Heath Shuler has lost my vote

[Clyde39]

I've tried, along with many others in Asheville to get him to change his mind and do the right thing-----to no avail. I guess he's better than Charlie Taylor, but not much.

[tekisui]

1. I won't vote for him again.

I will leave it blank if there is no alternative to two conservatives.

[young_at_heart]

2. Same here

He's been a big disappointment.

[MadAnne]

3. Same here.

Too bad he doesn't have a credible primary challenge.

[Clyde39]

4. 'Shuler says he will vote no on health care reform' (3/20)

Headline in today's Citizen-Times.

[supernova]

5. Isn't there somebody in Asheville

who wants to primary his DINO ass? Please tell me there is.

:-(

[MadAnne]

6. Yes

Aixa Wilson, but he's not much of a challenge. Filing is closed.

[tpsbmam]

13. I'm truly struggling on this one and considering skipping that race on the ballot.

I absolutely hate doing that but not sure what else to do. I spent time reading Aixa Wilson's website & blog and wrote to him a couple of times. His responses were unsatisfactory. I found the brief statements he made on some issues to mostly be too vague and, in some instances, to be alarmingly creepy. E.g., on healthcare:

I would have voted for the bill just passed in Congress. Now, we need to focus like a laser beam on cost containment measures like reducing waste, fraud, and abuse as well as interstate competition, electronic medical records, tort reform, industry-wide standardized coding and billing practices and promotion of wellness. We must also provide much better physical and mental health care for our military personnel and their families.

http://www.wilson411nc.com/POLICY.html

That's it -- that's his entire statement about US healthcare. And in it he doesn't even mention public options, much less single payer. And he does mention the right-wing, IMO dangerous tort reform meme. In short, his healthcare "platform" is pitiful and pathetic. I wrote to him about this, asking him to be more specific and asking him about specific issues. And told him that, for personal reasons (I'm disabled with MS and also have chronic renal failure.....healthcare is a critical issue for me), I may not be able to vote for him unless he can clarify his positions.

Here is the pitiful and pathetic email I got in return:

To let you know, a good friend of mine has MS and just started a lifelong chemo regemine. I value her and her boyfriend and their quality of life together.

Many people seem to think in extremes these days. I discourage you from falling into that trap.

You have eight options in this primary. I encourage you to examine them and to choose the candidate you think would best represent you.

I value you, Anne, and I admire your courage. I hope to meet you some day.

Sincerely
Aixa Wilson

Um, only 2 of those are Democrats, the other 4 are conservative Republicans. I think I've made it very clear in the few exchanges I've had with him that I am pretty damn liberal. I don't need his pity -- I need some damn direct answers. And I sure as hell don't need his condescending opinions on how I should think -- I know what my beliefs & political viewpoints are, which by the way, have been honed over many years of experience, research & living. Does he know what his are? Does he have concrete viewpoints on the important issues of today? Are we supposed to guess what the hell those are?

So, Just like his website, I've gotten no real answers when I've written to him. He says he'd run as an independent as he has both liberal & conservative views -- fair enough. So do I. The requirements for running unaffiliated were too onerous so he's running as a Democrat. Also no problem with that. But I'm seeing too many conservative viewpoints creeping through his incredibly vague statements.

On top of all of that, he's run a piss poor campaign.

Here's his home page for those who are interested: http://www.wilson411nc.com/

I just can't vote for the guy. And I sure as shit can't vote for Shuler. So for the first time ever I may have to skip that race on the ballot. I HATE doing that, but just can't vote for either one of them.

[Clyde39]

7. WLOS approves of Shuler's stand

On the 11:00 News tonight they gave 95% of the HC coverage to the Republicans.

[HillWilliam]

8. Schuler has been a disappointment since day one

His repug record and his C-Street Family ties should have been a clue. Sorry I wasted money getting him into office (and I'm not even in his district). It won't happen again.

The difference between him and Taylor has been nil and none. I grew up in Asheville. I know it's more liberal than that and deserves a lot better.

[jeremyfive]

9. Heath Shuler has shown his true colors--TIME FOR THE BOOT!

Get Shuler the hell out of Asheville! This is not a good fit.

[Clyde39]

10. Here's the Citizen-Times 'grade' for Shuler's vote (3/23)

F to Rep. Heath Shuler , D-N.C., for failing to help create that defining moment. Shuler either lacked sufficient perceptiveness to understand that the bill would benefit his constituents, born and unborn, or simply chose to do what he thought was the politically expedient thing to benefit his own re-election. His objections to the bill ring hollow.

A fiscal conservative, as well as an abortion opponent, Shuler argued that the bill did not have sufficient cost-containment and deficit reduction measures. It’s hard to imagine that a savvy political realist would believe that continuing on the present path would accomplish either of those goals - or that if this bill failed, another more to his liking would emerge.

[paparush]

11. Ditto. This Yancey County resident will NOT be supporting Shuler.

[MountainMamma]

12. Ditto, ditto

This Macon Co voter is disgusted with his performance. I'll not vote for him again either.