 3rd Congressional District, surely one little voter isn’t all that important for one who claims to have “jumped ahead” of an incumbent.
Most disturbing to me was his reply after I told him that I cannot support any candidate that advocates withdrawing from the War on Terror prematurely, as we have often done since WW2, leaving allies at the mercy of enemies who have historically slaughtered millions of innocent civilians as we turned a blind eye. I also stated that I could not support anyone who advocated the use of Letters of Marque and Reprisal, essentially outsourcing the defense of our nation to mercenaries.
So, I was somewhat taken aback that someone considering themselves to be a Conservative Republican would reply with, “one question we have to ask is whether the Republican party has become the party of war.”
Being a Viet Nam Veteran myself, I do not like war, but understand that our liberties and freedoms are ensured and protected by our Brave Troops fighting on our behalf to prevent another September 11 attack upon our country. I do not see the love of freedom and liberty, understanding the price that must be paid and has been paid since our country was founded, and being willing to pay that price as being “the party of war.”
I am left with the impression that Delavar, like Ron Paul, feels we brought the attacks of September 11 on ourselves.
Delavar also asked, “What about being pro-life, fiscally conservative, for securing our borders without amnesty, and protecting our sovereignty? None of those things seem to be important to our supposedly “conservative” Republican party. Only war.”
As I see it, Delavar is completely missing the boat in what we are fighting. Of course, if we lose this war, or just walk away and allow the Iraqis and Afghanis to flounder as Al Qaeda and the Taliban take over two countries to base out of, of what use will the other issues be once the suicide bombings and I.E.D.’s begin within our borders?
Additionally, Delavar said, “If we want bankruptcy as a nation, we should stay in Iraq and Afghanistan until the cows come home.”
Does it escape him that “the cows” haven’t yet come home from Japan, Germany and South Korea, not to mention hundreds of other bases around the globe in some 60 years? That hasn’t bankrupted us. He must not realize that the cost of fighting terrorists in Iraq and Afghanistan currently amount to less than 4% of our GDP, hardly bankruptcy range, I believe.
Explaining to him that as a Viet Nam Veteran, the thought of abandoning another struggling country to their fate against a heavily armed enemy, as we did Viet Nam, which culminated in millions of innocent lives being lost in South Viet Nam, Cambodia and Laos, was abhorrent to me, the reply of “Yes, there are some unpleasant possibilities that might come about when we leave. We don’t know exactly what will be happening until that happens,” was elicited.
I don’t know about you, but millions of innocent people slaughtered because of what they believe, many thousands more dying when escaping a Communist nation in rickety boats, is a bit more than merely “some unpleasant possibilities.” I place more value on life than that.
Earlier on he was mentioning his “pro-life” stance in opposing abortions, as most of us do. How pro-life is it to support a child being born but consider millions of innocent men, women and children being slaughtered as an “unpleasant possibility?”
Little wonder that the July 22, 2008 “In Our View” section of The Columbian says, “Michael Delavar, is trying to seize on the Ron Paul passion that rose but now fizzles among many conservatives. He and others made big noise at the Clark County convention, but the real news occurred in the February GOP primary when Paul earned less than 7 percent of local votes.”
This Conservative Republican has no intention of standing by as Ron Paul Libertarians step in and take over the Republican Party as Liberals did the Democrat Party. The GOP is fractured and does need repair, but not adopting the views of a whiner as Ron Paul who can’t even see who our enemies are, in spite of three decades of attacks against us.
Support our Troops. Support their mission. And, help return the GOP to its true conservative base by voting for Christine Webb.
