Powell's Campaign Against His Past
Kevin Powell gathered reporters at Junior’s Restaurant in Brooklyn this morning to respond to what he called unfair reminders of his admittedly violent past in recent columns by Daily News columnist Errol Louis.
Powell, who is running for Congress against Representative Ed Towns of Brooklyn and has admitted to and apologized for past incidents of violence against women, said that he would never to do it again, and added that recent events related to Eliot Spitzer, David Paterson and others have made it clear that public officials all need to be transparent about their shortcomings.
He noted he has Gloria Steinem's support. (Along with others, she is helping to organize a "Women for Powell" event in September.)
At times, Powell seemed to be positioning both Louis and Towns as political enemies whose attacks are hindering his campaign.
Reading from prepared remarks in front of a handful of reporters, Powell said, “As soon as it was clear that my nearly 9,000 signatures were enough to get me on the ballot against the incumbent, Congressman Ed Thomas" -- he was referring to Towns -- "Mr. Louis’ column appeared. I do not think this is coincidental, given that Mr. Towns at the same time began referring to me in the media, and to anyone who would listen, as a ‘woman-beater’ and someone who had a criminal record.”
Powell continued, “For the record, I am not a woman-beater nor have I ever spent one single night in jail in my life.”
Powell didn't dispute any of the facts in Louis' columns.
Which, in essence, is what Louis wrote to me when I asked him for a response: "Unless Powell is challenging any of the facts in my columns -- all of which he confirmed when I interviewed him -- I will let my work stand on its own. I will definitely have something to say about all this on my talk show next week, so I urge everyone to tune in to WWRL 1600 AM from 6 to 9 am."
“For the record, I am not a woman-beater nor have I ever spent one single night in jail in my life.”
Don't the facts in Louis' column, that Powell doesn't dispute, prove that he was at least a "woman-beater" in the past? I just am unsure that he has the experience and temperament to be a good Congressman.
Wait...What "new and different mistakes" is Powell talking about?
His violent past aside, I just don't know if he would be any better than Towns.
wondering: I've heard Powell say this often and I believe he means that new and different mistakes should be political-- as everyone in politics makes them.
In terms of Powell, I think he's brilliant and would be a tremendous leader for Brooklyn. Towns is absolutely awful. Powell can at least CONNECT with Brooklyn!
I definitely agree with you that everyone makes political mistakes...Some of Towns' votes have been political mistakes, but I think "awful" is a little harsh.
I am unsure that Powell is viable with so little time left for the primary. Maybe if he had held office before or was raising more money...
I would say that awful is the right word for what Ed Towns has done. He has helped ship thousands of jobs out of Brooklyn and to other countries with his support of NAFTA, CAFTA, and other free trade agreements. He has weakened our public schools by voting to pass the No Child Left Behind Act which has been an unmitigated failure. And in spite of his long service in Congress, Ed Towns has done little for Brooklyn.
Moreover, as the Internet Director for Kevin Powell's campaign, I can assure you that we are raising money and will have enough money to win the race. However, if you have any doubts about our viability, I encourage you to help out by giving to the campaign: https://secure.actblue.com/contribute/page/kevinpowell. We could use all the help we can get, and would be very grateful for your support.
Sincerely,
Michael Spitzer-Rubenstein
Internet Director, Kevin Powell for Congress.
Funny ish right here:
"Note to Kevin: biting n---s on the ankle is some Catfight/Crackhead Gladiators-type shit. Man-up, son."
http://beatsandrants.blogs.com/hiphop/2004/09/this_niggers_cr.html
Dear Michael,
As the internet director,I am shocked at your inability to check the facts. Congressman Towns did NOT support NATFA. Futhermore, you are just picking up someone's sounds bites as it pertains to No Child Left Behind because you nor Kevin have any clue exactly what NCLB did. As someone who knows thousands of kids that benefitted from NCLB, millions of dollars were poured into failing school districts that otherwise would not have seen any increase in funding. Although the legislation may not have been perfect, Brookyn saw millions more in education funding then it did without NCLB.
Kevin Powell is pathetic enough without you speaking on his behalf not knowing all the facts.
KEVIN is awful. He does not have the knowledge of any legislative body and should not be forced onto the rest of the country. Nevermind the fact that other legislators shouldn't have to worry about getting hit with a soda can to the head or bit on the kneecap.
I don't think that anyone is saying that Towns is the best possible guy to represent Brooklyn (or parts of it) in Congress... Sure the guy has some flaws. But I also think there are plenty of other local elected folks that would make a far better challenge for his seat in 2010 than Powell does in 2008. From everything I read and hear about Powell, it seems like while he has tried to "embrace" his flaws as a thing of the past, a violent temper and an arrogant attitude without any legislative experience to back it up (has this guy ever even served on a school board?) doesn't exactly inspire confidence in my opinion. Also, and I know he wants people to stop harping on the Louis op-ed (it's beyond me why he keeps bringing it up then...), wasn't his last bout with violence in 2004? I don't know that I can dismiss that as his "younger days" - he was a full grown man and that was only 4 years ago.
It seems like he would be better than Towns. He could definitely be more progressive then Towns and his platform seems more detailed then Towns right now. I think he could add a beneficial voice to Congress.
more progressive? I've spent time on Powell's website and am committed to giving him a fair shake. but so far as I see, it seems he spends most of his time puffing his thin credentials and defending his explosive personality.
And, seriously, getting into a bar fight (over the age of 35) and biting someone? I mean - biting someone on the shin?? Do we really want to send a new McKinney to the House, so he can bite someone over a domestic finance bill?