Former Fox News political analyst Angela McGlowan wants to take her conservative values from T.V. to D.C.
The author and political strategist from Oxford is hoping to ride the wave of the tea party”s popularity into Mississippi”s First Congressional District seat, which is currently occupied by Democrat Travis Childers.
McGlowan has been a staple on the tea party circuit in recent years. Locally, she has spoken at a Starkville tea party rally and to the Lowndes County Republican Women in Columbus in December.
She espouses many of the party-line conservative policies which have become synonymous with Republicans — cutting earmarks, stricter enforcement of immigration laws — but considers herself a rebel willing to criticize the Republican establishment along with Democrats.
State senator and congressional opponent Alan Nunnelee is one Republican who”s drawn fire from McGlowan during the her campaign. She”ll face Nunnelee and former Eupora Mayor Henry Ross in the June 1 primary. The winner will oppose Childers in November.
What”s the most important character trait for the First District”s congressman?
“A person of their word with experience in the legislative process.
“Henry (Ross), Alan (Nunnelee) and myself all signed a pledge with Americans for Tax Reform. Nunnelee signed it and later (voted to) raised taxes on tobacco, gasoline and hospital beds. If you sign a pledge, you should keep it. We don”t need someone in Washington who”s broken his promise in Jackson.
“I”ve worked in the political process in D.C. since 1993 as a legislative aid and political strategist. I can go to Washington and represent the people.”
What is the most important issue facing the First District?
“The number one issue in the Bible Belt is putting God back in government and sending believers to D.C. People believe if you put God first, everything else will fall into place.
“After putting God back in government, it”s jobs. It”s actually three-fold: God, jobs and the economy.
“We have to elect more people who think like us, who are believers. Congress has lost its way. …
“We need to cut wasteful spending in D.C. and I want to do some radical things. First, I want to write a second Contract with America, balance the budget, and abolish the Department of Education.
“Mississippi ranks in the 40s in education. Last year the Department of Education”s budget was $45.9 billion. Let”s put that money back in the economy.
“State government should run the schools through a partnership with federal government. We don”t have programs for children with special needs or autism.
“We need to look at corrections facilities. My father was the assistant to the warden at Parchman (Mississippi”s state penitentiary) in the ”70s. Then, we had prisoners who worked and put money back in the economy. We need to flip the script and go back and have prisoners put money back in the economy.”
What”s your take on partisan gridlock and what will you do to work “across the aisle” for the First District?
“I”ve already worked across the aisle as a legislative aide and lobbyist. I worked in the time of (former Republican House Speaker) Newt Gingrich and Democratic President Bill Clinton.
“The reason there”s so much bickering now is because people in Washington think we work for them. It”s the same with Jackson. We need new people with new ideas who can go to D.C. and make a change and come on back home.”
What sets you apart from your Republican opponents?
“I”m a person of my word and Nunnelee isn”t. He”s a true politician who will cut deals.
“Ross I think is a great guy. But can Henry Ross stand up to the RINO (Republican in name only) Republicans and liberals in Washington as a fighter?
“I”m a true fighter by standing up to the establishment. I was told it”s Nunnelee”s turn, but I”ve fought for conservative values since I worked in D.C. I will go against the grain and will not break my pledge.
“I do not endorse term limits (as Ross does). Henry and I have the same idea, to stay 12 years. This problem didn”t happen overnight and we won”t change it overnight. But your job comes up (for election) every two years in the House and every six for a senator.
“I don”t want to stay in Congress forever. This is a calling.”
If elected in November, what would be your first legislative priority?
“To sit down with all the newly elected members (of Congress) and discuss my vision of what I want to do to create a better Mississippi and a better America. I want to join with those folks to have a revolution to put their states and mine back on the road to prosperity.
“My first priority is not going to be to sit down with the leadership. They”re part of the problem. I want to meet with radicals just like me who had to scrape and fight to get to congress.
“We”re supposed to have fighters go to D.C., make a change and go back home.”
Jason Browne was previously a reporter for The Dispatch.
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