Response to Actions of Rep. Brian Nieves

Readers,

     The last twenty-four hours have been odd and eventful.  I guess the best place to begin is usually the beginning, but I may have to start with more recent events to keep this rant coherent.

     This past weekend, I had a friend of mine (and constituent of Senator John Griesheimer) send me an e-mail with a video link asking me to take a look at some comments that were made by Rep. Brian Nieves.  The entire video clip, which can be found here, comes in at just over twenty-three minutes.  It is of Representative Nieves speaking to a group about State Sovereignty at an event organized by the “Show-Me Patriots” and “I Heard the People Say” at The Pillar in the Valley in Chesterfield, MO, on Saturday, January 16.  I have heard Rep. Nieves give many speeches and recognized many of his points – until I got about sixteen minutes into the clip.  The excerpt that caught my attention is quoted below:

“I literally have been put on notice a number of times by the political establishment.  First thing they did, they gave me a list of ten items.  They said, ‘Brian, if you want to be the next senator, here is a list of ten things you gotta do.’  This was my current senator handing me this list, telling me if I want to be his successor, that these are the ten things I gotta do.  Number 1, 2, 3, and 4 – lobbyists, special interests, etc., etc. that I need to go get the blessing of.  I slid it back across the table and said, ‘No thank you.’”

     I was appalled.  Senator Griesheimer is a friend of mine.  He has been in public service at some level since 1982.  Although many have disagreed with him over the years, including myself, on various issues, no one can question his integrity.  For Represenative Nieves to blatantly lie and insinuate that Senator Griesheimer is beholden to special interests or encouraged him to gain approval from any of these groups disgusts me.  Senator Griesheimer and Representative Nieves did indeed meet to discuss the latter running for Griesheimer’s term-limited senate seat.  Griesheimer expressed concern to Nieves about his lack of legislative action and work ethic, his lack of interest in working on local issues, his ties to consultant and former Missouri House Speaker Rod Jetton (this meeting took place during the summer of 2009 and centered on Jetton’s role with the “Village Law”), and a personal plea from Griesheimer to continue funding for Amtrak because of its importance to sustaining the small businesses in downtown Washington. 

     There was no list passed to Nieves.  Why would he make up such a story?  My best guess is that Nieves was trying to cast himself as the “outsider” because traditional politicians are not viewed favorably by many in the Tea-Party movement.  This is the worst sort of political pandering – lying about a man of integrity to boost one’s own political stock. 

     To me, this is evidence that Nieves is using a powerful political movement for his personal campaign effort.  I have no doubt that Brian Nieves is an absolute conservative to his core; anyone who said otherwise would be kidding themselves.  As the Tea Party movement began last February, I was just as excited as anyone that conservatives were finally paying attention and speaking out.  I loved the idea of a conservative movement free of influence from elected officials.  The trust-but-verify approach toward politicians by members of the movement was well-deserved.  Nearly a year later, I believe that even the attendees and organizers of the early Tea Party events must be amazed at all that they have accomplished.

     As I have called out Representative Nieves for his fabricated account of his meeting with Senator Griesheimer, I have been attacked by members of the Tea Party movement.  Why?  I did not think that they would support a politician lying for political gain.  Ah, but this isn’t just any politician.  This particular politician has worked to co-opt this movement for his own gain.  He has secured many speaking engagements with this audience.  He has fought to change the name of the movement from “Tea Party” to “Patriot Uprising” because it is a name that he came up with.  That’s not worth a fight.  It doesn’t matter what name the movement uses – so long as they keep America’s elected officials honest and focused on their oath to support and defend the Constitution.

     Many people have criticized me for calling out Nieves in public.  I would say that Nieves fired the first shot.  I also want to go back in time a bit as I had mentioned at the very beginning of this rant.  Late this past summer, Nieves and I met for nearly three hours.  He had some concerns about me and actions I was taking, and I had the same about him.  The conversation was tense, and threats were made from both sides of that picnic table.  The next day, I accepted Nieves’ offer to stay away from my political path if I would stay away from his.  Within twenty-four hours, Nieves had betrayed his word to me.  Fortunately, I had a good friend who happened to get caught in the middle of the situation, called me, and told me what Brian had done; I was able to verify. 

     Since that day, I do not trust Brian Nieves.  In the world of politics – as in any other profession – all you have is your word.  Many of you do not have that same experience with Nieves; your perspective may be different.  I am asking, though, that Nieves apologize to Griesheimer and give an honest account of the meeting that took place between the two of them.  I am also asking members of the Tea Party movement to keep elected officials out of the movement in order to keep it clean of political influence.  Continue to support good legislation.  Continue to support quality elected officials with your votes and campaign work.  Any level-headed individual can agree that these requests are fair and valid.

Thanks,

Rep. Scott Dieckhaus

109^th District