Posted on 08/02/2020 1:33:02 PM PDT by molewhacka
KNOXVILLE, Tennessee – Sen. Rand Paul, who was in Knoxville Saturday for a town hall event in support of Dr. Manny Sethi for U.S. Senate, said he has never seen a more sincere opponent of Obamacare.
“I guess that’s what sort of bothers me is that people would lie about that,” said Paul. “Obamacare has really messed up healthcare. I think it’s been a disaster for the country.”
Paul’s comments were in response to The Tennessee Star’s question about when he decided to support Sethi when the pair met with the press after the more formal event. Paul’s response was presumably related to the television ads by Sethi’s chief Republican primary opponent Bill Hagerty who accused Sethi of supporting Obamacare.
[Snip]
Clarence Sexton, revered Pastor of Temple Baptist Church and founder and President of Crown College offered an opening prayer after making a few comments about Sethi of whom he said, “I believe in the man running for U.S. Senate.”
Sexton spoke of the influence given to every one of us by God, which he said we should use the best we can.
He told the story of his friend of 30 years, former Congressman John “Jimmy” Duncan, who was also in attendance. Sexton said Duncan called him to say, “This man, Manny Sethi is the real thing.”
Duncan used his influence to persuade Sexton, which he, in turn used to contact 600 pastors in Tennessee and then Zoom called some pastors in all 95 counties to introduce Sethi.
“This is not an ordinary time, not an ordinary election,” said Sexton. “Our country is in the balance and men like this need to be in the United States Senate.” The crowd responded enthusiastically with applause and an “Amen.”
“I’m going to put my two-cents worth in it and say that I’m for him. I can’t tell anybody else who to vote for, but I can tell you who I’m voting for and I can encourage them to use the influence God has given them.”
[Snip]
Jacobs concluded, “All of us need folks who will fight for us in Washington D.C. Folks like Rand Paul. And we need someone who will fight for us in the U.S. Senate alongside Rand Paul and that’s Manny Sethi,” as he introduced Duncan.
[Snip]
With more than 60 years of campaign experience, Duncan said he has never seen “so many false, negative and misleading ads that have run against this man,” gesturing toward Sethi, “in one of our statewide campaigns.”
“It’s horrible what they’re trying to do to Manny Sethi and we need to not let them get away with this,” urged Duncan.
He summarized the main differences in the campaigns of the two front runners as the Bill Hagerty campaign being run from Washington from the top down, while the Sethi campaign is “a grassroots people running campaign.”
Duncan said he understands that the “Senatorial Campaign Committee,” which is supporting the other candidate, had a poll a few days ago that showed Sethi five points ahead, a point enthusiastically received by the crowd.
“There’s never been this much money spent in such a short time as has been done in the last two or three weeks,” observed Duncan.
“I understand that Mr. Hagerty has borrowed $8.5 million personally himself, in addition to all the millions they raised previously and we’ll find out after the final reports after the election that there were even many millions more.”
Duncan said he had just done a robocall for Sethi, saying that to take a strong stand against socialism vote for Sethi.
Duncan said he was proud to stand with other conservatives supporting Sethi, including conservative talk show host and author Mark Levin, Senators Paul and Ted Cruz and former Senator Jim DeMint.
Having met Sethi just a few months ago, Duncan said he has found him to be a good and kind man who is running for all the right reasons and “won’t be a politically correct Senator that cares more about being accepted by the New York Times and The Washington Post. He will care what you think and what you want out of a United States Senator.”
Calling for a standing ovation welcome for Sethi, Duncan brought Sethi to the stage.
Sethi expressed his appreciation for the warm reception and the other town hall participants and said every time he comes out the crowd keeps getting bigger and bigger.
He took a few minutes to make his short stump speech about his parents coming to this country legally and how he has lived the American dream.
He then addressed two issues, with the first being the COVID crisis, which he said is real and serious.
“But this Fauci guy,” said Sethi obviously connecting with his audience, “I’ve had about enough of this guy.”
Over the cheering and applauding crowd, Sethi continued, “It’s time for the president to bring him into the board room and say ‘You’re fired!’”
With regard to hydroxychloroquine, Sethi said we’re not sure, but it saved a colleague of his.
“Where does Facebook get off freezing the accounts of doctors who are talking about this? Did that Mark Zuckerberg guy get an M.D.? Where did he go to med school?”
“It’s time for Facebook and Twitter to get out of our business,” Sethi demanded.
The second thing Sethi addressed was the attacks by his opponent, saying he has always been against Obamacare and he was recently endorsed by Gun Owners of America.
He said that’s what the establishment does is to try to fool the voters that they’re conservative while they are calling him a liberal.
“If I’m so liberal, how come Rand Paul is sitting here right now?”
While the opponent came out with another attack ad earlier in the day, Sethi said he was going to take the high road, “Because I believe in you.”
“I’m here today because of you. Because the people of Tennessee gave the American dream to me and my family.”
“In these final hours, I’m asking for your help and your support,” Sethi asked so that they could stay on TV and fight the establishment.
In introducing Paul, Sethi said, “This guy, now he knows a thing or two about taking on the establishment because in Kentucky they threw just about everything except the kitchen sink at this guy and he has stood for true conservative values. He has fought to keep big government out of our life. He has fought to protect our First Amendment rights, our rights against search and seizure. He is a true constitutional conservative, ladies and gentlemen, Senator Rand Paul.”
“Oh my goodness, I think I smell victory,” Paul told the receptive crowd.
He mentioned the turnout at events held over the past couple of weeks and said, “Manny is the real deal and he’s got a real chance, but we’ve got to finish this thing.”
“I promise you, if any of the attack ads were true, you wouldn’t see me, Ted Cruz, Levin, Jim DeMint,” said Paul, silently counting off Sethi’s four conservative supporters on his fingers.
“We are the conservatives of the conservatives. We are the remnants of the conservatives.”
Elaborating further, Paul said, “I’ll tell you why I’m involved. I think Tennessee will send a Republican. But, it’s important what kind of Republican you send.”
Paul reviewed how Republicans promised to repeal Obamacare if they were given the House and the Senate. When Republicans got both houses of Congress and they voted to repeal Obamacare, Obama vetoed it.
When Republicans got the White House, too, Paul forced the vote on the exact same legislation.
As Paul described, every Republican voted for repeal under Obama when he could veto it. But, when Republicans had all three branches and voted on repeal, “We lost seven Republicans. You may know, because some of them were from Tennessee.”
Paul said he had no doubt that if they were able to have the vote again, “Manny will vote to repeal Obamacare.”
“We need people who will not be a rubber stamp for leadership. Leadership is not always conservative. Many of them are the furniture in Washington that occasionally you move around, but they do nothing.”
Paul went on to discuss how he has had to stand against Republicans on the never-ending wars, government spending, borrowing and waste, topics he is particularly passionate about and well known for.
“This primary makes a difference. You gotta help me bring Manny Sethi to Washington.”
“I’m so glad you came out to support my friend, Manny Sethi. We need something different.”
Adding that he wasn’t there to condemn the opponent, Paul explained, “We need someone who won’t be a rubber stamp for leadership. We need someone who will stand on their own two feet to defend the Constitution, to defend your values.”
Paul was encouraging in saying that Sethi had come a long way in the past month from being as much as 20 points down to being even or ahead.
He reminded attendees, “You have much more power than you think,” and urged making phone calls on Sethi’s behalf.
“We’ve got a real shot here. The country needs this,” said Paul.
“Just having Republicans versus Democrats is not enough, because half of them don’t believe in the Constitution.”
“I would not be here today if I didn’t really believe Manny Sethi was the answer. Please help me to support my friend, Manny Sethi,” Paul concluded to a cheering crowd.
Jacobs wrapped up the event by saying that a year ago today when the campaign started, he thought Sethi was “a good dude, smart guy, but he hasn’t got a chance.”
“That’s not the case now. Because of the work this campaign has done, because of all of you, I think he’s got a really good chance. But it is you that is going to push him over the line,” adding specifically that Sethi “needs your vote, needs your support and, yes, he needs your money.”
Sethi and Paul then took questions from the media.
In response to when he decided to support Sethi, Paul told The Star that he had met Manny probably a year prior and had been meeting and talking with him and watching the campaign, before making the public decision a month or two ago. He wanted someone who is a “sincere conservative.”
The Star then asked Paul if he has been taking a lot of heat from Senate leadership on his endorsement or if people perceive it as him bucking President Trump when he seems to be a strong supporter?
“President Trump and I are really close, and I think President Trump is really going to like Manny. The night Manny wins, I’ll be on the phone with the president and I guarantee the president will be calling to congratulate Manny,” Paul said. “He knows Manny is a real good supporter.”
“I think more is made of that because I think it happened before Manny really got going in the campaign and they didn’t think there was much going on, Paul added. “I think Manny’s going to be a great supporter of the president, and I’m a good supporter of the president.”
When The Star asked Sethi what it means to him to have Senator Paul’s endorsement, he said, “It’s incredible.”
I’m so grateful that he would take the time. Senator Paul has been a role model of mine, someone I’ve really always looked up to. He took on the establishment in 2010 and did something incredible, just pulled off a miracle when they threw everything but the kitchen sink at him and here we are again a decade later and that’s what they’re trying to do to me. Look, the swamp folks never believed that we could get this far that we could make this race about the people of Tennessee and not just a hand-picked Washington insider option. That’s why our movement has caught fire. The conservative movement is behind me, folks like Senator Paul, Senator Cruz, Mark Levin, Senator DeMint.
It’s just unfortunate that my opponent has resorted to all of these negative attacks and untruths. But, that’s what the swamp does when their back is against the wall and as Senator Paul said, I think anybody that looks at my record for about 10 seconds, I’ve always been against Obamacare and it’s just an atrocity to put government between a patient and their doctor in the healthcare system. We’ve got to repeal and replace it.
[Snip]
Good luck. I half-trust Paul, and don’t trust the Republican establishment at all.
He got my vote in the primary
McConnel and Mittens are backing Haggerty PLEASE people of Tenn. VOTE Dr. Manny!!! Haggerty is a SWAMP CREATURE!!
Frankly, I don’t “trust” any of them. That said, we know, based on his record, that Hagerty is an Establican who will feel at home in the McConnell Swamp in the Senate. With Sethi, we can at least hope he will vote as conservative on the issues as he says.
Regardless of who wins, these guys MUST bury the hatchet after the primary.
Crown College and Temple Baptist are super conservative. (Our minister’s kids attended there.) If Sexton is on board with Sethi, I feel much better having voted for him.
Frankly, I don’t “trust” any of them. That said, we know, based on his record, that Hagerty is an Establican who will feel at home in the McConnell Swamp in the Senate. With Sethi, we can at least hope he will vote as conservative on the issues as he says.
Agree. Hagerty’s long association with Romney is a huge red flag. The last think we need is the Romney caucus growing in the Senate.
While I have no doubt that Sethi would graciously support Hagerty, I also have no doubt many constitutional conservatives will not. Hagerty has poisoned the well and salted the earth with conservatives.
On the bright side, the Dems will not have a strong state-wide candidate and will likely divert money elsewhere.
Question to those who know. If Sethi is such a conservative, why is his campaign packed with never Trumpers? Or is that just more misinformation from the media and campaigns?
I posted the info below is a previous thread last week. Hopefully, it will answer your question:
Do not buy the Hagerty smears, innuendos and outright lies. Hagerty is 100% Establican. Sethi is the overwhelming choice for informed constitutional conservatives. The following is from a recent email from one of Tennessee’s most diligent constitutional conservatives:
The names of these on the ground conservatives was just sent to me and I was told there is more to come:
President Donal J. Trump’s Key Campaign Advisors For the Presidential Campaign in 2015/2016 Who Support Manny Sethi for Senate:
Former State Senator and Delegation Caucus Chairman to the 2016 National Republican Convention, Mae Beavers and husband Jerry Beavers
State Director, 2015/2016 Tennessee Trump for President and Metro Nashville City Councilman Robert Swope
5th Tennessee Congressional District Co-chairman Rick Williams and Connie Hunter
Tennessee Trump Campaign Upper Cumberland leader, Owen Burnette
Trump East Tennessee Regional Coordinator, Robin Flenniken
Upper East Tennessee Trump Campaign Coordinator, Kay White
Lincoln County, Mary Tackett
West Tennessee Regional Chairman for Trump Campaign in Tennessee for 2015/2016, Joe Coury
It also appears that 90% of the County Coordinators for the 2015/2016 Trump Campaign Organization are also for Sethi
He then addressed two issues, with the first being the COVID crisis, which he said is real and serious.
“But this Fauci guy,” said Sethi obviously connecting with his audience, “I’ve had about enough of this guy.”
Over the cheering and applauding crowd, Sethi continued, “It’s time for the president to bring him into the board room and say ‘You’re fired!’”
MITT-LAMAR-HAGERTY LL 1 RINO.
I did see a Breitbart article to that effect. Hard to tell; might actually be Establishment vs. Establishment in this primary, IMO.
NOT THIS ONE, MAKES NO DIFFERENCE DEM IS NOT REALLY RUNNING A CAMPAIGN, HATED OLD DEM GOV BRESDEN, OLD MAN LIKE BIDEN.
Mitch McConnell’s been asking me for money and I haven’t sent him a dime because every dime would have been used against candidates like Manny Sethi.
In my fantasies, the day after Trump wins the election, he goes on a firing spree. In Fauci’s case, though, it would seem Trump is now aware of just how bad his advice and motives are.
Unfortunately, Trump relied on Establican advice for his first term appointees. Maybe with Mark Meadows in there now, he can do a better job of hiring in his second term.
GOA ENDORSES SETHI
https://tennesseestar.com/2020/07/31/gun-owners-of-america-endorse-manny-sethi/?fbclid=IwAR0hflkbab8Posvy6PsfElU_8w2mcU8Ur7ZVNvuyuQsdSGquTNh-wnT9Q7M
lEVIN https://tennesseestar.com/2020/07/19/mark-levin-endorses-manny-sethi-for-u-s-senate/?fbclid=IwAR2OCw8Kik09DdAqMx8bge6TpnbHXwi6t4sOQboCXyG4G6Ex6Idw30DAUms
2 BACK 2 BACK INTERVIEWS https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wmSQevW_sag&feature=share&fbclid=IwAR2bbHf4X6fwqpZwjtg14mOVH4SVuE9x3EdbRXi30TMGLKWMOTo2mfiIuv8
REMINDS ME OF DR COBURN https://www.chattanoogan.com/2020/7/30/412815/Dr.-Manny-Reminds-Me-Of-Dr.-Coburn.aspx?fbclid=IwAR3uCNM6T5WDyJATMHSUfF5hbw5gDJsK2gq7Io7_fcR7NOxGULxnnpswWTI
https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=207202777397587
Endorsed by Christian Leader Micheal W Smith Dr. Manny Sethi for Senate
“I am endorsing Dr. Manny Sethi because he is a man of faith, and he will be a voice for the unborn in Washington. He loves the Lord, and there’s no better person to represent our values in the Senate. Join me in voting for Dr. Manny on August 6th.” - Christian Leader Michael W. Smith
Hagerty Served Two Years as Director of Company That Sells Common Core Materials
https://tennesseestar.com/2020/07/20/hagerty-served-two-years-as-director-of-company-that-sells-common-core-materials/
GOT CAUGHT, RESIGNED FAST. Bill Hagerty Resigns from Board of Company After It Was Exposed for Supporting Black Lives Matter Movement
https://tennesseestar.com/2020/07/12/bill-hagerty-resigns-from-board-of-company-after-it-was-exposed-for-supporting-black-lives-matter-movement/
Hagerty talks BLM, Mitt Romney, China at Republican Women luncheon
http://www.williamsonherald.com/news/hagerty-talks-blm-mitt-romney-china-at-republican-women-luncheon/article_0e8a28e2-cc49-11ea-be80-0f29359d2f6a.html
Bill Hagerty Resigns from Board of Company After It Was Exposed for Supporting Black Lives Matter Movement
> https://tennesseestar.com/2020/07/12/bill-hagerty-resigns-from-board-of-company-after-it-was-exposed-for-supporting-black-lives-matter-movement/
Is this White House task force member using pandemic to bankroll his Senate campaign? The day Trump signed the CARES Act, Bill Hagerty's Senate campaign got a $2.5 million loan from bank he helped run
https://www.salon.com/2020/05/27/is-this-white-house-task-force-member-using-pandemic-to-bankroll-his-senate-campaign/
AMB TO JAPAN, SUPPORTED BY RINOS LAMAR AND ROMNEY. NO DIFFERENCE IN THE 3
Sethi blasts ruling by Trump-appointed judge who is son of RNC member
http://onthehill.tnjournal.net/sethi-blasts-blast-ruling-of-trump-appointed-judge-who-is-son-of-supporter/
“I promise you, if any of the attack ads were true, you wouldn’t see me, Ted Cruz, Levin, Jim DeMint,” said Paul, silently counting off Sethi’s four conservative supporters on his fingers.
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