How I learned to respect Robin Cape and why you should write her name on your ballot

When Council member Robin Cape was elected four years ago, I was upset. I couldn't understand how Asheville could elect someone with her radical ideas about energy, the environment and a paternalistic model of government. …

With that span of time now passed, I have changed and I could indeed vote for Robin Cape. But that is because Robin Cape has changed too. Coming from a background of progressive political activism, Cape has transformed into a seasoned, open-minded local legislator who well understands the mechanics of public advocacy, reasoned deliberation and the limitations of government action.

However, anyone wishing to cast a vote for Robin Cape must write her name on the ballot in November (just as they did in Woodfin in 2003, when Cape broke a 25-year precedent and won a seat on the water board as a write-in candidate with an impressive 34-percent voter turnout when she ran on the issue of protecting their precious watershed from logging).

State law allows for last-minute write-in candidates in a nonpartisan race.

Not so in the case of other local elections. Other elections are partisan and, as such, a write-in candidate must qualify by filing a "declaration of intent" with the Board of Elections 90 days prior to the general election, otherwise a write-in vote for that candidate is discarded as a non-vote. So, even though state statute says "each official ballot shall contain … a means by which the voter may cast write‑in votes (N.C.G.S. 163‑165.5)," if a write-in candidate decides to participate after the 90-day cutoff for qualifying, no votes for that candidate will be counted. This appears to conflict with the spirit of the law.

Asheville's elections are nonpartisan; thanks to the Let Asheville Vote referendum that decided the question by the consent of a majority of citizens rather than by a majority vote of a biased seven-member City Council.

Ironically, Robin Cape originally opposed the Let Asheville Vote referendum. But she understands now the importance of protecting voters' rights and the right of citizens of any affiliation to run for public office.

I, too, have changed my mind from four years ago and will be writing the name "Robin Cape" on my ballot in 2009. May she win yet another write-in campaign.

— Tim Peck
Asheville

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95 thoughts on “How I learned to respect Robin Cape and why you should write her name on your ballot

  1. onlooker

    Tim, I agree that it is refreshing to see someone grow and mature in office rather than stubbornly cling to their own pre-conceptions. Never allowing your viewpoint to evolve in the face of new information and experience is not strength- it is the ultimate weakness. Evolving takes courage.

  2. Barry Summers

    Tim, with all due respect, I don’t believe this at all. Your newfound respect for Robin Cape doesn’t ring true. I believe you are playing the time-honored Asheville game of wedge voting. You can read the field as well as anyone, and you know that the only shot Carl Mumpower or Kelly Miller (now dropped out) have at a seat is to split the progressive vote. You are supporting Robin because you see her as a spoiler, plain and simple.

  3. tatuaje

    You can believe whatever you like, dear.

    Interesting to note that he doesn’t deny it.

    Not only that, but his use of ‘dear’ at the end appears to be a not-too-subtle verbal retaliation for barry’s observation. He/she must’ve struck a nerve.

  4. Barry Summers

    It must suck to feel like you have to go through life being this intellectually dishonest. You have disdain for everything Robin professes, yet here you are campaigning for her.

    Conservatives, or ‘libertarians’ as you like to call yourself, might get farther if you actually tell the truth about what you believe, instead of playing these cynical games with the democratic process.

  5. Barry Summers

    I’ll repeat – it doesn’t ring true. You refer to her using words like “radical”, “paternalistic”, and “biased”. You point out that she in fact opposed your ‘Let Asheville Vote’ petition just two years ago, & you bitterly fought that battle.

    Now, suddenly, everything’s fine with you & Robin? I notice that the one video that’s been pulled from your YouTube selection on your blog is the one that you had titled “Robin Cape’s power grab, City Council, July 10.”

    http://timpeck.blogspot.com/2007/05/public-comment-partisan-elections.html

    Just two years ago, you publicly accused her of a “power grab”, yet now you are promoting her write-in campaign & saying nothing about the conservative candidates who are running? Doesn’t pass the smell test, my friend.

  6. Piffy!

    Obviously timp Eck prefers more mature dialogue, like; “Glad to hear that I’m so important to you. You can masturbate on your own. I won’t be joining your little confab. “

  7. Barry Summers

    But seriously, Tim(1). Why did you pull that video attacking Robin off your website? I notice the ones going after Bryan and others are still there. Just curious…

  8. “Why did you pull that video attacking Robin off your website? I notice the ones going after Bryan and others are still there.”

    The video you refer to is no longer valid.

    Complicated, ain’t it?

  9. Barry Summers

    “No longer valid,” in that it makes the lie a little too transparent? If you’re publicly stumping for someone you are attacking on your blog, you might be accused of, oh, I don’t know…

    Help me out here guys – what might Tim be accused of here?

  10. “Just curious… ”

    I’m just curious…

    Are you interested in apologizing for calling me a liar? Or are you just going to keep changing the subject and your tone?

  11. Piffy!

    Tim, what would you say to an undecided, independent asheville voter who might be intrigued by your premise, and yet is now skeptical based on your previous statements in regards to Robin Cape?

  12. You must have many friends. People like hanging out around condescending arrogance.

    “Love it or lump it.”

    Please explain this “lumping”. Does it vibrate?

  13. ” If you’re publicly stumping for someone you are attacking on your blog, you might be accused of, oh, I don’t know…”

    Who am I attacking on my blog?

    Help me out here guys — Is Barry just flapping his lips?

  14. Barry Summers

    “Are you interested in apologizing for calling me a liar?”

    Wow, are you sensitive. OK Tim(1), maybe I shouldn’t have used the word “lie”.

    What you are doing here is a festering, cynical, intellectually dishonest gaming of the democratic process, and so full of inconsistency and contradiction as to be totally unbelievable to anyone over the IQ of 12.

    Frankly, buddy, I think you should go with the word “lie”, but it’s your call.

  15. “What you are doing here is a festering, cynical, intellectually dishonest gaming of the democratic process, and so full of inconsistency and contradiction as to be totally unbelievable to anyone over the IQ of 12.”

    And what your are claiming happens to be false. Nice try.

    But do keep it up.

  16. Piffy!

    [b]Who am I attacking on my blog?[/b]

    Are you really pretending that you weren’t attacking Robin Cape just a year or so ago for her “Partisan Power Grab” and her Deplobarble “Progressive” Politics?

    Why did you take the video down?

  17. Barry Summers

    “Who am I attacking on my blog?”

    Accusing Council members of a “Partisan Power Grab” constitutes an attack, in my book.

  18. Thanks fellas for your breathless and agitated blather but I’m not interested.

    This one goes in the record books.

    Write-in Robin Cape on November 3rd.

    It’s been real.

    Ta.

    [IGNORE]

  19. Piffy!

    Cute how he chooses to “[IGNORE]” all legitimate questions about his change of heart in relation to Cape while jumping all over any off-the-cuff quips.

  20. Barry Summers

    We should rename this thread

    “Dr. StrangeTim or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Robin”

  21. JWTJr

    I’m frankly surprised that JonE lets the name calling and attacking take place here. I find the censorship of this type of thing to be very inconsistent compared to other threads.

  22. “Thanks fellas for your breathless and agitated blather but I’m not interested.”
    Well, since fingers don’t breath, I’ll give you that one, but who’s agitated? I was chuckling at your conceit.

  23. Piffy!

    The only one who appears to be “agitated” is mr Peck.

    He sure has done a good job of representing his calm, cool demeanor in this thread.

  24. bobaloo

    Are you interested in apologizing for calling me a liar?

    Why do you care for the words of an anonymous coward?

    Say, did you ever apologize for that one?

  25. Jon Elliston

    JWTJr makes a good case in regards to this thread: let’s knock off any name-calling and personal jabs.

    Thank you — and sorry to have not kept up with the lightning pace of this thread ;)

  26. bobaloo

    Well pfff tried to get him to the forums, but he won’t come to our circle jerk.

  27. Piffy!

    The Esteemed Mr. Elliston,

    Other than Imposter’s use of the term “Jackhole”, I really don’t see any ‘name-calling’ or personal jabs from anyone other than Peck.

    Wouldn’t you agree?

    JW-What says you? Is Tim out of line, or are his ‘detractors’? Why?

  28. Barry Summers

    I’ll just interject here that I had never even heard the word “jerkhole” before.

  29. JWTJr

    pfff – Tim started the nastiness and then kept it up. The thread degraded in the last half to pretty much nothing constructive.

    I think I’ve heard ‘jerkhole’ before. It was funny then too.

  30. shadmarsh

    Honestly, I think Tim just has a crush on Robin and this is his (juvenile/weird/hilarious) attempt to pitch woo at her, but I am just an anonymous coward so really what do I know…

  31. I think we should all keep in mind that the real conservatives in Asheville should write in “Tim Peck” on their ballots.

    Sure, he isn’t running for office – but why let that stop the people from being heard? I know if I were in Asheville, I would write in the name “Tim Peck” on my city council ballot and I would do so with pride!

    Sure, I haven’t really ever supported (or understood) half of what Candidate Tim Peck has said over the years but that will not stop me from supporting his run for City Council as a write in candidate. So, those of you still in the city who want a true conservative on City Council and not some police tag-a-long like Mumpower should do yourselves a favor and write in “Tim Peck” for City Council.

    I may not understand all the subtle mechanics of public advocacy but I think Tim Peck (who I hear is going to have a grassroots campaign behind him, even if he doesn’t officially run) has what it takes to get the City Council Asheville deserves.

    Write in Tim Peck this year and you won’t be sorry.

  32. Wow – ain’t a person allowed to change their mind when new information comes forward?
    I would hope so.

    I mean, Robin Cape wasn’t running to begin with – but then life changed her perspective and now she’s mounting a strong write-in campaign. Not to mention the fact that she herself has changed her mind over the past four years on more than a few community issues. As new information comes forward, you have to consider all the sides & the potential outcomes.

    So what if Tim didn’t originally agree with Cape’s initial ideas on Council? After 4 years of practice, she has certainly come more into her own sense of the local political sphere. I’d hate to crucify someone just because they change their mind over such an extended amount of time.

    It’s great that Tim can see the valuable insights of both liberal & libertarian candidates. We need more folks in Asheville politics who seek progress & government balance at the same time.

  33. Barry Summers

    I agree that we should all write in Tim Peck for City Council. Nothing would say “this whole thing sucks”, like Tim(1) winding up with a bunch of votes.

  34. I’ll write in Tim Peck……I know for a fact how thoroughly he researches. And he has a lot of passion for good government.

  35. Barry Summers

    Passion for good government… How about passion for re-writing history? More scrubbing going on over at his blog. The offending video of Robin Cape from two years ago is not just no longer playable, all trace of it has been erased.

    http://timpeck.blogspot.com/2007_05_01_archive.html

    Mind you, this is the archive of an entry that is over two years old. Tim is scrubbing his past to accommodate his new political reality. The word for this is: Orwellian.

  36. Compare his new re-write with the original post (remember, the videos are still disabled):”

    Obviously more has been revealed and he changed his mind. That is allowable.

  37. Barry Summers

    “Obviously more has been revealed and he changed his mind. That is allowable.”

    I disagree. Let him make the case for why he has changed his mind, and allow the historical record to stand. Erasing the record under criticism because it makes you look bad, merely reinforces the appearance that you are being disingenuous. Go back up this thread – Tim has provided no further argument to explain why he now suddenly supports someone he so recently opposed. He simply attacks anyone questioning him, and then erases the evidence that contradicts his contention. Those are the actions of someone who has something to hide. As I said, it doesn’t pass the smell test.

  38. Piffy!

    J-Bo and Dial-

    Do you honestly believe this is a true ‘change of heart’ and not a calculated effort to split the “progressive vote” with the end result being Mumpower squeezes through and keeps his seat?

    I mean, ‘change of heart’, maybe, but ‘complete 180 degree change of politics, but only for one specific candidate’? Not likely.

    I agree with Mat. True Conservatives should be writing in Tim Peck for City Council. Mumpower has already shown he isnt willing to fight for his seat, and has bigger aspirations than council these days anyway. Tim Peck has shown he is dedicated to the TRUE Conservative, small-government, pro-business values that we need to balance out those commies on city council, and he has shown he has the resources, time, and energy to make it happen.

    Write in Tim Peck for City Council!

  39. Barry Summers

    I am cheerfully chucking all my previously held political beliefs, and campaigning for Tim Peck. I know that in the past, I’ve been hard on him and his Ayn-Rand-loving wackiness, but he’s gradually won me over these past 43 seconds since I thought it might be fun and politically rewarding to pretend to support him.

    Fellow True ConservaLiberteaPartyBaggers! Forget about Mumpower, the other guy, and the other other guy. Write in Tim Peck(1)!!

    (And don’t ask me about any previous statements or actions I may have made which make my recent conversion implausible. That makes me cranky.)

  40. Ken Hanke

    I wouldn’t vote for Tim Peck if he was the last woman on the ballot!

    It always scares me when I agree with travelah. Probably alarms him too.

  41. Piffy!

    im still waiting for a response from jbo and ms dial to my question about pecks intentions.

    I’m truly flabergasted that ANYONE could believe him.

  42. Why don’t you ask Tim yourself?

    I can’t speak on his behalf any more than you (although more than a few of you on this forum seem to believe otherwise).

    I believe his intentions are (as they seem to be pretty clear as stated by his letter) to let people know that even a libertarian can support a liberal like Robin Cape, and that he believes folks should write her in for the position of Councilwoman.

  43. Well, since he has deemed us not worthy of his time (see his IGNORE post above), it’s not easy to give him the benefit of any doubt. Personally, I wouldn’t support him on anything due to his superiority complex.

  44. Piffy!

    [b]I believe his intentions are (as they seem to be pretty clear as stated by his letter) to let people know that even a libertarian can support a liberal like Robin Cape, and that he believes folks should write her in for the position of Councilwoman. [/b]

    Well, JBo, my question was for you, not Tim “Mr Smug” Peck.

    I am honestly, truly, and definitely astounded that you think Tim Mr Smug Peck’s intentions are legitimate, despite all actual evidence to the contrary.

    But, sure, believe his one letter to the editor, instead of his actions and words over the past few years. Yeah, you’ll make a great politician, ms bo.

    But, yeah, i’m sure Asheville’s most vocal and notable of the “no-government/Tea Party” movement is actually, legitimately throwing his support behind one of the more ‘liberal’ of Council Candidates, and not attempting to split the progressive vote, as would be the OBVIOUS end result.

    And I bet Bobby Medford was just misunderstood.

    [b]Write in Tim Peck![/b]

  45. What evidence to the contrary do you have?
    I’ve know Tim for a few years now & I’ve never been provided with any of this evidence you speak of.

    Tim & I don’t agree on every issue of course, but we have enough human respect for each other to know that we can trust that we both want what we believe is best for the community at large – which included diversity of thought. I support Carl Mumpower as one of my three candidates, he supports Robin Cape. I personally think that is just great.

    BTW – in case you didn’t get the memo – I dropped out of the race. I’m not a politician, nor do I have to try to walk the line of pleasing anyone & everyone. I have my specific issues that I get involved in, and by involved I mean physically out there doing something, not just sitting on these boards hoping to create internet dramas.

  46. Piffy!

    [b]What evidence to the contrary do you have?[/b]

    Well, his whole campaign against MS Cape a year or so ago, during her “Partisan Power Grab” (His phrase, not mine), for one.

    Guess you dont read his website much?

  47. shadmarsh

    Pfff,
    why must you insist on bringing logic and facts into a political argument? You are almost as bad as that guy who wanted to introduce tigers into downtown for some unknown reason.

  48. Ken Hanke

    I wouldn’t support him on anything due to his superiority complex.

    Well, there’s his utter lack of a sense of humor, too. And there’s the whole issue of his stated disdain for the Xpress as a liberal publication, yet it’s one that he just adores to use — for free — as a platform from which to speak. Using a publication that somebody else pays for and a website that somebody else pays for in order to put forth his Ayn Randian political agenda is a clear violation of the principles he supposedly supports.

  49. “@ PFFF im still waiting for a response from jbo and ms dial to my question about pecks intentions.
    I’m truly flabergasted that ANYONE could believe him.”

    And I am flabergasted that you’d expect a response while hiding behind an anonymous name.

    So there, we’re both flabergasted.

  50. Piffy!

    Ah, now i see. you subscribe to the same logic as Mr. Peck, Ms. “Davyne”.

    Makes sense now. my apologies for basing my assessment of Pecks motives on his known dislike for anything that resembles “liberal policies”, or his specific disdain for Ms Cape that he just recently expunged from his Blog.

    Clearly, I should just trust this one letter to the editor as an about-face in his entire political ideology, and not come to the conclusion that he has ulterior motives based on years pf reading his Ayn Rand fantasies in the blogoshpere.

  51. bobaloo

    ANONYMOUS INTERNET COWARDS ARE ANONYMOUS.

    Jesus, what is it with you people? Are you new to this? People use pseudonym’s on the internet so they don’t get harassed.

    If anyone here (that I’ve come to trust) wants my real name so they’ll feel warm and fuzzy when debating my opinions as opposed to just taking my points and, y’know, debating them, feel free to PM me.

    What’s most alarming is that Tim Peck, an Ayn Rand supporter and paleo-libertarian is completely casting away his political views to throw support to a hard core capital L Liberal like Cape and no one really questions it.

    JBo, while you’re sense of community is completely admirable, if you decide to support Sarah Palin in the next election, I’m not taking it at face value.

  52. @Babaloo –
    Sarah Palin should have been taken care of & zombified when she visited here last year. That’s all I’m going to say about that.

  53. Ken Hanke

    Still #1 on the comments list

    Still way behind the comments on the barefoot agenda and Michael Moore in the overall scheme of things. He’ll have to try harder.

  54. Piffy!

    [b]Still #1 on the comments list. [/b]

    Wow, lot’s of people weighing in on the issue of Mr. Pecks poorly-veiled attempt at political sabotage. well that sure proves Tim Peck’s motives are pure and right, doesnt it?

    If Tim Peck is so confident in his absolute change of heart in regard to MS Cape, then why did he scrub all of his previous badmouthing of her from his Blog just this week?

  55. Piffy!

    [b]Still way behind the comments on the barefoot agenda and Michael Moore in the overall scheme of things. He’ll have to try harder.[/b]

    I was very disappointed that your Michael Moore thread never surpassed Kriss’ foot thread.

    For shame, hanke.

  56. Ken Hanke

    For shame, hanke.

    I shouldn’t have left town for a week, I suppose. Then again — though I haven’t checked this — I have a hunch that none of these surpassed Edgy Mama’s column on circumcision.

  57. Piffy!

    [b]I have a hunch that none of these surpassed Edgy Mama’s column on circumcision.[/b]

    in absurdity or number of comments?

  58. Barry Summers

    Speaking of circumcision, can we get back to Tim Peck and the absurd notion that he actually supports a liberal?

  59. Ken Hanke

    in absurdity or number of comments?

    I meant number of comments, but the point is well-taken.

  60. travelah

    @Babaloo –
    Sarah Palin should have been taken care of & zombified when she visited here last year. That’s all I’m going to say about that.

    When Sarah Palin takes those glasses off and shakes that hair down and … er … well I digress. What is Tim Peck’s agenda and what is he really building in his garage??

  61. Dionysis

    “what is he really building in his garage??”

    A robotic Ayn Rand? Robo-rand?

  62. travelah

    So, by that logic you will support Kendra Wilkinson’s bid for President in 2012?

    Not certain what can you pulled that logic out of. What does Tim Peck have to say about it? Inquiring minds and garage hobbyists everywhre want to know.

  63. Piffy!

    Tim Peck would really make an awesome CityCouncilman. Way better than ol mumpy.

  64. Barry Summers

    Yes, but Tim has that wacky Randiness that we love to hate to love.

    Write in Tim Peck(1) for City Council!!!!

  65. [i]Not certain what can you pulled that logic out of. What does Tim Peck have to say about it? Inquiring minds and garage hobbyists everywhre want to know. [/i]

    You know, I thought about it after I posted it and I realized that the comparison is a bit off. Palin is a touch prettier than Kendra. So, nevermind. I take that one back.

    As far as the garage thing, you seem to be up on that: Enlighten us!

  66. Piffy!

    So, again, tim, how does your radical anti-government, anti-regulation, anti-‘liberal’ ideology translate into support for Ms Cape, a very ‘liberal’ asheville candidate?

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