Get to know Rob Miller, the adult candidate in South Carolina’s Second District race
Rob Miller is running against South Carolina’s latest GOP embarrassment: Rep. Joe Wilson, who became Twitter famous last night by heckling the president during his address to Congress. So who is our friendly neighborhood opponent?
From ActBlue, which is raising money for Miller:
Rob Miller left the Marine Corps in 2008 to offer South Carolina fresh ideas and innovative solutions. His message was heard loud and clear: Joe Wilson got the race of his life. Rob got over 46% of the vote, with very little funds, and now he’s running for Congress in 2010–and needs your help!
Miller, 33, is an Iraq war veteran who served in the Marine Corps for 13 years and did two tours in Iraq in 2004, including in Fallujah. He is running on two main issues: properly equipping and caring for our troops, and ethics reform in Washington. (His Facebook page is here.)
Below is his announcement press release from back in March:
Iraq War Combat Veteran: “It is time for Washington to truly support the troops”
Columbia, SC – Today, former Marine Captain and Iraq War Veteran Rob Miller of Beaufort filed to run as a Democratic Candidate for the United States Congress in the Second Congressional District, currently held by Congressman Joe Wilson.A native of South Carolina, Miller served twice in Iraq, including the Battle of Fallujah in 2004. After 13 years, Miller completed his service with the Marine Corps in February of this year. Miller, 33, has been married to his wife Shane for 11 years and the couple has one child.
Miller says he began to consider a run for Congress during his deployment in Iraq. “Just like so many others, I proudly served my county in Iraq and I’d do it again without hesitation if called on. Many politicians in Washington love to talk about how they support the troops, but all too often their actions do not match up with their rhetoric,” Miller said.
“It’s one to thing to wave the American Flag when the cameras are running but it’s another thing to actually support the troops. America’s men and women in Iraq have been forced to buy their own tactical gear and have been required to travel in ‘armed’ vehicles with armor duct taped to the doors because politicians like Joe Wilson wouldn’t support them when it mattered most,” Miller said. “Congressman Wilson is quick to introduce resolutions supporting the troops, but did nothing when our wounded veterans couldn’t get the basic care they needed at Walter Reed.”
If elected Miller says he will push for stronger ethics laws for members of Congress. “For years we had Tom DeLay and Jack Abramoff running the show, getting rich off the American people. We need to make sure that something like that never happens again. The reforms implemented over the past couple of years just don’t go far enough. Members of Congress should listen to the voters, not the lobbyists. Joe Wilson isn’t going to push for stronger ethics laws, but I will,” Miller said.
Miller said that other goals in Congress would include reducing the national deficit by cutting government spending and repealing the Bush tax give-a-ways to the super wealthy. “We can’t expect our economy to be strong and our children’s future to be secure if we continue the Joe Wilson policies of borrow, spend and mortgage,” Miller said.
Plus it’s likely he wouldn’t embarrass his state by blatantly disrespecting the president during a speech before a joint session of Congress (or, prayerfully, by “hiking the old Appalachian trail…)
If you’d like to give money to Miller, here’s the link.
Apparently, Wilson’s outburst is already paying dividends for Miller, who has raised about $100,000 since last night. The second Congressional District leans pretty solidly Republican, and favored McCain over Obama 54%to 45% last fall. However, Miller lost to Wilson by a smaller margin – 8 points – in their first match. The fact that he is a veteran, and that he quickly made the case that his opponent’s outburst was a disrespect of the commander in chief while our troops remain in harm’s way, gives him a decent shot at the seat.
Miller’s campaign site is here, though it doesn’t appear to be completely ready for prime time.
Meanwhile, the other ball and chain around South Carolina’s neck fights for his governorship.
UPDATE: Miller’s fundraising is up to $731,000, and counting…
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42 Responses to “Get to know Rob Miller, the adult candidate in South Carolina’s Second District race”
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I feel much better about Joe Wilson’s outburst after donating to Marine Rob Miller’s campaign.
I donated $25 last night right after Obama’s speech. He is a wonderful candidate with the “right stuff”. His down to earth style and military service should win over South Carolinians who must be pretty fed up with their current crop of politicians.
[...] Miller left the Marine Corps in 2008 to offer South Carolina fresh ideas [...] Read more addthis_url = [...]
I’d never heard of Joe Wilson before his outburst last night, and I never heard of you before today. But you can thank Joe Wilson’s lack of manners, foresight, self control, for now making you a household name. Good luck to you in your congressional race against him next year. I think a lot of people will be supporting you now.
Joe Wilson from South Carolina, is just another good old boy where in the morning these married men preach to you that there should be prayer in our schools and in the evening they are on their cell phones setting up a date with their other women on the side, hypocrisy has been bred in. I am not surprised that he felt compel to yell like he was at some Friday night game. He is a hater not a debater like most of his side of the isle.
I was a voting republican, until they started acting crazy when Obama ran for President. I am now an independent! I live in SC (upstate) and didn’t know who Joe Wilson was either. But he has just earned you a whole lot of support. We are going to do whatever we can to get you elected. Now it doesn’t hurt that you seem to be (from your websites) an upright person! We sent the message out last night all over the social networks and emails to get behind you. It is so funny how things work out!!!! Thanks Joe Wilson for showing who you really are!!!!! Whether any one likes it or not. . . BARACK OBAMA is the PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES!!!!!!
ROB MILLER FOR US CONGRESS! Goooooooooooo Rob!!! We’re fired up! and ready to go! Can we get Rob elected to the House of Reps. . . YES WE CAN!!!!!!
Get your bags packed Marine. You’re going to Washington. And when you get there, remember who you’re working for because your opponent has apparently forgotten. Good luck to you.
I just donated $25. to Rob Miller’s campaign. I did it because I really want Mr. Wilson to go – but then I started reading about Mr. Miller and am so proud to help him get to congress. He’s just what congress needs. Good luck, Mr. Miller.
I don’t live in South Carolina but I want to help Rob Miller!
I do not think it is smart to support a guy’s opponent simply bec. he is running against someone who did something with which you disagree. Inasmuch as Wilson did something that was on many of our minds … for which he apologized and the apology was accepted by POTUS … and told the truth about the lies Obama is telling daily, I have sent $100 to Wilson, a man with the courage of his convictions.
“courage of his convictions”? He cut and ran by Apologizing, he stands for nothing, another empty suit.
How can I contribute? His website doesn’t allow to select ONE’S CREDIT CARD?
@Peter:
Actblue.com has set up a page for him:
https://secure.actblue.com/ and choose one of the more than a dozen donation groups.
I WOULD LIKE TO SEND MILLER A DONATION CHECK, WHAT ADDRESS?
Rob,
I can’t vote for you, but I sure can support your campaign on-line, and fiancially through ACT BLUE, which I have did early Thursday morning. Everytime a Conservative GPOer, Hannity, Limbaugh, Coulter, FOX TV [sic] does something akin to Wilson, I donate. At the rate the Republicans are going I may need a second job.
I really mean this respectfully…keep your pants and lips zipped. Seems like something is in the water in South Carolina [my birth place], don’t drink it!
Even Fox News admits that Joe Wilson’s charge against The President’s Health care plan is false. It states that illegal aliens will not be covered..
@Patricia –
Wow, you’re kidding! Fox actually reported real facts??? I actually am stunned. Must have been Shep Smith. Nobody else in that hack outfit has a shred of credibility.
Imagine the TV ads: kids in all grades telling why it’s not nice to call the President a lier. Mr. Miller pack your bags for Washington.
I, too, would lilke a physical address so I can send a check to Mr. Millers’ campaign.
II hope that we will get a chance to hear rob miller speak publicly in a national forum soon. I am excited about his personal story and believe he could be an asset to our national democratic party as well as voters in s.c. i wish we could hear himspeak publicly. Kudos to rep. wilson for giving us a solid new political presence thanks to puting fresh spotlight on the man who most s. carolinians probably wish they had supported in 2008.
I was moved to support Mr. Miller after the unacceptable behavior of Mr. Wilson. These kinds of politicians only widens the gap between all of us. As a retired military family member, it’s very sad to see our fellow citizens spiral into this out-of-control, insane zone. I watch the faces of their innocent children and I wonder what goes through their minds when they see such vile behavior. What a dis-service they do to their OWN grandchildren. These children will grow up in an America that looks just like the Obama family. For God sakes, just look around you, America will never return to the 1950s. I pray for our nation and most of, I pray for our President Obama. He does not deserve this vile treatment. Good luck to Mr. Miller.
Rob, I put a check is in the mail $50.00 yesterday from (Garfield Heights, Ohio). I will will continue to contribute until you win election. My best wishes for you and your family, Sincerely Jerry Simon
We got 2 get all those old white shirts out of Washington, we need new blood, if u look bac we’ve had to fight them on every issue 4 ‘The Peope’. It’s b cuz of them there is no health care now, they r the 1′s that’s bn there but they can’t c that. From slavery, 2 civil rights, 2 women rights, 2 labor rights, 2 gay rights, now health rights we got 2 get them out. We need you, I don’t have much but I’m sharing what I have I’m sending some money 2 u 2 day.
I just contributed $25 to your campaign…it’s all I could spare, but I am represented by crazy Michelle Bachmann in my MN district and wished her opponent could have defeated her. Get ready for a dirty fight. Her far right wing-nut supporters pulled out all the stops with the lies and distortions when her opponent got out-of-state funding after one of her gaffs. She spent over $3.5 MILLION to win her election to a 2-year job that pays $170,000 per year, and most of her contributions came from religious-backed groups that do not directly represent the people in my district. (Tell me again how congressional seats cannot be bought.) I hope my contribution to your campaign helps offset some of Mr. Wilson’s ‘corporate’ sponsorship by far right groups outside of your district. Good luck, Mr. Miller!!
Mr. Wilson voted to use taxpayer funds to pay for undocumented aliens in May, 18,2004, HR3722. Who Lies ??????
Just wanted to send my support to Mr. Miller. Mr. Wilson is an absolute disgrace and his lack of contrition shows amazing disrespect for the American government and the body he was elected to serve.
Good luck, Mr. Miller. I’ll be rooting for you.
Greatgrandparents from Fairfield, Richland, Barnwell counties; grew up in Ridgeway; Daddy and Strom Thurmond were roommates at the 1936 Demo-cratic Convention in NYC & remained pals til my dad died in 1962; I’m a 1961 USC grad and a hard-core Blue Dog Democrat! Joe Wilson is an embarrassment to South Carolina. I’m sending Mr. Miller a contribution from my home of 37 years, Tallahassee,and I will probably send more $$ later. Mr. Miller, I hope you can win this election. Having read your views, I’m behind you all the way. Nancy Edmunds Bivins
Happy to donate a small contribution to Mr. Miller’s camapign to unseat Joe Wilson. Mr. Wilson’s outburst was not just disrespectful of the President, but of the House, and indeed the American People at large. This is nothing more than a growing attempt by the Right to and its base to delegitimize the presidency of Mr. Obama.
Just some girl from Rhode Island, I donated to Rob Miller tonight because I saw that he was against Joe Miller. Then I learned that he was an Iraq war veteran with a clear goal and purpose. America needs more Rob Millers and less Joe Wilsons. Go get em!! Good Luck!
I’m only a mom from Chicago and don’t have alot of extra cash sitting around. However, I was so upset by Joe Wilson’s outburst at our President that I looked up who was likely to run against him. When I read about Rob Miller, I proudly gave him $20, not alot but from the heart.
It is one thing to admire a person expressing his convictions and courage but it’s another to disrespect someone like the President of the U.S.A.. There is a proper place to express ones convictions and courage and Mr. Wilson choose the wrong place. Good Luck Mr. Rob Miller.
Semper fi, Marine! Many here in Arizona support you! Perhaps when Mr. Wilson sees funds pouring into your campaign from all over the country, he will realize that REAL Americans won’t tolerate flagrant disrespect of our President, regardless of which side of the “aisle” they may favor.
Good bye Joe Wilson!!! The voters are fed up with stupidity, hypocracy, and disrespect for their fellow Americans.
Please bring back some class to the USA, otherwise I will be moving to Canada.
So many go to Washington idealists and down to earth sincere,but after a while yield to the ever present political and financial influences so prevalent. Hope if elected you never forget you’re there to serve the American populace and especially to look out for the interests of the most powerless.
Wishing you well in your campaign to replace yet another embarrassment to your esteemed state.
Rob,
I live in California and would like to donate to your campaign. My children was taught to be respectful to people in authority… even if you don’t agreed with someone else views you should be civil. Who raised this man Joe Wilson to be so disrespectful to the President of this United State. The Republican Party has gone MAD!!!!!
HMMM. Here we have an article endorsing a candidate based upon the status of being an “adult” implying that the other candidates are not. If one of the other candidates is in fact of the age of majority, then the title of this article is in fact hyperbole intended to make a crack about maturity. I think it is hypocritical on its face to object to someone else’s behavior you deem immature by writing an immature title. The real question the writer would be asking, if the writer was not just a shill for the Obama Democrat party, is why the Democrat congress has, since the Wilson comment, agreed to ADD PROVISIONS TO HR3200 TO KEEP ILLEGALS FROM OBTAINING HEALTH CARE. Since they have, that PROVES OBAMA WAS LYING.
Oh and Yvonne Johnson from CA. We say “[m]y children WERE taught” to be respectful, not was.
This kind of ignorant dialogue from hardliners who will follow their leader like lemming over a cliff is not going to convince people who have not decided how they feel about the big issues(which I am not among).
I am from Texas and felt compelled to contribute to the Miller campaign after viewing Mr. Wilson during the president’s address. Not only was he rude and wrong in calling the president a liar, he was wrong in his allegations. That seems to be the Republican tactic, lie, lie, lie, and then call the opponent a liar. Even the Republican rebuttal by the doctor was relpete with falsehoods as saying there would be cuts to medicare benefits.
mr.joe must step down now.,this man is a loser.
You are not considered a “retired” marine after only 13 years of service. You are considered an ex-marine. Is Rob Miller really “retired” or did he just quit after 13 years? These are technical terms, and many in the military community will ask how a 33 year old able bodied man considers himself “retired”.
Karen,
You obviously have no idea what you are talking about, the only ex-marine is Lee Harvey Oswald. I spent 16 years and I’m retired. Retirement is anyone drawing a pension. Captain Miller knows proper protocol. You can dislike President Obama and what he stands for but you do not disrespect the office he holds. Mr. Wilson is a childish fool and if you vote for him you are as well.
I’m a Democratic county chair from the State of Iowa and I applaud Mr. Miller’s candidacy. Boo to Mr. Willson and may he bite the dust in the next election. I’m going to ActBlue.com now and donate to Miller’s campaign. Congratulations and we’ll all be watching the outcome in South Caroline. It’s about time some good people step forward and run in that state.
Miller doesn’t seem like a Democrat.He wants to push for Ethic laws for members of congress..ha.Better start with Charles Rangel,Chris Dodd,Barney Frank,Nancy Pelosi.Also pushing for cutting govt spending,,now that is a double haha..He said “Listen to the voters instead of lobbyists.”Oh boy…has he got a lot to learn.Support the troops.Tell that to his party liberal demonstrators that stomp on our flag..Better he had been Independent,but I guess it would have been too hard to raise funds.Poor kid..he has a lot to learn about the devious congress.They will grind him up and spit him out.Yes I would like to send more of him up there,But as long we keep electing the same old devious faces..nothing will change.Right now it’s getting worse.