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Woolard talks up challenge to ButterfieldBy Kathryn Kennedy The Daily Reflector Tuesday, September 14, 2010 Local Republicans believe this is the year to vote U.S. Rep. G.K. Butterfield, a Democrat, out of the District 1 seat he's held for six years. They also believe Beaufort County businessman Ashley Woolard is the man for the job, but he said Monday that he needs more than their confidence — he needs money and people at the polls. Close to 100 people attended a fundraising event for the congressional candidate Monday evening at Ironwood Country Club. They wrote checks, shook hands and spoke with optimism about Woolard's chances on Nov. 2. Conservative radio personality Henry Hinton introduced the evening's first featured speaker, former Charlotte mayor and 2008 gubernatorial candidate Pat McCrory. Hinton called him the man who should have been governor if Gov. Beverly Perdue hadn't benefited from the “Obama tsunami” and straight-ticket Democratic ballots. McCrory received a standing ovation, but he centered his comments on Woolard and what he thinks Republicans can accomplish this fall. “I am sick of the arrogance of elected officials who think they own the position,” he said. “It's not (Butterfield's) seat; it's the people's seat. We're going to fight the arrogance of Washington, D.C.” McCrory said Woolard understands that the private sector — not the public — will bring the nation out of the recession. He said Woolard will lead with common sense, but needs support. Take churches, businesses, neighbors and schools to the polls, he said. “This is what the other side does,” McCrory said. “This is what we do for Ashley. It starts tonight.” Woolard took the podium next, opening with his concerns about the nation's economy. “The leadership of this country has put my children in front of an economic firing squad,” he told supporters, referencing “reckless spending” by both Democrats and Republicans. “We're going to take this country back.” Woolard has worked throughout his campaign to tie Butterfield to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and politics inside the Beltway. That rhetoric continued Monday. He said Butterfield votes with Pelosi 96 percent of the time and is “totally out of touch with what's going on here in eastern North Carolina.” Funds contributed to Butterfield's campaign by embattled New York Rep. Charlie Rangel and others provided by the government for daily expenses that he keeps following trips — as revealed in a Wall Street Journal article several weeks ago — also were mentioned. Other Republicans running in state and national races and in attendance were recognized at the event: U.S. House candidate Greg Dority from District 12, N.C. House District 6 candidate Bill Cook and District 9 candidate Stan Larson. Woolard noted their importance as the state redraws district lines following this election. But he concluded with tangible optimism — “There's going to be one congressional district that all the pundits overlooked.” Woolard says it will be his. Contact Kathryn Kennedy at kkennedy@reflector.com or (252) 329-9566. |
