Retired General Dick Burpee says he’s heard all he wants to hear about attacks on retired Army Lt. Colonel Steve Russell, and here’s the telephone message that’s going out:
“This is retired 3-star General Dick Burpee. I am calling to set the record straight on Retired Lt. Col. Steve Russell. The attacks on Russell are from a misguided young man with little experience. His blatant lies and dishonorable conduct are unfortunate during these tough times and if you’re like me, you’re tired of such political nonsense. We need real constitutional conservative leaders like Steve Russell to help solve our national problems. I hope you’ll stand with me in voting for Steve Russell on June the 24th.”
I hate negative attacks. However, when I got my negative mailer from ‘the misguided young man’ I went myself onto the state legislature website and looked up the votes referenced on common core and tort reform, where it clearly showed that Mr. Russell voted FOR common core (SB2033) and AGAINST tort reform (HB1602 & SB863). He has also admitted publicly that he does not live in the district. Those are not lies by an opponent, those are facts verifiable by anyone with an internet connection and a browser.
I’d appreciate it if Mr. Russell would stand up and explain those votes as opposed to convincing fine gentlemen like General Burpee to essentially lie for him in saying those things are untrue. Shame on you Mr. Russell – telling the truth is never ‘dishonorable’.
Dear Shawnee Voter,
People can twist the truth by taking a grain of sand and making it into a beach. SB2033 was a Teacher Incentive Pay bill. No one had even heard of Common Core in 2010. The three votes cited are false. Only the last vote had the evaluation language slipped into it. All 45 senators present, including Randy Brogdon, voted to raise teachers Pay. I have openly opposed Common Core since 2011 and even worked with Rep. Sally Kern on a bill that never made it through committee. Talk to Linda Habluetzel, Julia Seay, Jenni White, or Meagan Winburn about my support of the anti-common core effort.
As to the Tort Bills, I predicted accurately from the floor of the senate that these would not hold constitutional muster. I stated they would be overthrown by the Supreme Court if passed. They were. As a lawmaker, one must stand on the constitution and not on party line politics.
Other false lies spread are that I took per diem and benefits from the state. That also is false. As a military retiree, I never took state benefits as I already had military health care. This saved over $60K over a 4 year period. As to per diem, I live in Oklahoma City, so did not even qualify for it nor would I take it.
I have also had members of this misguided youth’s campaign posing as a former soldier (illegal under the Stolen Valor Act) and laying out the most hateful and slanderous commentary about me. I am a big boy. I have had far worse thrown at me in combat.
You can believe a misguided youth or you can chose not to. It is a free country, but slander is never honorable. Should you have further questions, please contact my campaign at http://www.steverussellforcongress.com. Steve
Apologies Lynn! I just noticed I messed up your name. To all – should read Lynn Habluetzal.
He also abandoned his office to go on a book tour, missing 700+ votes. His explanation was he needed to go earn a living for his family. Sorry, but I won’t be voting for him. Military service is a fine and honorable thing, but it does not mean you should be in Congress. That is another sort of record, and one with some holes in it.
Mr. Dickson, please document your claims about 700+ missing votes and the alleged explanation. Your comments appear to be cheap unproven political shots. Back up your claims with actual documentation or shut the hell up.
Mr. Dickson,
There was never any book tour during regular session. Simon & Schuster did most of the publicity in Dec. 2011. We don’t meet in session until February. Again lies. You don’t get two awards as most conservative lawmaker and two minuteman awards by not doing your job.
When people cannot run on their own merits, some seem to slander those that have only served their country and state. I understand people can be nasty. We should not lap up every pool of slander like a dog lapping up anti-freeze. Thanks, Steve
Matt. 5:44-48
Mr. Russell – I have read several reports documenting your missed votes, from two different sources. I heard you in person answer this question, in a public forum, the way I described it. I did not ask the question, since I was completely unaware of the allegation at that time. I had also not taken a public stand for any candidate at that time, and am now still undecided.
There are rumors about many people in many races. I don’t comment on those without checking things out.
Thanks Mr. Dickson for your last comment. That is why I took the time to post to you. As a committee chairman, meetings would overlap, other times we would have things that took us away. I could not have earned the many legislative awards by not doing the job. I voted on nearly every bill during the many variations of a bill’s life. But there were only 5 days I missed my last year spread out over the entire session and some of those were on Fridays when we did not always meet.
Those absences were at things that did a lot of good like speaking to war widows at the American Legion National Convention Women’s Auxiliary or raising money for many worthy causes like Boy Scouts, Crisis pregnancy centers, Christian schools, orphanages or veterans outreach groups.
I find it hurtful and sad that people in political races feel the need to trash other candidates to build up their own race. But, as the word says, “from the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks. We will continue to stay on our positive message. Our country needs people that will work to solve problems not divide each other. Steve
Sounds like the questions were asked and answered. Thank you Steve Russell, you have my vote.
Mr. Russell, I apologize. I was mistaken in my first post here. You stated in a meeting I was attending, during a public question and answer period, that you missed those votes to “earn a living for my family” and proceeded to detail who that was. You did not deny missing the votes, when questioned about it. You did NOT say you were on a book tour, and I have no evidence regarding where you were – just that you were not voting in the State Senate. Which is where you were supposed to be, since that is what you were elected to do.
There, fixed it.
Mr. Dickson, you still have not documented your accusation about 700+ missed votes. Is that statement as valid as you misstatement about a book tour? Your unproven cheap shots are just nasty politics – not valid criticism.
Mr. Russell – since we’re talking about these things. I have heard you don’t live in the 5th District. Is this accurate?
Thanks,
Steve
Vernon, I am sitting on my back porch, taking a break from mowing the lawn. Still got the front to do, and kids to play with. If the documented hit pieces are accurate, it was 768 votes from 2009-2010 and 2011-2012 Senate logs. I have not read then – yet. I will try to do so. I do have a date with my wife tonight and so it wont be today.
Mr. Dickson, we all have chores and responsibilities. I still have to feed the horses and pet the dogs. Have fun tonight, but we’re still waiting for the proof of your accusations (including your latest today).