Randy Edwards Campaign Response
The Randy Edwards campaign responds to the Doug Tudor press release. The Edwards response doesn't make clear whether he is retired or in active service. Tudor has demanded Edwards withdrawal from the race. Tudor accused Edwards of still being active in the Marine Corps. Edwards web site states he is retired.
Randy Edwards is a nineteen year resident of Florida. He and his wife, Sarita, are raising their two sons, Randolph II, and Nicholas, in Valrico. Randy recently retired as a Marine Corps intelligence officer after nearly 22 years and serving multiple combat tours in Afghanistan, Iraq, and Somalia. During his Marine Corps career, Randy also served as a Legislative Assistant and Legislative Fellow in the United States Congress and helped provide disaster aid to the victims of Hurricane Katrina. Randy graduated Phi Beta Kappa and summa cum laude from Morehouse College. He holds a masters degree from the National Defense Intelligence College.
Personally, I wish all parties with take a deep breath and chill.
The Randy Edwards campaign response:
Friends of Randy Edwards For Congress find that it is truly disheartening and sad for a career military member, such as Mr. Tudor, would attack a career combat Marine, Randy Edwards for political gain. Mr. Tudor claims are baseless and full of half truths and innuendo. The mere presence of Randy in the race for the 12th Congressional District clearly demonstrates that Mr. Tudor is very concerned about his political future. Friends of Randy Edwards for Congress are confident that Randy has been following the spirit and letter of Department of Defense Directives; he has not and will not direct campaign activities until it is permissible. Randy has attended certain Democratic club meetings, which is permissible under Department of Defense regulations (see paragraph: 4.1.1.3). Friends of Randy Edwards for Congress only support Randy because he is one of the highest caliber individuals devoted to a lifetime of honor, courage, and commitment. Friends of Randy Edwards for Congress will continue to carry the fight until Randy is able speak out publicly on his own behalf.
Friends of Randy Edwards For Congress believe Mr. Tudor's actions clearly show why he is not "fit" to serve as the next representative of the 12th Congressional District and that the potential and promise of Randy's leadership is a threat to him.
Friends of Randy Edwards For Congress will not respond to any additional attacks from Mr. Tudor.
Excerpts from DODI 1344.10:
4.1.1. A member of the Armed Forces on active duty may:
4.1.1.1. Register, vote, and express a personal opinion on political candidates and issues, but not as a representative of the Armed Forces.
4.1.1.2. Promote and encourage others to exercise their voting franchise, if such promotion does not constitute use of their official authority or influence to interfere with the outcome of any election.
4.1.1.3. Join a partisan or nonpartisan political club and attend its meetings when not in uniform, subject to the restrictions of subparagraph 4.1.2.4. (See DoD Instruction 1334.1 (Reference (c).)
4.1.2. A member of the Armed Forces on active duty shall not:
4.1.2.4. Serve in any official capacity with or be listed as a sponsor of a partisan political club.
Sincerely,
Friends of Randy Edwards For Congress
Labels: doug tudor
posted by Michael Hussey @ 4:40 PM
16 Comments
16 Comments:
Once you get passed the grammatical errors and opinions, that's a confusing response, Mr. Hussey. If that one makes sense to you, then your description of Master Chief Tudor's press release is understandable.
"... he has not and will not direct campaign activities until it is permissible. Randy has attended certain Democratic club meetings, which is permissible under Department of Defense regulations."
He didn't direct campaign activities when he spoke to caucuses and delegations at the Florida Democratic Party Annual Conference? Is that considered a "Democratic club meeting"? Not when he addressed the Bartow meeting and solicited campaign donations in a county building? Not when he spoke as a candidate at the East Hillsborough Democratic Club meeting?
"Friends of Randy Edwards for Congress will continue to carry the fight until Randy is able speak out publicly on his own behalf."
If he didn't do anything wrong, why exactly can he not speak on his own behalf any more?
Mr. Edwards knew he was being videotaped at the FDP Conference and did not hesitate to present himself as a candidate.
Friends of Randy Edwards for Congress may want to take a look at the regulations dealing with candidates. *sigh* This District 12 voter can plainly see who has done their homework and who hasn't. Mr. Edwards either doesn't know the rules, or is unable to understand them. Whichever it is, it doesn't earn my vote.
I'm really curious as to why Tudor supporters are so obsessed with Randy Edwards. The guy got into the race last month and it is questionable if he will get on the ballot. Lori Edwards has a huge financial advantage over Doug Tudor. The Tudor campaign could have gone to the DCCC and had the Randy Edwards matter dealt with internally.
If that one makes sense to you, then your description of Master Chief Tudor's press release is understandable.
Tudor offered no proof to his accusations. I read press releases everyday and take them with a grain of salt. I actually emailed to Randy Edwards campaign and talked with other people. It is called fact-checking.
The hysterical thing is no media service ran Tudor's press release. Tudor is generating no media buzz. I know since I did a Google News search. That is what makes the Randy Edwards attack so weird. Tudor is not generating fundraising or media attention. Yet Randy Edwards (whom came into the race Sept. 2009) is a top priority. This explains why the Tudor campaign is a disaster.
Now I'm confused. Which "Friend of Randy Edwards" was it talking to me in Orlando last weekend asking for my support and my contribution to the Randy Edwards' campaign? Because who ever it was, he presented himself as Randy Edwards.
Looking at the Randy Edwards campaign website, it clearly states that he's retired. When did Randy retire?
I'm glad that someone is interested in protecting the integrity of the United States Military.
Randy Edwards has served his country well, and for those years I say a great big Thank You. However, that response doesn't look like it went through the proper "vetting" by the candidate himself. Better keep a closer watch of those "Friends", Randy.
Let me make sure I understand what the "Friends" of Randy Edwards are saying:
1. He is allowed to campaign
2. He will speak to defend himself but not before the time he is allowed to
3. He hasn't been campaigning
4. He has spoken publicly as a candidate but that isn't campaigning
So, which is it folks? How can all four of the points of your response be true? Each are in direct conflict. I would recommend "Logic for Dummies". It now comes in paperback and is available at your local bookstore. Hell, I would spot you the $24.95 for it and even buy you a venti caramel macchiato while there.
Remember, there are videos that prove he has been campaigning - so don't respond with smoke and mirrors. Be honest.
Here are some simple, yes/no questions for the "Friends" to answer as they are mincing words in their response:
- Is Randy retired from the military? YES or NO
- Is Randy allowed to speak publicly for himself as a candidate as of two weeks ago? YES or NO
- If Randy can not speak publicly for himself as a candidate, what was he doing at these meetings speaking publicly as a candidate for congress?
- What do you call the activity he has participated in thus far?
Your response says that Randy has not been involved in direct campaigning activities. So, when Randy went to the Polk meeting and the East Hillsborough Dems meeting and spoke about his candidacy in public to the entire audience, stated he was running for office, asked for their support, answered questions from members of both groups, and debated with people on his stance on various issues - that isn't direct campaign activities? Again, if your answer is "no" this isn't direct campaign activities - then please for us common folk - you need to define what direct campaign activities are.
As for your political analysis, Hussey... You posted the press release and now Randy Edwards and team are running scared. So, if the objective was to bump him out of the race, you just got used and quite easily might I add. While you sit back and claim no one from the media ran the release, you as a blogger did.
And now "Friends" of Randy Edwards are contradicting themselves. Further, they state in a illogical argument in their response that Edwards hasn't been campaigning, but is allowed to campaign, won't respond to this "attack" because he can't respond directly, but once allowed to respond directly he will. Why aren't you questioning this illogical argument of the "Friends"?
My questions, and Hussey these should have been your questions, are very simple and straight forward and can clear up the entire situation. I find it interesting, Hussey, that you aren't worried or concerned with what is accurate or finding out the truth. You simply keep slamming Tudor for calling out the fact that someone is possibly violating military code.
Rather, your beef is that everything should go through the party. Really? Everything? Are you more concerned about a political party than the honesty and integrity of candidates running on your party's ticket? That speaks volumes about you, Hussey. Isn't that how things work, um, in China?
Does any of this make any sense to you, Hussey? If Randy Edwards drops out of the race, YOU, in your infinite wisdom, Hussey, facilitated the easiest shut down ever while claiming that the entire issue and questioning won't garner anything for any other candidate.
This isn't a matter of being "obsessed" with one candidate. This is a matter of truth and integrity. Isn't it a "disaster" that you are more concerned about hiding the truth through internal workings of a party?
Hey Mike, Looks lIke Randy Edwards updated his campaign site and changed it from "recently retired" to "will soon be retired". Just an FYI
I think Luke has the right questions. Mike, since you state that you like google alerts, set up an alert for "Randy Edwards for Congress." Since Tudor called for Edwards to quit, his site has:
* Went from "Randy Edwards for Congress" to "Friends of Randy Edwards for Congress"
* His military status went from "recently retired" to "soon to be retired." By the way, that means he is still on active duty.
Tudor originally quoted DoDD Inst 1344.10 as his reference. I googled it, and it is an easy read. Edwards' wife, apparently the brains of the outfit and the main "Friend of Randy Edwards" quoted the wrong part of the regulation.
Paragraph 4.1 talks about what active duty members can and can't do politically.
Paragraph 4.2 is the portion of the regulation that deals with Major Edwards. As Tudor said, Edwards did receive a waiver to be a candidate from the Secretary of the Navy. Paragraph 4.2.2.2, though, states that even if the waiver is granted, the rest of the directive still is in effect.
But the real meat of Edwards' violation of written orders is 4.3.3 which states: "Any member on active duty who is permitted to be, or otherwise not prohibited from being, a nominee or candidate for office as described in subparagraph 4.2.1 may NOT participate in any campaign activities. This includes open and active campaigning and all behind-the-scenes activities.
Paragraph 4.3.3 goes on to list all sorts of prohibited activities, which include web sites, campaign literature, public speaking, and campaign strategy management.
Please don't take my word for this. Read the entire directive, and make up your own mind. All Tudor did was bring this issue to light. It will be up to Major Edwards' bosses and lawyers to figure out what happens next.
For me, I appreciate Tudor bringing this to light. If we can't trust Edwards to be honest in his two-week-old campaign, how in the world can we ever trust him to be honest if he's elected.
Now for my nasty dig, we have enough stupid people in politics, we sure don't someone who can't even figure out whether he's on active duty, soon to be retired, or actually retired.
So is Edwards active duty or retired???? Which is it?
And again, Why would Lori's husband run against her?
This is truly hysterical... no one ever reads this blog unless Hussey talks trash about a fellow dem.
This is truly hysterical... no one ever reads this blog unless Hussey talks trash about a fellow dem.
That explains why this blog has been linked in news articles on Tampa Bay 10, the St. Petersburg Times and the Tampa Tribune. The latter was running my RSS feed on their Politics homepage, until I asked them to stop.
Randy Edwards and his friends should be ashamed of themselves for setting out to intentionally mislead the voters of FL12. Randy, are you ashamed of your service? Why else would you consider lying about your status? I'm sure the Marine Corps expects better of its officers...what a shame.
Looks like video of Randy Edwards campaigning has surfaced... interesting that he says no less than 30 seconds into his stump speech that he is retired.
What a disgrace.
Here is the clip....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CTtdNwhpauQ
How sad...I guess a picture, or in this case a video, does speak a thousand words...
A word of advice Randy--- get new friends, the ones you have directing your campaign are making you look pretty stupid. I'm no expert but it sure looks like a campaign speech to me. Maybe you were thinking that the voters of FL12 are not as smart as you are and won't catch on. How arrogant and self important can you be?
After seeing the video and reading this blog, the funniest thing is that you would say that Tudor's claims are full of half truths and innuendo. Isn't that the pot calling the kettle?
Mike, dude - you have been silent on any follow-ups. Did you enjoy the video of the non-campaigning, campaigning, retired, not retired republican, who is AKA Randy Edwards???
Hussey-
The actions of the R. Edwards campaign prove that the Tudor campaign actions were valid. The fact that Mr. Edwards cannot speak on his own behalf is proof positive that he is in the wrong. If you were a true reporter, you would have tried to fact check the alleged wrong doings. The fact that you just voice your biased opinion proves you are not a credible source for information. Not to mention that you did not try a get a response from the Lori Edwards campaign.
You state that you are not a water carrier for the Democratic Party, yet you are in support of Lori Edwards. Last night, Rep. Putnam had a town hall meeting that was attended by mostly conservative teabaggers. Both Lori and Doug were present. The issue that comes up is that Lori made a quick exit after Putnam finished his opening remarks. She did not stay to hear the concerns from her prospective voters. Why? Maybe someone should ask her. Now, keep in mind that this was not a progressive group of people.
Doug Tudor stayed the entire time to hear out the concerns of the crowd. Ask yourself why? I believe it is because he truly wants to represent all voters in D-12. I am a blue dog, who is going to volunteer and support Doug. I do not care how much money Lori Edwards raises out of the district. It is not impressive to me that she had Wasserman-Schultz bundle some cash for her. Her in-district fundraising is less than stellar, Michael, if you did some homework you could see for yourself. oh, wait, you are either incapable or choose not to fact check, either way you are making Pushing Rope into pushing your personal agenda.
either way you are making Pushing Rope into pushing your personal agenda.
It is my blog. I can't push my personal agenda?
I have let commenters diss me on my blog. You won't find that on InstaPundit. I don't think Doug Tudor or Randy Edwards stand a chance against Lori Edwards. The media ignored the Randy Edwards/Doug Tudor feud. If either candidate wants to be taken seriously then they have to make their presence known.
Money is a factor in politics. Lori Edwards is the frontrunner and has national party support. Tudor has to step up his game if he plans to beat Edwards.
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