Chronically Incompetent
by David Benzion · 02/01/2008 11:43 amIn recent months you might have noticed an ad on LST for Chris Peden, a KSEV-listener who a few years back, with the endorsement of CLOUT, helped lead a property-tax revolution in Friendswood.
Peden is now fighting to replace Ron Paul in Congress, on the basic premise that people who live in District 14 actually deserve an elected representative who cares more about looking out for their interests in D.C. than trying to persuade a bunch of dope-smoking, Kucinich-loving college students in Seattle that America’s problems are the result of a flawed monetary policy controlled by a wealthy and secretive elite.
Anywho, how are things going?
Let’s check in with this morning’s Houston Chronicle (final paragraph):
In the neighboring 14th District, Republican incumbent Ron Paul and primary challenger Chris Peden each raised less than $50,000 in the last three months. But thanks to funds from previous campaigns, Paul had a balance of $144,000 at year’s end, twice as much as Peden. Paul can use in the congressional campaign some of the millions he raised to run for president. [LST NOTE: See update below]
Gee, that doesn’t sound too good.
Except here’s the thing–the Chronicle got the numbers EXACTLY BACKWARDS.
Here’s Chris Peden’s fourth-quarter FEC report; scroll down to Line 27, “Cash On Hand At Close Of The Reporting Period” and you see $143,949 dollars and 92 cents.
Here’s the fourth-quarter FEC report of the Most Honorable Man In America; Line 27, “Cash On Hand At Close Of The Reporting Period” reads $66,225 dollars and 34 cents.
Whoops.
Of course, Dr. Paul is allowed by “law” (really just “regulations” issued by an unconstitutional and illegitimate so-called “Federal Elections Commission”) to shift some of the millions he’s raising from across the nation as part of his Presidential run to his congressional campaign coffers… but that really wouldn’t be very honorable, would it?
After all, those millions were donated to support Dr. Paul’s pursuit of the presidency, not to keep his grubby little hands on a congressional seat… right?
UPDATED– As of noon, the Chronicle has erased it’s earlier error, Soviet-style, without a trace.
They will be noting that Peden has twice as much money Cash-On-Hand as Paul, no?
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Yawn
Yawn?
You must be Dr. Paul’s congressional campaign fundraising chairman.
Yawn.
Maybe that cash is coming from Peden’s corporate masters—because Paul doesn’t have any.
Well, there’s always the fact that Paul could put out a message on his website and say. “Send money to my Congressional Campaign next Friday.” and he would get a million or two from his fundraising base.
I suppose he is still thinking about Super Tuesday at the moment to need to do something like that.
JP, read Peden’s report for yourself, and you can see exactly where the money came from. I’m sorry to say you’ll be disappointed, unless you consider people like a CPA, an orthodontist and a pastor to be “corporate masters.”
It’s also interesting to note that all of Peden’s money is local — it comes from towns like Houston, Friendswood and Crosby.
I’m perusing the Good Doctor’s receipts, and I see a lot of donations from towns like New York, Tucson and Los Angeles.
J.P.– I’m curious who you think Peden’s corporate masters are. Names, please.
Jason43– I suppose it’s possible that Paul’s fans could raise millions for him overnight to remain an incumbent congressman… although I was under the impression that they had been giving him money so that he could pursue the presidency, not simply retain a job in federal government, whatever it is.
I think we can agree though that if Paul wants to devote funds to his congressional campaign, he ought to raise them explicitly for that purpose, right? He ought to have a specific fund-raiser that tells potential donors “Hey, I want your money not so that I can become President, but so that I can keep being a congressman even if I lose my race for the White House.”
Cause raising funds for one purpose and then shifting them over to another might be the actions of a typical politician… but it wouldn’t be very honorable.
Right?
Hey jackass, I was at the Seattle rally. There were people from all walks of life there, many of them mothers and fathers with kids. Try calling them potheads and see what happens. And why is ‘pothead’ used as a derogatory term? Would people be more all-American if they were wife-beating, drunk-driving, property-destroying, loud, violent, fratboy-jackass alcoholics?
And here I thought the Ron Paul believers were a bunch of badly-behaved, hissy-fit-tossing misfits.
Thanks for setting me straight, Melpau!
Benzion,
Get over it. Peden is toast if all he has is 144K.
Here is another hint. Peden won’t win re-election in Friendswood. KSEV and LST or any other outsider will never sneak up on Frienswood elections again.
“Hey Jackass”
Now, that’s a mighty fine way to start a conversation.
Next Sundday at church I’ll get my 8 yr old tell the pastor “hey, jackass”. I bet that’ll go ever real well.
Paulistinians, who says they are a bunch of goofballs? Go figger!
Paul needs more Nazi fiat money… maybe some of you Seattle Nazis could raise some?
Try calling them potheads and see what happens.
POTHEADS
And West Palm Beach…
And don’t forget the all-important Pimps & Hos vote.
First the pothead writes in and says ‘we are not potheads.’ Then, he says, ‘what’s so bad about being a pothead?’
Dude, you might be a pothead if…
Triple yawn
Dude, you might be a pothead if…
…what were we talking about?
And why is ‘pothead’ used as a derogatory term?
Seattle Nazis…
I hate Seattle Nazis.
Bring me four fried chickens and a Coke.
There is no reason any Texan should vote for anyone other than Ron Paul, unless they would like to see their state completely shredded.
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Paul: No federal funds for Trans Texas Corridor
Ron Paul, Republican congressman from Lake Jackson who is running a longshot bid for president, has filed a bill in the House of Representatives to prevent the proposed Trans-Texas Corridor from receiving federal dollars.
The TTC is a large transportation network championed by Gov. Rick Perry and the Texas Department of Transportation that would carve a wide swath out of central Texas to add highway lanes, rail lines and other infrastructure to major trade routes in the state.
Paul, who represents District 14, has long opposed the concept. Among the goals of the TTC are improving trade between the U.S. and its North American neighbors. Paul, who opposes U.S. membership in the United Nations, has said the TTC is part of a broader effort to form a North American organization that could supplant aspects of U.S. law and policy.
Paul has further stated his opposition to the superhighway being built by private companies, who would control aspects of the corridors and would charge fees for its use.
“I am particularly concerned about the use of eminent domain to take private land for the construction of this highway,” said Paul, “and this bill would prevent the federal government from participating in this heinous practice.”
http://www.herald-coaster.com/articles/2008/01/31/news/top_story/topstory.txt
hmmmm- wonder what the Perry corporate shill has to say about the TTC?
The eyes of Texas are upon you Peden and the Houston Chronicle is toast.
Huh??? Ron Paul? That’s the guy running for president and congress?
Darn, I didn’t read, I just looked at his pictures. All this time I thought he was Pat Paulsen, back from the grave, but in worse shape.
There is no reason any Texan should vote for anyone other than Ron Paul
Wow! You just sold me! (Not like that jackass guy) Keep them shrimp earmarks coming, I likes shrimps!
/
Zombie Pat Paulsen for District 14
I think I’ll vote for snoopy, no actual candidate seems worthy. How bout we all do write in votes
Dan Patrick for president
20.
But millions in earmarks for shrimp interests in his District.
8.
Wow, excellent job in proving Benzion’s point.
Must be a lot more toking going on among Paul supporters these days. His showing in Florida was his worst yet, wasn’t it?
I actually fell asleep.
Paul sucks. Bring on McCain.
Matt - thanks for the link to the FEC site. In looking at Hillary’s stats, the Latino Alliance has provided funding against her. I find that interesting.
melpau25
Based on the tone and quality of your post, I wouldn’t doubt the veracity of that claim for an instant.
Were you at these rallies too, melpau25?
http://www.zmedia.org/WTO/N30.htm
Ah, the writer of the article can use linguistics to just collectively lump hundreds of people from all walks of life, but usage of the word “Jackass” ruined the intellectual purity of the dialogue!
“Were you at these rallies too, melpau25?
http://www.zmedia.org/WTO/N30.htm”
Ah, one of these.
The fundamental argument of posts like those is:
“There are 300 people at a Ron Paul rally. 10 of them are 9/11 truthers. Therefore; there were 300 9/11 truthers at a Ron Paul rally.”
#32 That link wasn’t to a Troofer rally. It was the anarchists violent protests at the WTO meetings in Seattle.
“There are 300 people at a Ron Paul rally. 10 of them are 9/11 truthers. Therefore; there were 300 9/11 truthers at a Ron Paul rally.”
The rest were either smoking dope in a drum circle or smoking dope playing hacky sack. I bet you’re a drummer!
I hear Ron Paul is going to convert to Islam? Is this true? Or is he going to just pay his dhimmi tax to the muslim overlords?
no. 10 - I live in Friendswood and Chris Peden has a loyal base who is sorry to see him leave. Chris Peden worked his fanny off to keep spending under control, as well as spend time with his family, maintain his business and be accessible to all who live in Friendswood. The last time Ron Paul had showed anywhere in our district was back in 2006 when he blasted every American ideal there is.
He also spends an incalculable amount of time at a little known local charity. He doesn’t divulge that information, because he does it for the ones who benefit from the charity, not for himself.
no. 4 - Chris Peden is a small businessman that he runs with his wife. If you call that being a “corporate master,” I think you need to research your reasoning. I own a small business and I contributed to his campaign, so does that make me a corporate master?
#36 chickenmom , I applaud you for your reason and information. You go woman!!!
chickenmom - his only sin is a grave one. He has dared to challenge their savior, Ron Paul. Any name they call him is acceptable and justified. Free speech, you know.
#36 Chickenmom: Shuug, why do you have to insert reason? Paulbearers can’t grasp that concept.
I just really worry about after RP loses by a landslide. What’s going to happen to them? Depression? Nervous breakdown? Drugs? Suicide?
I know that DJ and Bob42 will be just fine, but what about the rest?
Are these Ron Paul threads intended to draw the Ron Paul crowd soley for comment hits? I see no other purpose.
#40 Liz
Ah, THAT’S entertainment!
How much air time is Peden getting on KSEV and KPRC and KPFT (LOL)?
Here is the deal. I am not a Ron Paul supporter, but he is going to win the congressional race. I was not aware that Peden was not running for re-election in Friendswood. Peden is not evil, and is probably a good man, but he was elected because KSEV and LST inserted themself into Friendswood’s election. I am also a Friendswood resident, and an outside entity will never be able to do that again. As he will not win in March and will not run again for Frienswood’s position; the discussion is really moot.
LOL Jleaves. LST and KSEV inserted itself by showing how Mel Measles, other members of TMC, and members of the Friendswood City Council had been getting favorable tax increases while the rest of the citizens were being screwed by outrageous increases in property valuations. Perhaps you would like to let us examine you by name and see what your property taxes have done and make us aware of your affiliations.
My property taxes have gone up 9.3%/year over the last 2 years. It is not Peden’s or Measles fault that they have gone up. Property taxes really aren’t the point are they. I have no affiliation, but resent outside forces coming into my city and ignoring the values of Friendswood. Again, as Peden is history; this conversation really is moot.
LST and KSEV knows that they hove no clout in Friendswood anymore. Just ask them about John Ring.
Interesting, although the Chronicle got more right to this story than you give them credit for.
Look more closely at Line 13 on the FEC summary report.
http://query.nictusa.com/cgi-bin/dcdev/forms/C00435776/319077/
Paul’s cash came from small private donations for the most part, and he clearly outraised Peden in actual donors. Peden had very few real donors, and almost all his cash came from a single giant $149,000 loan he gave his own campaign. In some circles, that is correctly called buying yourself a seat in Congress.
The great irony of Chris Peden’s entire campaign is that he’s running on a message of calling Ron Paul ineffective.
Peden is also running on his own greatest claim to fame: authoring a failed ordinance that would have made English the official language of Friendswood, Texas.
Just to reiterate, the guy who calls Ron Paul ineffective for not getting more bills through the U.S. Congress can’t even get the centerpiece of his own political career passed by the Friendswood city council. Is it just me, or is there some sort of cognitive disconnect going on in this guy’s head.
Who is ‘loan to self’. Looks like they’ve exceeded the maximum donation.
And let’s not pretend that Peden can outraise Paul.
Name calling is rediculous. If you disagree on issues, fine. But don’t call each other names. It doesn’t come across as intelligent arguements and only shows immaturity.
And I don’t think Paul can move funds from the presidential campaign to the congressional one.
I stand to be corrected on this, but my understanding on campaign funds is that they may be used only for the campaign for which they were donated EXCEPT for any money remaining after said campaign has ended. Since Ron Paul’s campaign has not ended, he is restricted from spending his presidential campaign funds elsewhere.
And if he could spend those funds on his Congressional campaign that doesn’t mean that he would.
This is regrettable. People don’t really understand what a libertarian is. Ronald Reagan once described himself as a libertarian-conservative (http://www.reason.com/news/show/29318.html). That same article delivers the biggest wake-up call to anyone that does not understand the relationship between being conservative and being libertarian. In Reagan’s own words: “If you analyze it I believe the very heart and soul of conservatism is libertarianism.” Also, he correctly stated: “The basis of conservatism is a desire for less government interference or less centralized authority or more individual freedom and this is a pretty general description also of what libertarianism is.” Chris Peden alleges that he is conservative, but he is obviously for spending and the funding of a fiasco in Iraq. He will also lead the cheers for the construction of the Trans-Texas Corridor. Back to the concepts, please understand that libertarianism is an ideology, conservatism is the vehicle. Both cannot survive without the other.
Peden You need to get your lying ass out of Texas or we will help you.
As an avid admirer of the good Dr. Ron Paul and a contributer to his Presidential Campaign - I for one would not be the LEAST BIT OFFENDED if he used my contributions to augment his Congressional Campaign - there is NO DISHONOR and certainly NO DISGRACE in using what ever funds have been sent to him to allow him to remain in Washington in what ever capacity the Lord will allow. It is now also my lifelong ambition to replace each and every member of the Whitehouse with simialrly minded individuals - thus turning the whole of congress and the senate into a majority of Freedom Fighting, Liberty Loving, Constutionalists!
Viva La Revolution!
vote for ***peden***
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why should new orleans have all the disasters…
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http://zeromotivation.com/why_they_attacked_us.html
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For now, I’m going to assume that Texas is still full of straight forward honest folks who appreciate people who say up front what they believe in and why.
Ron Paul doesn’t so much remind me of Reagan as he does Barry Goldwater. Dr Paul holds some opinions which are contrary to mine, but I find it unbelievably refreshing not to have to parse his words to learn what he means - it’s obvious, it’s connected to a consistent philosophy, and it doesn’t change according to poll results.
I don’t know legal restrictions on whether Dr Paul can use donations for his presidential campaign in his congressional race (a very small amount was from my family), but thanks to the comments in this thread I have just given another (unfortunately small) donation to the local campaign.
Consider this folks: Goldwater didn’t win either, in fact he lost in a landslide. One could make a thoughtful case that his campaign changed history as much as Kennedy/LBJ - and you’d be right.
Ron Paul has reminded this country of what is found in our society’s foundation. The only media response has been the continual drumbeat of “not electable, not electable…” That’s kinda pathetic if you think about it.
From what I have read Chris Peden is a good guy, EXCEPT he is running a mudslinging campaign and not running on his own merits. Every add and flyer I have seen for him is a bash on Ron Paul. Even the front page of his web site talks about Ron Paul more than himself.
I bet this backfires on him in the long run. He will find out why Ron Paul wins re-election over and over.
The national campaign for President can’t spend a dime on his congressional seat. But as usual, he will raise a lot of money from Ron Paul fans from all over the country, including the DFW area from ME.
WHY, because we need people like him in office.
“The last time Ron Paul had showed anywhere in our district was back in 2006 when he blasted every American ideal there is.”
Those ideals he blasts are the current ideals in America. Since those current ideals are not the ones the founding fathers made for our country in our constitution, then he is actually NOT blasting American ideals. That’s because the original ideals that are no longer being practiced are the TRUE American ideals. You, like almost all America, are being taken like sheep to slaughter.
Chris Peden actually sounds good, compared to other Republicans. He sounds truly conservative. However, he is no match for RP. I would love it if he ran against someone else in another part of the state and left Ron Paul in place. Ron Paul should run for president and yet continue in congress if he can’t be President. He is of no use to us at home watching TV just because he can’t be President. He is of sound mind and body regardless of his age. He does exercise daily and eats healthy. That’s something half of 20 year olds don’t do.
I didn’t know he was running a mud-slinging campaign. Crap, I had respect for the guy from the little I’ve read. See, I’m not from Texas and just wanted to comment on your site. If he’s a mud slinger then forget him totally. I did notice that he tries to make RP sound like some old fart that needs to be forced into retirement. See Ron Paul grilling Ben Bernanke of the Fed on YouTube. Watch the full version where you hear Bernanke responding.
re: “…some opinions which are contrary to mine…”
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i certainly hope so!
re: “legal restrictions on… donations for his presidential campaign…”
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just a note to contrast the gop blind hatred working to defame the doc at all costs: ms. clinton rounded up roughly 10 million of her senate play money and called it as part of her Q4 presidential take. while it’s a legal practice, those in the know (the bought and paid-for, and the wannabees) use it to their political advantage.
no one in history can match the transparency of both position and record, past or present. even the donations coming in are displayed real-time. since he has nothing to hide, the hypocrites must rely on slurs and folks who allow others to think for themselves. if you want to find a voting record or speech or legislation, it is all open:
http://www.house.gov/paul/legis.shtml
let’s see the critics match that so all can compare.
can someone please clarify one thing for me? I don’t see Chris Peden’s military service in his bio. Did he ever serve or is he an armchair general willing to sacrifice countless American soldiers because we were mistaken about Iraq? I ask this as well- How many Americans is Peden willing to sacrifice just to forward his political career?
Also from the same link mentioned in my last comment - this is GOOD
Where is Peden getting all that money from?
***********************************************
Donor:
William Chris Peden
Peden & Associates, LLP
CPA
Carry-over loan balance - $14,428.02
4th Quarter loans from Chris Peden to Chris Peden -
10/01/2007 - $129.33
10/04/2007 - $21.61
10/06/2007 - $99.86
10/11/2007 - $1,000.00
11/29/2007 - $12,000.00
11/30/2007 - $18,000.00
12/07/2007 - $59,875.00
12/10/2007 - $20,000.00
12/31/2007 - $25,000.00
Grand Total: $150,424.49
Of the remaining actual donations from persons other than the Honorable Chris Peden himself, approximately half came from his relatives, Messrs. Bill Peden, also of Peden and Associates, and Greg Peden, of the Alvin Chevron station each gave the maximum allowable donation of $4,600. Ellen and Lois Peden, co-managers of the Hope Village Tea Room. similarly maxed out, bringing the Peden Family’s self contributions to a total of $16,100 for the quarter.
That places just over $166,000 of Peden’s claimed total haul of $174,000 “in the family.”
*********************************************
Now, don’t you feel silly, letting this little “man,” David Benzion, rattle your cage? LOL
What’s the matter David? Don’t you want anyone to see your smirky comments over at county seat blog?
You really should be more covert, you know, not make it so obvious that the big picture issues DO NOT matter to you, just the smearing of a man with far more courage and integrity than you could ever hope for.
Is is really more important to spread lies and smear a decent man than to end the PATRIOT Act?, bring our troops home before anymore are harmed or killed?, limited the size and scop of government in our lives? Come on David, makes you seem like a silly schoolgirl.
correction: limit the size and scope of government in our lives?
Again– your facts are accurate, but your understanding of my motive is misguided.
I couldn’t care less about “promoting” Peden’s fundraising numbers, especially since (I think we can all agree) his “prowess” in this field has proven itself to be incredibly lame.
~David Benzion at county seat (to be continued)
This site won’t allow me to post David’s entire comment at the county blog here, so just go to their site and look for youself
2/2/08 Chris Peden’s Cash Redux
David’s comment is way down the page.
the county seat blog - go look
Bye David, and don’t fret, I won’t be back. Nothing to see here.
Interesting, about the switched numbers.
I followed the link for the FEC reports, and I see that Chris Peden did indeed have $149,000 cash on hand. I also see he had $132,000 in debt.
Ron Paul also had the amount you quoted, but with 0 debt.
This may not seem to be a matter of significance; but actually, I believe it is.
Oh, and it’s my understanding that Ron Paul cannot transfer funds from his presidential run to his Congressional Campaign.
And now I see where he got all of that money, and why his campaign is in so much debt.
http://countyseat.blogspot.com/2008/02/chris-pedens-cash-redux.html
This guy is a joke!