GONZO's TRUTH-O-METER: Bringing you in from the Cold!

DAN BURTON WAS RIGHT!

2008-08-28T08:51:00.000-07:00

"And the Truth Shall Set You Free."

Check out this story from the "Dan Burton Was Right" file.

Sometimes it's fun to say: "I told you so!"

"Truth-O-Meter" Vol. I, No. 14: Proof John McGoff is not a Conservative.

2008-04-30T06:16:00.000-07:00

"And the Truth shall set you free"

Don't just take your humble fearless leader's word for it, fellow Truth-seekers! Check out this quote from Brian Howey ...

"But it looks as if McGoff would need about 2,000 gross rating points (and several more Matt Tully columns in the Indianapolis Star) to drive up the 20-25 percent name ID that might get him in the game with Burton. Another problem facing McGoff is that many of his supporters are independent and moderate Republicans ..." (emphasis added)

And, check out this endorsement of Our Congressman from TAM:

The Dr. is out.

NRAhab has the skinny on Dr. John McGoff, who is attempting to challenge for the GOP nomination in Indiana's 5th District, and his involvement with Joyce Foundation-funded and Brady-affiliated anti-gun organization "Indiana Partnership to Prevent Firearm Violence", which makes him even less of a Republican than John McCain. Fortunately, 5th District Republicans won't have to hold their nose in this primary like they will in the national race, because McGoff's opponent, Dan Burton, Votes Freedom First.

So, fellow Truth-seekers, let's review:

A shamelessly favorable liberal cage-liner and it's (self-described) political columnist (who doesn't even pretend to be objective), support a guy who's base of support are Marion County Moderates and Independents; whose campaign couldn't tell the truth if they wanted to (remember the role Jim Carey played in Liar, Liar ?); whose financial support comes from trial lawyers, BIG Medicine, and even BIGGER PharMa; and who spent a cool $500K to get a few more points than the last guy, who didn't raise enough to have to file an FEC report, and managed to seriously honk off the entire GOP party in the district. No, I just can't continue to kick these guys while they're down. (As much as I'd like to, there comes a time when mercy is the appropriate response.)

The decision for us Truth-seekers, conservatives, and all sane, rational, moderates and good-government independents is to go to the polls on Tuesday, May 6th, and vote for a real conservative leader

Our Congressman, Dan Burton.

"Truth-O-Meter, Vol. I, No. 13" The Nameless Campaign: So many Lies, So Little Time

2008-04-24T15:14:00.001-07:00

"And the Truth shall set you free"

Fellow Truth-seekers,

I grow weary of constantly pointing out the lies, half truths, and shameless distortions that the Nameless Campaign continues to foist upon the good people of Indiana.

This latest tortured twist is beyond any thirty second response ad so please, get a cup of coffee (or a frozen blender drink) and sit back with the ol' wireless laptop as we explain what the McGoff people clearly don't understand.

Sometimes, when you sit at the "big-boys table" and you understand the Rules and Procedures of the House of Representatives, you have to do something that they affectionately call a "kitchen sink bill" - wherein, as the Chairman or Ranking Member of a Committee or subcommittee, you put every idea that everyone has in a draft bill that will act like a "discussion draft" so that everybody has a chance to speak on the issues that concern them and beat up on the issues that they don't agree with. It's the process.

So McGoff sends out a mail hit piece that attacks the Dan Burton on a bill that that he introduced as the Ranking Member of the Western Hemisphere subcommittee. (Note to McGoff campaign: All US Borders are within the Western Hemisphere)

That bill (HR 5456) was intended to start a discussion on the problem of illegal immigration. And it did that. The overwhelming message was that we need to be even tougher on illegal immigrants. So, in response, Mr. Burton replaced HR 5456 from the last Congress (the old bill McGoff uses to attack Our Congressman), with (today, in the real world) H.R.3549, a bill that seeks:

(1) To withdraw Federal funds from States and political subdivisions of States that interfere with enforcement of Federal immigration law... and

(2) SECURE THE BORDER!

(Note to Devoted Readers: Sponsor: Rep Burton, Dan [IN-5] (introduced 9/17/2007) emphasis added

The legislation was referred to the following Committees:

(1)House Judiciary

(2)House Oversight and Government Reform

The latest action (according to the LIS): 10/12/2007 (emphasis added) The bill was referred to Government Oversight and Reform subcommittee on Immigration, Citizenship, Refugees,Border Security, and International Law.

Ummm ... did anybody catch the 10/2007? By my public school math that was 7 months ago. Didn't McGoff's campaign bother to research that bill, or did they just selectively pick out the one thing that they could distort? (Obviously the latter.) It is just another example of the way the Nameless Campaign just shovels $h*t on the folks in the 5th district.

(Rumor has it that even the Republican Party has repudiated their obscene campaign tactics.)

Thankfully, this thing will be over in a couple of weeks. McGoff will be a footnote, the GOP can focus on electing our State Reps and County Commissioners and other worthy GOPers, and we'll get back to bashing the real opponents - The DEMOCRATS!

Stay-tuned my friends - it only gets better from here!

Truth-O-Meter, Vol I., No. 12, Here's one you won't see in the "Cage-Liner"

2008-04-12T17:31:00.001-07:00

"And the Truth shall set you free"

Fellow Truth-seekers,

You must check out the letter Howard County GOPer Craig "I'm mad as hell and I ain't gonna take it no more" Dunn sent to Hoosier Access, Brian Howey, polispolitics, Indianapolis Star, Noblesville Ledger and a couple of others:

I am writing this as both a Republican and as Republican County Chairman for Howard County. When Dr. John McGoff surprised and disappointed most of the leadership of the Republican Party by announcing an ill-advised campaign against thirteen-term incumbent Congressman Dan Burton, many old political hands expected McGoff to take the easy shots at Burton for missing a few votes for a previously scheduled charity golf tournament. Frankly, since Burton's conservative voting record, constituent services and service to the Republican Party were above reproach, it did not leave much of an opportunity for Dr. McGoff to attack. However, the old political hands failed to realize the depths that someone in desperate political straights might resort to in an effort to revive a moribund and utterly failed campaign.

I was personally sickened and saddened by the callously inappropriate attack mail piece selectively mailed by John McGoff in recent days. To characterize this most recent mail piece as a gross distortion would be an understatement. In fact, it was a senseless, inaccurate distortion of the truth that was not only libelous to Dan Burton personally, but was incredibly damaging to the Republican Party. It is self-evident that the McGoff campaign has shed any vestige of civility and honor and has resorted to the time-worn tactic of obfuscation and smearing of an opponents good name. This is the act of one who is definitely more concerned with his own well-being than with the well-being of his Party and Indiana's Fifth Congressional District. I had hoped that Dr. McGoff would run an honorable, honest and energetic campaign of ideas. However, McGoff, devoid of original ideas, felt compelled to try and rescue his lagging campaign with the political equivalent of a fourth quarter "Hail Mary" pass.

It is no secret that former lobbyist Jack Abramoff donated campaign funds to hundreds of elected officials, of both political parties, over the years. When the news of Abramoff's plainly illegal acts became known, Dan Burton felt compelled to disgorge his campaign of any Abramoff contributed funds. This is a time-honored and accepted tradition in the political world. Dan Burton donated Abramoff's campaign contributions to various charities. This is the truth, plain and simple.

In the hands of McGoff's highly-paid political hit-men this simple act of reasonable charity morphed itself into a mail piece alleging fraud, intentionally diverting campaign funds to a charity. This is not only disingenuous, but laughable in the face of the facts. Upon further reflection, it isn't laughable. To directly challenge the personal integrity of a man who has given the majority of his life to public service in Indiana, agree with his political views or not, is totally inappropriate. It not only violates one of the Commandments against bearing false witness, it also violates Ronald Reagan's Commandment about speaking ill of another Republican. It was an obvious act of desperation, beneath the dignity of Dr. McGoff, detrimental to the Republican Party and just plain wrong.

I am sure that Dan Burton subscribes to Abraham Lincoln's philosophy about a lion doing battle with a skunk. The lion Burton will surely win, but cannot help but come out smelling from the encounter. It is for this reason that I ask Dr. John McGoff to grow up, understand that he is trying to compete on a level which requires much more judgment than he has demonstrated and treat his fellow man and opponent in a manner in which he would also wish to be treated. The constituents of the Fifth Congressional District are entitled to as much. Dr. McGoff owes Dan Burton and the people of the Fifth District an apology for bringing such sewage to our state. Perhaps the mail piece was not the work of Dr. McGoff, but the work of the medical, pharmacological and trial attorney special interests that seem to be his sole source of financial and political support. If so, Dr. McGoff, please repudiate these special interest driven libels!

When one reviews the incredible long list of endorsements that Dan Burton has received from State officials, legislators, Congressmen, local elected officials, party faithful and average loyal Republicans, it is very easy to understand why they have put their trust in Dan to represent their interests and defend their Country. He has consistently delivered sound, conservative and effective leadership in the United States Congress and yet has remained a Hoosier at heart. If Dr. McGoff does not provide himself with the appropriate Hoosier self-discipline, I trust that the Republican voters of the Fifth District will apply the needed restraint.

Dudes and Dudettes, can you say "John, you Fnik'd the Poodle, again"?

Don't Just Take My Word For It ... Thoughts from the Blogosphere

2008-04-03T09:49:00.000-07:00

Fellow Truth-seekers!

We just wanted you to see what some of the other blogs are saying about the Shameless Campaign. No sense in just drinking our frozen blender cocktails alone! Sample some of the other fare out there!

First, here's a little something, posted over at the Weird Pros blog that they re-posted from Polis Politics and Scott Fluhr at Hoosier Pundit.

http://whenthegoinggetsweirdthetoughturnpro.blogspot.com/2008/04/just-little-something-from-blogosphere.html

The second, and third, are from Hoosier Access. One posted by Howard County Chair, Craig Dunn, and the other by HA's Josh Gillespie.

http://hoosieraccess.com/blog/2008/04/02/howard-county-chairman-speaks-about-5th-cd-race/

http://hoosieraccess.com/blog/2008/04/02/integrity-matters-to-john-mcgoff-like-it-matters-to-hillary-clinton/

All three posts are good reads and highlight much of what your humble Dumpster Divers here at the WPBCHQ have been striving mightily to illuminate for our Devoted Readers.

We'll keep working right up until the end to bring you the real deal, fellow net-surfers. Stay tuned.

"Truth-O-Meter" Vol I., No. 11: More Evidence that the Nameless Campaign can't handle the Truth

2008-04-02T08:06:00.000-07:00

"And the Truth shall set you free"

Fellow Truth-seekers, I just received this email and since I could not say it better myself, I'll will post it here verbatim:

From the school of Hillary Clinton: McGoff changes history to defend himself.

McGoff Says:
The coroner's office was forced to move out of the Marion County Jail because they were running out of space. (McGoff campaign email, 4/1/08)

The Real History:

· McGoff praised the new lease deal for his office that was suppose to save the county up to 1 million dollars. (Indiana Business Journal, November 19, 2001) Four years later the Indianapolis Star reported that the coroner’s leaser was one of a series of questionable leases. One of the benefactors of that lease donated to McGoff’s coroner campaign. Between 2000 and 2002 rent payments for the coroner’s office increased 190%.

McGoff Says:

· The coroner’s budget only increased 73% while he was in office. (McGoff campaign email, 4/1/08)
(So I guess a 73% percent increase in spending is okay. I am sure Democrats in Congress would be glad to have him help craft the federal budget)

The Real History:

· The coroner’s budget in 1996 when McGoff was elected was $1.01 million dollars and the year that McGoff left office it was 2.07 million. McGoff’s budget as coroner more than doubled during his time as County Coroner. (Marion County Indiana Budget Reports)

McGoff Says:

First coroner in state history to generate revenue for the office. (McGoff campaign email, 4/1/08)

The Real History:

· At what cost? During McGoff’s time as coroner he also served as chair of the County’s crime lab from 2002 -2004.

A special prosecutor and the FBI investigated the crime lab because of a $400,000 crime lab training program for foreign nationals. This program taught forensic techniques to government agents from Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Pakistan, India and other countries. John McGoff continued to defend the program even after one Saudi student was removed because his family had terrorist ties. McGoff defended the program as innovative and cost beneficial and said in response to the crime lab being underfunded, “the only way it remained afloat is by training foreign nationals” (IndyStar 5/21/04)

Also, During his tenure as chair of the county crime lab more than 64 DNA test were called into question by Prosecutor Carl Brizzi. McGoff opposed retesting those DNA samples and said, “It is crazy to go back and review every one of these things”. Carl Brizzi argued that new tests were necessary by saying “You have to maintain your integrity because that is all you have” (IndyStar 7/23/03)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
As I have said all along, the Nameless Campaign just can't handle the Truth.

More to come on the Nameless Campaign once again distorting thier achievements ... can you say "easy button"?

Truth-O-Meter Vol I., No. 10: They still can't keep all the lies and distortions striaght

2008-03-31T11:29:00.000-07:00

Hello again, fellow Truth-seekers and welcome to yet another example of why your mother was right. Remember, hipsters, when you were young and your Mom told you that you should always tell the truth so that you don't have to remember the lie.

Why, just the other day, our Devoted Readers will remember, we read that John told one Kokomo paper that he didn't think that Dan Burton was unethical or lacked integrity, even though his campaign has been implying that for months. Today we read that he told another Kokomo paper:

"Since the start of his candidacy, however, McGoff has said he offers something more to voters — a strong sense of ethics. “A year ago last January, Burton was the only ‘no’ vote on an ethics reform bill that passed the House 430-1. You look at why the Republicans lost Congress, it wasn’t the war, Medicare or Social Security, it was ethics and spending,” McGoff said."

So which is it? This quote seems to suggest that the Nameless Campaign wants you to believe that Dan Burton doesn't have a strong sense of ethics. Nothing could be further from the truth, of course.

The fact of the matter is that it took real courage to be the only person to vote against a really bad bill, one that other Members - for what ever reason - didn't have the courage to vote against. My guess is that they didn't think they could sell it politically back home. Dan stood alone. The phrase "courage of conviction" seems to come to my mind. But, I digress.

Well, this is starting to sound like a broken record, fellow Truth-seekers. But when you don't stand for anything, when you can't be for something, all you can do is exactly what this crew is doing. It's a pity the people of the fifth district have to be subjected to this. The good news is that our intrepid team of Dumpster Divers and Truth Detectives have dug up some insider info that suggests the good people of this district aren't buying what the Nameless Campaign is trying to sell 'em.

So stay tuned. We will continue to bring you the facts. Not just because this is what we do, but because you deserve to know ... and besides, we love it.

Truth-O-Meter, Vol 1., No. 9 "McGoff: Dan Burton is a man of Ethics and Integrity"

2008-03-30T11:29:00.000-07:00

In their own words ...

Tim Turner, Kokomo Perspective: Dr. McGoff, you brought up ethics, and you said Burton was the only member of Congress to vote against the lobbying bill. Do you think Burton has an integrity or ethics problem? Is that what your campaign is implying?

McGoff: No.

(Emphasis added by me.)
H/T Tim Turner, Kokomo Perspective

see more commentary

Truth-O-Meter, Vol 1., No. 8 "Nulla Dies Sine Linea, Part Deux"

2008-03-30T11:23:00.000-07:00

These are the things that make being me so much fun. Once again, the Nameless Campaign has admitted that they just don't know what they are talking about and leads us to believe that they really can't be trusted to be honest.

Check it out here

Truth-O-Meter, Vol 1., No. 7 "Nulla Dies Sine Linea"

2008-03-30T11:20:00.000-07:00

Here's one for the record books, fellow flacks. The Nameless Campaign admits that "Hey, the guy did his job and helped me out."

In their own words, check it out at:
http://whenthegoinggetsweirdthetoughturnpro.blogspot.com/2008/03/nulla-dies-sine-linea-or-never-day.html

"Truth-O-Meter" Vol I, No. 6 ... What's Up Doc?

2008-03-27T20:46:00.000-07:00

See the continuing adventures of the amateurs at the Nameless Campaign as they continue to abuse the profession and give us all a bad name ...

http://whenthegoinggetsweirdthetoughturnpro.blogspot.com/2008/03/blog-post.html

From our Friends at "Josh In The Box", good stuff ...

2008-03-21T10:47:00.000-07:00

5th CD Challenger Takes Another Blow

His campaign plays fast and loose with the facts, (that’s not the first or last time) he’s trailing badly in the polls, and I hear the numbers are only getting worse. To top this off, a pivotal County Chairman has announced his county party is supporting the incumbent Congressman, Dan Burton.

In case you missed it, Howard County Chairman, Craig Dunn, left the comment below here at Hoosier Access regarding his county party’s recent endorsement of Congressman Burton:

Howard County Republicans wildly received Dan Burton at a noon reception today in Kokomo. Nearly 200 Republicans turned out at Republican Headquarters to meet Dan Burton and express their support for his re-election candidacy. Dan Burton received the endorsement of the Howard County Republican Party at the event.

I know I have taken some possible uncalled for pot-shots at Dr. McGoff in the past. But after meeting him, I genuinely like the guy. It’s hard not to. I wish him well in the future as I think he’ll make a great candidate for elected office again. I just hope that another inevitable loss doesn’t brand him as it has so many other candidates in the past.

"Truth-O-Meter" Vol.I, No. 5 Oh, you're going to love this one!

2008-03-19T07:17:00.000-07:00

Fellow Truth-seekers, this is the one you have been waiting for. Insanity makes a comeback for our feckless friends at the Nameless Campaign. See the whole story here:

http://whenthegoinggetsweirdthetoughturnpro.blogspot.com/2008/03/truth-o-meter-vol-i-no-5-desperation.html

Still More Documentary Evidence! Part 4

2008-03-17T14:15:00.000-07:00

These are three more pages from the 11(c) report that show some of what went on during the trip. Interestingly, the first photo shows the combined delegation list of participants.

Note there is no mention of the McGoff group...

Hoosier Access Weighs In ...

2008-03-14T17:11:00.000-07:00

http://hoosieraccess.com/blog/2008/03/13/the-sorry-shenanigans-in-the-5th/

"Truth-O-Meter" Vol. I, No.4

2008-03-14T11:00:00.000-07:00

Yet another installment of shedding the light of Truth on the dark side of the shady stunt politics of the Nameless Campaign ... In this installment: "You can't have it both ways"

http://whenthegoinggetsweirdthetoughturnpro.blogspot.com/2008/03/truth-o-meter-vol-i-no4.html

I feel sorry for Dr. John McGoff ...

2008-03-13T14:06:00.000-07:00

http://hoosierpundit.blogspot.com/2008/02/i-feel-sorry-for-dr-john-mcgoff.html

Photographic Evidence: We have the documents! Part Three

2008-03-12T10:43:00.000-07:00

Photographic Evidence: We have the documents! Part Two

2008-03-12T10:37:00.000-07:00

Photographic Evidence: We have the documents! Part One

2008-03-12T09:44:00.001-07:00

Your humble Dumpster Diver has obtained copies of the official 11(c) Trip Report and the next several posts will lay out the entire 40+ page report. Since our friends at the nameless campaign don't know what goes on with a Co-Del Mission, maybe they can learn something.

So here we go, fellow Truth-seekers, documentary evidence in support of our story ... no innuendo, not here, just the facts. We don't have to guess, because we know the truth!

See the whole story here:
http://whenthegoinggetsweirdthetoughturnpro.blogspot.com/2008/03/truth-o-meter-vol-i-no-2-when-lie-is.html

Document One, Page One:

Here's a letter from the Director of the Indiana Department of Agriculture thanking Congressman Burton "for co-hosting Indiana's Central America Agriculture Trade Mission."

It's also interesting that the Director specifically mentions the assistance of the Congressional Office in "helpng us plan and coordinate this effort. These trips require significant amounts of 'behind the scenes' planning, and it was great to have so many capable folks helping out."

Document Two, Page One:

This is the first page of the 11(c) "Trip Report" filed with the Chairman of the House Committee on International Relations. It sets out the purpose of the trip and the federal government Member and staff that participated.

Page Two:

This begins the section entitled "Meeting Summaries." These are brief summaries of the topics discussed in the official meetings between US and host country government officials. They are edited and contain no classified information. They do give a good snapshot of the closed door meetings between goverment officials and the issues that are of concern to them.

Much, much more to come ... we'll be posting this page by page, three at a time, as time permits until the whole thing is up online and you can see for yourself ... Stay with us fellow Truth-seekers, and we will show you the light!

Revised and Updated: When a Lie is Just a Lie, Part Deux

2008-03-12T06:40:00.001-07:00

http://whenthegoinggetsweirdthetoughturnpro.blogspot.com/2008/03/truth-o-meter-vol-i-no-2-when-lie-is.html

Show me the Money!

2008-03-10T17:04:00.000-07:00

Don't take it from me... read what others are saying!

http://hoosierpundit.blogspot.com/2007/10/show-me-money-in-5-mcgoff-fading-fast.html

Vol. I, No. 3: For Monday, March 10

2008-03-09T11:06:00.000-07:00

http://whenthegoinggetsweirdthetoughturnpro.blogspot.com/2008/03/truth-o-meter-vol-i-no-3-nc-apparently.html

Vol. 1, No. 2: When a Lie is Just a Lie

2008-03-09T10:55:00.000-07:00

Original Post: Friday, March 7, 2008

The "Truth-O-Meter" Vol. I, No. 2: When a Lie is Just a Lie

Vol. 1, No. 1: Originally posted Thursday, March 6

2008-03-09T10:01:00.000-07:00

http://whenthegoinggetsweirdthetoughturnpro.blogspot.com/2008/03/truth-o-meter-vol-i-no-1-this-one-takes.html