A Vote for "PRESENT" Is Not a Vote for the Future

If you have been keeping up with the headlines, you know that Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is in the U.S. and scheduled to speak at both the United Nations and Columbia University. Ahmadinejad’s request to visit the former site of the World Trade Center brought widespread condemnation and rightfully so. A little background on this man shows why. After rising from humble means to attain a PH.D in civil engineering, he took advantage of then relatively free Iranian society to help form the radical student group that took control of the American embassy in Tehran and held our American citizens hostage for 444 days.
Ahmadinejad moved on to be a member of the Revolutionary Guard in Iran, the mayor of Tehran and later, President. As leader of Iran, the country that once was our friend, Iran now has one of the most deplorable track records of any regime. Most disconcerting to the world currently is the evidence that Iran is pursuing the capability to produce a nuclear weapon. In addition, Ahmadinejad claims the Holocaust never happened and has called for the destruction of Israel as a nation. Iran has armed militant Shiites fighting US soldiers in Iraq, helped the Taliban in Afghanistan, supported Hezbollah in its bid to undermine the Lebanese government and backed anti-Israeli Palestinian groups labeled by the US as terrorists. Now how does this brief history lesson fit in to the Third Congressional District? Read on.
In June of this year, Congress voted on a resolution calling on the United Nations Security Council to charge Ahmadinejad with violating the 1948 Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide and the United Nations Charter because of his calls for the destruction of the State of Israel. As you would suspect, this was overwhelmingly supported on both sides of the political isle and passed by a vote of 411 to 2. Now thankfully, Walter Jones wasn’t one of the two, but he didn’t vote in favor either. He used his favorite legislative ploy when he has trouble taking a stand: he voted “PRESENT”. You might remember he also voted “PRESENT” on the GOP resolution calling for victory in the war on terror and reaffirming the U.S. commitment to prevailing in Iraq.
It is an embarrassment that our Congressman votes against the majority of his constituents, but even more embarrassing when he lacks the courage to actually cast a vote.
Friends, we need a Congressman who backs up his rhetoric on the campaign trail. Walter Jones talks about the courage it takes to oppose our President, but lacks the courage to oppose a tyrant. Walter Jones has been in Washington far too long and has formed alliances with liberals and conspiracy theorists to the point that he has lost all perspective. Only you can bring him back to reality.
So when you watch the news and see the universal outrage over Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, remind your friends that Walter Jones lacked the courage to oppose him.
See you on the campaign trail!
Joe
Quote of the Week: "I am of the firm belief that we have done as much as we can do in Iraq."
Walter Jones, April 2006.
I suggest that Walter Jones talk to some of the Marines who have returned from Iraq recently. We've done wonders since April of 2006

District 3 Deserves a Man Like Joe McLaughlin

Let me first thank those of you who sent birthday wishes yesterday. At my age, 53, you tend to overlook your birthday but it was very nice to hear so many well wishes. It actually started on Saturday, as the nice folks in the Fairfield Harbor section of Craven County greeted me with birthday wishes as I spoke at their precinct meeting. I left with many new friends and supporters, energized with the enthusiasm that is generated with every event I attend.
Of course, many of you saw the front page article in the Raleigh News and Observer Sunday. It is yet another example of our message getting out. If you doubt it, read the quote from former State Party Chairman Ferrell Blount. “He is not the Walter Jones we elected in 1994.” Sound familiar?
It is also reassuring to see that when people take the time to look at the facts objectively, they discover that Walter Jones’ voting record is off base with his constituents on many more issues than support of the troops. His continued assertion that he is a conservative who believes in less government and less spending is laughable in the face of his voting record for some of the most outrageous pork projects in recent memory.
The article also addresses the rumor around Washington D.C. that Walter is considering a move back to his roots with a return to the Democratic Party. He has been openly courted by the liberal left and his voting record shows that it wouldn’t be a huge leap. You would think that if a so called conservative Republican were asked about switching to the Pelosi, Kennedy and Clinton controlled Democratic Party, the answer would be a resounding “No Chance!”. Well, in interview after interview, his answer is always hedged with comments like “At this point” or “At the present time”. In fact, read a portion of his most detailed answer on record from an article in The Hill, when asked earlier this year whether he was contemplating a switch. “I just take each day as it comes. I certainly think about where I will be a year or two or three years from now….” Jones said.
Is this the type of man we want representing us in Congress? Do we want a man who cannot make a commitment to his Party? Do we want a man who cannot make a commitment to support our troops, whether he agrees with the mission or not? Do we want a man who no longer represents the will of his constituents?
I think I know your answer to all these questions. I hear you say it each time I speak with you. Let there be no doubt: Joe McLaughlin will stand for the values that you stand for. I will defend your right to debate the issues surrounding the war, but never waver in support of the troops that are fighting that war. I will vote to uphold your strong values on the issues of sanctity of life and marriage, without hiding behind those conservative stances in order to mask a liberal voting record on almost all other key issues. I will demand that our borders be controlled and never vote for any legislation that would provide a fast-track to citizenship for those who entered this country illegally.
As your Congressman, I might sometimes disagree with my leadership, but I will never disgrace the Party of great men like Ronald Reagan by being a Republican in Name Only. There will never be articles written in newspapers asking questions about why I was voting with the liberal left and against the people I am supposed to represent. I will not sell out my principles in return from political favors from the liberal left.
It’s time we took our Congressional seat back. Whether Walter Jones runs as a Democrat, Republican or Unaffiliated is no concern to me. The citizens of this district want a conservative and I will represent your conservative values. I just need your help to get there. Please keep spreading the word.
Link to the News and Observer Article
http://www.newsobserver.com/politics/story/705713.html
See you on the campaign trail!
Joe
Quote of the Week: "The American people need to be assured that they have a government that supports the commander-in-chief as he seeks to protect our country."
Walter Jones, October 2002. How things have changed.

Happy Birthday Joe

Dear Friends,
Today is my husband Joe’s 53rd birthday. It will be spent like most days, splitting time between his #1 priority, his family, and what he views as his duty to the people of this district - his campaign to become your next Congressman.
Through 25 years of marriage, I’ve watched Joe serve our country as a soldier and a statesman, but I’ve never seen him more committed. He knows the challenges of this campaign and he’s attacked them in the same manner he does every challenge. He analyzes the task, formulates a plan and then gives it 100%.
I’m not as politically savvy as Joe, but I know what I see across the district, and I know what I see in our home - and it is very encouraging. Night after night, Joe comes home with stories from the campaign trail. Our phone rings off the hook with well-wishers. It’s hard to go shopping with him because he barely takes a step without someone stopping him to talk about the campaign. I’ve learned a lot about politics in the past few months and one of the most important things I’ve learned is that good people are willing to step forward for a good man.
I have been so moved by the stories of military men and women and their families who have stepped forward to thank Joe for standing up for them. At a time when so many of our troops are putting their lives on the line for this nation and our way of live, it is an honor to have their support and Joe will never forget them.
I ask you now if you would join me in helping Joe stand up for our brave men and women in uniform. I can think of know more special or important gift that you can deliver to Joe on his birthday, then your commitment to help him fight for our troops and for our conservative values. He tells me his campaign needs money now, as another reporting period ends this month. As he explained to me, these early reports are an important show of strength for a campaign and there may be no more important report than this one. Please consider making a donation to the campaign and help Joe in his efforts to bring true conservative leadership back to Congress.
You can contribute right now with your credit card at Joe’s website, www.joeforcongress.com/donate or if you prefer, send a check to his campaign treasurer. (His address is listed at the bottom of this email)
Please do this today. By giving today, you would help give Joe a great birthday present and would give his campaign time to process the donations so they meet this most important campaign deadline at the end of the month.
Thanks again for all your support. It is people like you who inspire Joe to spend the long hours involved in this campaign. He tells me often that he will do all he can but he can’t do it alone. Please contribute today and send Joe a birthday present that will help in his goal of serving you as your United States Congressman. www.joeforcongress.com/donate
Thanks again for helping my husband.
Sherrill McLaughlin

Joe Reflects on the Last Six Years

This will be an interesting few days and I hope all of you will keep an eye on the national news. Today and tomorrow, General David Petraeus will deliver a report to Congress on the progress of the war in Iraq. Some Congressmen are expecting his news to be positive as it relates to the military success of the troop surge and those vested in defeat are already questioning his character. I hope you will listen on your own and make informed opinions, but make no mistake: there are many in this Congress whose political futures rely on our defeat, not victory, in Iraq. Also remember that debate on the war is a positive function of our Constitutional Republic, but their can be no wavering in the support of our troops when they are in harm’s way.
It’s hard to look at the calendar this morning and not think about the date tomorrow. None of us can ever look at the date September 11 again without thinking of the tragic events of that day. But today, I’d like to take a minute not to focus on the tragedy, but on the resolve that was shown by the American people in the aftermath.
The terrorists who boarded those planes that September morning had a vision of what America would be like following their deadly mission. They envisioned a nation that would be fractured and weak. They pictured a nation whose spirit would be broken by an attack on America soil. That was a major flaw in their plan and in fact, some learned it even before their deaths.
The terrorists who took control of flight 93 that September morning had never expected average citizens to rise from their seats and attempt to retake control of that plane. They expected to fly an airliner into another target in Washington D.C. and bring a nation to their knees. Instead, the plane crashed into remote Pennsylvania farmland, in an ultimate show of American resolve.
The terrorists’ long term mission was a failure. Six years later, we are a nation that flies our flag more often and with more pride. We take moments not only to honor our military that have given the ultimate sacrifice, but we also honor those who are still among us and thank them for their service every time we get the opportunity.
I ask you to remind yourself and others who will inevitably discuss the topic in the next 48 hours that we have not suffered another attack since 9/11. If you remember the days following the attacks, it was a foregone conclusion that we would see more. This is a huge success of the Bush administration that rarely receives a mention.
The War on Terror has not been without its’ problems. (I challenge you to find any war that goes exactly as planned.) It seems many in our nation have slept so comfortably for so many years under the blanket of peace that they have forgotten the realities of war. Unfortunately, loss of life is part of war but it is a sacrifice those who serve understand is a possibility they must deal with on a daily basis.
So as we approach six years since the attacks of 9/11, I ask you to pay your respects to the fallen, but do not forget the aftermath. Focus on the American Spirit that rose from the smoke at the Twin Towers, the Pentagon and on a farm in Shanksville, Pennsylvania. Because today, we know more than ever before that the mission of the terrorists who took control of those planes was a failure. Their mission was to break our spirit and I’m proud to say the American spirit has never been stronger.
See you on the campaign trail!
Joe
PS..I'd like to invite any of you in the Kinston area to attend the monthly meeting of the Lenoir County GOP tonight. I have been invited to speak and look forward to seeing many of you there at King’s Restaurant at 7pm.

Hear About Joe from Joe

On this Labor Day morning, I will deviate from our normal format to address an important issue.

I have already heard the outrage from many of you about the ads playing on talk radio stations in Eastern North Carolina. These ads are produced and purchased by the ultra-liberal Democratic front group, called VoteVets.org and they are praising Congressman Walter Jones for his stance “in support of our troops”. That’s right…. A group that spent almost a million dollars last election running attack ads against Republican Congressmen is now running an ad in support of Walter Jones. Anyone who still has doubt about Walter Jones’ shift to the liberal left need only do a little research about this group that now supports him.

For starters, they have championed Hillary Clinton’s Presidential campaign on national TV, with their Chairman calling her the candidate that “has all the attributes of a strong Commander in Chief”. Just let that scenario sink in for a moment.

VoteVets.org drew heavy criticism in the 2006 elections for running blatantly misleading ads that falsely accused Republicans of voting against body armor for troops and providing American forces with flak vests that were leftovers from the Vietnam War. They even have the nerve to start the ad by saying that their spokesman, retired Major General John Batiste, is a “proud Republican”. This is almost comical considering the fact that Batiste advocated for a Democratic take-over of the Congress in 2006, evidenced by his quote in Salon.com as saying, “The best thing that can happen right now is for one or both of our houses to go Democratic….”

Maybe most disturbing is some of the language used in this ad to reference to our brave troops. One line says that our troops are “killing and dying” in Iraq. Killing? This is a poor and offensive choice of words for men and women who are doing their duty.

Another line in the commercial says that politicians are “breaking our great Army and Marine Corps”. Breaking? Although I respect Gen. Batiste’s service to our nation, I would challenge him to walk up to a Marine in Iraq and call them “broken”.

Friends, we must respond to this outrage. I don’t have these liberal groups with their unlimited bank accounts to run ads for me. I count on people just like you. My campaign would like to air a response to this outrageous ad but I can’t do it without your help.

Won’t you consider making a donation to my campaign today? We will use these funds to purchase radio commercials on the same stations that are currently airing these outrageous ads. As little as $100 will purchase 4 ads and as you listen, you will know that you made a difference in setting the record straight.

Please go to my website at www.joeforcongress.com/donate and use your credit card to make a donation. If you wish to send a check, please send it directly to my treasurer so we can get these ads on the air as quickly as possible.

See you on the campaign trail!

Joe

Quote of the Week: "It pisses me off. They don't understand. We enlisted after 9/11. We want to be here."

Lance Corporal Robert Lamica, a Marine serving in a combat zone in Iraq, when asked by a reporter how he and other Marines feel about politicians who say they "support the troops" but not the war.

Joe Knows Immigration Reform

The campaign made National news again last week and I can’t thank you enough for all of your support. The article featured in Politico was picked up by a wide variety of news sources including USA Today and US News and World Report. More importantly, you forwarded it to countless numbers of your friends and neighbors. The response was overwhelming as people flocked to the website to find out more about our campaign. We had the largest week of signups to the Monday Memo, so to those of you who are new here, we’re continuing a series where I give my stance on the issues that matter most to you and compare them to the record of Congressman Walter Jones. Previously, we’ve looked at taxes & spending and today I wanted to touch on immigration.

This is one of the most talked about topics in American politics and I’m asked about it everywhere I go. My answer is short and direct: We cannot address the immigration crisis in our nation until or borders are controlled.

As your Congressman, I will never support legislation that gives a fast track to citizenship to those who are in this country illegally. This goes against the very fabric of our nation and is an insult to all those who are currently working within the system to attain the dream of so many across the globe, American citizenship. Also, I will not support government programs that use your tax dollars to give aid to those who have come to this country illegally.

Where does Walter Jones stand on this issue? Congressman Jones has been a vocal supporter of securing our borders, but as is the case with so many issues, his recent votes don’t reflect that stance.

Many of you remember the highly controversial agricultural funding bill that came before the House earlier this month. Republicans had supported an amendment to that bill that would have barred illegal aliens from receiving taxpayer funded benefits. Initially, the bill passed but am unethical procedural maneuver by the Democrat leadership overturned the vote, causing an uproar on the House floor and a walk-out by Republicans. Most Republicans refused to return to the floor to vote on the bill which still included your tax money going to illegal aliens. However, Walter Jones not only came to the floor to vote but sided with the liberal leadership in support of this bill. It is yet another example of his actions in Washington not lining up with what he tells us here in North Carolina.

We must have a Congressman who practices what he preaches. I will not sell my votes to the liberal leadership in hopes of gaining political trinkets for my district.

Please continue to forward this memo to friends and neighbors and remember that this is YOUR campaign. It will not succeed without your support.

See you on the campaign trail!

Joe

Quote of the Week: "Walter Jones' rethoric does not line up with his voting record."

David Keating, Executive Director for The Club for Growth, last week during a radio interview talking about Walter Jones' abysmal voting record when it comes to wasteful spending.