Before dozens of supporters, Democrat Antonio Blue officially announced his candidacy for U.S. Congress in the 8th District.
The Dobbins Heights mayor is mounting a write-in campaign against incumbent Democrat Congressman Larry
“How can you support a Democratic congressman who doesn’t support our president?” Blue said at his kick off rally on Tuesday
To the applause of the crowd, Blue reiterated, “This is a winnable election. Don’t say it cannot be done. It can be done.”
Helen Cox, who attended, said she feels that people don’t realize that Kissell has failed to support President Barack Obama. “He voted against it (Affordable Health Care Act) the first time and voted against it in the last vote, which was unnecessary. He might as well be a Republican.”
Because Blue is a write-in candidate, his name will not appear on the ballot. Blue said supporters should not vote a straight Democratic ticket, but vote for each contest individually. He said under the race for U.S. Congress, 8th District, voters will need to mark the box for write-in and then write in the name “Antonio Blue” in the blank provided.
The Kissell campaign disagreed with Blue’s characterization.
Kissell spokesman Christopher Schuler described Kissell as “an independent voice.”
“Congressman Kissell has agreed with the president on some issues, and has stood up and disagreed with him when he didn’t,” Schuler said. “Our last Representative wrongly put blind loyalty to his party’s President first, and voters remember that. I can assure you that the Democratic Party is a ‘big tent’ and there is plenty of room for moderate folks like Larry in it.”
Also on the ballot for the 8th District is Republican Richard Hudson.
That's Congress 101.
So for him to allow his spokesperson to describe him as an independent voice is contrary to the very essence of his role.
Larry Kissell, in his first term, voted with the Democratic administration more than 90 percent of the time. In his most recent term, that number dropped to 74 percent ... and dropping.
Seems like Larry Kissel has gone rogue or is showing his true colors: An elephant in donkey's clothing.
He would get more respect if he would come out of the closet and embrace who he really is at heart instead of pretending to be something he isn't - a proud Democrat.