LIVE: Tea Party VA-02 Candidate Forum
By D.J. Spiker | Thursday, April 1st, 2010 | Catch-All[Update:
[Update: 9:07 PM] Sandlin: wants social security for care-givers (possibly also stay at home mothers) says motherhood is single biggest trip to poverty and that’s shameful. Room is silent. She was getting ‘no, no, no’ from a few guys about something with entitlements but i wasn’t listening
[Updated: 8:55 PM] FairTax supporters:
Taylor
Golden
Loyola (after repealing the 16th amendment)
Rigell
Mizusawa, if implimented through pilot program
Maulbeck, in principle, but how do you roll it out?
Hutchinson
[Updated: 8:53 PM] Sandlin: I am huge environmentalist, tree hugger and I eat granola… (has no idea what Climate-gate is) Golden jumps in and explains about Al Gore and his views
[Updated: 8:40 PM] Golden: get the federal gov’t out of abortion and send the power back to the states
[Updated: 8:40 PM] Sandlin: pro-gay civil unions because it’s fiscally responsible…got a boo from the front row
[Updated: 8:20 PM] Greatest threat to America? Thankfully, no one made stupid 5th district comments like Verga and co.
[Update: 8:11 PM] phone is dying and talking points are dominating, I’ll be posted quotes that are unusual, as seen below
[Update: 8:08 PM]
Maulbeck: I gotta disagree with Kenny about 2% cuts..’
Golden (caught on mic): gee…
[Update: 8:03 PM]
Sandlin: I’m still waiting for apology from Bush and administration for causing the current President.
[Update: 7:59 PM] they’ve picked up the lace, sorry harder to get it all down!
[Update: 7:52 PM] Top priority in 2010 Republican majority?
Rigell: cut/control Federal spending, reduce size of gov’t
Mizusawa: get gov’t off backs of businesses and control spending
Maulbeck: control gov’t
Hutchinson: Republicans would screw it up; been there done that. Keep gov’t out, let states run themselves
Taylor: reduce debt and spending
Sandlin: line item veto, abolish corporate income tax
Golden: great one-liners but not feasible; reduce every department by 2%, audit everything. ‘come up with a plan ladies and gents’
Loyola: lower taxes, look at FairTax
[Update: 7:46 PM] Everyone in favor of repealing ObamaCare
[Update: 7:46 PM] taking forever, changing time limit to thirty seconds and trying lightning round…
[Update 7:40 PM]
Hutchinson: health care, education, roads, federal reserve…Hutchinson is playing to the Tea Party, but not realistic. Don’t change anything don’t do anything cause it’s ready there in the Constitution.
Taylor: makes plagiarism joke about using Department of Education.
Sandlin: No Child Left Behind, Medicare Part D
Golden: Health care; Department of Education by cutting in budget in half, give half back to states, use other half for R&D
[Update 7:36 PM] Would you block legislation because it’s not specifically permitted in the Constitution, per the 10th Amendment? If so, which would you block or what would you repeal?
Loyola: Health care
Rigell: Health care
Mizusawa: Health care, but also Education
Maulbeck: Health care…brings up Dupli-gate, to mention his reform platform is 3 points, not 9. I could feel the room wince.
[Update 7:32 PM] Taylor says on track to socialist country. Close third on applause. Sandlin is special because her birthday is 9-12, former independent who recently caucused with Republicans. Question time…
[Update 7:28 PM] Maulbeck makes direct appeal to Tea Party vote. Doug Hutchinson is the random candidate on the stage, running as a Tea Party candidate/independent. Former SEAL. Who knew? Most applause besides Rigell (numerous Rigell shirts/supporters here)
[Update 7:25 PM] Golden mentions military, Loyola and Rigell mention business background, Loyola mentions Cuba background and story; Rigell brings up Marine background and business accountability. Mizusawa mentions West Point, Harvard and Armed Service Committee as well as background as businessman.
[Update 7:23 PM] First question is ‘what makes you so special?’ … I can’t make this stuff up folks…
[Update 7:18 PM] Surprisingly, Jessica Sandlin not only hit her signature goal, but also has signs through the room.
Also, anti-Mizusawa piece is on the chair regarding his stance on the fed.
I’m not stalling, the moderator is sucking up to the Tea Party and still talking for four minutes and counting now.
Live from the Wyndham hotel in Virginia Beach, we’ll bring you updates throughout!
And no, no one has threatened my life…yet
All seven GOP candidates (no Chuck Smith) and two others are on the stage
[Update 7:13 PM]
Correction, one of the people on stage is the moderator.
There will be a straw poll conducted for a before and after snapshot amongst attendees. Hour of questions, short intermission then an additional hour.
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Clowns to the left of me, jokers to the right...entrenched on the right as a member of the Establishment, proudly tattooed member of the Republican Party, bartender by trade serving both sides the libations needed to continue the debate and discourse. College student, ten years late, majoring in Public Policy and Administration with an eye to serving the conservative and Republican movement in the public or private sector. ducit amor patriae You can find D.J.on facebook, Twitter, or contact via email at gosport.conservative@gmail.com. You can find D.J.on facebook, Twitter, or contact via email at gosport.conservative@gmail.com.
Comments
49 Responses to "LIVE: Tea Party VA-02 Candidate Forum"
DJ, is this being cast online anywhere? Wish I could be there.. Has anyone asked the candidates if they will leave their present job in order to fully commit their working hours to serving as a congressman? Are any of the candidates seniors? Do the candidates have a sense of just how frightening it is to be a senior in these times from a seniors perpsective?
“Sandlin: I’m still waiting for apology from Bush and administration”..
O’Rino
First part is submitted questions, second is questions from audience.
Hotel wi-fi is not working, no live stream
Dj, could you ask an audience member to ask all 7 to raise their hands and state if they will hold any other job or have any other professional responsibilities other than serving the people as our elected congressman?
They made the audience submit ahead of time. Open mic night here would be…wow
Deja Vu man.. Like uh, Reading Atlas Shrugged. Fling this line from a good friend I am emailing with at them DJ..
“What if all the creative minds of the United States went on strike? What if the productive/creative 10% of us who are builders rather than eaters just said, as it appears the doctors are beginning to say, ‘I’m tired of working for the government, the poor, the disadvantaged, the homeless, the illegals, the prisoners, and everyone else who thinks that I owe him something just because he exists?’ How long would the country last?”
..getting an honest reply should be about as easy as shoving a snowball up a wildcats ass.
“Sandlin: line item veto, abolish corporate income tax”
Um, is she aware that would require a constitutional amendment?
Sorry, in the last comment, the line item veto would require a constitutional amendment, not the abolishment of the corporate income tax.
All but two did a very good job. It was the first time I had ever seen Hutchinson and he is full of fire but I question his substance. Maulbeck was rude to someone who tried to be kind right in front of the entire room. (He should have just let the cushion alone instead of thrown it). Sandlin needs to spend more time learning about what’s going on in the world and issues of today and how she stands on the issues before she runs for office of any level of government. It is not enough to run on “there aren’t enough women in Congress”.
I was very happy of the civility of the event considering what’s been going on. Most had class and composure and the experience in the majority of the candidates for the most part is exceptional.
Dear DJ, completely wrong, 2% cut per year per department is neither draconian or implausible. What is not plausible is to continue down the fiscal path we are on now! r Kenny
Turbo,
To answer your question regarding the person who will be elected to Congress (have to defeat Nye first). This person can expect a $175,000 per salary and will spend about 8 months in DC during the session, another month or so flying around the country and world related to their job and a few months in their home districts. Most if not all who have minor children, move them to DC and they attend school there.
Congressmen are full-time legislators for this reason and no one that I am aware of practices their vocation prior to their election, once they take office, they don’t have the time and may even be barred by law so that a potential conflict of interest does not present itself.
We had a great turnout – at least 225. Even the candidates thought it was a great forum. And yes- we were civil. We tea partiers always are. Even when we are mocked, lied about, and accused of things we never did. Loved the comment “Sucking up to the Tea Party”. Wow. That shows a tremendous misunderstanding on the part of the author.
Tax Day Tea Party- April 15- Town Point Park- Norfolk- 4-7 PM
Delegate Bob Marshall, Steve Elliot Resistnet, John Taylor- Tertium Quids, Bishop E.W. Jackson, are headlining the event. Got a boat? Join the Tea Party Armada in the Elizabeth River.
Kenny, I was simply quoting Maulbeck, not arguing your point
Karen, the moderator pontificated for literally five
minutes at the beginning and two minutes at the end. It had no purpose, added nothing to the event or context, it was simply trying to play to the crowd. Time would have been better spent getting into the debate rather then delving into a spoken editorial about Tea Party, MSM, his website, what the Tea Party means to him, etc
Overall a good event, the format was a bit rough but hard to have a good one with eight candidates
going to try cleaning up this article later, make it easier to read
Rigell-Seemed Too Manufactured. His speach coach isn’t doing much good! If he was worse BEFORE this…wow! Rigell is a good candidate, I just don’t feel he came across all that genuine. The voice raising at the end of every 3 or 4th question (like its a rally) and we have 1 hour left into the debate….strange.
Hutchison did very well.
Taylor sounded too scripted….really Taylor, DAMN
Maulbeck was obviously uncomfortable and in pain, but did descent.
Mizusawa, did well.
Sandlin, I was hoping for more.
Kenny Golden, Not surprised he did well
Loyola Did okay.
Any reason someone thought it was a good idea to put 9 people side by side for that span of time?
I attended the Tea Party forum, which was a total waste of time! Most attendees were campaign workers; candidates had 30-90 seconds to answer questions. It was a night of sound bites and I was hoping for more.
There were several (3) video cameras set up and, according to the moderator, a live radio feed. Perhaps BD can provide a copy or link, for those who would like to see (or hear) unedited versions and come to our own conclusions? In the meantime, I’m happy to share my impression of the night and the candidates. FYI, I’m JUST a voter and not affiliated with any campaign and not nearly as eloquent as many of the BD posters.
Sandlin: Agree with Kathy Mateer. Sandlin’s quote of ‘being a single mother of 5′? Couldn’t help but think OCOTOMOM. Not a serious contender (I hope!).
Maulbeck: Lightweight. Only candidate that couldn’t seem to remember to say his name before answering question (as instructed, for the radio audience). Prone to go off in Bush-isms; left audience head scratching.
Hutchison: Rabid Tea Party guy. Great at delivering one-liners. Can he govern? Heck no. Can he incite? For sure. Does he stand a chance of winning? Think not & hope not.
Taylor: Likeable, but no depth. When asked ANY question his handlers haven’t prepared talking points, he flounders. Seems to have plenty of supporters, but I fail to see depth.
Golden: Interesting. Reminds me of Fred Thompson. However, still collecting signatures at the forum?
Loyola: Not bad. But wounded by dupligate, which Nye’s campaign will certainly use.
Rigell: Interesting. My companion at event, who was looking very closely at Rigell and inclined to support him, since news media & Va Beach establishment think he’s front-runner, said it best: “What a jerk.” (OK, not QUITE the word he used, but it’s publishable!) Rigell reeks of everything centrist Republicans (and Independents) reject … affected, contrived, fake, no substance. If he’s truly the front-runner, once again our party’s taken a stupid pill — and Nye wins another 4 years.
Mizusawa: Perhaps THE guy to watch. I think he’s a sleeper, and hopefully ready to take off. By far, has the best credentials (and gray matter) of any candidate in the race. The General is refreshingly un-programmed and easily the scholar and thinker within this group. My sense is the other campaigns would like to see him disappear? I did read the anti-Mizusawa piece that DJ mentioned. Shamefully, the charges are BOGUS, which BD’s very own video of Eastern Shore forum make perfectly clear. I guess that’s why flyer’s ‘publisher’ is anonymous?
For anyone that happens on this site as I did (a voter looking for candidate information), I hope this post is helpful. Hopefully, BD can provide link to video or audio of the night so all can view and come to their own conclusions.
Taylor does not have “handlers” You have him confused with the Rigell camp.
Yes, I think you do have him confused. Taylor does best on his feet, he doesn’t flounder. Scott Taylor has depth, everytime I have heard him it comes across loud and clear. I do agree with you on the stupid pill. Rigell can’t beat Nye.
Several people I have spoken to regardless of party affilliation or none of the above seemed to think this was a Tea Party event for republicans which is a false rumor. Glenn Nye was repeatedly invited to this event and failed to appear. What is the Tea Party position on Mr. Nye? Has Nye offerred an explanation as to why he was not willing to attend this Tea Party event.
Yes he was outnumbered but if he has the courage to take a stand on the issues wouldn’t this have been a great opportunity for HRTP to listen to all of the candidates. Me thinks its a mix of RLIFUD..
According to Spiker’s report, there wasn’t any room on the stage for Nye since the Moderator apparently fell off the stage. But, there would have been plenty of room if Nye could have sat on Rigell’s shoulders.
Dear Was There. The rest of the candidates gave their background, so for Sandlin to say she is a single mom of five is ok. I came to the event with several women friends who agreed with me that Sandlin is not prepared and is not a conservative. Thelma Drake ran on issues, not on womanhood.
Dear Kathy: Yes, upon review, my comment re Sandler does appear harsh. However, if I recollect accurately, Sandler’s ‘single mom of 5′ statement was not response to background question (first question of the night and where it could have worked well for her), but rather offered up when she was unprepared & unable to address issues question. Her passion and desire to make a difference is commendable, but so much more is (and should be) expected from competitor for district’s congressional seat. We are in agreement in wanting issues-driven women to represent us.
Frankly, it was both frustrating and disappointing to come away from the event noting that several candidates exhibit so little depth, breadth, or acumen. With our country in dire need of scholars & statesmen (and fewer politicians!), it’s unfortunate that few on the D-2 slate can be described as such.
Jared and Ashley: Prior to forum I reviewed all campaigns’ site literature, read BD for 2 weeks prior, and watched entire BD video of last forum. Plus, each candidate was required to state name prior to answering each question. Had no problems distinguishing who was who. I do understand why Taylor is well liked and would hire him in a heartbeat, for my sales staff. He’s great with people, nice-looking, and friendly … and I stand by my earlier impression and statements.
Also, pardon me for pointing out a similarity here: Obama expects I’ll love his HC bill, when I understand it better. You guys think I must be confused, if not impressed with Taylor????
I’d like to know who is responsible for the Green Mizusawa flyer. The only thing that was true on it was he is against the Federal Reserve being audited. He admitted that during the PARWC debate. The rest was a lie. It would be nice if “paid and authorized by” was on it but obviously whoever did it didn’t want to be held accountable.
Nasty political move.
From what I heard, the flyer was put out by a single Individual within the Tea Party Movement.
The majority of the information on it, however, is in fact correct. Bert’s wife is the senior legal council for the Federal Reserve. When Ben Bernanke appears on CSPAN, she is sitting behind him.
Bert used to do legal work for AIG, Bert’s wife wrote the gag order for AIG re: the bailout.
Given the FED’s proclivity to completely dominate politics, economic decision making, and the economy as a whole, this is certainly an issue.
Were Bert to have supported auditing the FED, I don’t believe this would be as big an issue, but given his opposition and the source of his large campaign war chest, serious questions need to be answered regarding where his loyalties lie.
So…Mizusawa can be fed to the dogs because his wife is senior legal council for the Federal Reserve. While I don’t agree with his stance of the Federal Reserve should not be accountable to the American people by being audited, that doesn’t give credence to tying him to people’s politics that his wife works with and for. Is she supposed to quit her job so he can run for Congress??
The FED MUST BE AUDITED. This is not optional.. it is long overdue. Any other candidates out there who oppose auditing the fed, please stand up. Seat the candidates who support auditing.
Yvonne Mizusawa is an enforcement attorney and litigator whose work has resulted in multiple bankers being banned from the banking industry for violating the law. Neither Bert Mizusawa, or his wife, have or ever had any connection to AIG or any bailouts. Bert Mizusawa supports auditing the Federal Reserve. There are continual audits of the Federal Reserve System under section 714 of Title 31 of the U.S. Code. The bill introduced by Ron Paul, titled the “Federal Reserve Transparency Act,” calls for reform of some of the audited areas. Mizusawa favors the transparency these reforms will provide.
The attacks in the flyers distributed at the Tea Party Forum and Mr. Meeropol’s comments in this thread are categorical misrepresentations. Mizusawa’s remarks during a previous candidate forum did highlight consequences that a thorough audit might have on the citizens of our country; he did not speak in opposition to an audit or transparency.
In reference to Mr. Meeropol’s comments, Bert Mizusawa has never represented AIG, his wife did not author the “gag order”, and his wife has never met Ben Bernanke.
General Bert Miuzsawa is a proven and principled conservative who is running on a honorable record of service defending the Constitution and success as a businessman.
Shawn Pattison
Campaign Manager,
Bert Mizusawa for Congress
I am afraid the facts speak otherwise Mr. Pattison.
The fact that you have just lied to us shows that either you are misinformed or that your campaign seeks to hide the truth.
http://www.bloommberg.net/apps/news?pid=20602002&sid=a5bjqcBdkB48
“Chief U.S. District Judge Loretta Preska in Manhattan said on Aug. 24 that the Fed had until Aug. 31 to disclose daily reports on borrowing by banks and other financial institutions. The central bank wants Preska to stay her order, made in a Freedom of Information Act lawsuit, until the U.S. Court of Appeals in New York can act on an appeal that the Fed said it intends to file.
The Fed and U.S. banks would suffer irreparable harm if details of the loan programs were made public, according to the central bank’s senior counsel, Yvonne Mizusawa. ”
I would link to the actual court brief filed by Mrs. Mizusawa, but if you put more than one link in a most, it forces JR to moderate it.
You are also going to say that the Senior Legal Council has never met Mr. Bernanke? You insult my intelligence.
“Yvonne Mizusawa, a lawyer for the Fed, said that if banks stopped using the discount window because of a perceived stigma, it may affect the Fed’s ability to set monetary policy.
“This would make it much more difficult to control short- term interest rates,” Mizusawa said, citing an expert for the central bank. “The stigma results from the fact that the Federal Reserve is a backup source of liquidity.”
That is a statement regarding the discount window, far outside the purview of simply litigation. The discount window, along with open market operations, is how the FED maintains a stranglehold on our economy. Again, stop lying to us. She is the senior legal council for the Federal Reserve, she is not simply an enforcement attorney. Her name is all over numerous court documents regarding bailouts and AIG.
The following is a quote from one of the court documents she filed regarding AIG;
“Finally, the public interest favors a stay. The Board has presented evidence regarding significant harms that could befall not only private companies, but the economy as a whole, if the withheld information is disclosed. Accordingly, the public interest is coextensive with the
Board’s interest in that the harms the Board is seeking to prevent inure to the benefit of the U.S. economy as a whole. In sum, the balance of harms clearly weighs in favor of a stay pending resolution of a possible appeal.
CONCLUSION
For the foregoing reasons, the Board’s motion for a stay pending a possible appeal should
be granted.
Dated: Washington, D.C.
August 26, 2009
/s/Yvonne F. Mizusawa”
Again Mr. Pattison, why do you feel it necessary to lie to us? What does Bert’s campaign have to hide? Had he just come clean and said, “I wear the pants in this family, I don’t care who my wife works for, I am my own man” than this would not at all be an issue. Instead him and yourself continue to lie and cloud the facts. You should be ashamed of yourself for spreading lies about such an important issue as the economic control of our country,
Furthermore, your statement that audits are already provided for is also incorrect. I highly suggest you stop listening to your boss on this and go look things up for yourself;
31 USC 714
“Audits of the Federal Reserve Board and Federal reserve banks may not include – (1) transactions for or with a foreign central bank, government of a foreign country, or nonprivate international financing organization; (2) deliberations, decisions, or actions on monetary policy matters, including discount window operations, reserves of member banks, securities credit, interest on deposits, and open market operations; (3) transactions made under the direction of the Federal Open Market Committee; or (4) a part of a discussion or communication among or between members of the Board of Governors and officers and employees of the Federal Reserve System related to clauses (1)-(3) of this subsection. (c)(1) Except as provided in this subsection, an officer or employee of the General Accounting Office may not disclose information identifying an open bank, an open bank holding company, or a customer of an open or closed bank or bank holding company.
Read more: http://vlex.com/vid/audit-examination-comptroller-currency-19219704#ixzz0k8xPiI38”
This statue actually exempts every major operation of the FED from oversight. Which version of Ron Paul’s bill does he support? The one that leaves out Open Market Operations? The one that does not include the bailouts? There are two bills floating around, HR1207 which has all the co-sponsors and was altered to not include bailouts and HR1348 which has no co-sponsors and includes the bailouts. Which does Bert support?
Chris, I think you’re churning through a non-issue, as Mizusawa wife is not running for Congress and you alluded to a “gag-order” not any specific document. Shawn did not lie, he responded to the information you provided.
I encourage you to contact Mizusawa directly and ask him before you bait and switch the readers of BD. He’s a stellar candidate that would represent the Second District honorably as a conservative.
It’s more exciting to rip though Rigell’s hoax of self-made businessman story than “did Bert’s wife sign this piece of paper or that one” game.
You clearly are ignorant as to the true facts. A gag-order is a specific document and I did in fact cite a portion of that document, although it was a few court motions past the initial order. Yvvone Mizusawa is and was in fact involved in the AIG case and the Bloomberg FOIA request, this is completely contrary to what Bert’s campaign has claimed.
There is no bait and switch, I have put forward my argument, I have put forward supporting documents, I have put forward more than ample proof.
The issue is not what Bert’s wife does, but the fact that his campaign has lied and is continuing to lie about her job and her involvement in these activities.
Again, had Bert just simply said, “This is a non-issue, I don’t care who or what my wife does” then this would not matter.
The fact is that Bert’s campaign manager just came on here and lied about Bert’s wife’s involvement in many issues that Bert will if he goes to Washington and will certainly face if he is the nominee. He said she had no involvement with AIG, the court documents and news reports say completely otherwise.
Why would Bert’s manager come on here and not tell the truth? Unless he was ignorant of the truth, which I would readily believe. He took Bert’s word for it, something a good consultant would never do. All it takes is 5 seconds on Google to see that his wife does a lot more than just litigation. What do they have to hide?
Further, Bert’s stance on the FED raises questions, if he really think that section of the Federal Code provides for an audit, then he is out of his mind. That section specifically exempts all major functions of the FED from an audit, I have posted the code section for all to see.
The only non-issue in this, Mr. Not Jeff Frederick, is the lack of concrete rebuttal to my arguments contained in your post. I have posted all the proof a logical person needs to reach the right conclusion, you have offered no counter argument.
Look at the facts;
Shawn Pattison: “Neither Bert Mizusawa, or his wife, have or ever had any connection to AIG or any bailouts.”
Bloomberg News: “The Fed and U.S. banks would suffer irreparable harm if details of the loan programs were made public, according to the central bank’s senior counsel, Yvonne Mizusawa.”
See the obvious contradiction.
I will have to retract my previous comment regarding Bert working for AIG, at least temporarily until I find documentation to share. When he first came into this race, it was readily available on the internet that he worked for AIG doing legal work. It has since been removed, for obvious reasons. His website still maintains that he worked for a Wall Street Law Firm.
Shawn,
Please kindly inform the readership of Bearing Drift what law firms and companies Bert has done legal work for. This information is incredibly important. Bert’s website says he worked for a wall street law firm, which firm was that? What were his duties?
Thank you Shawn for posting the General’s actual position on the Fed Audit. Most helpful.
For what it’s worth, it was Mizusawa’s answer to this particular question at PARWC that put him on my radar as someone to consider carefully. Out of all candidates present, he was the only one to use his time to note that, under current rules, there are “unintended consequences” of a Fed audit voters might NOT like, and should consider carefully.
How refreshing to hear a candidate go beyond sound bites (party line) and demonstrate deeper understanding of the issues – and potential ‘unintended consequences’ of an action.
The legacy left by good intentioned law making is unarguable – a mountain of crushing, unsustainable debt for our children (and their grandchildren) to clean up.
One could easily argue this is a totally self-inflicted wound, caused by an electorate (on both sides) that consistently votes for unprepared, unschooled, and inept legislators. We haven’t asked for more, so we haven’t gotten much more. Or, as my Grandmother used to say: ”You make your bed; you lie in it.”
Again, I do want to hear more from Golden, but at this time, Mizusawa stands above the pack (for me). He’s the only competitor that isn’t just a combat vet, or just a business owner. His Harvard law degree, work on Wall Street, and time on the Hill is a bonus (for me); the mark of a highly intelligent and accomplished man. If his moral compass is right (and 1st in class at West Point tells me a lot), he appears to be too good to be true – Mizusawa’s background is amazingly similar to many of the founders of our Republic who excelled in many areas, not just one. And, he seems like a rational thinker who should have great appeal to the general electorate, most of whom (according the polls) are like me – center right, not hard right.
Again, interesting to me that he isn’t the Party’s automatic front-runner? Perhaps I’m wrong and we (Republicans) prefer to send up another ‘Average Joe’ to D.C.; someone who makes us feel good, but in the end, is … well, simply average.
@WasThere- I concur with you that Bert did well pointing out the unintended consequences. No one will ride in on a white horse and make sweeping policy changes- to believe otherwise is to fool ourselves. This cannot be the “same ol’, same ol’.”
As I look at this race, a lot of spears have been thrown to eliminate the competition. Too sad. From what I understand now, the flyer was distributed by someone not even living in the 2nd district. I wonder how much they were paid.
Kathy, apparently the districts don’t matter in this election. People from outside of the district are being solicited by Taylor to vote in the poll put out by the New Republic Patriots. I would like to see an inner-district poll that has some reality to the numbers. Does anyone know if such a poll exists?
Really???, it wasn’t Taylor if that’s what you are trying to infer.
Chris Meeropol
Obviously, I have much to learn. I read your post, followed your link and then spent 10 minutes doing my own Google research. Got it now. BD is one place for party hacks to lob out half-truths, accusations, and anything else with a fart’s chance of sticking, on behalf of their candidate.
Point 1: The document you refer to is not a ‘gag order, it’s a ‘motion for stay, pending appeal’, on the execution of judgment of a lower court’s ruling. There is a significant difference between the two actions.
Point 2: The court cases involve news organizations (Bloomberg & Fox) that requested access to all loan records associated with the TARP bailout, under the FIA. A lower court sided with the Bloomberg and ordered the Fed to release loan records (the judgment).
Point 3: CM’s link was to a Bloomberg news story. (See point 2).
Point 4: The stay simply asks that, while the court case goes through the appeals process and until it’s heard and decided by a higher court, the document release be postponed until the higher court rules.
Point 5: The Board of Governors’ position is: once the loan records are released, you can’t undo the act, even if the lower court’s ruling is overturned and decides against the Bloomberg/Fox lawsuits.
I can find nothing sinister in either the process – or the participants. Anyone who wants more than just hand-picked kernels tossed out by CM can begin their own fact-check process by visiting the Tea Party Blog story (which is actually a more informative ‘overview’ than CM’s Bloomberg press release link) and review the PDF file of the actual motion filed (and signed) by Yvonne Mizusawa.
http://www.teapartypatriots.org/BlogPostView.aspx?id=e925c777-cef0-40b0-ad7a-8caf5a6e596b
http://newsroom.law360.com/articlefiles/118869-Bloomberg%20FOIA%20Stay.pdf
Also worth noting is Mrs. Mizusawa’s code of professional conduct requires ”A lawyer should pursue a matter on behalf of a client despite opposition, obstruction or personal inconvenience to the lawyer, and take whatever lawful and ethical measures are required to vindicate a client’s cause or endeavor.”
I can only deduce from CM’s charges he expects Mrs. Mizusawa to either quit her job or break ethical standards, rather than filing a simple motion for stay of judgment, pending the court case working its way through the legal system? (Aren’t we the Party that believes in rule-of-law?)
Also, regarding THIS specific case, it might be helpful to recall news reports like this one (dated April 9, 2009): “Many healthy banks have reported they were forced to take TARP money even though they did not need it. Today, Judge Andrew Napolitano said on FOX News that the chief executive of a $250 billion asset bank told him that his bank was threatened with 5 consecutive years of tax audits by the IRS if the bank did not take the TARP money (bank bailout money) that it did not want to take.”
One could argue, should Bloomberg and Fox win their cases, these innocent banks (and those that long ago repaid TARP loans) will also be targeted and shamed; most will not bother to differentiate between the Bank-of-Americas and the poor schmucks who were strong-armed by Obama.
Regardless, I fail to see how any of this connects Mrs. Mizusawa to the AIG bailout and, unless I’m woefully misinformed, it’s the 7 member Board that makes policy, not legal staff? I would suggest anger over the AIG bailout be directed at the appropriate sources: the President that appoints and the Senate that confirms the Board – not the staff given directive to file suit.
Kathy, I was just stating that the only poll I know is out there right now is the one put out by the New Republic Patriots and that one is not reliable because Taylor is asking for everyone to vote for him in the poll. Even if they are not a 2nd District voter. He put out a mass email on Facebook, as well as a Facebook post, that requested people vote for him in the poll. Thus, it’s unreliable when you are soliciting people from outside of the district to vote for you in a poll.
I wanted to know if there was a poll that was accurate and only polls the people who actually live in the 2nd District.
Dig a little deeper my friend.
AIG recieved over 30 billion in TARP money, so there goes your entire argument.
I had stated previously that the motion I cited was several on down the line from the initial order not to release information.
Again, It does not matter what Mrs. Mizusawa does, it is a none issue.
The issue is that Bert’s campaign manager came on here and lied about what she does. The fact that he lied tells everyone that they have something to hide.
He said she wasn’t involved in the bailouts, she clearly is. See the problem?
In politics, its not the crime, but the coverup, and most of the time there is no crime, only a coverup. This is one of those cases. Had Bert’s manager never came on here and lied to everyone, I would never have made this an issue past informing everyone that the flyer in question at the debate was in part accurate.
Shawn, Bert honorable a public servant as he may be, is married to Yvonne Mizusawa as quoted on Bloomberg as stating “The Fed and U.S. banks would suffer irreparable harm if details of the loan programs were made public, according to the central bank’s senior counsel.” Is this true Shawn? Put me on the record as stating that it appears Bert’s spouse is senior counsel for the FED, Senior Council for a private monster that improperly shuffles taxpayer funds globally and dilutes the value of our currency (I’ll bet the farm often illegally). So Shawn, is Bert’s spouse telling us the fed can’t tell us what it does with taxpayer funds it does not have in posession so as to protect us?
Shawn [rant on] IF ANY CANDIDATE FAILS TO SUPPORT ANYTHING LESS THAN A FULL AUDITING OF THE FED, Its a charade.. They are only looking out for their own hide. Unless Bert and every candidate for that matter is willing to publicly commit to a full gloves off pants on the ground laid bare FULL public disclosure of the Fed, I have to label them as a RINO and a core part of the financial problem.. more of the same ol self serving political tumor we have now that the public is helplessly unable to cut off and kill without effective representation. [/rant off]
Right now Bernanke and his inept actions are throwing ball bearings under our economy and everywhere people are tripping.. the stability we have is from walking over bodies already on the ground.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RBzhRZxp-hk
VA-02 needs an effective congressman unimpeded to challenge the private fed and I am not convinced that Bert Mizusawa will pursue auditing the fed which would in all likelyhood present the appearance of a conflict of some sort. Auditing the fed could result in dissolving or reforming it if facts revealing their remarkable incompetence spilled onto the mainstream press.
Please feel free to correct me where I am mistaken or incorrect, I am off target from time to time. As the saying goes.. if taking flack, you’re close to the target.
Respectfully, T
“Dig a little deeper my friend.
AIG received over 30 billion in TARP money, so there goes your entire argument.
The following is a quote from one of the court documents she filed regarding AIG …”
Chris M.: I believe you might also want to dig deeper into the actual facts?
FACT: We all know AIG received bailout money. I cannot find any lawsuit against the Fed asking for the release of AIG documents. (Please do provide a link, if there is one.)
FACT: The AIG bailout was announced Sept. 18, 2008 when the Fed Board authorized FRB of NY to create a fund from which AIG could draw $85 billion.
FACT: TARP (Troubled Asset Relief Program) did not become law until October 3, 2008, as part of the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 passed by Congress.
FACT: Mrs. Mizuswa was not (is not) a legislator …nor can I find her connected to any legislation that passed TARP … nor is she on the Fed Board that authorized the AIG funds. She is simply the attorney of record for a motion filed in the Bloomberg v. Fed Board of Governors lawsuit. In the lawsuit, Bloomberg is suing for access to records from the TARP program, NOT the AIG bailout.
If you read the actual court filing (which I spoon fed to you as a PDF file), please note: Both the filing, AND HER SUBSEQENT QUOTED COMMENTS, relate to banks that borrowed from the TARP fund, NOT AIG. Are you deliberating misstating fact (lying), when you intro your link with:
“The following is a quote from one of the court documents she filed regarding AIG …”
… or are you simply confused?
“I had stated previously that the motion I cited was several on down the line from the initial order not to release information.”
QUESTION: If the motion you offered to BD readers refers to court case totally unconnected to AIG, might I reasonably expect any motions further down to the line deal with the SAME court case and, therefore, also do NOT involve AIG?
“The issue is that Bert’s campaign manager came on here and lied about what she does. The fact that he lied tells everyone that they have something to hide. … He said she wasn’t involved in the bailouts, she clearly is. See the problem? …. Had Bert’s manager never came on here and lied to everyone, I would never have made this an issue past informing everyone that the flyer in question at the debate was in part accurate.”
FACT: Mr. Patterson stated: Neither Bert Mizusawa, or his wife, have or ever had any connection to AIG or any bailouts.
OPINION: Based upon your link and my own Google search, Mr. Patterson’s statement is correct.
Again, according to your link, Mrs. Mizusawa is the lawyer on record asking the court to delay execution of a lower court judgment (e.g. imposing the penalty) that orders the Fed to release the “names of financial firms it lent to or disclose the amounts or assets put up as collateral under 11 programs “… until the case concludes.
THIS court case is NOT about AIG, it’s NOT about the bailouts …it’s about deciding if Bloomberg and Fox should have access to documents that could potentially cause harm to ANY bank or lending institution that participated in TARP or other programs ~ INCLUDING any healthy banks that were strong-armed by the Obama administration to take TARP funds.
Personally, I have no problem envisioning, that, should the news organizations ultimately win their case, the outcome described in Mrs. Mizusawa’s argument is a fairly credible expectation and the unintended consequences(outlined in her brief) could result in a mass transfer of funds from ALL named institutions, which will likely (in my view) take down the ‘innocent’ with the ‘guilty’.
So, after digging deeper, as you suggested, I must conclude:
- You have confused AIG and TARP, OR sloppily and possibly with total disregard to facts, chosen to lump AIG and TARP together into one action, for the purposes of slander, incitement, or intentional malice.
- Mrs. Mizuswa is not connected to either AIG or the TARP bailouts. She is connected to one (of likely many) court cases resulting from the bailout and likely has a similar (and limited) role/duty to our own AG Cuccinelli’s~ to advise client (employer) on the law…. which is entirely different than setting, impacting, suggesting or promoting her employer’s policies.
I have, however, learned much from this exchange:
– The problem of an uniformed electorate does not reside exclusively on the donkey side.
– If we want more from our elected officials, we must expect more of ourselves.
– If we hope to win elections in 2010/12, we must offer up the best candidates, who can win on issues. And we should collectively stand up & smack down ‘our own’ when they use dishonorable smear tactics, for personal or political gain.
Also, after listening to the new BD podcast with the General, I can’t help but continue to view him as a refreshing change from old school tacticians; someone who clearly expresses a passion for changing the way the peoples’ business is done in Washington – and is leading by example.
And, I suspect, the author of the attack piece anonymously distributed at the forum … has outed himself?
Sir, you are grasping at straws and totally missing the point.
She is the senior lawyer for the FED, her name is on numerous documents that I have cited, in numerous news articles that I have cited, all having to do with the FED refusing the answer Bloombergs FOIA to disclose who the FED bailed out. That is a fact, your references all support that the FED was sued to release information regarding loans made to banks that were bailed out.
Go back and check your facts, AIG is a bank under the bailout programs, Bloomberg was suing to find out who got money, AIG got some of that money, that is undeniable.
To say that the court case is about a FOIA, not a bailout per se, is irrelevant. The court case has to do with disclosing information about a bailout. Being involved in a court case to stop information from getting out about a bailout is certainly being involved in said bailout.
Pattison said she was not involved in any bailouts, defending the FED regarding releasing information pertinent to the bailout is certainly being involved.
You can use all the smoke and mirrors and irrelevant facts you want, the fact remains;
Mrs. Mizusawa’s name is all over court documents trying to stop the release of information regarding the bailouts, that is absolutely indisputable, you have given more evidence to that affect then I have.
She is involved, Bert’s campaign says she isn’t. That is the whole issue.
I don’t care what Bert’s wife does, she isn’t running for congress. Bert is.
Bert is trying to cover up the extent to which his wife is involved with the FED, this raises serious red flags.
That is what this has been about from the beginning.
All he had to say was, my wife doesn’t matter, I do.
Instead he send Pattison to say she was not involved in the bailouts, when she clearly was.
Defending the FED re: a FOIA re: the Bailouts is definitely being involved.
Shawn lied, Bert lied. That is all there is too it.
Why did they lie? That is the question.
Just to go even further;
Maybe that court case I initially cited was only about the bailouts; but this court case definitely is;
http://www.dailypaul.com/node/62725
Bloomberg has also filed several other FOIAs
Just google; “Federal Reserve AIG Lawsuit” and tons of articles come up about people suing the federal reserve to gain information about the bailouts.
Numerous people are suing the FED to find information about the bailouts, as senior legal counsel for the FED, Mrs. Mizusawa is no doubt involved in every single one.
Being involved in potentially dozens of lawsuits to obtain information about the bailouts and being on the side seeking to block that information is certainly being involved in the bailouts themselves. Mrs. Mizusawa has no doubt given her legal opinion to the FED that they need not release any information, this is certainly being involved.
How can you say Mrs. Mizusawa is not involved with AIG or the bailouts when she has signed numerous court documents urging the courts to block the release of that information?
The merits of the case are irrelevant.
The only relevant things are as follows;
1. Shawn Pattison said Bert’s wife was not involved in the bailouts
2. Mrs. Mizusawas name is on numerous court documents pertaining to the disclosure of information regarding the bailouts
What are you not understanding about this?
Further, being senior legal counsel, there is no doubt in my mind the Mrs. Mizusawa has given adivce to the FED regarding the actual implementation of the bailouts.
It would be an insult to Mrs. Mizusawa’s intelligence to say that the FED would not consult their senior legal counsel when embarking on new lending programs not specifically authorized by their charter. Mrs. Mizusawa must be incredibly competent to have advanced this far in her job, so obviously she is well versed in many areas of law.
You seriously expect anyone to believe that the number one lawyer for the Federal Reserve is not intimately involved in giving legal advice regarding the bailouts? They raise the most complicated finance related legal questions in a consternation. Of course she is involved.
Chris, great work in running this down, but keep perspective on maybe that “WasThere” is a “pseudonymous“ and could really be a Mizusawa campaign partisan trying to whitewash the discussion. As JR mentioned in another post: “It’s hard to take anyone seriously if they don’t have the courage to stand by their words with their real name.”
“The only relevant things are as follows;
1. Shawn Pattison said Bert’s wife was not involved in the bailouts
2. Mrs. Mizusawas name is on numerous court documents pertaining to the disclosure of information regarding the bailouts.”
Chris, from what I understand reading the posts here Mrs. Mizusawa was doing her job as Senior Consular to the FED. I agree with you that the FED needs to be throughly scrutinized and made transparent but I don’t see how a government attorney is in any way involved in the TARP decision making process. Calling on my limited knowledge the TARP bailout to the tune of almost $1 billion was begun by George Bush and carried further by Barack Obama. It was a bipartisan effort that no simple government attorney had any way of influencing in my humble opinion. If Congress wants to reign the FED in they have the power to do it and they just might in the future although Bush and now Obama don’t seem to interested in doing so.
I think Bert Mizusawa is a fiscal conservative who just happens to have a wife who is doing her job, nothing more. She had her job before Obama and hopefully will have her job when we get a Republican president again. Let’s put the blame where it lies, with the people who appointed the FED Chairman and supported the TARP policies in the first place. We don’t need socialized health care and sure as heck did not need socialized profits for the banks. However, I do agree that I would like to hear Mr. Mizusawa talk a little more about making the FED transparent and accountable. Thanks for asking the hard questions.
ChrisMeerpol and Tim J:
No, I do not now – nor have I ever – worked, volunteered or campaigned for any candidate, in any political race.
I offered up my first posting as nothing more than a summary of my personal impression of the Tea Party forum and the candidates present. Within the post I agreed with a previous BD comment regarding the anonymous attack piece on the General. Little did I realize this would morph into a ‘debate’ on the merits of auditing the Fed, which I am ill prepared to offer much more than simply my personal opinion.
I do share your passion and anger over AIG, TARP, auto bailouts, Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, etc. And frankly, I wouldn’t loose sleep to see a non-patrician commission investigate (and ultimately indict) Bernake, the Governors Board, the entire Senate Finance Committee, the Treasury Secretary, the auditors and the rating agencies.
What I don’t share is your opinion that, because Mrs. Mizusawa is employed as a lawyer for the Fed, and is part of the legal team (and perhaps lead lawyer) defending against the Bloomberg lawsuit … that she is ‘connected’ to AIG and the bailouts, in the way I assume you infer by ‘connected’. And therefore, if I can’t agree with the ‘connection’, I cannot agree with your conclusion that the General’s campaign ‘lied’.
On this matter, let’s agree to disagree (as agreeably as we can). And I’ll trust if there truly is a smoking gun (putting her in front of the Gov. Board, pushing the benefits of AIG bailout) that someone will flush out in a timely manner… and you’ll post it for all on BD.
In the meantime, I’m off to do my part to help Coach K and the Blue Devils!
“Was There”, interesting points on both sides in a fairly civil discussion from two points of view. Both or you have done homework and have given us some research vectors that may result in some good questions for the next debate.
It is difficult to get good information sometimes because this blog as good as it is, frequently is used as a platform to do “drive-by” assassination attempts on candidates of competing campaigns. Partisan preference, facts and talking points are used as ammunition and the truth is sacrificed somewhere in between. And, Coach K and the Blue Devils aside, you are still a “pseudonymous”.
+1 John. I would enjoy watching a debate between Golden and Mizusawa. Two class acts, plenty of proven leadership experience, considerably well educated, sure footed when speaking and they both seem to grasp congressional territory considerably better than the other candidates.. no offense to the remaining candidates but our district, state and country are at high risk. The dems are licking their chops.. who is for dinner?
We figuratively and literally cannot afford a candidate that wilts under pressure from the old red aka Dem power brokers who will bully the VA-02 GOP behind the scenes to seat Nye. Old Red? The traditional color that democrats and all other major left wing parties of the past were associated with until Tim Russert and main stream media psyops switched colors on an unassuming public in 2000.
“Turbo” so would I. Gen. Mizusawa certainly kept his head over this flap and that kind of poise would come in handy in an election against Nye with all the pressure that will be put on our candidate from the Democrats. He and Golden appeal to me with Bert Mizusawa’s combined military and private industry background a plus. Bearing Drift is a great source of information in helping me determine who is the best candidate.
Tim J:
I didn’t realize name, rank and serial number were required to post on BD? If so, I would be happy to follow rules, but other than the candidates and campaign managers, I don’t see anyone providing ID information? I do agree completely with your ‘drive by’ comment, which is why I rely more on JR’s pod casts and forum videos to collect unfiltered info, rather than member posts.
As mentioned prior, I am not affiliated with any specific campaign, and yes, at the moment, I find Mizusawa the most interesting and promising, but still looking for opportunities to know more about Golden, which the ODU forum video will likely provide.
I wasn’t born in the District, but have spent most of my life connected to it. Never served in the military, but do come from a military family. My father spent 27 years in service, my mother was civil service (with TS clearance). Our family settled here upon Dad’s return from Vietnam. I went to school here (5-12 + college) and have worked and lived in the area most of my life. I own my own business, having also done time w/ ‘corporate’, but never local, state or federal government sector.
Decided to get active early this time after watching the HC bill go down on CSPAN. In the past, I’ve usually done little more than go to the polls and pull a lever. I am as frustrated w/ the R’s as I am at the D’s, who have ALL spent our country into a perilous position. Am entering the fight because my generation has contributed more than its fair share to the mess by our kumbaya, we-are-the-world thinking …and by simply not paying attention and electing representatives who lack what it takes to drive this ship safely through the storm.
Consequently, if I want our Party to serve up the strongest candidate, with the best chance against Nye, I am paying attention now. BD is part of my quest for more information, as was the Tea Party forum, my first political event. I went to view the candidates and to explore the Tea Party movement.
I’m hoping to find the following in a candidate:
-Character – does matter, a lot.
-Intellectual honesty and candor. Tell me what I need to hear, not what I want to hear.
-Well informed, well educated, and thoughtful.
-Moderation – please, RNC, don’t serve up the far right-winger in the field. I believe there are still a number of blue-dogs that, if we can increase our numbers in 2010, would welcome something other than Pelosi-Reid tactics, especially following a 2010 beat down.
-Fiscal conservative.
-Mental acuity and diversity to understand economics, national defense, foreign policy, debt reduction, etc.
-Someone who will read the legislation ~ AND UNDERSTAND the legislation.
-Military experience – in the 2nd, it carries greater weight than most.
-Private sector experience.
-Ready to roll on day one. Am usually open to “passionate, but young and inexperienced”;not at this critical time.
I am (as one of the candidates said at the forum) “nothing special”. One voter, with one opinion, and one vote to cast. However, and perhaps I’m fooling myself, do think I’m highly representative of the center-right Republicans and Independents who will be voting in Virginia in 2010. Perhaps not in the primary, but DEFINITELY in the general campaign. And, given my personal short list, it’s obvious why Mizusawa caught my attention and why I want to know more about Golden.
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