Tim James on AL-02: ‘Not Made My Mind Up’
In response to our inquiry about whether rumors were true that he was out of the race for the 2nd Congressional District, GOP Businessman Tim James tells the Parlor “I’ve not made my mind up totally” about running. His group has “quietly” been doing “extensive polling” regarding the 2nd Congressional District and the Governor’s race, and he has set the end of the year as his deadline for making a decision.
Tim James spoke to the Parlor in October about his interest in these two races.
Related Articles:
Wonder what this “group” is, and what they are polling. Federal election laws are quite strict, and it sounds to me like he is probably skirting a line.
If I were in the Smith camp, I’d jump on that, or get the FEC to jump on it.
Comment by Anonymous — December 3, 2007 @ 2:40 pm
Anonymous, if that even is your real name, it sounds as if you are already in the Smith camp.
Comment by Will — December 3, 2007 @ 3:08 pm
Anonymous is an idiot. Tell me and all of us here what FEC rules talk about a private individual doing polling? Smith did her own polling and leaked it - with incorrect numbers before they were corrected by the media I might ad. Get your facts straight before you mouth off.
Comment by PikeCountyguy — December 3, 2007 @ 7:02 pm
Smith and others should worry if James jumps in the race. I hope he does.
Comment by JT — December 3, 2007 @ 7:31 pm
Pike County Genius — if your raise or spend more than $5,000 you have to form an official committee, and you have to report the dollars raised — even if the money is given or spent by the candidate.
So, if you are worried about your candidate’s ethics and legal standing, just say so, dude. And if you’re not, then you are the idiot.
And I’m also not going to site FEC code, because I am not an elections lawyer — you or your candidate/campaign will need to pay for one of those.
Comment by Wiregrass Guy — December 3, 2007 @ 7:37 pm
Are you not aware that James ran for Governor before? Believe me - if he needs a committee to run a poll or any other purpose, he had one established long ago. You will find nothing in the FEC regs that will even come to close to showing james or smith for that matter have violated anything thus far. or even come within suspicion of such. james is a very bright man - to even bring up the idea he has done something wrong before leaving the starting gate is ignorant on your part. search the fec and show some facts behind what you allege - I can’t wait to see it.
Comment by JT — December 3, 2007 @ 8:48 pm
Priceless, Wiregrass Guy. You do not feel the need to cite facts to support your ideas. Instead, you want us to prove your statement for you.
With supporters like this, how can Smith lose?
Comment by Will — December 3, 2007 @ 8:51 pm
JT the Genius — there is a difference between a campaign for Governor (which, I would assume you understand is a state office) and Congress (which, again, I assume you understand is federal office) and therefore one is governed by the rules of state election laws and the other federal election laws.
Considering how lax Alabama’s election laws are, I wouldn’t expect you or you candidate to pay much attention to the more stringent federal elections laws.
Of course, that will be at your own peril. Maybe you can share a cell with Siegelman — oh wait, Republicans don’t get prosecuted in this state.
Comment by Wiregrass Guy — December 3, 2007 @ 9:10 pm
Wiregrass Guy, with all due respect, you need to find another forum in which to spout your sarcastic venom. Thank you.
Comment by Terry — December 3, 2007 @ 9:16 pm
Or maybe I’ll start outfitting a cell at Maxwell for James and his polsters:
(9) (A) The term “expenditure” includes—
(i) any purchase, payment, distribution, loan,
advance, deposit, or gift of money or anything of value,
made by any person for the purpose of infl u encing any
election for Federal offi ce; and
(ii) a written contract, promise, or agreement to
make an expenditure.
Comment by Wiregrass Guy — December 3, 2007 @ 9:21 pm
First Wiregrass Guy, I am still waiting for any evidence that James has spent more than $5,000. That would, of course, be most interesting in this matter.
Second, as I am sure you know, campaign violations do not usually carry with them jail terms. The difference in the case of Siegelman proved the instance of bribery. So, while you continue your dramatics, ill informed though they may be, I will continue following the facts of this race. Perhaps you should join us in that endeavor.
Comment by Will — December 3, 2007 @ 10:05 pm
Wiregrass Guy - you amaze me. James is not raising money or is even an announced candidate. He does not need a certain organization established under fec rules to run a poll, and if his committee for governor ran the poll even for Congress or President of the United States for that matter, it would all be above board and perfectly legal. Do you think Smith formed a Congressional Campaign Committee with the FEC before she ran her poll? Certainly not. You have no clue what you are talking about in terms of what the process is so I suggest you stop spouting off at the mouth until you do.
Comment by JT — December 4, 2007 @ 7:33 am
Well, JT, the louder you scream, the more I believe you know it’s probably a real problem.
If Smith or James is using corporate or any other type of non-reported funds, it is a potential problem.
Deal with it.
Comment by Wiregrass Guy — December 4, 2007 @ 9:30 am
if you aren’t a declared federal candidate . . . you can take a poll. Ask Mitt Romney.
Comment by ptclearer — December 4, 2007 @ 11:29 am
Thanks ptclearer. I am not in the james or the smith camp by any means - i just get irritated when someone makes a false claim and fails to back it up with any facts. Sure - that happens on here a lot - but this was one clearly wrong from the start. Wiregrass Guy - you are way off…as usual.
Comment by JT — December 4, 2007 @ 11:33 am
JT and PTclearer are correct. The post about breaking FEC rules etc is much about nothing - smith, james, they have done nothing close to wrong.
Comment by PikeCountyguy — December 4, 2007 @ 12:36 pm
I hope Tim James decides to get in this race - we need someone I can actually believe in and vote for - and he is the only one thus far in the list of potential candidates I feel that way about. Go Tim Go.
Comment by Stephen — December 4, 2007 @ 8:28 pm