Marvin Scott, the perennial African-American GOP candidate for the 7th congressional district, once took a radical position on dealing with the plight of inner city poor during one of his earlier bids for Congress in 1994. According to an Indianapolis Star article discussing the race, Scott proposed the recolonization of the inner city poor to rural areas. "Scott also talked about moving inner-city poor onto rural reservations," wrote Star reporter Joe Gelarden, who now writes for the Wall Street Journal. "He calls this recolonization," Gelarden said.
The issue caught little attention from the media or Scott's opponent that year. Scott came closer than any other opponent to knocking off U.S. Rep. Andy Jacobs, Jr. in a year that Republicans nationwide swept control of Congress. Two years later, Scott launched another bid for the 10th congressional district seat after Jacobs decided to retire. Scott became embroiled in another controversy when he sent out a fundraising letter making false claims about big name Republicans who were supporting his campaign. He falsely claimed former Education Secretary William Bennett served as his national chairman and former President Gerald R. Ford and Gov. Robert Orr served as his honorary co-chairmen. Scott was forced to admit the false claims after the Star's Mary Beth Schneider called him out on them. Scott told Schneider he made an honest mistake.
Republican Carlos May has been slated by the Marion Co. GOP to take on U.S. Rep. Andre Carson this fall. Scott chose to buck the party and challenge May in the primary, hoping his residual name recognition will carry the day for him over the lesser known May.
12 comments:
Much was made of the fact that Helen Marchal once voted Democratic in a primary. Many people asserted that there was no good reason to cross party lines to do such a thing. This is a perfect example of why people do it.
I live in this district and have intended since slating to cross party lines to vote for Carlos May. Thanks for reminding me that I am doing the right thing. Carlos May deserves a run at it, Marvin Scott doesn't.
Carlos is an outstanding candidate, Nancy.
I once worked for Marvin Scott (when he ran for Senate), I quit that campaign when I lost faith in him as a candidate and saw the bridges he was burning with party leadership from the local level all the way to the RNC. I promised myself I would quit campaigns after that experience. Carlos May inspired me to give campaigning another shot. I don't think nearly enough people realize who the "real" Marvin Scott is. He looks great on paper - unfortunately that's where it ends.
I asked Dr. Scott about this on his Facebook page and he has not responded yet. This is very disturbing.
The word on Marvin seems to be that he thinks getting elected will make him somebody. Thanks for playing. Next.
Carlos is a very dynamic candidate. Check out his web page at carlosmayforcongress.com
My question with the link to this blog post on Dr. Scott's Facebook page was deleted without any answer from Dr. Scott. One supporter posted and asked for proof. I'd be interested in seeing proof of these statements as well if there is any. If Dr. Scott did not in fact say these things, I question his judgement deleting questions (mine and another woman's who apparently also had her question deleted regarding this blog post) without at least posting a denial. And I was/still am on the fence as a voter who just moved here to the district.
Maybe more people need to ask Scott on his Facebook page until he answers why he wants to ship poor people to reservations. Let him define poor and where these reservations will be located.
I tried again (in multiple different places) to get an answer from Dr. Scott about this and he immediately deleted each question. I can only assume it's factual, but any hard evidence would be appreciated. Perhaps you folks can have better luck getting an answer from him about this. His Facebook Page is:
http://www.facebook.com/Scott4Congress?ref=ts
I think it's safe to say that I am no longer making up my mind about whom I will be supporting in this Election on the GOP side. Carlos May it is.
Wow, the Republicans chose to buck Scott and run their own candidate against his slate.
Joe Gelarden does not write for the Wall Street Journal (he retired to Maine years ago). Perhaps you have the former Star newsman confused with someone else?
Same Gelarden. Just didn't know he retired.
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