Below is the first in a series of articles based on a discussion with FL District two candidate Paul McKain. My questions are in bold. Candidate McKain's responses are italicized.
On Friday, December 4, 2009 I had the opportunity to sit down with Paul McKain, Whig Party candidate for the United States House of Representatives, Florida's second congressional district. McKain is currently one of several candidates challenging Congressman Allen Boyd for the District Two seat. Based on several factors, one of which being his web presence and popularity (compared with Boyd and the other candidates) he is resonating with the voters of district two.
What is it that separates you from the competition?
“There’s a lot to be very honest with you. I don’t like to answer to anybody. Even the party I’m with, they know that when there is a disagreement between me and the party, they lose. They know that."
"With me being a third party representative, I can get a lot out of that. I can demand representation on various committees. When I get elected I will be on the Ethics Committee. No one can stop me on that, I guarantee it. I can make a big enough issue of it that I will be on the Ethics Committee."
“Other things that make me different? I have no reverence for anyone in politics. I really don’t mind picking a fight with anybody. I’ve done it all my life.”
McKain then went on to reference examples from his 23 year tenure with the Sunrise Florida Fire/Rescue Department and having to take command of various situations. He also spoke about his six year battle to get a vacuum release system, his own invention, installed on every public pool and spa in the country to prevent the loss of life or limb. This eventually culminated with Federal legislation being passed in Congress.
McKain sounded like the true maverick many hoped a senator with a similar name would be in 2008. You could tell sitting across from him that he had the passion and believed in his soul 100% of every word he said.
At the last town hall with Congressman Allen Boyd here in Tallahassee he was asked a question from a constituent regarding why he, the Congressman, was voting against the interests of his constituency. I think the constituent was referencing Boyd’s affirmative vote on the Cap and Trade bill. Boyd held up his House voting card and spoke about the people electing him to represent their interests, study the issues, and make the best decision. What would Paul McKain do? Would he vote solely on what he thought was best or would he take it to the other extreme and let the people decide the issues? Or, is there a middle ground there? Where do you stand?
“I’m closer to option two. I didn’t think it was appropriate that I was in the meeting but when I heard about that, I was infuriated. That is a bunch of garbage. He has 640,000 people behind that card. That’s a veritable army. Do you know what you could accomplish if you got those people motivated, even half of them? You could get so much done and you have to get the people involved and that’s why I want this system of representation I have. Like I said I am more toward option two, not that I won’t make my own decisions because I’ll have to.”
McKain wrapped up his answer by referencing the “10 questions” or monthly survey highlighted on his website and the fact that he will always know where his constituents stand on the issues.
What was the straw that broke the camel’s back which caused Paul McKain to enter the race for District 2 U.S Representative?
"I was okay in south Florida but came up here to retire, fish my life away and raise my family. I got up here and saw several issues which came up over the course of a few years and realized that Boyd is not listening to a word I’m saying. I thought to myself, ‘I don’t like it but I guess I can live with it.’ Then when this administration came into place, and really I’ll go a step further, the last three years of the Bush administration, I could see it going wrong. My kids were not going to have the same country I had and I didn’t see anybody who was going to do what needed to be done. There was too much politics involved. It’s time we got away from that."
To be continued.....
Comments
I am absolutely amazed at Mr. McKain! I cant think of a more honest and genuine person to hold this seat and represent us in Washington D.C.
Being third party certainly seems to give him the advantage. Looking forward to the continuation!
We need an ethical person like Paul in District 2. I'll do everything I can to help him get elected.
Paul McKain should clarify if there has ever been some issue between him and his party since Mary from his campaign is posting around the Internet as if the implication was that he was trying to make it clear him being with the Florida Whig Party somehow made him "Their Puppet"
I will say that most candidates don't bite the party that guides them. I guess someone would have to question Mr. McKain's ungratefulness and lack of loyalty or those on his campaign committee.
I don't like the strategy change I have witnessed in his campaign lately. I would question some of those involved in his campaigns motive. Sounds like they have it out for his party.
If Mr. McKain doesn't like to answer to "anyone" what happens when he disagrees with his consituants? What if they are not lock step with him on this issue? Since he doesn't have reverence for anyone and isn't afriad to pick a fight is he going to attack his consitutants as he claims he will attack those in congress? Is he going to "make an issue" for those at home too? I don't see how going up to DC and picking fights with everyone is going to help those in CD2. Politics requires tact. The only thing I know for sure about Mr. Mckain is his lack of it. You have to caucus with a party to get seats on any comittee and if you make a fight about it, it isn't going to win you support for your legislation. I question Mr. McKain's motives on running this race. Why now? Why not several years ago when he thought things were going wrong? He is just more of the same claiming to be different because he has in a obscure 3rd party Count me out on his militant agenda. It doesn't matter he won't win.
I'd say passion says it all. I'm tired of people we elect (Republican or Democrat) playing along and running up our debt because there is a $2 million earmark for a sidewalk in a military bill, or similar corruption. I want someone who will stand up and say "Enough" and not worry about political correctness. I can't fight for common sense things like our government not spending more than it brings in, so I want someone that is not afraid to do so. I could give a crap as to what party they are from (and some recent surveys show this is a growing sentiment). There is a time to caucus/play nice, but there is also a time to stand up and fight for what you know to be right. McKain has my vote if he will do that.
Here's some food for thought. Those of us in Marion County who lived through the blowout loss to Sheriff Dean know the deal about McKain's associates. As of November 20, 2009, there were only six registered Florida Whigs in the county. This number INCLUDES local whackjob and "party" chair Paul Truesdell, his best friend, his employee, and his wife. Marion County has 28 other minor parties with more registrants than the Whigs. Problem is that his associates boast inflated numbers and a 100% increase in membership since 2008. I don’t think affiliation with this "party" is going to cut it when you look at the statewide statistics, with Marion County being a good sample as the home turf. In Marion County, the Whigs are at 0.003 percent of the electorate, though they do account for a very high percentage in the Truesdell home. The Sheriff Dean farce could have been won by a competent Republican, especially since most of the constitutional officers in the county are GOP. Be leery of this one
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