Rocky Mount, NC—This morning on Jammin’ 99.3, The Dave Perkins Show, Buck Newton was a guest at the 8:00 hour and taking questions. I called Kat and asked if DP would be willing to take my phone call; DP was kind enough to give me a few moments in what turned out to be a come to Jesus meeting with the candidate.

Here’s the jest in a nutshell:

Buck is certainly entitled to his own opinion, but not his own facts. Sen. Swindell has not fired 3000 teachers as Buck claims.

Buck blames Swindell for giving Medicaid recipients cells phones, but in reality the program doesn’t work that way. Check out this link: http://www.digtriad.com/news/features/article.aspx?storyid=121817&catid=216

In as much as Buck doesn’t want to talk about the 8 count Grand Jury Indictment, he spent nearly 12 minutes this morning, of on-air time (nearly a third of his total time, telling everyone he doesn’t want to talk about it.

After “prodding” several times by DP, to get into some real issues, Buck referenced puppet master, Tom Fitzer’s 100 day Republican plan to take the NC Legislature by storm.

This is where I lost Buck in the conversation.  (I don’t think I’m stupid, but my critical thinking skills went into overdrive)

Buck Newton said, and I heard this several times to make sure, “I don’t think everyone should have access to an appointed attorney.” Keep in mind that Buck is a lawyer, licensed to practice in the State of North Carolina, and he doesn’t think the accused should have access to a court appointed attorney. Well, I tried calling Buck at his office this afternoon to clarify that, but for some reason he didn’t return my call. –Not surprising, Buck spent an hour in front of A.B Swindell at Rose Hill not too long ago and now Buck claims he never had a chance to speak with him.

Buck mentioned eastern North Carolina utilities and how it relates to Nash and Wilson Counties. Well, that got my attention because I’ve been working this issue for 3 years now. Buck said he had read the “contract”, but in my humble opinion, he may need a refresher on that document because the information he presented this morning on Jammin 99.3 was totally not accurate.

Keep in mind, and Buck should know this, Progress Energy recently said they were not interested in “buying out” ElectriCities. So, how Buck thinks he’s going to “eliminate” ElectriCities is a mystery to everyone but him.

Buck also “cut into” legislation that supports the NC Film Commission. He tried to turn it around saying that Swindell voted to fund companies that filmed “orgies”. Buck wouldn’t go into what his definition of an orgy was, but none the less the information is misleading and to some extent a fabrication. This is something I have researched for  years (and I keep up with the film industry in NC) because I was graciously granted the last interview of Frank Capra Jr., which was published in a regional magazine.  Capra, at the time, was the CEO of Screen Gems Studios, in Wilmington. He died of complications from cancer soon after.

Here’s the juicy part:

In the 45 minutes Buck was on air, he never once gave any tangible and credible solution to any problem facing North Carolina and in particular Nash & Wilson counties. He has no solutions, only buzz words.  Buck wants jobs to come here, but has no idea how to implement the process of actually getting the jobs HERE.  

Buck uses words like “limited government” (and a host of other pretty words that bring emotion) but won’t define what his version of limited government is…or where that idea (and others) will lead us in Raleigh.

In short, the measure of Buck’s prowess rests with his ability to give detail. His accuracy gives “us” the voters our ability to test his truth and correctness. Today, Buck failed at all attempts.  His closing argument, as I coined it, wasn’t up to par. 

Frankly, I’m disappointed.  I was hoping and looking for something better.  I wanted Buck to have new ideas and fresh insight.  Even though I don’t agree with his politics I wanted to give the man a chance to explain himself on the issues. Instead, I got double-talk and a closing argument that just doesn’t work.