Posted by Stephanie Bell, currently serving in her fifth term on the State Board of Education, officially throws her hat into the ring for the Republican primary for the 2nd Congressional District by qualifying with the party. Montgomery City Councilwoman Martha Roby has also qualified on the GOP side. Republican businessman Rick Barber has announced his candidacy for the seat. Democrat Bobby Bright is the freshman incumbent.
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I had the occasion recently to observe an exchange between Marine Corps veteran Rick Barber and a retired Marine Corps Sergeant Major. The Sergeant Major told Barber that, before going in to battle, he always prayed to God saying, “Lord, I’m about to forget you for a while, but please, Lord, don’t You forget me; and, He never did.” A moment of silence followed, and I noticed both men were on the verge of tears.
I’m proud of all three GOP CD-2 candidates. But I have to say, of the three, Barber is by far the most qualified to serve at this crucial point in American history. People who have never experienced military service have no clue what it is like to be totally stripped of freedom, endure the loneliness and deprivation of material comfort or face the uncertain demands of their country. This incomparable experience, coupled with a solid record in the private sector and his sheer passion for freedom makes Barber stand out. He’s a smart, tough patriot–not the kind of guy our enemies want us to send to Washington where perverts and liars have reigned for too long.
The above writer (BBR) should be more respectful of “Ricky Joe,” one of America’s best and brightest who comes from a proud family of Marine Corps veterans who have bled to preserve our freedom so folks like BBR could enjoy a 20 year career in freedom and prosperity.
I’ve taken time to get to know Barber personally. He’s from Texas–nothing wrong with that in my book. He has the most advanced business skills of any man his age I have ever met. The Marines taught him stuff about technology that colleges are not equipped to teach. He’s articulate and answers questions without hesitation–something else military people do so well. Many politicians could take some lessons from him–and should, and will–if we are wise enough to give this very deserving Marine a chance to represent us.
The very fact that “Ricky Joe” served in the Marines and wants the job ought to be enough. And BBR and/or others who attempt to disparage him with trivia should be ashamed. We have enough of their kind in politics already. Enough lawyers! Enough career politicians! Let’s send a fighter to D.C. whose only goal is to preserve the Republic! To heck with all the rest of them. Semper Fi!
Marines: John Murtha and Joe Biden. Wasn’t John Kerry a military man?
He spent three years in Okinawa typing on computers. He ain’t exactly battle hardened.
@Trth – Good point…
Trth…that was not a very well researched post. As far as I can tell, 5 student draft deferments for Biden does not equal service in the Marine Corp.
However, comparing completely dissimilar things through one parallel is a clever way to make a point–most fallacies have that in common. Let’s continue that sort of logic and see where we end up.
The Constitution was voted on by elected officials, we can all agree it is a good piece of legislation. The new health care plan was voted on by elected officials–I think you can figure out where I am headed with this.
BBR said, “He spent three years in Okinawa typing on computers. He ain’t exactly battle hardened.”
True, but anyone who has gone through the rigors of Marine Corps training, especially boot camp, is hardened and prepared for combat. In the military you don’t get to choose your duty station. You go where you’re ordered to go. I know because I’ve been there and was assigned to locations all around the globe far from my family and loved ones, but I was fortunate in not ever being assigned to a combat zone. and the war in Vietnam was hot during part of my time in service.
If you survive training in the USMC, you damned sure are battle ready, and you’re subject to be in action anywhere in the world with 24 hours notice.
Even a few Marines may stray politically–Murtha. Barber is hardly a John Murtha. Trth and BBR, whoever you are, you’re immature, irrelevant, ungrateful and dishonest, even with yourselves.
We have three fine candidates. Let’s promote them and not tear them down.
Murtha, McCain, Kerry, Bush I, Bush II, Jimmy Carter, Charlie Rangel…
I could go on for days with examples of “public servants” who served and turned out to be gigantic disappointments.
My point is that military man does not always equal statesman
No one is tearing anyone down. Other than the fact that Barber was sued, all my other comments stem from what is on his website.
I don’t think that asking the hard questions is a bad idea in light of recent election events.
Hopey Changey is president because no one asked the hard questions.
There you go again. Well, here’s a “hard question” for you, BBR. Why is it Barber has put out three press releases attacking Obama’s move to allow gays to serve openly in the military, while the other candidates, including Bright, have not had one word to say about this? Could it be that this issue isn’t on their radar? Wonder why? Perhaps it is because they don’t relate to military issues the way Barber does? Think maybe military families in the 2nd District might find this issue of relevance to them? And while you’re pondering your spin on this, tell me, can you think of any military leaders who turned out to be outstanding statesmen? Do you think their military perspective helped them in public service or not?
My point was that the fact that Rick Barber is a Marine does not make him the best congressional candidate.
I have the greatest respect for the United States military. Multiple members of my family have served in the United States military and fought overseas. We would not have the freedoms we have today if it were not for the men and women who serve and have served in the United States military.
Rick Barber, however, has NO VOTING RECORD and NO EXPERIENCE in political office. How do we REALLY know how he stands on the issues? Does anybody REALLY know him? He hasn’t ever been tested in political office. Barber isn’t from CD-02 and doesn’t live in CD-02. Barber can’t win against Bright.
Thank you so much Trth, alias BBR, for admitting that military service is a good thing, and for praising our veterans, like Rick Barber, who have sacrificed to keep us free. And I actually agree with you that military service alone isn’t enough. That’s why I believe we should support candidates who not only have military service in their background, but solid business experience too. Did you know Barber is the VP of a 32 million dollar high tech company, the largest employer of technology pro’s in the State of Alabama? He has actually created jobs in the 2nd District.
Also, he drives his child to school in the 2nd District. His family attends church in the 2nd District. He lives a stone’s throw from the District line—just like Bobby Bright did when “he” decided to run for Congress in the 2nd D. When Barber renews his tag, he goes to the same probate office you do. He dines out with his family in the 2nd District. Do you think maybe he just wasn’t planning a political career when he bought his home? Is that so bad. Don’t you think he might be happy to relocate across the line–just like Bright did–first chance he gets? And, if you are really interested in knowing where he stands, why don’t you meet with him and just ask him? He isn’t hiding from anyone. As a matter of fact, he’s out there looking for people just like you to talk with.
As for a voting record, did the other candidates enter public office with voting records? How did they do that? Are you telling me that ordinary citizens of sound mind and good character shouldn’t be allowed to run for office because they haven’t been at the public trough for a while? Because, if you are, I think you’re going to anger a whole lot of voters who are fed up with incumbent politicians of all stripes.
Barber is the sharpest young man I have seen enter politics in many years. He is smart, a clear thinker, speaker, and the hardest worker I’ve ever met. He will, in my opinion, easily defeat Bright. He’s not an “establishment” politician, if that’s what you’re looking for. I do not believe establishment politicians will fare so well against Bright–how will they differentiate themselves? They all run in the same circles, take the same money, etc.
Barber is the only candidate who will turn heads when he enters Congress. He has stature and military bearing, and the guts and confidence to confront our adversaries with great effect. He has already done so. Bobby Bright has refused to face him on at least one well-publicized occasion.
My first experience with Mrs. Roby was when I heard her on the biased Morris-Montiel show. She didn’t even know what the Tea Party movement was at the time. Barber, on the other hand, campaigned for Brown and against ObamaCare in Massachusetts at his own expense and completely out of a sense of patriotic duty. You see, that’s what Marines do: they rush to the sound of the guns. This election better not be about who has a “voting record.” Aren’t we trying desperately to get rid of people who have voting records? It better be about who can most effectively fight for freedom–leadership! Otherwise, we may expect the same old same old.
Forgive me for going on. I’m just trying to keep you, and others, from making a rush to judgment. We have wonderful candidates. Barber is by far the best choice given the wars we are in at home and abroad–someone with the resolve and strength to fight 24/7 for our country, lest we awake in 2012 and no longer recognize it.
The June Primary is certainly going to be important in determining how well Republicans fare in November–in local, state, and national races. I’ve been reading articles and posts on the website (in addition to visiting the candidates’ websites). I think everyone raises some important points. I have been trying to find some answers to the questions asked, but I haven’t had a lot of luck in finding the answers to some of the questions. I agree with some of the previous posts that argued that Republicans need to make sure that we have all the answers to questions that will be raised by the opposition in November.
Has anyone been able to find the answers to these questions?
Where did Rick Barber graduate from high school and college (BBR, I believe, asked this question)?
In response to “Veteran”:
I’ve done my research, and I don’t believe that all of the candidates “take the same money.” I just checked online for the donor lists.
“Veteran” also states that this “election better not be about who has a ‘voting record.’” I did find an answer to the next question (“Aren’t we trying desperately to get rid of people who have voting records?”), but I think that you do not necessarily understand why we need to unseat Representative Bright. We are trying to “get rid of people who have (liberal) voting records.” Bobby Bright’s vote to elect Nancy Pelosi as Speaker of the House is only one example. Without a voting record, we have no way of making informed decisions in June. I have been doing research on all of the races, and it is important to have voting records so we can use an extensive conservative record as ammunition. I don’t like to make decisions unless I have all the facts. I don’t think we need to take a chance on this election cycle.
Concerned Citizen: I agree. We absolutely need to vote out people with liberal voting records. But to suggest that one must have a voting record before he or she runs for public office contradicts common sense. Who could run? There will be plenty of opportunities to ask your questions between now and June 1. So, ask them. In any event, whoever gets the GOP nomination, gets my vote. Dems = Socialism.