Breitbart's Big Government published a story today that BBCW broke earlier this year regarding Congressman Long's promise to sell his auction business and 1/3 share in Murney Associates. BBCW has been following the rumors and Billy Long's reluctance to sell it, and now a Breitbart journalist wants to know why Long hasn't been more forthcoming in delivering his promise of sacrifice for Southwest Missouri voters.
From Breitbart's Big Government:
Did Rep. Billy Long Bluff Voters on Campaign Trail?
by Bob McCartyAlmost five months after Billy Long won election to the U.S. House of Representatives in Missouri’s 7th Congressional District, some people in the Show-Me State are wondering whether the words used on the campaign trail by the auctioneer and real estate industry mogul-turned-Republican politician were serious or just a World Poker Tour-style bluff for votes.
First, some background.
On Nov. 9, 2009, then-candidate Long sat down for a short interview (see video below) with Josh Marsh, Morning News Watch host on KZRG radio in Joplin, Mo.
During the interview, he spoke about the hardships and sacrifices he was willing to make if voters in southwest Missouri elected him to Congress:
“You have to sell your business. If you have a fiduciary business, you have to sell that, so I’ve gotta walk away from a business I built up for 30 years. Who’s gonna buy it without me there? Answer: Nobody. Whoever I sell it to has to take my name off of it. Now, what’s it worth? Absolutely nothing.
“I own a third interest in the largest real estate company in Springfield; I have to sell that. Do you want to buy a real estate company today? You know, they’re not worth anything, and I have to give up my real estate broker’s license.”
One of those people interested in comparing Long’s rhetoric to reality is Clay Bowler, the conservative Missouri blogger who became the victim of a witch hunt after a complaint by the recently-elected congressman prompted FBI agents to visit him at his Ozark, Mo., home. Five days ago, he reported there was no record yet of Billy Long selling auction house to meet House rules and campaign promise.
The other person is yours truly.
I decided to ask Congressman Long whether or not he had, indeed, sold his auction and real estate businesses as he claimed his election would require. On March 31, I sent a fax to him at his Washington, D.C., office. It contained three basic questions.
More than 24 hours passed without even so much as an acknowledgment of his office receiving my inquiry.
Fifteen days later, I decided to follow up with a phone call to Bret Funk, the congressman’s PR staffer, and find out if any answers were forthcoming. After a brief conversation, I forwarded the email message below as a repeat of the questions his office had previously ignored:
Bret,
During a Nov. 9, 2009, appearance on the KZRG Morning Show [Seehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9VTr1Tq_WPo], Congressman Long spoke with host Josh Marsh about the sacrifices he was willing to make if elected to serve Missouri’s 7th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives. Below is a transcript of a portion of what he said during that radio appearance:
“You have to sell your business. If you have a fiduciary business, you have to sell that, so I’ve gotta walk away from a business I built up for 30 years. Who’s gonna buy it without me there? Answer: Nobody. Whoever I sell it to has to take my name off of it. Now, what’s it worth? Absolutely nothing. I own a third interest in the largest real estate company in Springfield; I have to sell that. Do you want to buy a real estate company today? You know, they’re not worth anything, and I have to give up my real estate broker’s license.”
Today, more than five months have passed since the election, and I would appreciate answers to the following questions:
1. Please name and briefly describe the “fiduciary businesses” in which Congressman Long holds a sole or part ownership interest.
2. Has Congressman Long put any of his fiduciary businesses up for sale? If yes, which ones? If not, why not?
3. Have any of Congressman Long’s fiduciary businesses been sold? If so, which ones? If not, why not?
Thanks in advance for a prompt response.
Sincerely,
BobMcCarty
BobMcCarty.com
Regular contributor at Andrew Breitbart’s BigGovernment.com, BigHollywood.com,BigJournalism.com and BigPeace.com.
BobMcCarty.com
Regular contributor at Andrew Breitbart’s BigGovernment.com, BigHollywood.com,BigJournalism.com and BigPeace.com.
Nine minutes later, Funk replied with the question, “Are you from District 7 Bob?”
I quickly responded, “I am media.”
Almost two hours passed before Funk replied again, essentially blowing me off: “Apologies Bob, we are initially focusing on our district press for media requests. Please keep us in mind in the future.”
As the video below shows, Congressman Long is far too busy to answer questions from media outside the district.
It appears voters will have to wait until mid-June to find out whether or not Long is a man of his word. That’s when federal lawmakers’ annual personal financial disclosure reports become public.
[Ed Note: I don't have any particular axe to grind with Rep. Long, but since he used his claim that he would have to sell his businesses upon entering Congress as a reason voters should trust him, a follow-up on this seems a reasonable question. I don't have expert knowledge of House Rules, so I wanted to give Rep. Long's office every opportunity to respond. Yesterday, I sent the following e-mail to his press secretary:
Mr. Funk-This is Mike Flynn, editor of BigGovernment.com. One of my contributors, Bob McCarty, has filed a piece raising questions about whether Rep. Long has sold his business interests, which allegedly he said he would do during the campaign. McCarty notes in the piece that he hasn't gotten a response from the Congressman's office. I'd like to give you that opportunity here. Can you update me on the status of this or whether or not your office foresees a future sale or even if no future sale is planned? Thanks.
I received this reply:
Evening Mike,I talked to Bob on the phone this morning when he called our office. He had faxed in his questions to us, which is unusual, so regrettably his request was lost in the shuffle. When he informed me that he was not from the district I told him that at the moment we are focused exclusively on our district press and our constituents.Let me know if you need anything else.Bret
Mr. Funk, meet the Internet. Internet, meet Mr. Funk. Mr. Funk seems to think there is such a thing as "district press" or that only certain reporters are allowed to ask questions of an elected official. This isn't the case. So, I replied with the following note:
I understand he is not from the district. Are you comfortable, then, with BigGovernment running the piece as is, without a statement or clarification from your office? I understand that BigGovernment.com is not in your district, but can pretty well guarantee it will be read by people in your district. I met the Congressman when I spoke at the Reagan Library last month or so, so I'd like to give your office a chance to get its side of the story out. So, that would be the "anything else" I need.
I have not received a reply.]
