Neshoba Editorial: Is Landrum telling the truth?

Neshoba County Democrat - Is Landrum telling the truth?

The field of Republican candidates for the Third Congressional District seat is impressive. Among the seven Republicans are four leading candidates, each of whom has been able to garner significant support from various sectors of the GOP faithful.

Few will deny that Chip Pickering has been an outstanding representative and served with distinction. And even fewer would argue with the declaration that the late G.V. "Sonny" Montgomery served the district like a true statesman for 30 years.

So the stakes are high and the shoes to be filled are big on March 11, particularly so in this part of the state, where Rep. Montgomery was known fondly to his many friends as "Sonny" and Rep. Pickering as "Chip" to his.

To be sure, neither one of the leading four candidates has a corner on faith, conservatism or family values.

Granted, each gentleman brings a significantly different life experience to the contest, Mississippi would be well served in Congress by a Harper, Ross or Rounsaville.

Before David Landrum can be included in that lot, however, he must come clean on his voting record.

So far, Landrum's ever-evolving story isn't holding water.

The problem is, Landrum has never stated unequivocally that he voted regularly during the nearly decade in question.

The record reflects that Landrum didn't vote after November 2000 or before November 2007.

If casting a ballot on election day isn't really that important, - as some of Landrum's supporters now contend - then why are we in Iraq?

For a flag-waving Republican trying to get elected to Congress, failing to participate regularly in the most basic of democratic processes is an unforgivable sin.

The controversy began Feb. 11 at a debate in Noxapater when Landrum was asked directly for whom he voted in the 2003 gubernatorial election between incumbent Democrat Ronnie Musgrove and Republican challenger Haley R. Barbour.

"Well, my vote is for Gov. Barbour," Landrum said, dodging the question.

But Landrum acknowledged making a $1,000 donation to Musgrove at the request of friends and business associates interested in tort reform.

Many of the other candidates are aware of Landrum's voting record, but only one, John Rounsaville, has had the courage to call Landrum out. He did so in a Feb. 20 press conference - not with a whisper campaign or mud-slinging. Now that's the kind of integrity and character we need in Washington.

On Feb. 22, two days after the press conference, Landrum's campaign provided documentation saying that signatures on a Hinds County voting log belong to Landrum and his wife Jill.

The Clarion-Ledger reported on Sunday that other voters say the signatures are theirs - and they are.

By Monday night, Landrum's campaign chair was explaining that the Feb. 22 press release was sent out without Landrum's knowledge. "It never occurred to either David or Jill to verify the signatures. David accepts responsibility for an honest mistake," wrote Bill Lampton, the campaign chair, in an e-mail.

Hogwash!

Records show Landrum didn't vote at all, wasn't even registered in Hinds County.

What about the other elections between 2000 and 2007?

The Landrum coverup began with a classic campaign tactic of admitting nothing, denying everything, demanding proof, minimizing the effects and making wild counter accusations.

Landrum's story simply isn't adding up and voters deserve an explanation from a candidate who has made integrity an issue.

Is Landrum telling the truth?

Landrum has spent nearly $400,000 of his own money campaigning.

For a man who professes to be the anti-politician of the bunch, he sure is acting like one.

Voting is the solemn right, privilege, and civic duty of every American citizen.

Landrum has yet to state definitively that he's voted regularly since 2000.

Vote this Tuesday, March 11.