David Sanders Discusses How Steve Buyer Of 1992 Attacks Congressman Buyer Of 2006

Thursday, August 24, 2006—Dr. David Sanders, candidate for the office of U.S. Representative for the 4th Congressional District of the State of Indiana, appeared at a press conference at 10:00 AM Thursday, August 24, 2006 at the Tippecanoe County Democratic Headquarters, 320 Main Street in Lafayette:

I have discussed how Congressman Buyer broke numerous promises he had made in order to get elected during his first campaign-a term-limits pledge, a pledge to support veterans, etc. He was going to fight corruption. He has instead turned into the dragon that he said he was going to slay.

Here's candidate Steve Buyer talking about, well, what he has become:

[The incumbent Congressman] "is using thousands of dollars of taxpayer money to promote his own re-election. Hoosiers want legislators who believe in integrity and responsibility, not professional politicians who find ways to bend to [sic] law for self-gain."

Candidate Buyer of 1992 is talking about Congressman Buyer of 2006. He sent out this mailer at the last possible minute when it would be legal, and it is nothing but a campaign advertisement full of deceptive material. Most people I have met did not notice the words:

THIS MAILING WAS PREPARED, PUBLISHED, AND MAILED AT TAXPAYER EXPENSE.

Here's candidate Buyer talking about Congress:

"As you know, the American people's confidence in Congress has been seriously eroded by continuing revelations of corruption and scandal in the House of Representatives. We cannot hope to address the serious problems facing this country until we take care of the problems within our own Congress."

Candidate Buyer said, "many incumbent Congressman are only paying lip service to reform."

Candidate Buyer stated, "I am serving notice that the wayward policies of a career politician will not go unchallenged."

What is Congressman Buyer's current response? He has opposed all ethics reforms. He continues to take lobbyist-paid travel. He advocated allowing Tom Delay to stay as House Majority Leader even if he were indicted. He puts fundraising before serving in Congress and being responsive to his constituents. He has completely sold out and become part of the cancer on the body politic that he claimed he was going to cure.

Finally and most tragically Congressman Buyer has betrayed the interests of the elderly and veterans. He claimed to be their friend but has shown himself to be their enemy.

Veterans around the country and throughout the district recognize that I am the friend that Congressman Buyer has failed to be. In addition the main business of Congress occurs in the Committees. Congressman Buyer has sold his votes on those Committees to campaign contributors who benefit from government giveaways of taxpayers' money.

I pledge that I will not knowingly accept any campaign contributions from any individuals or corporate PACs who have business in front of the Committees upon which I serve. I will not accept lobbyist-paid travel. This is the way to guarantee that I will be the independent voice who will represent the interests of the people of the 4th District.