That's a very good point, worthy of Quote of the Day material.
No wonder the Democrats are fighting like mad to reign in "urban sprawl". Those leaving the established mega-cities must be draining the Dems' power...
Posted on 09/24/2002 4:52:46 PM PDT by Pokey78
American actor and icon Charlton Heston came to Alabama on Friday to stump for Republican candidates and raise money for the GOP. But he also left something valuable for Democratic Gov. Don Siegelman -- an endorsement.
Heston, 77, appeared in Mobile and two other Alabama cities Friday with most of the state's major Republican candidates, including gubernatorial hopeful Bob Riley, a Republican congressman from Ashland.
But the night before, Heston met with Siegelman and agreed to back the incumbent's re-election, the governor said.
Siegelman's campaign released a three-paragraph letter from Heston, who serves as president of the National Rifle Association, but made the endorsement in his name only. Siegelman's aides said they withheld the letter, dated Sept. 19, until Saturday at Heston's request.
"I am delighted to endorse your candidacy for re-election to the office of governor for the 2002 general election," the letter reads. "I know I speak for countless firearm owners and sportsmen when I say that your commitment, dedication and leadership on our issues is greatly appreciated.
"During you tenure as governor, you have repeatedly demonstrated your willingness to defend the very freedoms that serve as the foundation of our great nation."
Siegelman appeared energized Saturday morning as he discussed Heston's backing after surveying volunteers picking up trash along the Causeway during the Alabama Coastal Cleanup.
"Really, (it is) just a long history of being involved in conservation and hunting-rights issues," Siegelman said. "I didn't know that he was going to give me a letter, and I was pleased by that."
Riley spokesman David Azbell said neither Heston, who announced last month that he has developed symptoms consistent with Alzheimer's disease, nor any of the three aides who traveled with the actor informed the Riley campaign about the endorsement.
"It's strange that Charlton Heston would sign a letter endorsing Don Siegelman the day before he traveled the state in a six-seat airplane with Bob Riley while campaigning with Bob Riley," Azbell said. "I just hope Don Siegelman is not taking advantage of Charlton Heston, but desperate people do desperate things."
State GOP chairman Marty Connors conceded that the National Rifle Association probably is happy with Siegelman's record on gun issues. But he portrayed the endorsement as a "damage control" effort by Siegelman to blunt the effect of Heston's GOP appearances Friday. He accused Siegelman of attempting to convince Heston not to make those appearances.
"This is brass-knuckle politics. I think Siegelman got desperate, so he turned on the Democrat machine and did everything he could," Connors said. "Siegelman wasn't on stage with Heston. Bob Riley was."
Rip Andrews, a spokesman for Siegelman, said he is aware of no such effort to stop Heston's visit.
Political analysts expressed surprise Saturday that the Republican-leaning Heston would back a Democrat in a close race, but they differed on how much impact it might have on a race that is a little more than six weeks from the finish line.
"I think it's a very definite boost for Siegelman. I don't think it guarantees his re-election, but among white male voters -- which has been a weak area for Democrats in Alabama -- I think that's important," said William Stewart, a retired University of Alabama professor. "The timing could not be worse for Riley. Heston was just in the state."
University of South Alabama professor Sam Fisher agreed that the endorsement is surprising but added that because the candidates generally agree on Second Amendment questions, it ranks low on the list of issues important to voters.
"I can't off-hand think it's going to have that much of an impact on the race," he said. "I don't think it (gun control) was going to be an issue."
Andrews contrasted the endorsement with Riley's appearances on Friday.
"To me, it's another indication of what a fraud Bob Riley is, running around making people think he endorsed him," Andrews said.
Connors laughed at that suggestion.
"Voters get to decide who's more Heston-like."
Reward your friends, even 'rats.
Wellllll, since nothing has been stated in your own words, I can only assume you are implying that Charleton Heston has been symbolically banned for reasons known only by yourself since you have failed to offer your own ideas on this subject. Isn't click and paste great?
If that is truly the case, then what high-profile celebrity have you enlisted to replace Mr. Heston in supporting your 2nd Amendment rights? I am awaiting your intelligent response but please, please, don't forward me to someone else's comments.........I would rather hear your own words.
this, (So long, Darth Sidious!)
this, (So long, gunshy!)
this,
this,
this,
this,
this,
this,
this,
and this.
Which I'm sure is needed since somehow you've missed quite a bit of what's been going on around you the last two days.
Note that more than a few of the preceding are me, in my own words. But let me humor you.
1) The bannings are insanity with an activist flair. Not good for FR, not good for the Republicans, not good for anybody opposed to the Democrats.
2) TLBSHOW needs to put a sock in it. I'm rock-ribbed Republican--never voted for a Demo in my life--but I'm embarrassed to have him on my side. He's running around biting anyone not toeing the line, denouncing anyone in sight as a Democrat or a lib and behaving like a Stalin sycophant from the 40's Soviet Union.
3) You don't win elections by purifying down to some sliver of a core group. You have to reach out and recruit other people, other groups to help you defeat the common enemy.
4) FR can only lose steam and authority by becoming an organized cheering section and water boy for one party, right or wrong. Even my party. It was once an exciting place to be. (OK, we had Clinton to kick around for much of that.) Time heals, and the damage done in this bizarre push will take plenty of that.
Thank you for your response but still waiting for an answer to my above question......
-- Jimmy Durante
Guess I missed it but thank you for trying. Now perhaps you could answer my question...
Thank you for your response but still waiting for an answer to my above question......
Yer belaborin' under a misprehaprehension.-- Jimmy Durante
Not quite the answer I was expecting but since that is the best you can do then I have to accept it. I was hoping for a legitimate answer to a legitimate question but all you could provide was a smartass remark which pretty much explains where you are coming from.
Good night Mrs. Callabash..............
Locally, we've had Democratic candidates make shooting match challenges, boast of carrying pistols, and attend high-profile Baptist churches. (Yes, Chuck Baldwin actually has a church here.)
Except for a wacky few who celebrate First Monday at the local university, 2A rights here in the Florida panhandle are as uncontested as they can possibly be except for New Hampshire.
Watch your step, mister, or you will be banned!
Hold muh beer whilst I make the changes...
What about #25 didn't you get? Heston (AFAIK) has never actually Freeped. Otherwise, he would be bannable under the current rah-rah emphasis.
The only difference between the North and South is our cities are bigger and that turns the whole state Dem. Take a look at the county by county map of the 2000 election. If your cities grow in population, your states will get more liberal.
Bull, some of the biggest libs in Congress are from the south.
That's a very good point, worthy of Quote of the Day material.
No wonder the Democrats are fighting like mad to reign in "urban sprawl". Those leaving the established mega-cities must be draining the Dems' power...
I don't agree. The inner city always becomes more liberal, but the suburbs often are Republican strongholds.
Take Houston, for example. It's the fourth largest city in the country. The city limits are a Democrat stronghold, but the greater urban area is conservative.
Look at the map of the 2000 election you referred to. Even the city of Houston wasn't enough to make Harris County into Gore country.
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