Up until now, I have not put in my two cents worth in the Special Election congressional race in Florida’s CD 19. District 19 is Robert Wexler’s old seat- you know, the ex-Congressman from Maryland. So far, I’ve had the opportunity to watch a few debates where the three Republican primary challengers seemed less than friendly towards each other as they exchanged barbs, but that’s not to be unexpected in a tough political campaign.
First, a little background on the candidates. Edward Lynch contested for the same seat in 2008 against the aforementioned Wexler, and despite his loss, Lynch was able to garner over 100,000 votes in a difficult political environment. After his loss, Lynch declared he would run again. Later in 2009, fellow Republicans Joe Budd and Curt Price have also joined the primary contest at about the same time when Robert Wexler abruptly resigned his Congressional seat. Fantastic! I love a spirited race.
The other night at a Republican club meeting in Wynmoor, the three candidates were asked if they would support whoever wins in the special election. In one of the more absurd public displays of political pettiness I’ve ever witnessed, two of the candidates in the race, Joe Budd and Curt Price stated affirmatively that they would not support Edward Lynch if he were to win the race.
I have tried to get a response from both Budd and Price campaigns, but I have not received a response yet. The Lynch camp did comment specifically on their opponents’ remarks themselves, but they reiterated the fact that they would support either Budd or Price if either of them were to win the race.
So Joe Budd and Curt Price, I’ll give you one more opportunity to clarify your thoughts- If you won’t support Edward Lynch if he were to prevail in the Republican Primary, will you be supporting the eventual Democrat candidate as an act of spite?
Decide for yourself if this type of conduct is acceptable in a Republican primary:
17 Responses to “Principles over Politics?”
I announced on the Dick Farrell radio show yesterday morning that I would back Ed Lynch should he win the republican primary if he would provide me with documentation supporting two of his claims. I would not disclose those two questions on the air because I wanted to do the right thing and ask him privately face to face.
Yesterday, before a candidate forum sponsored by the SE FL Chamber of Commerce I spoke with him and handed him a written request for the items of interest. At another event later that evening I approached him and asked if he was preparing a reply. He told me that he would not provide the documentation I requested.
Therefore, I am morally free to discuss the issue. My first question was for him to provide documentation to support his claims of being owed $5 million dollars from some contracting work he did at the VA of Miami. He refused to substantiate that claim. Secondly, I asked him to show me his official campaign bank statement from September 2009. He has also refused to show me the statement. I will show my statements to anyone who requests them.
According to his FEC filing from 9/30/2009 there should be $76,275.51 in that account. Mr. Lynch has been notoriously late on his filings and the FEC is constantly asking him to correct information that has been reported and has fined him at least twice so far. He has been given a disavow notice of his candiday for not filing his FEC Form 2. He has also not complied with the 1/21/2010 deadline for his pre-primary filing as of yet. Both myself and Curt Price have filed.
I will expose in Washington the same issues that I see here. My campaign is putting principles over politics. Some may not like the truth but we have a tremendous opportunity to win this election and I for one won’t stand by and allow that opportunity to be squandered. I intend on representing the people with the utmost integrity. My name is Joe Budd, not Southwest Airlines, bags don’t fly free!
Ed Lynch has a 1.4 million dollar judgment against him from the IRS.
Ed Lynch has 7 FEC violations against him on the FEC web site.
Ed Lynch has at least a half a dozen legal judgments against him in court from private citizens and businesses.
Ed Lynch was a Democrat until 2004, when he conveniently switched parties.
Curt Price and Joe Budd are 100% correct not to support him. Lynch does not deserve their backing. He’s a sleazy slick Willy. They are probably afraid the stink will rub off.
Speaking from a personal point of view, if Lynch were to win the primary :::shudder:::, I would stay home on election day. The Republican’s don’t stand a chance of beating Deutch anyway if they run Lynch. He has so much dirty laundry lurking in public records alone that they will make us a laughingstock.
Perhaps that’s part of the overall strategy. Get the Democrat in and if he loses, no big deal. We have the RINO in there to pick up the slack.
So, in other words, Price and Budd would be okay with a Democratic win and the eventual support of mandated healthcare with abortion funding. In the event that Price or Budd were to lose the primary, they could encourage all of their supporters to support Lynch, which would help us get rid of this current healthcare reform bill if Lynch were to win the general election. The fact that they wouldn’t support Lynch says that they don’t care very much about defeating this healthcare bill afterall.
And to what problems with Lynch is Budd referring? Is it the fact that Lynch is exercising his right to contest what the IRS deems should be paid in taxes for Lynch’s sold business? I admire a man (Lynch) that stands up for himself and contests an IRS valuation that he deems not correct. I guess this means that Budd would simply cower to the IRS and just pay whatever they tell him to pay.
Budd and Price evidently are closet liberals or RINO’s at best. The types that would make backroom deals with the McCain/Feingold’s of the political world. The types that have fat thumbs always checking to see which way the “convenient” political winds blow. Enough of them, they are white-washed tombs full of dead men’s bones and all unrighteousness. Look at http://www.spiritof94.org and see what the true American Patriot (conservative grassroots to be specific) is hitching its wagon to.
Pretty funny that you buy the bit about “The IRS over-valued my business”. The business sold for whatever it sold for, period. That is what the IRS levys their tax figures on. I would like to see that sale paper work on this alleged business that most likely closed it’s doors with unpaid taxes.
Mary, is this concept over your head? That’s the only reason I can imagine that you buy into this fairy tale.
Javier- step up and ensure my right to free speech, would you please?
All three gentlemen appeared at our local Repub Club meeting this month and the two who say they won’t support Lynch have indicated that they have lost all respect for the man during the campaign. I do think they owe the electorate to be more specific. I’m sure they wouldn’t vote for the Dem as they are conservatives.
Up until today the FEC indicated that Joe Budd had raised $0 and had $0 dollars on-hand. Today it finally show’s some funds raised. Though far less than he’s claimed publicly at various forums.
However, it still indicates that his Party is “unknown”. His actions and words show that he’s clearly NOT a Republican. He has been using innuendo, exaggerated and totally false claims to slam the best man for the job because he can’t compete in the arena of ideas. In fact just about every clever line and policy stance Joe has, right down to pulling out his copy of the Constitution, he STOLE from Ed Lynch. If you want the Democrats to keep CD-19 you should vote for Joe Budd in the primary.
Otherwise, don’t be a Buddhead, vote for Edward Lynch.
I actually tried to show Joe Budd the documentation today regarding what is owed to my company when I was lambasted on the Jeff Katz show. He refused to even look at the documentation so I will post it on my website. I did say that I would not disclose my bank statements as an ordinary practice of business. I do not know any business people who fail to understand that you do not turn over bank statements to the general public.
With regard to the “$5 million” dollars that is owed to my company, I did not come up with that number, it was actually a number that the Palm Beach Post came up with after I faxed the reporter the documenation that Joe is requesting. This reporter also spoke at length with my attorney. I never discuss what is owed to me nor do I discuss what I owe, I will say that I am owed significantly more than I owe, and since my contracts are pay when paid, I actually owe nothing until I am paid.
Joe is now changing his position and is willing to support me under certain conditions that I tried to meet, much to his chagrin. This is a classic example of “politics as usual”.
I find it regrettable that in all of the back and forth, this other candidate is able to skirt discussing the actual issues which is what does matter to the voters.
Oh Ed, Puhleeeease!
You and I both know you’re full of hot air.
No way you tried to show Joe Budd the paperwork he asked for.
Let’s clear this up right now. Unfortunately for me, I have dealt with the IRS on behalf of a loved one so I know you are given AMPLE opportunity prior to the seizure of assets. Please post on your web site the document that states their “Notice of Intent to Levy” your earnings from the VA Hospital. It’s that simple and does not contain any private information. The other documentation that Joe wanted should be posted as well to eliminate any doubt.
And speaking of the VA Hospital and sticking the bond issuer with paying the sub-contractors, you are under court orders to repay them. How can you say you are operating under state laws if a judge ruled against you? Sounds counter-intuitive, doesn’t it?
Now, I am following the race closely, so I know that Joe asked to see your bank statement to see if it matched your FEC statement. All you have to do is give 1 man a glance at it. He did not ask you to release it to the public, did he?
You are worse than some democrats with the excuses.
Another excuse from Ed Lynch. Blames the 5 million statement on the reporter?
The people of District 19 have a right to know the truth. It’s time you put up or shut up!
If Budd were actually a viable candidate, that could beat the eventual Democratic nominee, he’d be talking about the issues that confront the voters of District 19 and why they ought to vote for him.
But he’s not a viable candidate, so instead he uses exaggerations, lies and innuendo (which he got from disgraced former-Congressman Wexler) to attack the front runner Ed Lynch. Budd apparently wants the Democrats to retain this congressional seat, since he’s made it clear he won’t get behind the nominee that the Republican voters of District 19 choose if it’s Ed Lynch.
Joe should take his own advice and shut up!
Joe Budd-
Are you really that crass and classless, or is that only a subordinate of yours who posts comments using your name? Either way, you look foolish. Try talking about the issues, we voters want a real debate. Thanks.
People that live in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones. Joseph E. Budd is far from clean. Just ask the people that filed complaints against him for his work as a financial planner/investment broker. You don’t have to believe me just take a look here:
http://brokercheck.finra.org/Search/Search.aspx
Just type in Joseph E. Budd and have a look for yourselves.
Ed isn’t this your voice?
According to YOU…..you were “misquoted” as to the 5 Million dollars you are owed from the Federal Government?
To make it even easier for you please look at time 44:20 & 45:10 into the attached link (interview)…
OOOOPPPS!!
You really need to start writing down your lies!!!
http://www.talkshoe.com/talkshoe/web/audioPop.jsp?episodeId=311698&cmd=apop
Gee, maybe I’m missing something. I thought the voters were looking for someone with INTEGRITY. I don’t see anyone here attacking Curt Price. Maybe it’s because HE HAS SOME. He could have been another mealy-mouthed politician and said “Yes, I will support him”, but he chose to stand on his HONESTY and PRINCIPLES.
VOTERS WILL RALLY BEHIND SOMEONE LIKE CURT PRICE.
What everyone here is ignoring is the fact that there is an INDEPENDENT candidate – Jim McCormick. I know this because apparently the West Boca Raton Chamber of Commerce decided to have a debate and exclude him from it (it’s in all the papers). He fought to get into that debate and if he’s anything like that in Washington, he’s got my vote.
thanx cosas realmente extraordinarias