Earlier this morning, my character was put in question by a new user named BamaDem.
I've been clear in all my diaries on all the blogs, that I support Shelia Smoot. I'm not a neutral observer, I've never claimed to be one. I'm who I say I am and I'm proud of my candidate.
I've written plenty of positive diaries about Shelia Smoot and her work in the community. We have not seen one positive diary about our opponent. Instead we get the first diary today about Sewell which does not talk about her record, does not talk about her community service, but instead is a way of trying to knock the wind out of the campaign with the momentum.
If you have a 20 point lead in the polls and are sailing to victory as you claim, then wouldn't you be better off spending the time talking about the issues. Sewell has raised one million dollars to the tune of Smoot's less than 150k. What's really wrong with this picture?
I resent the accusation, by someone I consider a friend and had discussed this issue with previously, that I was paid by the Smoot campaign. I looked back and saw a campaign set up fee which I remember should have been in the name of someone with the last name Martin. So just a reporting error. The FEC records show that I've donated of my own money, more than $1,000, to the campaign. In fact right now, to show my commitment, I'm going to donate another $100 to Grassroots for Smoot.
I've got a full time law practice and other business interests and that takes up most of my time.. I support Shelia Smoot because I believe in her and have believed in her for a long time.
The Sewell campaign launched the first attack mailer in this race and long before that they have been spreading accusations that Smoot was going to be indicted. All unfounded rumors. They have been using this in an attempt to dry up potential donors and funding for Smoot .
Besides the fact that Terri Sewell's money in this race has mostly come from outside the State of Alabama, she has spent most of her money outside the state of Alabama. If you cannot hire employees and consultants from your own state and district now, how can we trust you to represent the people in your district and be accountable to them when you are in office. This is an example of the same D.C. consultants not carrying who wins, but that the same people remain in the cycle to get the contracts.
The records from the Alabama Secretary of State, the official record keeper on who has voted, say that Terri Sewell did not register to vote in Alabama until 2007 and did not vote until 2008. When these records were requested, Date of Birth and name were given not address. Sewell moved back to Alabama sometime between 2003-2004 according to various reports. Sewell in an endorsement screening said she believed that she had voted in all elections. The records show that as being inaccurate.
Yes there are reports that Terri Sewell attended a Republican Women's Event. Shelia addressed that in a debate on monday night and even gave the name of the source: a lady by the name of Virginia Durr.
Shelia Smoot ,when attacked by Sewell on false accusations of double-dipping, produced records to the contrary.
Shelia Smoot has been a tireless advocate on behalf of the least of these in Jefferson County. She can name countless achievements such as providing senior housing, keeping open the indigent care facility, getting community development block grant money for underserved parts of her district and building new schools. She's a fighter. That's the message the Smoot campaign has been using.
Terri Sewell is running her campaign from the top down with high priced consultants and fancy paid media. Shelia Smoot is taking her case to the people and running a grassroots campaign.
I appreciate a new user coming here to talk about this race, but I wanted to set the record straight on a few things. Let the voters decide what is relevant in this race in terms of where the money has come from.
Again, feel free to check out the records of both candidates. Feel free to ask any questions, I'll be happy to answer.