Candidate Deniston pledges to not take salary

[CMF Newsman]

Matthew Deniston, the only independent candidate in Tennessee's 3rd Congressional District race, said he'll refuse the customary $174,000 congressional salary and work for free if he wins.

"I don't need 175 grand," the McDonald, Tenn., resident said. "I sell solar panels, so hopefully I'll sell enough to support myself."

Deniston also said that, if he reaches Capitol Hill, he's not sure he'll hire any help -- not a legislative director, not a press secretary, maybe not even an administrative assistant.

"I can do everything myself," said Deniston, who co-owns an organic farm in Ooltewah.

www.timesfreepress.com/news/2012/apr/23/candidate-says-would-not-take-congress-pay/

[apriled]

Work for free does not impress me. As a taxpayer I am willing to pay for quality. For some reason, novice candidates think that this will gain voters. The no salary promise, really has no effect on the 12 to 22 percent that show up to vote.

[osrb]

I sell solar panels,

This means he will have write in plenty of kickbacks and get many contracts for his company.

[Tsavodiner]

I'm glad the Newsman picked up on this story.

In most cases, it's AGAINST THE LAW for a candidate for public office to offer or receive any pecuniary benefit in return for a vote. Offering to remit one's salary is just another offer of benefit; the salary's going to be paid ANYWAY, so he could donate it to charity or employ the "Buffett Rule" and just write a check to the Treasury. This CLOWN'S just trying to be an upstart, which I suspect is a pattern in his benighted life.

[apriled]

I never thought of that, it sure is an offer.

He states he will not hire, "not a legislative director, not a press secretary, maybe not even an administrative assistant." Just how is he going to communicate with the folks he represents?

[Tsavodiner]

Smoke signals, because that's what he's blowing

[Gary]

He had to do something to get attention. Apparently this little bit of grandstanding worked. At least for a day or two...

[Half-Tard]

Zach promised to never take a raise it worked for him you fools voted him in 7x after he promised only 6. Cocaine is a powerful drug!! (ps,,he took the raise created a PAC and paid his wife and son)

[rangerdball]

All I see here are uneducated, bigoted remarks about a candidate that these people know nothing about. Seems their grapevine rotted and withered decades ago.

[Tsavodiner]

Why don't you EDUCATE us ignorant bigots?

[apriled]

I don't care what race the candidate is. If they wave the salary, I am not impressed. Why is that offensive?

[rangerdball]

Out of the whole article all you understood was no salary? Speaks for itself.

[apriled]

"uneducated, bigoted remarks about a candidate." So, I am a bigot for understanding the core and central message. He was going to have no staff, that is bizarre, and I noticed because that was the message. If you are casting a wide net calling everyone bigots, you would be better served consulting with a person to help draft your press releases.

[ssmynkint]

Must have missed it; haven't read any derogatory remarks about race, ethnicity or religion, so where's the bigotry?
"Biased," sure. "Bigoted," naw.
Uneducated?

Tell us, danger ranger, what are your bone fides?

[rangerdball]

Well if you knew anything about how your media manipulates information, and you apparently, you would know that everything you read/hear isn't necessarily true. On that note, you might want to do a little more research before you slander people. Around these parts we's a calls them sheeple.

[rangerdball]

Definition of a bigot: a person who is intolerant of any ideas other than his or her own.
Bigoted: utterly intolerant of any creed, belief, or opinion that differs from one's own.

[Justin Thyme]

rangerdball, I'm not sure how you intend to win any of us over to Deniston's side with this adversarial approach you are taking. I can tell you that calling someone a bigot is not going to win their vote.

[apriled]

Ranger, OK I am uneducated, a bigot, and now sheeple. You are wrong about the posters on this blog. I think this site has more moderate to liberal posters. I am the conservative loner on many days.

I like this blog better than facebook, because of the type that post here. Many are very informed people.

[Tsavodiner]

I've known some fine people in politics, and invariably it's their friends and hangers-on that RUIN them; Deniston seems to be no exception.

[Tookie]

Tell us, danger ranger, what are your bone fides?

I'm almost 100% positive this is not the real Danger Ranger who I have not seen post here in a while. I miss reading his posts.

[rangerdball]

Excuse me for anti-trolling. From the article I read U.S. Army veteran, 2 tours to Iraq, 2 to Afghanistan. Wants to end fraud, waste, and abuse in government. I see a lot more qualifications for Congressman than any of the other candidates. From thenextuselections.com/tennessee/tennessee-congressmen
he's running against a venture capitalist, a businessman, property rental agency owner, a physician, another businessman, and an incumbent. I don't see where they plan on serving the country or its people.

[rangerdball]

May 2, 2012 13:24:48 GMT -5 rangerdball said:

All I see here are uneducated, bigoted remarks about a candidate that these people know nothing about. Seems their grapevine rotted and withered decades ago.

I don't see this comment directed at anybody in particular, but thanks for standing up anyway.

[rangerdball]

My bonafides include anti-troll, blogger, and general forum poster.

[JC]

Yeesh.

We're going to have to break out the mud and boxing gloves in a minute

[Half-Tard]

Poor man lost his fiance Friday in an auto accident on I-75...let' s lighten up..

[apriled]

Horrible Aceman, it is posted on the Chattanoogan.com. She had two young children and was a mid wife. Devastating for Mr. Deniston.

I learned from this blog that he was running for office. I had never heard of him. All elected officials have to start somewhere.