Ben Loyola’s Campaign Takes the Low Road in the 2nd District

Checking my email today and received another burst of emails claiming victory in the recent 2nd District debates. Usually, I quickly skim for anything worth reading, most are simple bluster and spin. However, after the VBTA town hall debate this past Saturday, Ben Loyola’s new campaign team stooped to a new low, insulting supporters intelligence and potentially launching the first salvo in what would be an unmistakably ugly nomination fight.

To whit (and yes this is unedited):

Interestingly enough, the 2002 YES Campaign to raise taxes was addressed. The YES Campaign was an attempt to raise taxes for transportation in Hampton Roads. Apparently, one of the candidates had a huge hand in the effort, and many members were extremely disgruntled and angry that one of our own Republican candidates would vote in such a way with his check book. A member of the Alliance asked the candidate why he donated 10,000 dollars to the campaign. He answered “it was the only option at the time”. The crowd fell silent.

Loyola felt that any person that did the research would have found that the revenue generated from the campaign had no way of being lock-boxed for Hampton Roads. Loyola explained that such negligence on behalf of a Republican candidate shows a lack of judgment and foresight, and counterproductive for a campaign supposedly centered on creating jobs.

First, ignore the very poorly written paragraph. I’ve said my piece on the YES! campaign previously, which you can find here buried in the comments section, but everyone who’s following the race at this point knows that candidate is Scott Rigell. ‘Interestingly enough’ and ‘apparently’ insinuates that this was somehow new knowledge to the campaign, a fact that simply is not true. Are Loyola’s supporters just too stupid to know otherwise? Then, to cap it off, Loyola’s 20/20 hindsight and ‘anyone who would have done research’ comments are an inexcusable bashing of a candidate.

But the most concerning thing is that Loyola’s campaign team didn’t have the courage to name the candidate or confront him at the debate, but rather sends out a childish and immature press release after the fact. This after what has been by all accounts a fairly civil and respectful debate process, both on the Eastern Shore Thursday and in Virginia Beach on Saturday morning. These tactics were more commonplace in the 8th District State Senate race; those consultants were removed by Loyola, in what appeared on the surface as a positive change. However if this is the type of campaign we should expect by the Loyola camp, the Republican party as a whole would be better off with Loyola bowing out gracefully. Doing so would save us from what appears to be a strategy of division, alienation and childishness.

While I disagree that a donation from a company eight years ago is an issue, I understand that it is a contrast and will be discussed. But to lack the fortitude or inclination to even name the candidate you’re attacking, to use smarmy and condescension phrases like ‘any person that did the research’ , ‘such negligence on behalf of a Republican candidate shows a lack of judgment and foresight’ and ‘supposedly centered on creating jobs’ is inexcusable and reprehensible for a candidate running for the United States Congress. There is no reason for this nomination process to devolve into petty, schoolyard tactics such as this and shame on Ben Loyola and his campaign team for slinging mud and launching what would be the first official shot of a negative campaign.

Ben Loyola’s campaign owes the voters of the 2nd District and more importantly his supporters an apology, as well as a commitment that they plan to run a positive, issues-based campaign moving forward.

There’s plenty more to take issue with in this press release, the idea that the VBTA consists of ‘like-minded conservatives’ (they’re not, unless Bobby Mathieson and John Bell qualify as conservatives), the notion that this was only Loyola’s third public appearance (baffling, I’ve seen him at least a dozen times in public settings as a candidate), etc etc.

Full text of the press release:

In his third public appearance, Ben Loyola dominated the debate on the issues and outmaneuvered his opponents once again. In the debate hosted by the Virginia Beach Taxpayer Alliance breakfast at Marion Manor retirement community, all of the candidates were asked a variety of questions. From light rail to the overextension of government, from transparency to health care; and Ben Loyola impressed the attendees with his clear conservative vision and knowledge of the issues

Polished and knowledgeable on the issues and facts that mattered most to voters, Loyola was able to give a definitive and conservative choice for the VBTA members. “As congressman my plan is to not only to refuse new taxes, but to lower taxes” The room was filled with shouting and applause in response to Loyola’s reasoned, articulate, and educated answers.

To support his commitment, back in July of 2009, Loyola signed the Americans for Tax Reform pledge. It states he will oppose any and all efforts to increase income tax rates for individuals and businesses, and will oppose the reduction or elimination of deductions and credits. This policy will not only put more money into the working man’s pocket, but will also help with job growth and reducing the unemployment rate.

He further contended that, “the states with the lowest taxes had the lowest unemployment rates, and the states with the lowest unemployment rates had the lowest crime”. He found a direct correlation with those variables.

Interestingly enough, the 2002 YES Campaign to raise taxes was addressed. The YES Campaign was an attempt to raise taxes for transportation in Hampton Roads. Apparently, one of the candidates had a huge hand in the effort, and many members were extremely disgruntled and angry that one of our own Republican candidates would vote in such a way with his check book. A member of the Alliance asked the candidate why he donated 10,000 dollars to the campaign. He answered “it was the only option at the time”. The crowd fell silent.

Loyola felt that any person that did the research would have found that the revenue generated from the campaign had no way of being lock-boxed for Hampton Roads. Loyola explained that such negligence on behalf of a Republican candidate shows a lack of judgment and foresight, and counterproductive for a campaign supposedly centered on creating jobs.

Following the debate, Loyola was surrounded with supporters who identified with his rhetoric. “It’s great to have so many people coming up after I speak, and I’m humbled to know that there are so many like minded conservatives that are concerned with the country as much, if not more than me” Ben stated after the event.

Loyola will have a number of other appearances over the next few months, focused on his message of lower taxes, job growth and prosperity throughout the district.

Ben Loyola is a candidate for the Republican nomination in Virginia’s 2nd Congressional District. He’s a 25-year resident of Virginia Beach, US Naval Academy graduate, 30-year Navy veteran with combat experience, successful award winning businessman, and a true Conservative Reagan Republican.
For more information, visit www.benloyola.com or call 757-831-9581.

Сейчас уже никто не берёт классический кредит, приходя в отделение банка. Это уже в далёком прошлом. Одним из главных достижений прогресса является возможность получать кредиты онлайн, что очень удобно и практично, а также выгодно кредиторам, так как теперь они могут ссудить деньги даже тем, у кого рядом нет филиала их организации, но есть интернет. http://credit-n.ru/zaymyi.html - это один из сайтов, где заёмщики могут заполнить заявку на получение кредита или микрозайма онлайн. Посетите его и оцените удобство взаимодействия с банками и мфо через сеть.