Arth Responds
Wednesday, July 01, 2009 at 12:27 pm
Yesterday, I highlighted the dark-horse campaign of Michael E. Arth for governor of Florida, pointing readers to the whimsical bio featured on his website. This morning, Arth responded in the comment thread:
Having just entered the race I’m an underdog and a dark horse, but I’m not running a dog and pony show. I’m in to win it. They have the money (see the banner ad above) but I have the ideas (see http://www.michaelearth.org) and I’m not afraid to put them out there. By the end of the race, the voters will know who I am and they will decide which is more important–the issues or pay-to-play.
I was told by a top Democratic official that because I didn’t have $3 million to start, and $1.3 million a week to win, not one single word would be written about me in the mainstream press. I asked the Daytona Beach News Journal if this was true and they repudiated it with a huge above-and-below-the-fold front page story. ( http://www.news-journalonline.com/NewsJournalOn… )
“The banner ad above” refers to the Alex Sink (Arth’s formidable opponent in the Democratic primary) Google ad that’s been appearing on our page above related posts — you’re likely seeing it now.
And perhaps in a sign that Arth is looking to lend a more serious aspect to his campaign (at the expense of his trademark humor), in the time that I’ve been writing this post, he took down this text that sat at the top of his homepage this morning and moved it to the “About Michael” page:
Hercules, the mythical Greek god, is known for having overcome incredible challenges in the face of danger and evil. But despite his courage, wisdom and resolve, it is not clear whether Hercules could have done what DeLand resident Michael Arth has done in transforming a crack haven into one of DeLand’s most unique neighborhoods.
Other commenters, staunchly supportive of Arth, have suggested that by highlighting the sillier aspects of his website, I’ve diminished the seriousness of his campaign. To which I respond that by including passages like these on his site, he’s asking for them to be highlighted. And for an underdog candidate, an attention-grabbing sense of humor isn’t such a bad thing.
Follow Aaron Wiener on Twitter
11 Comments
Pingback posted July 1, 2009 @ 1:08 pm
[...] Arth Responds – The Washington Independent.comYesterday, I highlighted the dark-horse campaign of Michael E. Arth for governor of Florida, pointing readers to the whimsical bio featured on his website. This morning, Arth responded in the comment thread: Having just entered the race I’m an [...]
Pingback posted July 1, 2009 @ 4:58 pm
[...] Arth Responds – The Washington Independent.comYesterday, I highlighted the dark-horse campaign of Michael E. Arth for governor of Florida, pointing readers to the whimsical bio featured on his website. This morning, Arth responded in the comment thread: Having just entered the race I’m an [...]
Comment posted July 1, 2009 @ 6:01 pm
Aaron, You had me scratching my head for a minute until I realized that you were looking at the home page of the campaign web site (http://www.michaelearth.org), and not the “About Michael” page at the same site. The article you said I took down off my website was written by Michael Jiloty. It's still there. I'll NEVER take it down, unless it's to frame it!
Jiloty was writing in complete seriousness when he compared me to Hercules. Who wouldn't quote somebody saying they were like a Greek god? (Ok, technically Herc was a demi-god). I figure this article, and others like it, will be good mojo to fend off the mudballs that will be slung as soon as my poll numbers begin to scale the Olympian heights.
But don't worry, I don't take myself anywhere near that seriously; I intend to keep my sense of humor even after I'm in office.
Michael E. Arth, Florida's humble, yet soon-to-be-highest-public-servant
Comment posted July 1, 2009 @ 10:07 pm
Michael,
What I was saying was that you or someone on your team removed that article from the homepage, and I just updated the wording to make that clearer. And yes, if anyone compared me favorable to Hercules, I wouldn't let a day elapse before I framed the piece.
I hope you don't mistake my amusement for criticism or derision. Re-reading my post now, I truly don't believe it contains a critical word. I'm simply bringing to our readers' attention the very quips that you sought to bring to your supporters'.
I should also mention that if the comment thread on my previous post is in any way a reflection of the Florida populace, you should have a smooth ride to the governor's mansion.
Humbly, for now and the foreseeable future,
Aaron
Comment posted July 2, 2009 @ 2:06 am
Aaron,
I saw that you were having some fun, and I enjoyed it, just as I had Pamela Hasterok's column about 2010 being the year for underdogs that your article linked to. As to the story by Jiloty, it was never moved, or taken from the home page, or anything. Not that it really matters, but it was always on the same page. I worked with an (excellent) web designer for three weeks, and we should know.
Now where did my pen go? I could have sworn I left it on my desk. Aaron, it happens. We're human.
Thanks for your postings. This is only the beginning. It will be a long campaign and I intend to enjoy it, slings, arrows, jokes, debates, or whatever–as long as the important issues get written about. I know you'll be writing about those too.
For more on the issues that matter to Florida and the rest of the country go to http://www.michaelearth.org – campaign site – Michael E. Arth for Florida Governor 2010
Comment posted July 2, 2009 @ 12:25 pm
In a world where candidates and office-holders feel compelled to get the approval of three focus groups before they can state that it's raining, Arth's website is a breath of fresh air. A man who is willing to say what he really believes instead of second-guessing what he/she thinks we want to hear is one step closer to a man who will do what he promised. His ideas may seem radical at first blush, but they're only a threat to the status quo in the aras where the status quo needs to be changed anyway. I hope everyone gives him a chance.
Comment posted July 4, 2009 @ 12:04 pm
I really liked your blog! Please come visit my site <a href=”http://www.buffalonysearch.com
“>Buffalo Business Directory when you got time.
Comment posted July 4, 2009 @ 12:05 pm
Can you provide more information on this? I am new to the subject. Please come visit my site Rochester Business Directory when you got time.
Comment posted July 15, 2009 @ 11:18 am
I really liked your blog! You have some great content. Check out my blog and give me some feedback Please come visit my site West Valley City Utah Yellow Pages when you got time.
Comment posted July 15, 2009 @ 11:18 am
Since I’m new to blogging, these articles are greatly appreciated; very useful and informative blog and every body must visit this blog. Please come visit my site El Monte California Yellow Pages when you got time.
Comment posted May 9, 2011 @ 1:06 pm
First off, make certain you realize that real Religion jeansTrue Religion Jeans are very, extremely expensive. There will be the common stitched real Religion jeans, the large T stitched (with thicker stitching), as well as the awesome T stitched (with awesome thick stitching). The awesome T’s are Mens True Religion Jeans one of the most expensive, near to $319 every pair. Your very first clue to or not or not the jeans you need are risk-free to purchase is: PRICE. If they are as well cheap, then odds are they are FAKE. However, this really is not in any way instances the case. I have observed countless fakes getting marketed at extremely considerable prices. So glimpse out! spend thought to details!!
Details such since the Cheap True Religion whether stitching, problem concerning the horseshoes, inside pattern concerning the pockets, rivets, placement concerning the back again logo patch, inseam length, material, inside tags, as well as the belt loops are all methods to inform the distinction in between a genuine pair as well as a Womens True Religion Jeans FAKE pair. I will include every one of those for you.
RSS feed for comments on this post.
Sorry, the comment form is closed at this time.
rss