Jason Sandford is a reporter, writer, blogger and photographer interested in all things Asheville.
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The war of words between local Democrats and Republicans is continuing today after a weekend fundraising event by the Buncombe County GOP.
Party Chairman Chad Nesbitt organized an event to have people rappelling down a firemen’s training tower on Saturday. For $100, a person could rappel down the tower. Nesbitt said the money raised would go to party efforts to get out the vote, and to a local charity.
U.S. Rep. Heath Shuler, a Democrat, denounced the event as taking advantage of the somber day. Democrats were also incensed at Nesbitt’s use of the term “socialistic terrorism” to describe what the local GOP was fighting against. Shuler’s Republican opponent in the upcoming November elections, Jeff Miller, also criticized the fundraiser.
Click here to see coverage by WLOS reporter/weekend anchor Frank Kracher.
Today, Nesbitt responded to the criticism. Here’s part of his press release:
On the eve of 9-11, WLOS did a news story called “Playing Politics”. Reporter Frank Kracher, (who worked for the Obama campaign before returning to WLOS) provided an excellent demonstration of media bias and how to use a national day of tragedy to manipulate the community.
Democrat candidate Heath Shuler was interviewed in the WLOS story and said that the BCGOP event was “the worst display of politics”, he had ever seen. Ironically, he was subsequently supported in that position by the Republican Candidate for the 11th District Congressional seat – Jeff Miller. It is our understanding that we were also called to task by the State Democratic Party. We appreciate the opportunity to respond to these criticisms.
The Buncombe County GOP takes special delight in our Saturday event and will repeat the effort next year. It is our position that criticism coming from a NC Democratic Party that honored a white supremacist annually for over 50 years speaks volumes on their credibility and motives. The report on our event by WLOS reporter Kracher is simply a continuation of a liberal media bias with which we are all familiar. As regards comments by our congressional candidates, it would be our position that campaigning through uninformed criticism does not speak well to the judgment and maturity of these potential representatives.
The activities by the Buncombe County GOP on Saturday followed the traditions of Veteran’s Day – whereby ceremony, celebration, and fundraising (poppy flower sales) are combined. We offer only one apology on the event – that media outlets, politicians, and political power brokers chose to misuse it in a way that mocks everything our country, and this special day, are truly about.
Below, see Nesbitt’s original video advertisement for the fundraiser.
Chad Nesbitt and those wacked-out "Uber-Republicans" are the main reason I have moved away from voting Republican. They're an embarrassment to the Republican Party and to politics as a whole. Makes me question my support of free speech!
I saw Congressman Shuler's reaction on WLOS an was happy to see him defending the memory of those lost and injured on 9/11 against this pathitic attack on decency by the Buncombe GOP and Chad Nesbitt.
I found it odd that Jeff Miller did not go on TV and publicly denouce what the local GOP and Chad Nesbitt did by name. He only said something after our Congressman had already attacked the event.
While I am long term member of the Democratic Party, I have known many well-intentioned, reasoned and good Republicans. Where do these type of Republicans turn to for leadership with this a#% clown leading the Buncombe County Republican Party? His moronic (or moranic if you are a member of the Tea Party) flame throwing rhetoric does nothing to further any sane political discourse locally. It is beyond me how anyone would want him to speak for them or a group that they were proud of.
I'd pay $300 to see Chad Nesbitt rappel 'Commando-Style,' headfirst, on a Samurai Sword. Talk about Pricless!
So.. is socialism terrorism or cancer? I am confused and not sure which is more offensive. If you scare me, am I a terrorist?
Chad Nesbitt and those wacked-out "Uber-Republicans" are the main reason I have moved away from voting Republican. They're an embarrassment to the Republican Party and to politics as a whole. Makes me question my support of free speech!
I saw Congressman Shuler's reaction on WLOS an was happy to see him defending the memory of those lost and injured on 9/11 against this pathitic attack on decency by the Buncombe GOP and Chad Nesbitt.
I found it odd that Jeff Miller did not go on TV and publicly denouce what the local GOP and Chad Nesbitt did by name. He only said something after our Congressman had already attacked the event.
What an idiot. Talk about step daddy issues.
Get over it already
While I am long term member of the Democratic Party, I have known many well-intentioned, reasoned and good Republicans. Where do these type of Republicans turn to for leadership with this a#% clown leading the Buncombe County Republican Party? His moronic (or moranic if you are a member of the Tea Party) flame throwing rhetoric does nothing to further any sane political discourse locally. It is beyond me how anyone would want him to speak for them or a group that they were proud of.