An Open Letter to Ed Towns
Here’s an open letter from Kevin Powell to Ed Towns… While I do think it’s time for new congressional leadership for the district I’m not quite sold on Powell. His personal history is a bit troubling to me and the Dave Chappelle fiasco makes me question his ability to run an effective campaign against a wily veteran.
In his letter he mentions lies and distortions created by the Congressman. Of course Towns is talking trash in private (I expect that of any candidate for public office) but I haven’t read much about any public smears. He should probably describe the evidence before making accusations on such a widely read blog (Huffington Post).
To be honest, I find the letter (at least the portion I read) to be a little distasteful and lacking in respect. Although Towns hasn’t been the most active representative, over the past 5 or 6 years he’s still served the community for 25 years and is Powell’s elder. Personally I just wasn’t raised that way but I guess that’s why I’m not a politician. In my opinion, you can debate and argue without the personal venom. Given Towns’ record there should be plenty of ammunition without getting personal. Comparing his treatment to that of the Jim Crow South is ridiculous. Do you really think the fact Towns’ strategy so far has been to ignore Powell is comparable to segregation and the civil rights struggle? Is Kevin Powell being denied his rights to that extent? Come on…
I tried to read the whole thing but this letter is ridiculously long and I don’t have the time. It’s length (9 pages, 4732 words) makes it seem as if Powell is definitely verbose. Does he not have proofreaders or media specialists? It’s a rambling diatribe detailing everything from Powell getting abused as a child (using that as an explanation for his violent actions as an adult) to his history of community involvement.
To be honest, I’m hoping someone else will step in the fray and provide another option. We need new leadership. Ed Towns is vulnerable but I’m not sold on Powell. Hopefully he’ll sell me on his candidacy but wIth this letter he’s rubbing me the wrong way… He’s not really carrying himself in a dignified manner and the race hasn’t even really begun yet. Hopefully we will learn to take the high road in the near future… Towns has given him a great script to work from already so there’s no need to disrespect the man in a personal way.
I’ll try to finish it later tonight or tomorrow. I’ll edit the post if my opinion changes…
Hi,
I’m Michael Spitzer-Rubenstein, Kevin Powell’s Internet Director, and I have to disagree with you on this. I believe that if we did not respond quickly and publicly to Edolphus Towns’ lies that Kevin Powell had been jailed, those rumors would spread quickly and poison the well, especially in an election that could likely be as low turnout as the primary on September 9th is likely to be.
If we want to win, we’ll need to publicize Edolphus Towns’ neglect of the district and his response to those charges. He only got 43% in 2006, so he’s running scared, and that’s why he’s resorted to outrageous claims that Kevin Powell spent time in jail. It’s quite flatly not true, and voters should know that Kevin Powell has never been arrested and sent to jail. He is familiar with the criminal justice system, but that is from his work running mentoring programs for at-risk youth.
However, I will freely admit that I do not know everything, and would be glad to talk more about the campaign and how we can work to better the district. Feel free to email me at msrpotus@gmail.com; I’d be eager to hear your input.
Sincerely,
Michael Spitzer-Rubenstein
Internet Director, Kevin Powell for Congress
http://www.kevinpowersforcongress.org
Sorry, should have been http://www.kevinpowellforcongress.org. That’s why I should have just used copy-paste instead of absent-mindedly typing it in. Even I make mistakes.
Thanks for the comment Michael…
I agree that a response was necessary and an open letter submitted to the media is a good tactical move when your opponent has not actively engaged you in debate. It forces a response. My issue is with the content and tone of this letter.
I wouldn’t be surprised if Towns suggested Kevin Powell spent time in jail, but if you are going to make the assertion be specific. When and where did he say Kevin Powell spent time in jail? If you are responding to gossip and innuendo you don’t do yourself any favors by responding in such an undignified manner. It will be hard enough for Powell to move past his admitted errors in judgment…
Then there is the tone… Is there a need to question Towns’ relationship with his daughter? You also denigrate the thousands of people who did not grow up with MTV or facebook. Do you have to be 40 or younger to matter to Powell? Are older citizens obsolete because they don’t have a blackberry? There’s just no need to alienate older voters by besmirching an entire generation. A generation which made it possible for Powell to be in the position he is in today. When is the last time you went to a voting booth and saw a volunteer under 50 working there? Just like Obama with McCain… His (McCain & Towns) time is up… You don’t have to agree on the issues but you do have to respect his service to this country (or district in this case).
And why is he comparing his situation with Towns to the civil rights struggle? That is just ridiculous.
Again Towns’ record speaks for itself, there’s no need for personal attacks.
While there is some substantive content, the overall tone letter seems very lowbrow, childish and petty. He lacks respect for his elders and it shows me the side of Powell which most likely got him into all those physical altercations.
I’m all for a changing of the guard in our district but this isn’t a good start for Kevin Powell.
Carlton, I appreciate your fair assessment of the situation. I also couldn’t get through the whole thing, it was way too long and I agree about the personal attacks but where is the line drawn? If Towns did spread Powell’s past (publicly or privately) is that something the public should know about? At what point do private matters inform public decisions? I know if the rumors about Powell being violent are true I would want to know and definitely wouldn’t vote for him.
Josh
If Towns is spreading rumors you can address those rumors without personally attacking the man. Two wrongs don’t make a right.
Powell freely admits to his violent past so those aren’t rumors. The rumor is that he spent time in jail which is not true. But I’ve never heard that rumor from anyone but Powell and I’m fairly well read and up to date on local politics.