The “Holbrook Voting Rally” held April 19, 2018 at 6:00-8:00PM at the Goforth Hall on the Fair Ground site was anything but a normal Cleveland County political rally. It quickly became apparent that some professional political operatives were at work here. No stone was left unturned in the planning, layout, message and execution. And it was especially very well funded. Although not so well attended.
First, knowing that Eddie Holbrook was a former coach and well versed in developing “game plans” to best use to defeat his opponents, and the fact that I have attended many Commissioners Meeting, Community College meetings and political events along with researching the laws that apply and backup info as well; I have seen many of Holbrook’s game plans in action. At Commissioner’s meetings Holbrook likes to stack the deck (a four corners offense) with people (County Employees) that have been well coached on what to say and how to say it in such a manner as a newcomer would think everything was being done by the book. Or, the fast break, to not provide any discussion or input so a newcomer would think the Commissioners are super smart and know all about the issue. All the while it is all just a “head fake” so the vote is passed unanimously-while all the discussion and deciding is done illegally behind closed doors and nobody is the wiser. Well, almost nobody.
The game plan for this Holbrook Voting Rally started right at the Fairground gate as you were driving in.
Holbrook supporter Stanley Crowder and two armed and uniformed Sheriff’s Deputies herded all incoming traffic through that one narrow gate with Stanley Crowder asking for tickets that had to be obtained beforehand. The Deputies were noticeably close by and paying close attention. Providing much more security than normal for other political rallies that I have attended. It struck me that this would be a perfect way to exclude any protesters, news reporters (I had a ticket) or “undesirables” that might want to enter this otherwise publicly owned property.
All this was odd as there were no ticket sales at the door. Most of the time a political rally is also almost always a candidate fund raiser and ticket sales are shown on candidate financial reports, which are closely monitored by the Board of Elections. Ticket arrangements such as this can be easily manipulated to hide illegal contributions. I have no such proof that this will be the case here, but am just saying the risk of getting caught in such a situation as this would be very low. However, many tickets for the Holbrook supported American League World Series are done this way and Holbrook has to be familiar with that. Big donors buy up tickets and then give them away so there will be big crowds at the games. Although the turnout for the Holbrook Voting Rally filled the Goforth Hall about half way. Many observers expected more turnout.
I was cordially welcomed by Candidate Holbrook as I entered the food line. Then I worked my way around to the very back side of the hall about halfway down the line by myself facing everybody else. That way I would not be blown away by the loud music from the Dirty Grass Soul Band and could watch and hear everything going on; who was there and who was not and such as that. Basically I observed a mostly middle aged white crowd with a sprinkling of Republicans. Also one “cluster” of blacks were there. Sitting mostly by themselves. I estimate the crowd was less than 5% black and 95% white. The population of Democrats in Cleveland County is 40% black and 60% white according to Board of Election records.
The food was provided by Red Bridges BBQ which is Managed by Appointed Commissioner Doug Bridges, a Republican. Don’t know at this point whether Holbrook’s campaign paid for the food or whether or not it was donated. Candidate financial records should show this but they are not due until after the May 8th Primary Election day.
Candidate Holbrook started the speechifying after most had finished eating. Holbrook invited Rev. Stephen Brackeen to give an invocation. Rev. Brackeen is the brother of slain Shelby Police Department Officer Tim Brackeen who was shot in the line of duty. And whose killer is still awaiting trial.
Despite all of Candidate Holbrook’s emphasis on his standing in the black community going back to the early 60’s and the leadership in the black community mostly centering around black Ministers and the choice of a white minister at this rally; right off you get the idea that Candidate Holbrook is going to his base in the white community and speaking to them and them only. Obviously Holbrook is concerned and said he was concerned about his re-election bid and is covering all bases.
Rev. Brackeen, for his part, endorsed Holbrook and delivered what could be best described as an ole-timey rousing Tent Revival sermon along with his Christian Prayer.
Candidate Holbrook again took the stage and linked himself to God’s will. It was God’s will that he ran for office and God’s will that he had won three terms already. And it would be God’s will that he will win re-election this time too. Again, playing to the old time white Democrat Christian base that still runs deep in Cleveland County.
Eddie Holbrook being Eddie Holbrook had to take full credit for all the jobs that he claims he brought to Cleveland County. 8,000 jobs he says. And an unemployment rate of 4.1%. Never mentioning that many jobs have left Cleveland County during his terms in office. Never subtracting when the deals went bad and jobs were lost. Never mentioning the $millions and $millions in tax dollars given away to lure jobs here in the first place. Counting jobs like the Duke Power Plant at Cliffside that Cleveland County Government and Commissioner Eddie Holbrook had absolutely nothing to do with. The natural gas fired plants at Kings Mountain too. Holbrook always fails to mention the 20,000 plus people on Foodstamps because of unemployment of underemployment. He never mentions all the jobs outside Cleveland County that Cleveland County residents commute to. When you consider these figures all together, the 4.1 % employment number is totally fabricated and far from reality. It’s a dream world that Holbrook wants to take you to.