“They don’t know Jack”

I’ve written this post three or four different ways now – each time, it didn’t adequately reflect what I wanted. I tried the regular" reporting – just list what and who I saw, the words I heard, in a linear fashion just like I’ve done any number of times in the past (the ‘Grok has done much eyewitness reporting in the past!).  I tried different writing styles, mixing up narrative with stills, video, and audio.  Like many bloggers, I ran into the wall – wanting to write the post but not finding "the right line" to follow to get the point across. 

That is, until I saw this yesterday over at Instapundit:

In your post you comment that the judge is stating the obvious in calling California government dysfunctional. But it’s important to note that he apparently doesn’t consider the elected officials to be dysfunctional. Instead, he blames the voters…

…that Californians might not want to make it easy for their legislature to enact confiscatory taxes, or that California’s fiscal mess could be resolved through cuts to profligate spending rather than to continue to shovel ever-increasing amounts of taxpayer dollars into government’s gaping maw. Rather, he sees the voters and the referendum process as impediments to unrestrained government spending.

It’s astonishing to see how many of our public officials appear to be firmly convinced that the people work for the government, and not the other way around.

It is no secret that Doug and I are involved in the TEA Party movement here in NH.  We have seen the in-process train wreck that is now our Federal Government.  We are in the process of watching the Dems in this state at the cliff with one leg outstretched over the chasm and just the toes on the ground on the other. 

While there are many reasons, and stories, one CAN cut through all the nonsense and the "nuances" and the cries of "we’re not doing enough!". The reason why we are in the positions we are in (a la Reagan’s synopsis of fighting Communism):

• The Founders were right to insist that only a limited government can succeed and that the emphasis has to be on individual Liberty and Freedoms.
• The Liberals / Progressives / Statists hate a limited government (and the Constitution that should enforce it) because they:
• Think we’re too stupid to make the right decisions according to them
• Their natural inclination is to control people (and thus our freedoms)

So what does this have to do with Jack Kimball who is in the middle of an "Exploratory Committee" period of time in deciding to run to be the next Governor of NH?

We’ve written about Jack Kimball a number of times here at the ‘Grok.  We were asked to come to the event (as we are now being asked by many) so when his campaign let us know about the event, we said "sure!" After all, it’s what we do!

But mere words do not describe Jack.  He comes out of the TEA Party environment.  He espouses the same philosophical foundation and sees the same problems created by politicians and government that we do:

• limited government in the same vein of the Founders vision and not that of FDR, TR, and Wilson.  Enough of Government looking out for itself – it is time to look out for those that work hard that support it.
• limited taxation to support that proper role; government has taken on too much to be successful
• Politicians that do their job guided by the Constitution (like reading the bill and asking themselves "enumerated powers"?)
• People should work and not "game the system";
• Spending is out of control – the Democrats in power are shackling our kids futures by negligently treating the rest of us as mere ATMs. 
• He will enforce and abide by the Constitution – both US and NH’s.  His word is his bond.
• He believes that kids deserve a publicly funded education – the money should follow the child.

Frankly, to those that have participated TEA Parties (to steal a phrase), no words are necessary.  To those outside of it, no amount of words can explain it.

"THEY DON’T KNOW JACK!"   Wanna know what that means?  Listen to the video of Jeff Chidester, after the break.

D.J. Bettencourt talks about why Jack can lead instead of the Teflon Governor that has slid from one decision from another.  Leadership is not about just spending money.  It certainly is not about breaking one’s word or promises.  It is not about being bullied by the leftmost extremists of the Democrat Party.  Again, listen to DJ after the jump

And then listen, most of all, to Jack (after the break).

So, who is supporting Jack? I read a number of accounts of 350 people coming out for Ovide Lamontagne’s birthday party (running for Congress).  However, Ovide is well known in the political and charitable circles – I was not surprised at the number of folks attending.

At the beginning of his speech, Jack asked to recognize a number of people.  Then he did something that I had never heard before from a politician:

• How many of you have attended a TEA Party?
• How many of you went to DC (to the TEA Party recently held)?
• How many of you are in the 9/12 group(s)?
• How many of you are involved in other Liberty type groups?

As Jeff said, many politico types, the pundit types, don’t think that Jack can win – he has no name recognition, no demonstrated fund raising ability, never run a campaign before – the reasons go on and on. 

Then let me ask you this:  then why, on a rainy Friday night, did over 100 people came out to see that same non-politician, that same someone who has never run for office before – and sign up to help and give him money?  I watched as the hands went up at the words of the questions: 90% of these folks answered "aye" to the four questions above. 

Hmmm, they seem to know Jack.  They certainly agree with Jack, if you ask me – many sought him out and had vibrant conversations with him during the night.

And remember – 3,000 or so people showed up in Manchester for a TEA Party.  Others have gone to Concord, and Plymouth, and Keene, and elsewhere in the state.  Mad as hell and they aren’t going to take it anymore.  

They love this country and they love this state.  They may have not have met Jack yet but it may not make a difference – they ARE Jack.

So, who really "doesn’t know Jack"?

Before the speeches, I had the opportunity to interview D.J. Bettencourt, member of the NH House of Representatives (R-Salem, Windham):

Jeff Chidester, acting as MC for the evening, introduces the event and DJ:

DJ introducing Jack Kimball:

and lastly, Jack Kimball addresses his supporters:

Millions across the nation have gone to TEA Parties. Thousands here in NH have gone to TEA Parties. They all know Jack – they are Jack. I know Jack.