The Cowbird Campaign Convention

I thought I was at a Chamber of Commerce convention from 35 years ago, but it was just yesterday. Minding my own business and shopping for some squash at the Farmers Market, I heard an awful racket coming from the Town Center Plaza. It was a flock of septuagenarian Cowbirds trying to lay one of their own in a district of quite a different breed. Retired head Cowbird Bill Ramsey, 75, was announcing as a candidate to represent Dickson Street and the UA campus in the state legislature.

There was Fred Vorsanger. There was Don Moore. There was David McClinton. Cowbirds all, but not a one of them a resident of House District 92 where they were plotting to install their bird of a feather, Bill Ramsey. For his part, Ramsey gave a fair speech with all the smooth platitudes he has honed as the back-slapping head cowbird and as a paid lobbyist for special interests.

Doug Thompson reported that Ramsey wanted "to talk to constituents before giving final details on his policy stands." That's fine, but Ramsey's campaign website doesn't have any details (or even glib generalities) about any policy position. There is plenty of information about how you can do things for Bill Ramsey and how to send him money, but nothing about what he wants to do for the people of Fayetteville.

Ramsey and his Cowbird Campaign Committee made a big deal about his legislative experience and record during nine terms in the House some three decades ago. That might be a bigger mistake than running on his poor record at the Chamber and his constant complaining about the Fayetteville sign ordinance as a "job killer" for Cracker Barrel and Fuddrucker's. I will have more later about Ramsey's shameful voting record in the legislature.