Candidate Ray McMurrey's LTE

[Gingergal]

Ray McMurrey is running as a candidate for the U.S. Senate. He wrote a letter to the editor in November 2007 in our local alternative newspaper We the People News in Corpus Christi. The letters to the editor are NOT in the online version. The following is letter in its entirety. (You may find the edition at a library if you are in South Texas.)

From November 2007 We the People News


LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

IT TAKES A TEACHER TO STAND AND DELIVER

I am announcing my candidacy for the U.S. Senate as an Independent from Texas. I fully understand the difficulties associated with an Independent candidacy, but believe it is necessary to run as a patriot at this time and honestly believe the two party system is dysfunctional. I am running because I am compelled to be a voice for Texans and Americans who have been exploited, marginalized, and undermined by an antiquated two party system that needs to be reformed. I believe that my commitment-to public service for the last 17 years in the classroom and my educational experience genuinely qualifies me to serve the public. I want to restore integrity to U.S. politics. I will be the most authentic voice for the people of Texas.
I am calling on Texans to acknowledge that it is ‘common sense’ to unite behind an Independent candidacy for the U.S. Senate. It will take a teacher to “stand and deliver, “ and I am willing to lead this movement. You have a choice in this election. You can send another typical politician to the U.S. Senate and get politics as usual,or you can send a teacher who will stand with American working families every day and understands the celebration and struggles of American history.
Join me in my campaign to “shock” the money. Visit my website today at www.McMurreyforussenate.com to get involved with the campaign. Also, I invite you to e-mail me at [e-mail].
Together we can make a difference!
Sincerely, Ray McMurrey


And from Corpus Christi Caller Times article also from November 2007

<http://www.caller.com/news/2007/nov/19/teacher-will-challenge-noriega-in-primary/>

Teacher will challenge Noriega in primary
McMurrey says he wants to refocus war, reverse tax cuts
By Jaime Powell
Originally published 03:45 a.m., November 19, 2007
Updated 03:45 a.m., November 19, 2007

"Tired of "politics as usual," McMurrey, who said he is a lifelong Democrat, initially planned to run as an independent. After determining that gaining the 43,000 petition signatures required to get on the ballot was too arduous, he signed up as a Democrat."

And earlier on his website, McMurrey repeatedly called himself an “Independent Populist.” Now that is no longer on his website.

{So what we have is a candidate who says he is against the two party system, against typical politicians, against politics as usual. He then joins the hated two party system because it was too difficult to obtain the signatures he needs to run as an independent. He then stops referring to himself as an Independent and starts calling himself a Democrat. Sounds like he is the "typical politician" who says what he thinks will help his campaign and practices "politics as usual." Sounds like a lot of flip flopping going on here....

[derby378]

1. McMurrey supporter over here...

I can honestly say that his campaign did get off to a fairly dysfunctional start, but his message discipline has crystallized a good deal since that LTTE. Ray is indeed a lifelong Democrat, and his parents were Dems of the SDS variety.

I was able to tape campaign speeches from both McMurrey and Rick Noriega when they both visited Dallas last week. I'll try to transcribe both of their speeches for DU before too much longer.

McMurrey is winning over quite a few Noriega supporters, from what I hear. It looks like Gene Kelly will most definitely not come in second place this time around like he did against Barbara Ann Radnofsky in 2006.

Ray McMurrey will be an excellent candidate to take on John Cornyn in November. If Noriega wins, he will also be an excellent candidate, and he'll have my support.

[johncoby2]

2. Thats not what I hear

"McMurrey is winning over quite a few Noriega supporters, from what I hear."

Here in south houston, McMurray was a master debater. Woo-ed some folks but they quickly left once they found he had no money, and no idea of what he was doing and was trying to run as an independent but couldnt get enough interest.

The only thing McMurrey could possibly accomplish is getting Rick into a runoff with Kelly. There are pretty ignorant people in this years voting booth and kelly has a chance to get into a runoff because of this ignorance.

That will be McMurray's short legacy in Democratic politics.

McMurray isnt a Democrat. He sounds like one.