Jay Ovittore for Congress

We had the first of three debates between myself and my two primary opponents last night. I thought the debate went well. The questions were quite canned and the format did not allow for rebuttal statements. I will have video of the debate online sometime this week hopefully.

After the debate is a different story. We gathered outside the auditorium after the debate and all chatted amongst friends. My supporters were on one side of the room and Teresa Bratton’s on the other. I started toward the car with a few of my staff members. I turned to see the rest of my caravan not behind us. What was going on was not the news I wanted to hear. I have from a good 10 witnesses that Bratton’s husband approached my father and asked him to reconsider his support of me. My father told him that he supports me 100%, as if that would be a question. Bratton’s husband and my father exchanged words and Bratton’s husband leaned in and bumped chests with my father. Now that said, my father is an old school Italian who has been fighting diabetes and a chronic heart condition. He can not walk long distances due to wounds on his legs from the diabetes. Conditions or not, if I was not running for elected office we would talking about how dad won a physical altercation last night. He thought better of it and pulled himself back as not to hurt my campaign.

What happened last night was a lack of respect and an infringement of personal space on the behalf of Bratton’s husband. His thugary was uncivil at best and way out of line. He should realize quickly, for the good of his wife, that his actions effect her campaign. My father was minding his own business and having friendly conversations when approached with arrogance. It is clear to see who was at fault and I do not blame my father for defending himself.

All three candidates have remained as civil as opponents can in a race. That can change quickly if need be. I would prefer that we have spirited conversations and debates on the issues and that be our battle. Fear mongering and intimidation are Republican ploys, which are sometimes used by establishment candidates. I do not appreciate it and I will not stand by and let it happen. Really, is this High School? Do you really want to pull the “meet me at the water fountain at 3 o’clock” stunt.

I also find it funny that a good deal of my message and platform has been pilfered by Bratton. A message and platform that has been actively online since November of 2007. It doesn’t surprise me. If a platform was to stolen it should be the right one, shouldn’t it? The exception to this being health care, a field in which she works. She has her own view on that.

I spoke with Bratton this morning and let her know that her husband was out of line. That my camp was civil and I expect her camp to be as well. I told her to reign in her husband. She has assured me that there will be no further incidents and that her husband will stay clear of my father. I will hold her to that.

I look forward to more spirited debates and would hope they will include rebuttal statements. The voters deserve more than canned questions about the Democratic platform. I fully expect and want to hear tough questions. I am fully prepared to answer those tough questions as well.

I’ll get the debate video up ASAP. Until then, thank you for your continued support.

Posted by Jay under Opposition | 1 Comment »

I am happy to announce a key endorsement of my campaign today. Tom Gilmore, former NC state house representative and former opponent of Howard Coble for the 6th, has formally endorsed my campaign.

Tom says, “This is the year for Howard to be defeated.” I think he is right. Any incumbent is vulnerable this year. Tom says of endorsing me, “It is time for new leadership.” I believe, like Tom, that I am that new leadership.

In the press release I stated that, “I am thrilled and honored to have such a remarkable man lend his weight toward my campaign. He is a man who is notorious for fighting the good fight, a man who has fought for change his entire life. I intend to continue that fight; the fight for what is best for the people.”

Tom was a Young Democrat president, like myself. He is a blue collar guy, like myself. Tom fought for racial justice as I do on the Greensboro Human Relations Commission.

I truly feel honored today. I feel like I have been passed a torch and I must carry on in the same light as Mr Gilmore.

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The first of maybe 3 debates between myself and my two primary opponents has been scheduled. It will be on March 25th at 8pm at Guilford College in the Joseph M. Bryan Jr. Auditorium of the Frank Family Science Center. Greensboro will host the first debate. Word is there will be two more outside of Greensboro. I hope that is the case.

I encourage you all to attend and show your support for me. This will be fun. I love talking about the issues.

I am told there will be press at the debate. I would love to have a cheering section. So please consider coming on out. What else do you have to do on a Tuesday night at 8? Oh yeah- American Idol is not an excuse!

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In April of 2003 the American Renaissance (a white supremacist magazine) ran this article about Howard Coble called Relocation Echoes. It talks about his radio appearance in February of 2003 where Coble said “We were at war, some probably were intent on doing harm to us.” He also said the camps kept Japanese away from angry Americans who might have attacked them.

It is not interesting to me that the article appeared in a white supremacist magazine at all. What is interesting is the final paragraph of the article:

Shortly after Mr. Coble’s remarks were first reported, AR sent his office a copy of the article on relocation that appeared in our January issue. The congressman read the article, and telephoned personally to tell us how useful he had found it.

Isn’t he just such a nice man….even to white supremacist’s?

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