Bristol “Tea Party”—Fertile Ground For Movement To Unseat Boucher
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Jim Bebout Seeking Republican Nomination For Virginia's...
A Marion, Va., entrepreneur announced Monday he hopes to challenge longtime U.S. Rep. Rick Boucher, D-9th.
George Jackson/11 Connects
Bristol, Va.—The modern “Tea Party” movement is spawning more than anger over tax policy in 2009.
The final protest (of six total) over this long July 4th weekend assembled in Sugar Hollow Park Monday night.
It started with a simple and sombre prayer by former Congressman David Davis. His message: lawmakers have forsaken the U.S. Constitution.
“God forgive us,“ Davis said.
That’s the common thread among often disparate “Tea Party” groups in the Tri-Cities Region.
Rev. Strouther Smith started a group called the “Tenth Amendment Foundation.“ He said, though typically tied to the GOP, tea is a non-partisan affair.
“We’re delighted to have Independents, Democrats, Republicans, the Constitutional Party, Libertarians, whoever they are,“ Smith said.
Davis wasn’t the only past, present, or future lawmaker ready to cash in on that grassroots energy.
His successor, U.S. Rep. Phil Roe (R-1st ) gave a roughly ten minute speech before fielding a few questions from the audience.
The gathering was also fertile ground for the movement to unseat U.S. Rep. Rick Boucher (D-9th). Roe, Smith, and others criticized the 14-term Democrat for his stance on health care, taxes, and a carbon cap-and-trade.
“Rick Boucher was one of those who voted for {the cap-and-trade bill)," Smith said.
Political unknown Jim Bebout (R-Marion) picked up the baton a few speeches later, and announced his bid for the 9th District GOP nomination.
"{Boucher} is helping to run the county over a cliff. And whether I win or lose I’m just not going to sit back and let it happen,“ Bebout said.
Bebout and other challengers in the 9th District face a seemingly impregnable incumbent in Boucher. His last legitimate challenge was Kevin Triplett in 2004. Boucher still managed 60-percent of the vote that year.
Delegate Terry Kilgore (R-Gate City) said he has no intention of running for Congress.
Boucher’s press spokesperson said the Congressman was unavailable for comment.
To view a video version of this report, click the play icon above.
For more on Bebout, click on the link (at left) to read an article by the Bristol Herald Courier’s Debra McCown.
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Reader Reactions
Those intested in obscure local history should be curious about Strouther Smith’s connection to Rick Boucher.
Eatn:
Congress gets the same health care any federal employee gets.
It’s called the FEHBP.
Look it up then engage keyboard.
You will never understand that the taxes were not high enough. The raw materials used in the process had little cost and the taxes did not account for that as a side result incomes for those who produce nothing of value were allowed to run high forcing the economic ladder those who have skills and value.
So you now have an over load of Investment bankers who produce little value and presently live off the welafre of the U.S. Government. While millions who actually have skills live on a lower rung of the economic ladders supporting those with few if any skills like Rush Limburger.
I doubt Rush would even be able the rasie his own food. I know he would not have the skills to preserve it for winter.
Yesterday I asked Radio Bill to tell Rep. Roe last night that we all wanted the same health care insurance that he, his family and the rest of Congress is privy to. Haven’t heard if Bill brought this up. As for Roe giving advice on taking Boucher down, well check-out both guys records and decide if this is appropriate.
DAD: will no one share their money with you? i feel so sad for you.
i shouldn’t even comment on your post,because you will probably jump to the subject of dope smokers have rights too,or something like that.
the second highest corporate tax rate in the world is what is destroying manufacturing and all other american jobs. your beloved NAFTA is ruining business in America.
just how does the GOP try and control the info platforms? with the exception of Fox News and talk radio, your beloved party of the donkey controls the info to the dumb masses.
Over 14 years of Republican retard crap-o-la has destoryed the manufacturing base in the USA and now trys to control the information platforms they all claimed would be the new working enviorment for Americans.
GO JUMP OFF A CLIFF RETHUGS WE HAVE HAD ENOUGH OF YOUR STUPID SELF CENTER SEFLISH LAWS AND MIND SET.
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