This page has some history to it...My past transcends to my present goals
I am considering and have started an exploratory committee to see if I would be a viable candidate for the Pennsylvania State Senate District 15 in south central PA.
Click below for new maps!
http://www.redistricting.state.pa.us/Maps/Senate.cfm
Sunday, August 13, 2000
Page 4
Congressional candidate plans move into York County.
Neil Clifford didn’t get the required 1,926 signatures to earn a spot as an Independent on the November ballot, but he’s not giving up. Clifford is continuing his quest for a seat in Congress with a write-in campaign.
Clifford, 39, said he has been asked by York’s Veterans of Vietnam War Post 35 to participate- along with Republican Todd Platts, Democrat Jeff Sanders and Constitutional Party candidate Michael Paoletta- in a debate on Aug. 29. The winner of the November election will replace retiring William Goodling (R-Seven Valleys) as the 19th District’s representative in Congress. In the meantime, Clifford said he is “pulling a Hillary.”
A toolmaker at Key Plastics in Felton in southeastern York County, he currently lives in a mobile home just south of Hampton in Adams County. In September, he’ll move into the home he’s purchasing in Hanover because he was told by co-workers he needs to live in York County to get votes.Twice, Clifford ran for a supervisor’s post in Reading Township and lost. Last year, he was defeated in the Republican primary for Adams County commissioner. He wouldn’t disclose the number of signatures on his petition for U.S. Congress, saying it doesn’t matter whether he was one or 1,000 signatures short. It marked the second failed attempt to earn a ballot spot this year. This spring, he failed to attain the required number of signatures for a spot in the Republican primary. Yet the only time Clifford appears discouraged is when he speaks of money and the politics of getting his name on the ballot. He acknowledges, “the real deal is money” and “you have to have money to get elected.” ‘All along, I have had more confidence I could get elected than I could get on the ballot.”
Copyright 2000 The Hanover Evening Sun
Article last updated: Sunday, June 25, 2000 9:09 AM MST
Clifford tries again to enter race for Congress Candidate seeks signatures as independent
By R. SCOTT RAPPOLD Dispatch/Sunday News
In 1975, Neil Clifford wrote a letter to York County's freshman congressman, Rep.William Goodling. He wanted to be a page, but, at the age of 14, Goodling informed Clifford he was too young. By the time he hit the minimum age of 16, Clifford was living in a foster home and working and did not have the time. "I was just too young, but I was in the right direction," the 38-year-old Clifford, a resident of Hampton, Adams County, said this week. Twenty-five years later, Clifford still wants to go to the U.S. Capitol, but not as a page or a visitor. This time, he wants to serve as the area's representative in Congress.
A tool designer for Key Plastics in Felton, Clifford is gathering signatures in hopes of getting his name on the ballot for the 19th Congressional District as an independent. He has until Aug. 1 to collect 1,926 signatures from registered voters in York, Adams and Cumberland counties. He currently has around 900. "I know there are people out there thinking I'm delusional, and there are people out there who are glad I'm making the effort," he said. Missed primary: In May 1999, he announced his intention to seek the Republican nomination in the race to replace Goodling, the Seven Valleys Republican who retires in January. Unlike the other five Republicans who joined the fray, Clifford never collected the required 1,000 signatures to be on the ballot.
Clifford watched from the sidelines as state Rep. Todd Platts (R-Springettsbury Township) and Democrat Jeff Sanders, a college professor from New Freedom, emerged from the primary election. He still believes that he is "the blue collar guy out there" that voters want, so he registered as an independent and began pushing petitions in February. Clifford has recently placed advertisements in area newspapers, touting this belief. "I am a factory worker, not a LAWYER," he wrote in a large advertisement in the June 18 edition of the York Sunday News. "I feel the people need a factory worker, who has the desire and knowledge to lead others, to represent them in Washington." Long odds: Of course, Clifford will admit he has his work cut out for him. As of the primary election, the 19th Congressional District was made up of 190,806 Republicans, 119,612 Democrats and just 43,560 others. Plus, Clifford has an unsuccessful track record. He failed in attempts to become a Reading Township supervisor in 1993 and 1997 and again in a bid for Adams County Commissioner last year. He dismissed the notion that he is not meant for office. "I have good luck. You don't do what I'm doing overnight," he said. In the meantime, he plans to spend the next six weeks feverishly working to get 1,000 more signatures. Assisted by a small group of "new friends and some older ones," and by petitions at about 10 businesses around York and Adams counties, Clifford is remaining optimistic. "It's probably slim, but I'm hopeful these ads are going to push me over the top," he said. The other two candidates, he said, should be concerned. "I think they're hoping I don't make it," he said. "They're going to have a whole new campaign if they have to run against me." As of this week, no other independent candidates had filed a petition with the Pennsylvania Department of State to be listed on the ballot for the 19th Congressional District. Candidates react: Platts said he is supportive of Clifford's effort. The state representative faced four opponents in the primary and said the prospect of facing two in November would not change his strategy. "It's good for the voters to have as many candidates to choose from as possible," Platts said. "It won't change how I campaign because I don't campaign against the other candidates." Sanders is also hoping Clifford makes it on the ballot, campaign spokesman Scott Stoermer said. "Neil certainly is an interesting guy, and he has some interesting ideas, and it certainly would add to the debate," Stoermer said. Clifford's candidacy would not change Sanders' plan to try to appeal to Republicans as much as Democrats in the general election, Stoermer said. Strategy: With a shoestring budget of just a few thousand dollars, all his own money, Clifford is planning one or two more print ads. He hopes that and momentum will bring him to the goal of 1,926 signatures. For now, the other two candidates are taking the summer months to plan strategies and gear up for the fall. Even though television advertisements for presidential candidates Al Gore and George W. Bush have begun to air in Pennsylvania, don't expect to see any in the local race for Congress any time soon. Platts' campaign emerged from the primary with about $1,700. While he expects to outspend his two opponents, will not be running television ads. "I wasn't on TV in the primary and I don't plan to be on TV in the fall," said Platts, whose term as a state representative expires Nov. 30. Sanders, who finished the primary season with just $333, will do some advertising, including on television, but likely not until the two months before the November election, Stoermer said. "When people start paying attention to the campaigns, we'll be there," he said. © 2000 MediaNews Group, Inc. and York Newspapers, Inc.
York Daily Record page 6E
Thursday, June 22, 2000
Independent seeks signatures in bid for Congress
Neil Clifford hasn’t given up in his quest to succeed retiring U.S. Rep. Bill Goodling
By JOE HAINTHALER
Lacking a party apparatus, Neil Clifford hopes to drum up a volunteer corps and convince more than 1,000 registered voters to help him get on the November ballot as an independent candidate for Congress.
And he’s putting his money and energy into the effort to succeed U.S. Rep. Bill Goodling, R-York County.
Clifford said it is likely he has spent close to $5,000 on his campaign – the bulk of it paying for quarter page
advertisements that appeared this week in the York Sunday News and the York Daily Record.
Sunday’s advertisement included a brief biography of Clifford, touting him as a factory worker with “the desire and knowledge to help lead others, to represent them in Washington.” An ad appearing in Wednesday in the Daily Record lists Clifford’s top issues – campaign finance reform, education, gun control, death penalty/ abortion, Medicare and social Security – with a slogan next to each.
Clifford said he thinks it’s a shame that he needs to spend so much to be a candidate. Going beyond his ad’s complaint that “money has become the issue “ in modern campaigns, Clifford said he would support legislation to offer free advertising to citizens seeking a place in public life. There should be something to allow motivated people, everyday people to be part of the mix,’ Clifford said.
Since his unsuccessful bid to compete in the Republican primary earlier this year, Clifford switched party registration to independent and was promoted to design engineer at Key Plastics in Felton. Previously he was a toolmaker at the factory.
Clifford needs 1,926 signatures by August 1. In his advertisements he list the names of six businesses in York and
Adams counties where registered voters can add to his total. He had about 900 as of Wednesday, Clifford said.
“I’m a team player,” Clifford said. ‘I need teammates!”
One part of Clifford’s team couldn’t sign his petition and won’t be voting for him in November. Glendora Stump, a member of Dunkard Brethren in Shrewsbury, said her religion forbids voting She and her family usually just pray for elected officials and support them, but giving unto Caesar what is Caesar’s does not include registering to vote or going to he polls, Stump said.
That didn’t stop her son Terry from asking if he could put Clifford’s petition near the cash register at Stump Acres Dairy, the family business in New Salem. Terry Stump met Clifford during a candidate’s forum sponsored by the Pennsylvania Farm Bureau in March, when he heard about Clifford’s failure to make the primary ballot. Terry Stump wanted to help. His family agreed.
Kim Hagarman, the owner of Old Glory Barber & Antiques in East Berlin, said it was Clifford’s persistence that won her over. She said she’s known him a long time, has signed his petition and plans to vote for him in the fall. She also invites customers to sign his petition at her business. I’d like to have a common type working person in politics,” she said.
Another member of Clifford’s team, at least until Aug. 1, is the campaign of Democratic candidate Jeff Sanders of New Freedom. Campaign co-manager Scott Stoermer said he, Sanders and two other members of the campaign would sign a Clifford petition Wednesday.
“I think Neil Clifford being in this race is great because the democratic process only works if people have choices,” Stoermer said.
State Rep. Todd Platts, R-Springettsbury Township, did not agree to sign Clifford’s petition, but applauded his efforts to run for office. “I certainly appreciate and commend Neil for his commitment to serving the people of our region,” Platts said.
State Rep. Steve Nickol, R-Hanover, was a bit more skeptical. After referring to Clifford’s three unsuccessful runs for office -for Reading Township supervisor in 1993 and 1997, and Adams County commissioner last year- Nickol said: ‘My prediction is in four years he runs for President.’
Clifford, who lives in Nickol’s district, responded in kind. He’s breathing a sigh of relief that he doesn’t have me to deal with,” Clifford said, noting that he lives in Nickol’s district and had considered challenging him in the past. So far, Nickol is unopposed for re-election.
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Article last updated: The Hanover
Evening Sun Clifford still a contender for Congress Independent hopes to make the ballot in general election
By R. SCOTT RAPPOLD The rock and roll business can be tough. Neil Clifford learned this the hard way. He spent three years as a promoter for the band Kix, from 1982 to 1985, and promoted a number of concerts for them and other bands through 1997. His job was to arrange the venue, provide security, get the tickets sold and everything in between. Working independently, without a club or arena of his own, making a buck was never easy for Clifford. "I didn't have enough money, and it was big business," the Hampton area resident said. The 38-year-old Clifford now faces a similar situation in a whole new arena: politics. Last May, he announced his intention to seek the Republican nomination in the race to replace retiring U.S. Rep. William Goodling (R-Seven Valleys.) Five Republicans and two Democrats will be on the ballot in the April 4 primary election. Clifford will not be among them. He was unable to collect the required 1,000 signatures to be on the ballot. Now Clifford is trying to get out the message he is still very much in this race, and still plans to do his utmost to represent York and Adams counties and part of Cumberland County in the House of Representatives. But he acknowledges he has a long, uphill battle ahead. "I'm fighting city hall and I'm fighting the establishment," Clifford said Sunday, sitting in his home in the Stockham Mobile Home Park just south of Hampton. Since he was unable to get the 1,000 signatures, Clifford has dropped a party allegiance and become an independent candidate for the seat. He hopes to have his name listed on the ballot in the general election in November. A toolmaker at Key Plastics, in Felton (York County), Clifford is no stranger to long shots. He lost bids to be a Reading Township supervisor in 1993 and 1995. Last year, he was unsuccessful in his campaign for Adams County commissioner. "I've always had it in my blood to be a statesman," he said. He decided to throw his hat in the ring for the 19th Congressional District at a time when only one other candidate state Rep. Todd Platts (R-Springettsbury) was in the race. He was the only candidate from Adams County, excluding Francis Worley, a perennial candidate from York Springs who bowed out of the race a few weeks before the filing deadline. But candidates were required to submit a petition with 1,000 signatures of registered voters within the district, and those signatures had to be gathered during a three-week period in January. Clifford, who works 50 hours a week and has no campaign staff, had collected just 500 signatures by the deadline. So after toying with the idea of a court challenge to get his name on the ballot, Clifford instead changed his party affiliation to independent. Now, instead of facing a primary, he must gather 2,000 signatures of registered voters (of any party or other independents) on a petition by Aug. 1. To date, he has about 60. "Nothing daunts me. I am fearless," he said. He has been carting his petition with him everywhere he goes, to work, to the grocery store, anywhere. He also brings his message wherever he goes: He is the working man's candidate. "The people around here want somebody to represent them who's not a millionaire, not a lawyer, but a factory worker," he said. Of course, even if he gets the signatures, he accepts the difficulty an independent candidate faces in the general election. In York County, there are 111,736 Republicans and 76,476 Democrats registered to vote, compared to 27,609 voters registered either as independents or in other parties. In Adams County, there are 25,565 Republicans and 15,356 Democrats and just 5,131 other registered voters. He also acknowledges the challenge he faces in terms of money. "Financially, I am not on a level playing field," he said. While some of the Republicans have spent hundreds of thousands of dollars, Clifford has used just $2,000 in his campaign, all his own money. It went to purchase 300 pens with his name on them, some flyers and a campaign website. He doesn't know if he will be spending much more. "I think it's grossly insane, the money that's been raised and spent in this election, and it turns people off," he said. "Money is not going to buy this election." Not only does he need to get signatures, Clifford also wants people to take him seriously. There have been many debates among the seven candidates throughout the district in recent weeks, but Clifford wasn't invited. He believes he will achieve this legitimacy as the general election approaches and more people hear his message. Politically, Clifford does not subscribe to a party line. He favors cutting taxes and is pro-choice. He believes the federal Department of Education should exercise more control over public schools and wants to roll back the gas tax. He believes the lack of a party affiliation helps him and will appeal to what he says is the 80 percent of the public that does not participate in the management of the government. He also points out that he received 2,000 votes in last year's county commissioner race. "Let's have somebody walk down the fence, and I'm going to be that guy trying to bring people together," he said. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- © 2000 MediaNews Group, Inc. and The Evening Sun. |
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Monday, March 20, 2000 8:24 AM MST
Adams County candidate down but not out
OPINION
By LARRY A. HICKS
York Dispatch/Sunday
News
Last summer, Adams County resident Neil Clifford, a complete unknown in the world of congressional politics, announced his intention to seek the seat of retiring 19th District Congressman William F. Goodling, R-Seven Valleys.
I admit it. I felt sorry for the guy.
I felt sorry for him because he was a guppy swimming in a pool of political sharks.
I felt sorry for him because he seemed like a nice guy who was going to find himself challenged on a daily basis not to be turned into a political animal.
I felt sorry for him because he was the only declared candidate from Adams County, which wouldn't have been so bad except that of the three counties that make up the 19th District -- York, Adams and part of Cumberland -- Adams County is the smallest and has the fewest registered voters.
I felt sorry for him because he was going into battle relatively inexperienced and definitely underfunded.
I felt sorry for him because he didn't stand a snowball's chance in July of winning this election.
For all of the above-stated reasons, plus the fact that almost no one had ever heard of him, Clifford was up the creek without a paddle.
Most of all, I felt sorry for him because he was not a wealthy man. His full-time job was then and is now that of a factory worker, a toolmaker for Key Plastics in Felton. He works hard -- lots of 12-hour shifts -- but that wasn't going to be enough.
All those disadvantages. And it only got worse.
He was forced to drop out of the congressional race when he wasn't able to secure enough signatures on his petitions before the deadline.
Then he learned that the company he worked for was in dire financial straits. Not only was he out of the election, but he also soon could be out of a job. He even received a letter from U.S. Rep. Goodling, expressing his disappointment that Clifford hadn't gotten enough petition signatures. But, Goodling said, "You are young and have plenty of time ahead of you to serve your fellow man. Keep trying."
Kind words, to be sure. And he took them to heart. So he wouldn't let himself give up. He couldn't give up on his dream of running for Congress.
Yes, I know, most folks think he's out of the race. I thought so, too. And I know that no one has written a word about him in months. No one has seen him on the campaign trail. No one has seen him at any of the debates that have been attended by the remaining seven congressional candidates.
Well, I have news for you. Clifford is not out of the race. He's no longer a Republican, however. He intends to run for the U.S. House of Representatives as an Independent write-in candidate in November's general election.
That came as a big surprise when Clifford paid a bring-me-up-to-date visit last week. He wanted to let everyone know that he's alive, well and a viable congressional candidate.
"I am a hot candidate, not a warm one," Clifford said in his media announcement. "My message continues to focus on leadership and initiative."
Good thing, too, because Clifford still doesn't have much money to work with.
He's still a guppy swimming in a pool of political sharks.
He's still a nice guy trying not to be converted into a political animal.
He's still from Adams County, the only candidate from Adams County.
He's still going into battle relatively inexperienced.
Hardly anyone outside Adams County has ever heard of him.
The company he works for is still in serious financial trouble. His job is still in jeopardy, though he's trying to convince company bigwigs that his plan for an ESOP (Employee Stock Option Plan) arrangement, whereby workers at the plant take over ownership of the company, has merit.
And he still has barely a snowball's chance in July of winning the November election.
But he is sincere. He does care. He's a blue-collar guy trying to maneuver in a world where everyone else is decked out in suits and ties. He's an ordinary working stiff with visions of doing the work of the people, being the best public servant he can possibly be. It's what floats his boat.
So I wish Clifford luck, lots of luck, because he'll need it.
As I said, I felt sorry for Clifford when he first announced his candidacy last year.
I feel sorry for him still.
Not that he needs my pity. He doesn't. He knows all too well the travails ahead of him.
He needs to collect 1,000 signatures on his write-in petition; but he's got all summer to do it. And he will do it, I think.
And if he fails? Well, that's OK, too.
As Congressman Goodling said, Clifford's young and he has plenty of time ahead of him to serve his fellow man. So he'll keep trying.
Because his goal is honorable.
And it just seems like the right thing to do.
Columns by Larry A. Hicks, Dispatch/Sunday News columnist, run Sundays, Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.
© 2000 MediaNews Group, Inc. and York Newspapers, Inc.
Goodling advises: Do not give up
ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL
By JOE HAINTHALER
York Daily Record
Saturday, March 4, 2000
Don't worry, Congressman. Neil Clifford won't give up.
Clifford, an Adams County toolmaker who failed to qualify for the primary ballot as a Republican congressional candidate, said he was encouraged by a three-sentence letter he received last month from retiring U.S. Rep. Bill Goodling, R-York County.
The letter, typed on Goodling's personal stationary and addressed "Dear Neil," said: "Sorry to hear you didn't get sufficient signatures. You are young and have plenty of time ahead of you to serve your fellow man. Keep trying."
Clifford said he met with Goodling last June to discuss his candidacy, but had not been in contact this year.
"Something's going on here," Clifford said. "I'm not sure what, but it's exciting."
One thing's certain, Clifford said: People recognize his energy. Among them is York County President Commissioner Chris Reilly. Reilly, one of five Republicans seeking his party's nomination for Congress, asked for Clifford's endorsement late last month.
A letter to Clifford, dated Jan. 30 and handwritten by Reilly, says: "Again, I would be honored to have your endorsement and active support."
Reilly said he wrote the letter after what he described as "a friendly meeting" with Clifford. He gave up seeking Clifford's support after finding out Clifford wanted to run as an independent, Reilly said Thursday.
Clifford had a slightly different memory of the meeting.
"I gave him hell," Clifford said Friday. "I just felt that he's given politicians a bad name. And that's why I'm running. If I was elected Adams County commissioner, I wouldn't turn around and run for Congress." Reilly was re-elected as a York County commissioner last year.
New Oxford candidate has too few signatures.
Neil Clifford filed an incomplete petition for the 19th House District.
By SUZANNE MILLER
Evening
Sun Correspondent
Wednesday, January 26, 2000 7:49 AM MST
Neil Clifford, 38, of New Oxford, filed a petition in Harrisburg Tuesday to run for a 19th U.S. Congressional District seat.
But with only half the needed 1,000 signatures on the petition, he realizes he won't qualify for the primary election ballot in a hotly contested race for the post being vacated by Bill Goodling (R-Seven Valleys), who will retire after his current term in office ends.
So now, Clifford said he will take his case to the courts.
Clifford plans to file a motion with the Court of Commonwealth today to get on the primary ballot, he said. Since the primary election date was changed and only three weeks were given for candidates to gather signatures, Clifford said he thinks 500 signatures is "an acceptable amount" and "a notable effort," which should qualify him for the primary ballot.
While Clifford realizes he is "grasping at straws," he said he is determined. His drive to run for the position comes from the Holy Spirit, he added.
"Without God in my life, I couldn't do this," he said. "I am going to be the first factory worker to serve in Congress."
The state extended the 4:30 p.m. Tuesday filing deadline for candidates by 24 hours due to Tuesday's inclement weather. Had Clifford qualified for the ballot, he would have faced a host of better financed Republican challengers with higher political profiles, including Charlie Gerow and Dick Stewart of Cumberland County, and state Rep. Al Masland, state Rep. Todd Platts and county commission Chris Reilly of York County.
Clifford works for Key Plastics in Felton, York County, as a toolmaker. He received help gathering signatures from more than 60 people, including co-workers, church friends and neighbors, he said.
However, he is now left with a "sense of failure," he said. He thinks he "could have done more" and worked harder to gather the needed signatures, he added.
"The people I know are people who don't vote, and that hurts me," he said. "I have a mental list of 500 people who didn't sign my petition and it's sad."
Even though gathering signatures for a spot on the primary ballot was more difficult that he thought, Clifford has not given up yet, he said.
"I just keep at it," he said. "People are going to think that I'm mad, but I'm not."
Clifford's lawyer feels an appeal might be successful "because of the election date being changed. But when you're fighting City Hall, you don't expect things to happen real fast."
State officials moved Pennsylvania's primary election date to April 4 this year due to a conflict with religious holidays.
If Clifford's lawsuit succeeds and he is on the primary ballot, his main platform issues will include campaign finance reform, education, gun control, drug and alcohol laws, the death penalty and abortion, he said.
Clifford failed in three previous attempts to win an elected office. In 1993 and 1997, he ran for Reading Township supervisor and lost both times. He also ran for Adams County commissioner in 1999 and lost.
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© 2000 MediaNews Group, Inc. and The Evening Sun.
Long-shot Republican starts an
uphill race Neil Clifford is 0-for-3 in local politics; this time he's setting
his sights a little higher
By LAURI LEBO - Dispatch/Sunday
News
Wednesday, January 05, 2000 6:20 PM MST
In the Oxford Family Restaurant, one of the 19th Congressional District's long-shot candidates unveiled his platform Monday in front of reporters and would-be supporters.
Republican Neil Clifford, 37, an Adams County toolmaker and political unknown, discussed over coffee and danishes the issues he considers important to the race, such as education, abortion and social security.
Clifford, who has never held a political office and has little financial support, admits that making it to Washington will be a long shot. But that isn't stopping him from trying.
"Votes -- and my capability -- are going to decide this election," he said, trying to garner support from about 15 people attending the press conference. "Not the balance in the campaign coffers."
So now, Clifford is in the midst of gathering the necessary 1,000 signatures to make it onto the April 4 primary ballot.
He said Monday he is confident he can get the signatures, but the problem is raising enough money to be competitive in a race where other candidates might spend $250,000.
"The major differences in the campaigns will be financial," Clifford said.
That's why one of his chief issues is campaign finance reform.
"Today, I'm not on a level playing field because I'm not a millionaire."
Clifford, a toolmaker with Key Plastics, an automotive supply facility in Felton, ran unsuccessfully for Adams County commissioner a year ago. A former Democratic committeeman, he switched parties and was defeated in the Republican primary.
He also ran unsuccessfully twice for Reading Township supervisor.
On his positions, Clifford defies labels such as conservative or liberal in a race where some candidates are jockeying for the title of chief conservative.
He opposes both abortion and the death penalty.
He proposes government subsidies for two years of post-high school technical training, but also would like to see gun safety courses offered in public schools for students 8- to 12-years old.
He supports considering the medicinal use of marijuana but is against more gun control regulations.
He supports privatization of Social Security, but wants assurances the individual can't dip into his own money.
"The campaign is about compassion," he said, echoing the campaign of front-running presidential candidate George W. Bush.
Clifford is running for the seat now held by U.S. Rep. Bill Goodling, R-Seven Valleys, who will retire at the end of this year after serving 13 terms.
Other Republicans running in the 19th Congressional District include lawyer Charlie Gerow, who lost two previous races to Goodling; state reps. Al Masland, R-Carlisle, and Todd Platts, R-Springettsbury Township; New Cumberland attorney Dick Stewart; and Francis Worley, a former state legislator in Adams County.
Republican York County Commissioner Chris Reilly is running an exploratory campaign and has not yet announced his formal candidacy.
Two Democrats have also recently announced -- Jeffrey Sanders, a New Freedom psychology professor, and John Moran, a Springettsbury attorney.
© 1999 MediaNews Group, Inc. and York Newspapers, Inc.
Adams toolmaker not on 'level playing
field' in bid for Congress
By JIM HALE - Evening Sun Reporter
Tuesday, January 04, 2000
"Campaign finance rings loud in my campaign," congressional candidate Neil Clifford said during a press conference in New Oxford Monday.
The 38-year-old Reading Township resident is one of several Republicans seeking the seat from which Congressman Bill Goodling (R-Seven Valleys) is retiring.
Most of those candidates have more political experience than Clifford. One, Cumberland County attorney Dick Stewart, has already launched a series of TV ads in hopes of winning the April primary.
Clifford admitted he's "not on a level playing field, because I'm not a millionaire.
"Elections are becoming more about who has the cash" to buy TV ads, said Clifford, a toolmaker at Key Plastics in Felton, York County. "There's an enormous class gap in our society."
Clifford said he is relying primarily on his own wages and savings to fund his campaign.
In lieu of significant financial backing, Clifford said his election bid will rely on door-to-door campaigning and word of mouth. He plans to distribute 30,000 small cards that summarize his positions. He also has a website at http://users.desupernet.com/punter97.
And matters of financing a campaign will become irrelevant if Clifford can't overcome his first obstacle, a mid-January deadline by which candidates must obtain 1,000 signatures in order to place their name on the primary election ballot.
"I need to start a fire," he said.
Clifford made no detailed proposal for campaign finance reform. He called for measures similar to "a salary cap in sports," but criticized federal matching funds for presidential campaigns. He urged a study of what other states are doing to limit campaign spending.
A former Democrat, Clifford said he switched parties in 1995 or 1996 after "some soul-searching." He ran unsuccessfully for Adams County commissioner in 1999 and for Reading Township supervisor in 1993 and 1997.
Other Republican candidates for Goodling's seat include Cumberland County attorneys Charles Gerow, who failed to unseat Goodling in two previous primaries, and Stewart, who has supported Goodling; state representatives Todd Platts of Spring Garden Township and Albert Masland of Carlisle; and former State Rep. Francis Worley of Latimore Township. York County Commissioner Chris Reilly is also considering a bid for Goodling's seat.
About a dozen citizens attended Monday's press conference at the New Oxford Family Restaurant on the town circle.
Clifford addressed several other issues:
There are no circumstances under which Clifford would support abortion, he said.
"The death penalty and abortion to me are the same," he said. "One of the Ten Commandments is 'Thou shalt not kill.'"
The use of marijuana for medical purposes needs to be studied, he said, noting reports it can ease the suffering of AIDS and chemotherapy patients. He also opposed classification of tobacco as a drug, saying he would oppose taking it off the market.
"High school just doesn't cut it" in today's high-tech job marketplace, Clifford said, urging that two years of junior college education be made available to everyone.
Funding could come from cuts in space exploration and the military, he said, adding "This needs to be as important as defense."
More laws won't solve the problem of gun violence, Clifford said. Instead, he called for gun safety training "with a moral base" for all students between 8 and 12 years old.
Incidents like that at Columbine High School last year are caused by people with an "individual conscience problem" who are "reaching out in the wrong way to get help," he said.
The federal government must be prevented from borrowing from Social Security funds, said the 38-year-old candidate, otherwise "I might not ever see" any benefits.
He also called for income taxes to be based on income after Social Security and state and local taxes are subtracted.
© 1999 MediaNews Group, Inc. and The Evening Sun.
OPINION - Poor guys finish last
By LARRY A. HICKS - Dispatch/Sunday
News
Monday July 05, 1999
I feel a little sorry for Neil Clifford, an Adams County resident who announced last week his candidacy for the 19th Congressional District job that will be vacated next year by long-time Congressman Bill Goodling, R-Seven Valleys.
I feel sorry for him because he's a guppy swimming in a pool of political sharks.
I feel sorry for him because he seems like a nice guy who's going to find himself challenged on a daily basis not to be turned into a political animal.
I feel sorry for him because he's the only declared candidate from Adams County, which wouldn't be so bad except that of the three counties that make up the 19th District -- York, Adams and part of Cumberland -- Adams County is the smallest and has the fewest registered voters.
I feel sorry for him because he's going into this battle relatively inexperienced and definitely underfunded.
I feel sorry for him because he doesn't stand a snowball's chance in July of winning this election. For all of the above-stated reasons, plus the fact that almost no one had ever heard of him before last week, he's up the creek without a paddle.
Most of all, I feel sorry for him because he's not a wealthy man. His full-time job is that of a factory worker, a toolmaker for Key Plastics in Felton. He works hard -- he's now doing 12-hour shifts -- but that's not going to be enough.
Because if Clifford were a wealthy man he actually might have a fighting chance despite all the shortcomings I've listed above.
As most of us have come to realize in recent years, nothing speaks louder in a political campaign than money. Absolute unknowns can put themselves right in the thick of things if they have enough money to throw around.
If a candidate is rich, he doesn't have to actually work while he's running for public office. Much like an incumbent politician, his full-time job turns into trying to get elected. Except that Clifford's not an incumbent. He won't be quitting his job anytime soon.
If a candidate is rich, he's got plenty of moolah to spread around for radio, TV and newspaper advertising. That sort of exposure can turn an unknown into a known in a big hurry.
If a candidate is rich, he's got more than enough money to print a ton of campaign literature and mail it throughout the district. He gets his message out without having to depend on the media to do it for him.
If a candidate has a huge war chest to work with, the whole job of running for public office is made simpler. It can sometimes turn an also-ran into an I-ran-and-won.
But Clifford has none of that. He's a common, everyday, ordinary working stiff who has visions of doing good work in Congress. He expects to get by on a shoestring campaign. Why? Because he has no choice. He's not a rich man and he doesn't come from a wealthy family. And the war chest? Well, it's pretty small.
He knows what he's up against, of course. He knows money rules. He knows his opponents, announced and unannounced as of yet, have access to more money than he'll have. He knows about PACs and PAC money, but he won't get much, if any. He knows about career politicians and their fund-raising machines, but he won't have that on his side, either.
Clifford knows that big money, corporate money, mover-and-shaker money generally goes to the Charlie Gerows and Chris Reillys of the political world because they're better known and better connected politically than he is or ever will be.
And because he knows all of this, he's made campaign finance reform his top issue. Well, good luck, that's all I can say. Because Clifford is surely going to need it.
The fact is, never in our history has it mattered more than right now the size of a candidate's bank account. Never before has the gap between the rich, the poor and all the people in the middle been so important in the world of politics.
The Keystone Research Center, a liberal think tank headquartered in Harrisburg, released last Thursday a paper -- "Democracy in Pennsylvania" written by economist Howard Wial -- in which the message was clear: Money buys political influence; money wins elections.
Wial's report notes that the wealthy are more likely to attend political meetings, to be registered to vote, to participate in campaigns, to vote and to try to influence how other people should vote.
According to the report, one sign of a weakening democracy is the role money plays in the political process. And almost nowhere is that more true than in Pennsylvania, a state with one of the weakest campaign finance laws in the country. Last year, for instance, the candidate who raised the most money won 17 of 18 contested Congressional races in Pennsylvania.
Like I said, I feel sorry for Clifford.
As is too often the case, nice guys, particularly nice guys who aren't rich, do finish last.
Nowhere is that more true than in the world of politics.
Columns by Larry A. Hicks, Dispatch/Sunday News columnist, run Sundays, Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.© Media News Group, Inc. and York Newspapers, Inc.
Speech by Neil Frederick
Clifford
25 March 2000
(Given Saturday at the York County Farm Bureau Dinner)
I feel the people of the 19th District have a need to know I am a candidate for the United States House of Representatives as a WRITE IN now and as an INDEPENDENT for November 7th's General Election.
In Washington D.C. and Congress, I will not only be one of the 435 Representatives, I will be one of the leaders of 435. I will follow through on my commitment to God and country to serve my fellow man. This is not NOW OR NEVER, this is FOREVER! I am a hot candidate, not a warm one. My message continues to focus on leadership and initiative.
My target group of people is the undecided voters and the 80% of the public that does not participate in the management of our government. I will continue to promote the concept of participative managers instead of registered voters.
This election rhetoric continues to focus on money, P.A.C. money or Platt's money. I am collecting signatures and votes. I am not collecting money! The 24% of the vote, I received last year, were a result of my hard work and campaigning skills; not a result of any political machine.
To some people I am a beacon of light. People should not feel sorry for leaders. Some are happy they have the privilege to know them and are proud to help them.
I am a registered Independent and this will cause me to miss voting in the primary due to Pennsylvania election laws. I will gather 1,926 necessary signatures until the end of July this summer to be on the ballot as an independent candidate in the General Election on November 7th. I hereby note that the 500 plus signatures I received during a three week period in January be an example of my perseverance and determination.
I now ask supporters to come to my aid and help get the word out "RIGHT ON NEIL, Write in Neil Clifford for THE US HOUSE" in the Primary to send a message to the political establishment.
My goals include a 1,2,3 plan of motivating each other, to inspire you to elect me. Accept the challenge of taking public service to the next level by increasing participation helping to create better leaders all around us in each level of our government.
The concept of voting is foreign or alien to our instincts. Procrastination or plain idleness remains an innate misgiving of our being. Some people feel justified expecting others to provide the diaper or bottle to nourish their intellectual growth instead of feeding themselves through participative-management.
When people participate in activities that help neighbors or society, the biggest hurdle to overcome remains admitting one person can make a difference. The "drop in the bucket" / cause and effect begins with this thought for me. One drop in a bucket can make a difference. With each one of us as a drop in the bucket we can drink from this bucket, wash in this bucket, water the garden with it, or put out fires with it. All of us, as one drop in the bucket, have a role as a single molecule or as a whole as a Homo sapien. Getting beyond the drop in the bucket mentality is essential to anyone that votes. Voters know they can and will make a difference on Election Day.
I want people to know, I want people to learn, Pennsylvania, south central PA's 19th U.S. House district is the keystone, the cornerstone of America. Our vast array of hillsides, creeks, valleys and everything and creature in between lays with the rays of paradise. From York which served as the capital when the British were acting up, to Gettysburg and the address that some people still don't know, "Oh that is in south central Pennsylvania, near those Appalachian mountains, around Shippensburg."
If you live here, you may take it for granted. I did until I left this area and traveled around other areas of this planet. From the hills of Ireland and the city of Los Angeles to Paris, this is home for me. I want to help promote this area and the wonderful people who live here. I want to represent you in Washington and serve you and your family, friends and foes alike, Republican, Democrat, Libertarian, citizen and registered alien, and visitors alike, as your next Congressman.
Speech by Neil Frederick Clifford
3 January 2000
Good morning and welcome, thank you for attending my first press conference.
Today is a big day in the history of America. I am here to make a difference and to establish a lasting impression on local politics in the 19th congressional district. My desire to unite and lead others will establish me as a statesman and a people's person. I am officially seeking the nomination to represent you in the United States House of Representatives for Pennsylvania's 19th congressional district. That is the easy part, now the work begins.
Today I will address the process of gathering 1000 signatures required for me to be placed on the ballot for the primary election on April 4th. I will give you an overview of my background and qualifications. I am here to make you laugh, not to make you cry. One thing for sure, you know I will try!
OK people let us begin civics 101. Recently there have been press reports about the lack of civics knowledge of students and the duty of voting. Today my mission is to reach out to others, besides the people here with us in this restaurant. My goal remains to help educate the regular working public about the duties of participating in our democracy, known to me as Participative management. It seems simple to me; applying myself and making a difference in the world I live in.
To attempt election for any public office and have your name placed on the ballot requires a candidate to receive signatures on a petition from the registered voters in their district. At the county level of government for commissioner, 100 signatures are required. For local elections such as township supervisor or mayor 10 signatures are required to get on the ballot. To reach my first goal, to be on the ballot for the United States House of Representatives, I must receive 1000 signatures within a three week period beginning tomorrow January 4 thru January 25th. Many people have a tough time understanding the closed primary in our state of Pennsylvania and the two party systems. To vote for me on April 4, requires my friends and anyone interested in supporting my chances, to be registered a Republican by March 6th. As an independent, or democrat you can not vote for Clifford for Congress in this primary election. I am running for election on the republican ticket, which can be confusing to people. It becomes the duty of the citizens to know who the candidates are and to register accordingly to be able to vote for the people that would best represent their values.
Recently I traveled to the Washington DC to meet with some prestigious people who are considered leaders in their own right. Information I received states to be a viable candidate I should have $200,000 - $250,000 cash on hand. Well, in my mind I need votes to be elected. Campaign finance reform rings loud in my campaign. It is no wonder why few people vote in our elections. Money issues can be the source of problems for families and the regular working folks can not comprehend this enormous class gap existing in our society. The wealthy are welcome to their riches, but elections are becoming more about who has the most cash to start TV commercials first and flood the mail box with request to donate more and more cash to out spend the next candidate. Votes and my capabilities are going to decide this election not cash balances in campaign coffers.
I will discuss education, mathematics, science, biology, chemistry, Avogadros number, Newton and physics, microwave communication, sociology, psychology, nursing homes, aerospace engineering, concert promotion or my idol Jesus Christ God living as a Homo sapien! Specifically, whatever you want to ask I want to try to answer. If I can not answer your questions, I plan on being able to ask others for the answers.
My goal is to provide at the minimum 2 years of college level education instead of the current idea of high school diplomas.
Please help me now by following an idea that Mister Rogers uses. Let us spend 30 seconds thinking in silence, listening to those people who inspired and influenced each of us in our lives; pondering others who inspired us to help others. I will begin speaking again in 30 seconds.
Ready, guns! From silence to bang, bang, guns. All of the gun laws in the world could not stop the tragedy of Bud Dwyer. Nor will creating more laws stop the senseless nonsense in the news these days of shootings in some little town, USA. What can stop these events in the future is education. Self-discipline, self respect, self-esteem. No person would harm others or themselves if they had the love of God, the compassion of forgiveness instilled into their being. Education must be continual. People kill people. That is what needs to stop. I know many safe, educated hunters and sportsman. I personally think these people have the right to bear their arms. They enjoy what they do, and so does their families.
Death penalty and abortion to me personally are the same. Killing! That is due to lack of education. Thinking abortion can be used as birth control is not smart, yet that is what happens. In the theatres now is a story called 'Hurricane". I would not want someone you or I know to go through the ordeal of proving your innocence. Mistakes happen in all walks of life. Juries and courts have made mistakes. I do not want the mistake of taking someone's life. One of the Ten Commandments is 'thou shalt not kill".
Social Security payments by me this year totaled over $3,400. I want to be sure when I retire this nest egg will be ready to hatch. I can not be sure of that today. When I am elected I can guarantee that this issue will be one I need to try to influence. My federal income tax alone is over $10,000 this year. How can I afford to run for election? I can not afford not to run. I propose not taxing my income as the way done today; paying taxes on this social security I might not ever see, or the state and local taxes I am paying federal tax on. My federal income tax should be after the social security; state and local tax are deducted. You and I are paying taxes on our taxes! I do not like that. I want to change that.
I am 38 years young, went to grade school at Immaculate Conception in New Oxford. I graduated from New Oxford Senior High School in 1979.
Currently I work with KEY PLASTICS, an automotive supplier from Novi, Michigan, at their Felton, Pennsylvania facility in York County. My expertise skills are in Tool Design/ Tool Engineering/ Tool Making. I went through an 8,000 hour tool and die apprenticeship in Hanover at the former Hanover Industrial Machine Company (HIMCO) from 1980-1985. My career took me to Los Angeles, California from 1986 until 1991 where I became a Special Projects Manufacturing Engineer building jet aircraft with Douglas Aircraft / McDonnell Douglas Corporation. Upon returning to Adams County, I worked at BMY Harsco Corporation in 1992. I attended Penn State York campus in 1993 and 1994. I worked with Amp Inc. at the McSherrystown plant from December 1994 until January 1997.
In October 1996, I participated in a conference in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania entitled the U.S. Conference for Trade and Investment in Northern Ireland and the Border Counties of Ireland. During June 1997, I visited Northern Ireland and Ireland with the Ireland Institute of Pittsburgh and Pennsylvania Department of Community Economic Development.
I would like to share this verse from JAMES 1:19-25
Keep this in mind, dear people. Let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger for a person's anger does not fulfill God's justice. Strip away all that is filthy, every vicious excess. Humbly welcome the word that has taken root in you with its power to save you. Act on this word, if all you do is listen to it, you are deceiving yourselves.
A person who listens to God's word but does not put it into practice is like someone who looks into a mirror goes off and promptly forgets what he or she looked like. There is on the other hand, the person who peers into freedoms ideal law and abides by it. He is no forgetful listener, but one who carries out the law in practice. Blest will this person be in whatever he does.