We are in the midst of a very interesting contest for the U.S. House of Representatives. And I have been trying hard to figure out who to vote for. I have seen a lot of your comments on this site, especially those of you who are supporting Weston Wamp. I’m retired, but in my working days we would perform a task with a program to direct us. At the end of that program was a step that said, “Give it a sanity check.” I always called that the “smell test.” Now in my opinion, friends, the Wamp camp is just not passing my smell test.
First off, I just can’t seem to get a grip on where this man stands. Since two years ago he has been all over the board. I support the Tea Party. Oh no I don’t support the Tea Party. I don’t like Pacs. Oh now I like Pacs. I’m a Republican or maybe I'm partly Democrat. It sort of looks like he will be anything that he thinks will gather the votes. Kind of a page out of the Obama playbook for campaigns. But read on.....
In the debate, Wamp made a statement to the effect that the condition of the Lock is in shambles and it was all Fleischmann’s fault. Really? That’s not the way I see it. I clearly remember Zach Wamp telling us if we would re-elect him he would get the funding to fix the Lock. Guess what, he didn’t. I have looked at what Mr.
Fleischmann has done and all I see is his very valid effort to get the Lock fixed. He was given the honor of standing on the floor of the House of Representatives and selling a bill he sponsored. The reports I was able to read all said he did a great job, he got the bill passed, and the bill contained a provision funding the repairs to the Lock. So if anyone's name is to be associated with the condition of the Lock it is Zach Wamp. And I maintain that Weston Wamp was well informed of the facts pertaining to the Lock, but he deliberately misstated the facts. Sorry folks but this doesn’t pass my smell test.
In the debate, Mr Fleischmann made the point that you can’t really get much of anything accomplished in the House during your first two to three years. No one does, it is just the nature of the beast. I know a lot of you may not know this fact so check it out. But there was a gentleman who served one term, two years, in the House. And by his own admission he didn’t accomplish anything. His name was Abraham Lincoln. Now, Mr. Wamp, I can certainly assure you that you are very, very, very far removed from being an Abraham Lincoln. You insist you will make a difference your first two years. My problem with that is that your father is your advisor and he knows the rules of the House and he knows you can’t make a difference your first two years. So why do you continue to stand up and assert that you will. Sorry sir, it just doesn’t pass the smell test.
Now folks for the dastardly deed. One gentleman expressed his displeasure with Fleischmann because of his anger in the debate. After the smoke cleared I started to understand his anger and I feel it also, equally as bad. Mr. Fleischmann accused Mr. Wamp of being a Democrat or at least going to bed with them.. Of course, Mr. Wamp pretended to be indignant and said he was only reaching across the aisle. Sorry folks but that was a smoke screen. What really happened is the Wamp camp went to the Democrats and struck a deal to get them to vote for Wamp. Look at a recent post on this very site where this professed lifelong Democrat was going to vote for Wamp. Now here is my problem with this, aside from the fact I am not in favor of Wamp courting the Democrats. You don’t go to the Democrats and get something from them without giving them something in return. I’d like to know just what it is they are giving up. One thing for certain, I am not likely to be in favor of it nor do I think most of you will either. If it was something we would likely approve of don’t you think they would be bragging about it in their campaign. Sorry folks but this doesn’t pass the smell test.
I have read your remarks about the type of people in Washington that we need to get rid of. My question to you folks is this. Is he not exactly what you are saying you want to be rid of . Underhanded, backdoor politics is not what I want in Washington.
Sorry folks but Mr. Wamp just doesn’t pass my smell test.
Tom Nickell