Press release:
Former candidate for Congress in the 26th Congressional District David Bellavia today announces his support for Tea Party candidate Jack Davis as the next Congressman from Western New York. He will appear with Jack Davis at a rally honoring veterans 6 p.m. tonight at Barnard Exempt & Party House, 360 Maiden Lane, Greece.
“I’m proud to endorse Jack Davis, who served honorably in the United States Coast Guard and Marines and returned to build a successful business from nothing,” Bellavia said. “When our country called, Jack answered and served during the Korean War era. When his enlistment was up, he came home to Western New York to build a company in a garage and grew it into an American manufacturing success story.”
“I am honored to have the support and endorsement of David Bellavia. He is a decorated war hero and a true patriot who has the courage to take on the Washington insiders and fight for jobs and a better future here in Western New York just as he fought to defend our country in Iraq,” says Jack Davis, independent candidate for U.S. Congress.
Bellavia is a staunch Republican who considered a run for the Congressional seat vacated by millionaire Rep. Chris Lee after a national scandal. Bellavia’s efforts to place his name on the ballot were thwarted by the GOP machine – the same organization now Hell-bent on tarnishing Jack Davis in his run for office.
“Jack Davis didn’t inherit his wealth, he earned it the old-fashioned way: through his own blood, sweat and tears,” Bellavia said. “Today he employs 75 Western New Yorkers in a strong manufacturing business. He won’t sell to an out-of-state interest and put their jobs at risk; he’s made sure his own employees will inherit the company when he is gone. That shows a real commitment to our area that will endure for decades.”
“As the only veteran running in this race, Jack has consistently shown unswerving support for the men and women who defend our nation,” Bellavia said. “Veterans in Western New York and voters of all stripes have one clear choice for Congress, and that is Jack Davis, a true independent who will work for the people as he caucuses with the Republicans in the House of Representatives.”
ABOUT DAVID BELLAVIA
David Bellavia is a former U.S. Army Staff Sergeant who served in the 1st Infantry Division (Task Force 2-2). He was recommended for the Medal of Honor, nominated for the Distinguished Service Cross, and received the Silver Star, the Bronze Star, and the Conspicuous Service Cross. In 2006 he was invited to attend the President's State of the Union address as an honored guest. In 2004, Bellavia was the subject of a Time Magazine cover story titled "Into the Hot Zone" which won a Pulitzer Prize. He is the author of the best selling book, “House to House,” an account of his experience leading a platoon in the Battle of Fallujah published by the Free Press in 2007.
UPDATE: In 2006, David Bellavia was featured in a Tom Reynolds ad attacking Jack Davis.
The Weekly Standard asked Bellavia about the ad:
Asked if he regrets cutting this commercial, Bellavia writes: "No. He was wrong about Iraq. He was dead wrong. He is wrong about abortion. And that is what is beautiful about taking a stand."
Bellavia added: "I disagree with Jack on issues, but at least I know where he stands on them. Conservatives can not stoop to conquer. We are not a party of white trust fund babies. We are Allen West. We are Bobby Jindal. New York has lost that message. I am fighting to bring that message home. And those who wish to personally attack veterans. Saying things like, 'he went to war. Can we trust he won't snap?' That's what they did at Winter Soldier. I now step down from my soap box."
In 2006 for Tom
In 2006 for Tom Reynolds:
"The war divides us, but everyone agrees we should honor the troops...everyone but Jack Davis and his allies..."
But...today:
"As the only veteran running in this race, Jack has consistently shown unswerving support for the men and women who defend our nation..."
Apparently, as far as David Bellavia is concerned, consistency is a five-year assessment.
Bradon, What was Davis
Bradon,
What was Davis accused of saying in 2006, and is it true?
Hmmm where do you see
Hmmm where do you see Bellavia saying that Brandon....
"As the only veteran running in this race, Jack has consistently shown unswerving support for the men and women who defend our nation..."
I dont see that in this article, and I believe the context of his comments in 2006 under a different President and Congress dont have a comparison to now. After all we are talking Davis vs Corwin vs Hochul.... Not versus Tom Reynolds.
"The war divides us, but
"The war divides us, but everyone agrees we should honor the troops...everyone but Jack Davis and his allies..."
This is what Bellavia said on the 2006 political ad for Tom Reynolds that Howard posted along with this piece.
"As the only veteran running in this race, Jack has consistently shown unswerving support for the men and women who defend our nation..."
This is what Bellavia said in his release endorsing Jack Davis the other day.
It is all above in the article.
John- I don't remember what Davis had done to make Bellavia say that Jack Davis didn't support the troops - I cannot find that information. But Bellavia said it...it is in the video. Whatever Davis said or did was easily enough forgotten by Bellavia over the course of five years. Politics has a way of helping people like that.
Uhm could be that
Uhm could be that maybe...being human and all that Bellavia made an error in 2006 and has since corrected his viewpoint. My question is why do you Brandon have to completely discredit this because of thing that happened in 2006, it seems like your reaching to find things to complaint about with this..... Just sayin is all.
This is exactly what I did
This is exactly what I did not want to hear from David Bellavia.
"He is wrong about abortion. And that is what is beautiful about taking a stand."
Bellavia added: "I disagree with Jack on issues, but at least I know where he stands on them. Conservatives can not stoop to conquer."
No matter how many times I read this, I cannot square it with standing on the principles of social conservatism. Endorsing Jack Davis IS stooping to conquer. I will therefore no longer be writing in Bellavia. Left with no other candidate who will stand strictly on the sanctity of life and marriage, I will be writing myself in. If anyone else is interested in writing in someone who believes that even endorsing a candidate who has abandon social conservative ideals is part of the problem and not the solution, feel free to write me in also. I think I have at least 5 votes wrapped up at this point!
It's important to remember
It's important to remember that there are those who for purely political purposes will demonize anybody who is against war in general and/or the war in Iraq in particular.
The easiest way to demonize somebody who opposes the folly in Iraq is to say "he/she doesn't support the troops."
Did Jack say something specific that dissed the troops, I don't know. I'm not defending Jack, just pointing out that the politics of distortion are such that maybe Bellavia took the stand he did in support of a Republican incumbent at a time when he thought he had a future in the Republican Party as a matter of expedience. In his mind at the time, maybe, Jack didn't support the troops because he didn't support the war. I'm not saying that's the case, that's just my speculation. I've seen that kind of distortion by partisans too many times.