originally posted on http://www.laineyforcongress.com
Today Lamar Smith shamefully perpetuated the contrived Black Panther voter intimidation controversy that has been a rallying cry for conservative media in an effort to discredit the Attorney General and topple the Obama administration. We count on our Congressional Representatives to rely on facts, to seek out truth, to fight for justice, and not to play politics. Lamar Smith has failed us again.
According to MediaMatters, the accusations of this controversy don't stand up to the facts.
* J. Christian Adams, a known GOP activist, does not have first-hand knowledge of the events, conversations, and decisions that he is citing to advance his accusations
* The Bush administration's Justice Department made the decision not to pursue criminal charges against members of the New Black Panther Party for alleged voter intimidation at a polling center in Philadelphia in 2008
* The Obama administration successfully obtained default judgment against Samir Shabazz, a member of the New Black Panther Party carrying a nightstick outside the Philadelphia polling center on Election Day 2008
* No voters have come forward to claim that they were intimidated from voting on account of the New Black Panthers standing outside the polling center in 2008
* The Republican vice chairwoman of the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights, which is currently investigating the Justice Department's decision, said that DOJ has given a "plausible argument" for not pursuing additional charges in the case
* The Obama Justice Department requested additional judgments against black leaders in Mississippi who were found to have discriminated against white voters
As further indication that Lamar Smith is playing political re-election games rather than working towards real solutions for our pressing problems, he announced this week that he has joined his friend, Michele Bachmann, as a member of the Tea Party Caucus. Anyone familiar with Lamar Smith's voting record knows that he doesn't adhere to their fiscal conservative Tea Party values. His votes for bank bailouts, intrusion of our privacy, watering down State's rights, and his 23 years of big spending are all reasons why his membership in this caucus is obviously political posturing.
I will listen to all of my constituents including the Tea Party. We all have a contribution to make to build a better tomorrow, but I will not abuse my office with pandering and political games.
Go to LaineyForCongress.com and make an investment in the future of Texas.
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Lainey Melnick
Candidate for US Congress
Texas 21st District
http://www.LaineyForCongress.com
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