FL-10: Criticism from Samm Simpson towards C.W. Young

During the 2006 election cycle, Samm Simpson ran a longshot campaign against incumbent (and Walter Reed Hospital congressional focal point) C.W. "Bill" Young for FL-10.  One of the very reasons why Simpson wasn't taken seriously was because of Bill Young's involvement with the troops.  

No one should question Bill Young and his wife's dedication to veterans in the past, but this scandal has sullied that reputation.  Young, while being "uncomfortable" with things concerning Walter Reed, did one thing that endears him to the problem of the last congress:

He never requested hearings or investigations into the matter despite his being in a prominent position to do so.  More on the flip.

The following letter was sent by Samm Simpson to the St. Petersburg Times in response to the growing controversy:

In the Washington Post Congressman Young said he was made to feel "uncomfortable" after he "voiced concerns to commanders" at Walter Reed Hospital in 2004. It was written that he and his wife stopped going to this particular hospital "out of frustration."

How did mere "frustration" or feeling described as "uncomfortable" dissuade Congressman Young from using his power to to act upon the systemic problems he encountered? At the time he was the Chairman of the Appropriations Committee and one of the more powerful men in Washington.

Was it more than just feeling "uncomfortable," or "frustrated?" Was Congressman Young threatened? The Bush administration has a history of removing or silencing truth tellers. Nothing should surprise us.

And if Congressman Young stopped going to Walter Reed after 2004, his staff wasn't aware of it. On October 28, 2006, we were supposed to debate the issues at WEDU - TV. Yet Congressman Young declined to participate because, his staff said, the Congressman was "scheduled to be in Washington for his regular national security briefing and to visit the Marines and soldiers at Bethesda and Walter Reed Hospitals."

I urge Congressman Young's to utilize this opportunity to bring the people the truth. He can stand up and return the moral fiber of courage to Congress. Congressman Young can help restore our government to it's rightful role, ruling by "the consent of the governed."

We do not know the pressures he may have been encountering when he was "rebuffed" at Walter Reed. But we do know a window into this Administration's tactics of fear, malfeasance, manufactured evidence and appalling lack of compassion is opening.

I pray that Congressman Young has the strength to defend the Constitution, from enemies both foreign and domestic.

Ms. Samm Simpson
Box. 228
Dunedin, Florida 34697

Young needs to be challenged, and it's good that his last opponent remains focused on that.  At the same time, I wish Simpson had focused -- both during her campaign and in the aforeposted letter -- on Young and congress  instead of endearing herself specifically to those dissatisfied with the President and the administration.

One thing is for certain, though:  This scandal and the aftermath will likely effect Bill Young running for another term.  

•  Tip Jar n/t

  by jpfdeuce on Sat Mar 03, 2007 at 04:50:40 PM PDT

•  Samm could have been

  a much better candidate.  She was poorly advised by the then powers that were in the local party.  She'll do better next time.

  by FloridaFever on Sat Mar 03, 2007 at 04:56:40 PM PDT

  •  One of her flaws

    ...goes beyond the Ed Helm wing of the Pinellas DEC.  I mean, I agree with you but I've seen first hand that her own campaign staff wasn't exactly pointing her at the proper targets.

    by jpfdeuce on Sat Mar 03, 2007 at 05:00:06 PM PDT

•  I really, really hope he retires.

  This district used to be in the most Republican part of Florida; now it's one of the most Democratic outside of the heavily Jewish and black areas.

  by DemocraticLuntz on Sat Mar 03, 2007 at 05:12:40 PM PDT

  •  This is a district that should elect

    a Democrat, although the 2000 redistricting took the most Democratic parts and gave that part of Pinellas County to the 11th.

    by jiacinto on Sat Mar 03, 2007 at 05:14:11 PM PDT

  •  The district is deeply purple...

    What hurts is when the candidates running against Young either have no backing, no credibility or no sense to stop veering left.  

    You don't want to run as the Green Party candidate of the district -- and that's what I think a lot of Democrats end up doing. Staying with the most vocal on the left in St. Petersburg and alienating the middle and general democratic populous elsewhere.

    by jpfdeuce on Sat Mar 03, 2007 at 05:32:33 PM PDT

    •  Thanks for supplying this great letter.

      This district is definitely winnable. Alex Sink won it in 2006, which means a well financed popular candidate can do the same in 2008 if Young retires.

      GatorDem has suggested getting Peter Rudy Wallace to run. I think that's a wonderful idea.

      We also need to keep the heat on Young for the next two years so that he does retire.

      by Tally on Thu Mar 08, 2007 at 12:43:51 PM PDT

•  Is she running in 2008

  Could she be the Nancy Boyda of 2008?

  by jiacinto on Sat Mar 03, 2007 at 05:13:15 PM PDT