Jack Davis Redefines Cheap Political Stunt
I think that a fitting image next to the phrase “cheap political stunt” in the proverbial dictionary would be Jack Davis’ gimmicky vote-buying effort at a Greece, NY gas station yesterday.
The gas was subsidized by Democratic Congressional candidate and multimillionaire Jack Davis, and the campaign expected to pay for all of the 10,000 gallons that were stored in underground tanks at the Sunoco station at Long Pond Road and Ridgeway Avenue.
“We are here because I believe gasoline should help America run; gas prices should not be running America,” Davis said. “This (day) exceeded my expectations.”
About 700 customers, who waited about two hours in line, were charged $1.50 a gallon, and Davis picked up the difference between that price and Thursday’s regular price of $4.29 per gallon, or about $27,900, from noon to 4 p.m.
The 26th District has 654,360 residents. Why doesn’t Jack Davis just send us all a check in exchange for our votes? We know the guy refuses to go out and meet with or speak with average people, and instead campaigns via direct mail, so it’s only fitting that he’d basically buy people off with this idiotic gas stunt. Here, he made the voters come to him. How convenient.
Davis said gas prices are high because of special interests and lobbyists for oil companies. Davis is self-financing his campaign and is committed to spending $3 million on the race.
Davis’ opponents on both sides of the aisle attacked Thursday’s event.
“Like all western New Yorkers, Chris believes record-high gas prices are a serious issue that demands real bipartisan solutions, not slogans or political gimmicks,” said Nick Langworthy, campaign manager for Lee.
Kryzan said a national energy policy is needed. “It’s going to take more than a publicity stunt to solve the real problems that every day people are facing in western New York as a result of high gas prices,” she said in a statement.
Powers’ campaign manager, John Gerken, said Davis was “trying to buy votes.”
“He claims he has no intention of buying this election, but today proved he is a hypocrite,” Gerken said.
Rochester’s WHAM reveals why Davis doesn’t like being asked questions:
Just two days ago, Jack Davis (D) said, “Some will say I’m trying to buy a congressional seat. Not so, not so, not so.”
From noon to 4 p.m., Davis paid about $2.70 per gallon out of his pocket, while drivers paid only $1.50.
When asked if buying someone’s gas is the same as buying their vote, Davis replied, “No, I’m a patriot.”
No one asked him if he was a patriot or not. The question was whether it was buying a vote. The answer is - of course it is. It’s one thing to spend $30k on a mailing, it’s another to hand a potential voter a direct monetary benefit such as Davis did yesterday. Why not just hand them each a check for $50? I mean, sure it’d be effective, but is it legal?
indabuff Says:July 11th, 2008 at 3:02 pm
Isn’t having a picnic in Clarence Town Park for the community an attempt to buy votes too?
indabuff Says:July 11th, 2008 at 3:03 pm
PS: I am voting for Powers
Buffalopundit Says:July 11th, 2008 at 3:09 pm
No. The Clarence picnic was not sponsored or paid for by the campaign. It was a fundraising effort by the Harris Hills Men’s Club, which underwrote the event.
Davis bankrolled the gas stunt to buy votes. Seriously, he might as well have stood on a street corner handing out $50 bills.
indabuff Says:July 11th, 2008 at 3:29 pm
Well, the ad I read for the event invited people of the community to a picnic. It said nothing about a fundraiser…misleading…a stunt to get people to go?
I am assuming Jon Powers attended..the event probably had his blessing…I am assuming free food & drink were provided.
Does it make it ok then if an organization buys a candidate it supports votes?
Buffalopundit Says:July 11th, 2008 at 3:37 pm
Yes. People and groups hold fundraisers for candidates all the time. And at the picnic, donations were optional. I’d hardly equate a couple hundred dollars’ worth of hamburgers and hot dogs to $30,000 worth of free gasoline, though.
mike hudson Says:July 11th, 2008 at 3:59 pm
GO CHRIS LEE!!!!!!
A TRUE MAN OF THE PEOPLE!!!!!
Mike In WNY Says:July 11th, 2008 at 7:56 pm
Which is worse? Davis buying people gasoline with his own money? OR Incumbents showering constituents with pork and other spending to curry favor with the voters?
Master Caution Says:July 12th, 2008 at 7:48 am
Mmm…curry pork…
WNYDEM Says:July 12th, 2008 at 12:20 pm
Is the Harris Hills Mens Club a non profit or a corporation? Either way, their “sponsorship” of an event for a federal campaign would be a violation of election law.
And any costs - food, drink, venue rental and permits would have to be listed as an in-kind contribution on Powers’ campaign finance disclosures (along with his rental reimbursements).
Stunt or not, it got covered. Watch the video on the Rochester NBC station - the anchors nailed it at the end - http://www.whec.com/article/stories/S506714.shtml?cat=565
Greg Says:July 12th, 2008 at 1:51 pm
I’d rather he buy votes with his own money than by promising tax dollars to people through socialized programs and handouts
and I wouldn’t vote for Davis if he was the only one of the official ballot
RaChaCha Says:July 12th, 2008 at 3:27 pm
The general reaction here in My Fair City: Jack Davis gives us gas.
Christopher Says:July 13th, 2008 at 6:30 am
Stunt, shmunt.
Had I known about it, I would’ve happily driven from Penfield to Greece to fill up my Ford Escape with $1.50 a gallon gas. Gas is so expensive now ($4.23) that I never put in more than $20 at a time.