Hey everyone!
It’s been a busy week for all as the election gets closer. Representative McClanahan’s campaign manager, Charles, sent out an email reminding us that WE can help her campaign by talking to the electorate! Want to help? Visit the sign up here and you will be well on your way! If you want to show your support with a yard sign, bumper sticker, or pin, stop by campaign headquarters at 311 North Elson Street in Kirksville.
This week I would like to focus on some of the differences in Representative McClanahan and her opponent for the Missouri District 2 seat. As I sit here looking at Rebecca’s website, it impresses me how she defines herself by the terms she uses, especially in her biography – nurse, mother, teacher, advocate, and leader. Even when we spoke, Rep. McClanahan spoke of how when the seat first opened up in 2006, she was encouraged by her peers to take the position because of how active she already was in the issues. Her advertisements (see example below) focus on her strengths, and she can be seen at many community functions throughout the year.
I’m concerned that when I go to Zach Wyatt’s website, his focus is completely on his military background and the fact that he grew up in this area. He has not had a job outside the military after graduating high school, and in his radio advertisement (also on his website), he focuses on the fact that he is a veteran and as has been sponsored by this group and that group. What about other qualifications? Has he actually advocated for anything before? Rebecca was an executive for the Missouri Nurses Association, and was diligent about providing more nurses for this nation. She knows how to go after an end result and has shown us that for four years.
Do any of you share the same concerns?
-Abi
I really do not share the same concerns, at all. Rebecca does have some more job experience than Zach, I'll give you that, but so what? Should we really belittle Zach because he chose to serve his country in the military and now wants to make a real difference in our state government? Just because Zach isn't married and doesn't have kids doesn't mean he can't serve as an impecable legislator. Last time I checked, being able to procreate wasn't a requirement for holding state office. Zach is a real American and has Missourian's true interests at heart.
ReplyDeleteI totally agree! Rebecca has had the life experience to represent Northern Missouri on issues that are important to us. She has lived healthcare and education and is a staunch supporter of Truman State University, where she taught. On the other hand, Zack Wyatt is straight out of the air force. On his bio page, he sells himself on his military knowledge and brags about his skills with the Russian and Chechen language. We don’t need a representative to fight battles or negotiate with Russians, that’s what the national government is for. Mr. Wyatt’s only political qualifications are that he was an intern with Christopher “Kit” Bond. I have also interned in political offices. Does that make me qualified to be our representative? NO! I’m glad that Mr. Wyatt has served our country, but that in no way makes him qualified to fight our political battles too. When it comes to politics, Zach Wyatt is the boot, while Rebecca McClanahan is the seasoned veteran ready to lead us.
ReplyDelete-Andrew
I definitely share similar concerns, especially coming from a civil libertarian background the buzzwords on his website [strong, moral, and conservative leadership] tend to make me extremely hesitant as a voter in MO 2 to consider supporting him.
ReplyDeleteI digress, though, on the point of not having other jobs outside of the military. In my eyes he simply has not had the time to gain more experience and that is a trait of his candidate.
Now what does concern me outside of the points you brought above is reading through his issue stances, especially elaborated ones. Zach seems like a cookie cutter conservative: attack the Federal Government, attack welfare, attack the education system on the Federal level. These issues do have problems, but attacking them without research and due diligence on the impacts of the program is always troubling to see, in Democrat and Republicans!