Category Candidates

Jun 11 2020

About that Letter/A Letter, A Rebuttal, and a Response

 

I have waited for several weeks, in a vain hope against reality, for Doug Thomas to show some modicum of integrity and honesty to clarify just exactly what was meant by the supposed “letter of endorsement” from Governor LePage. Surprised that LePage would create an appearance of aligning himself against a strong political ally such as Paul Davis, I contacted various sources close to the Governor. Given Thomas’ abysmal performance in the last primary, I was hard pressed to believe that LePage would take such a calamitous political risk in challenging Senator Paul Davis, who enjoys strong popularity, influence, and strength of reputation, with no signs of diminishing.

I was able to contact those close to the Governor; in fact, seated right next to the Governor, who answered my questions and confirmed my suspicions. Governor LePage was given to believe, when he wrote the letter, that Paul Davis was retiring and would not seek reelection. He has assured me that had he known that Senator Davis would seek another term, he would not have written that letter.

I would have hoped that Mr. Thomas would have been honest with voters of Senate District 4. He has not, but sadly, this is just another in a pattern of dishonest acts from the former Senator. So here is the simple truth; Governor LePage never intended to endorse Doug Thomas against Paul Davis. Paul Davis has Governor LePage’s full support and should have yours this July 14th.

Andy Torbett

Doug Thomas printed a rebuttal to my letter, which can be read at the Piscataquis Observer . Here is my response to that rebuttal:

A Letter, A Rebuttal, and a Response

It seems I need to offer a few words of explanation to Doug Thomas as to why I, my own person, view him as a dishonest person. First, let me thank Mr. Thomas for his rebuttal to my former letter, which offers a clear case in point to my assertions and beliefs. Let us move forward and step by step dissect the half-truths and downright lies in this rebuttal.

Thomas tries to immediately pivot to blame his opponent, Paul Davis, for my letter and past letters against him. Paul Davis has never been involved with The Maine Conservative Voice or any of my opinion letters. I stand on my own merit, beliefs, and opinions for better or for worse.

I did write fund raising letters and “Get Out The Vote” letters for Senator Davis, a service which I also did for Doug Thomas when he was Senator. I did get paid a consulting fee for that service, but these are not opinion or activist articles. I have my billings, receipts, and copies of the letters.

After a lengthy history on his endorsement letter, Doug Thomas claims that I am questioning the reality of this letter. I have done no such thing; in fact, my letter was an acknowledgment that it does exist. I was disappointed, however, Mr. Thomas had not provided better clarity to it.

Neither do I refute that Governor LePage stands by it. I would have advised the Governor to do just that. Rescinding the letter would have made him look weak, but some clarification from Thomas would have gone a long way towards honesty.

I have never done a radio ad. Not with Paul Davis. Not with anyone.

Paul Davis has been nothing but respectful in public appearances to any of his opponents, including Doug Thomas. I believe Paul Davis referred to Thomas as a chameleon in an interview, can’t be sure. A chameleon is not a skunk, not even close, and I’m sure about that.

I am the one who has questioned Doug Thomas’ honesty and integrity, not Paul Davis. Senator Davis has no idea of what I write, although I’m sure it makes him a little uncomfortable when he reads it. The “anyone that opposes them” is simply opposing Doug Thomas, that’s all, and this rebuttal from Thomas only solidifies my personal opinion that he is not fit to represent the good people of District 4.

Andy Torbett

Atkinson

May 16 2020

Silence is Golden: The Embodiment

 

Maine is blessed with pristine vistas where souls can find their quiet repose and reflection. The soothing sounds of nature, while rejuvenating, prove to us that in the silence of the forest it is nearly impossible, even in the whisper of the wind and the chirp of the chickadee, to find complete silence. And yet, Jared Golden has managed to achieve the impossible.

As the sound of shuttering death, the slam of the doors of venerable, generational establishments of private enterprise in Maine reaches a deafening cacophony under the heavy misguided hand of Governor Mills , there has nary been a peep from the less than Honorable Jared Golden. The Second Congressional District, which he represents, stands to have irrevocable damage done to its fragile economies as the Governor crushes them beneath her mindless heel, yet not even the customary whimper of Democrat talking points from the Congressman. Mr. Golden has become the embodiment of fearful silence; hidden, cowering, and invisible.

One would expect, as CD2 is facing impending doom from the barrage of Draconian measures from his Party, that Golden would at least have a trembling prepared statement in her defense. Is it too much to ask for a Congressman from rural Maine to have the backbone to stand against Nancy Pelosi and Governor Mills to speak in our behalf? But Behold!, fellow Mainers, Representative Golden has managed the courage to vote, in pensive, furtive subjection, to have someone else vote for him.

-Andy Torbett TMCV

Jan 14 2020

The Maine Conservative Voice Endorses Dale Crafts

 

Once again the Republican Party has been blessed with a bounty of quality candidates. The three candidates vying for the nomination to represent the GOP, in its quest to retake the 2nd Congressional District, all tower above the current incumbent Democrat, Jared Golden. Golden has served his first term.

Viewed by a majority of CD 2 voters as an interloper, Golden wrested the seat away from Bruce Poliquin through an unconstitutional voting system termed Ranked Choice Voting. Despite having voted overwhelmingly against the RCV, the voters of the CD 2 found themselves being overruled by the votes of the 1st Congressional District. So in essence, the voters of CD 2 find themselves not represented by their majority vote for Bruce Poliquin, but by the result of the will of the voters of CD 1.

This outrage has been followed up by Golden’s constant kowtowing to the whims Nancy Pelosi and Adam Schiff at the expense of his constituents. The people of the 2nd District are rightfully infuriated. Their anger is palpable.

The time is ripe for a principled leader to come forward and provide representation in Washington that truly represents the people of the 2nd District. The Maine Conservative Voice believes Dale Crafts is that leader. A successful businessman from Lisbon will take the common sense that we treasure here in CD 2, along with a balance the budget business know-how, directly from our front steps to the steps of the legislature in Washington, where it is needed most.

I have had the opportunity to work with Dale Crafts on different issues over the the past few years. He has remained unwavering in his principles. He is steadfastly committed to a government that stays within its means, is frugal with the people’s money, unabashedly pro-life and pro-family, and immovable on 2A issues. Dale is principled, steadfast, reasoned in his approach, and deeply in touch with the people of CD 2. Please join me in voting Dale Crafts for the Republican nomination to represent the 2nd Congressional District in the House of Representatives in Washington D.C.

Andy Torbett

The Maine Conservative Voice

Dec 14 2019

Climbing the Mountain

 

We keep pushing towards that $2000 mark for fund raising. We are getting closer despite some unexpected obstacles. Perhaps we should have expected no less from Facebook.

Yes, we established a social media account to network with some of the conservative social media groups that I have been associated with over the years. Facebook has blocked us from networking with these other groups. Their reasoning is that I am not a “legitimate” candidate.

We explained that we had filed our proper paperwork with the state and have been filing reports…to no avail. Facebook continues to block us from networking or fund raising with any of our conservative allies. Be assured that we will not back down and, yes, we are a legitimate campaign.

I am attempting an end-around to get my messaging out while we wrestle with the giants. We will keep climbing the mountain here in rural Maine to reach our goal before the end of the year. If you would like to help with any donation, please go to torbett4commissioner.com and hit the donate tab or you can send your check to The Committee to Elect Andy Torbett, 107 Buck Rd, Atkinson, ME 04426, attn Mark Kinney Treasurer.

Thank you for all the wonderful support we have received. I hope to see many of you when we start going door to door after the first of the year. Looking forward to victory in the spring and I know I can count on you.

God Bless,

Andy Torbett