Imagine if you can an economically devastated Congressional district in the South that has been ground zero for the collapse of the American textile industry. This district has five times elected the heir of what was once the world's largest textile company, Cannon Mills, as their representative in Washington. Who better to trust and understand the hardships that unfair trade deals were causing the families of the district?
The people in this District believe in second chances. Robin Hayes was forgiven by the voters of this District for his reversal on giving President Bush Fast Track Trade Authority in 2001 because Hayes cried on the floor as he changed his vote promising to never do it again.
Anyone can make a mistake, and Robin's saving grace was his public remorse.
Hayes was forgiven by good people, his remorse believed, and his promise to never again allow his party's arm twisting to render him more detriment than voice of North Carolina working families was accepted. Then comes this date in history just 3 short years ago and Robin Hayes' solemn promises to the people to vote against the Central American Free Trade Agreement.
Robin Hayes insisted he would vote against CAFTA: "Every time I drive through Kannapolis and I see those empty plants I know there is no way I could vote for CAFTA," Hayes said. [AP 7/14/2005]
Hayes: "What does CAFTA sound like? NAFTA," he said. "It's not in the best interests of a core constituency I represent." Raleigh News and Observer, 7/14/2005]
"A man's word is his bond" is more than just good advice reinforcing respectable social behavior. If I have learned anything as a candidate these past 3 years campaigning for North Carolina's 8th District, it's to truly respect how I was raised, where I come from and that you can never go wrong honoring your word.
Shortly after midnight a few days following Hayes' promise to the people, he gave in to George Bush, breaking his solemn bond as the deciding vote to send North Carolina jobs south of the border. Robin Hayes has given many, many excuses for his CAFTA capitulation since turning his back on the folks of the 8th District who have lost 62,000 jobs since Hayes took office.
In the remaining months of the 2008 election, Robin Hayes will continue to do whatever it takes to stay in power. He has been changed by Washington and I need your help to let the good people of my district know the truth. This isn't ancient history, he has become a man who will tell people what they want to hear such as Robin Hayes' broken 2006 promise that "most troops will be home by 2008". The people saw how he had changed in 2006 and they came within 330 votes of defeating him. Let's not let him narrowly win another victory.
Duplicity has its' special interest backers. I need your support for integrity. Imagine it was your district, as we're all in this together, and help us take our Country back.