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For Immediate Release: April 15, 2008
Contact: Augustus Cho 919-951-4708
www.choforcongress.com
Lawson Shows True LIBERTARIAN Colors, Attending Libertarian Rally today in Washington
“While I am working hard to represent Republican values in the Fourth District, my primary opponent is attending a rally today in Washington, DC with Libertarians, supporting the Libertarian Party’s platform” said Augustus Cho, candidate for U.S. Congress in the Fourth District.
According to the website, www.terraeclipse.com, B.J. Lawson, who is running for Congress as a Republican, will be in Washington DC today with his mentor, Ron Paul, Libertarian presidential candidate Bob Barr, and Shane Cory, Libertarian Party Executive Director. The rally is timed with the April 15 tax filing deadline. Lawson also attended the Wake County Libertarian Party’s convention in March.
“Every year on April 15, we are reminded that our tax burden is too high. Not only do we pay too much in taxes, but we also spend an unreasonable amount of time and money just figuring out how much we owe!” observed Cho. “I do not have an issue with Lawson attending a rally to highlight this problem, however, I think it is imperative that Republican voters in the Fourth District understand that Lawson’s allegiance is clearly to Libertarian principles, not Republican ideals,” continued Cho.
Information gleaned from the National Libertarian Party website and B.J. Lawson’s website and writings show many similarities. Both oppose the Federal Marriage Amendment, both support immediate troop withdrawal in Iraq, both oppose the Federal government’s laws against harmful, illegal drugs. “I support the Federal Marriage Amendment, I believe we should stay in Iraq until the Iraqi’s have a stable environment, and I believe that we should never legalize harmful drugs that can destroy our culture,” declared Augustus Cho.
“I also believe we should sanction employers who hire illegal immigrants. Lawson and the Libertarian Party do not. Additionally, I know that the Patriot Act and the Protect America Act are essential tools in preventing another terrorist attack on our soil, while Lawson and the Libertarian Party oppose these laws,” Cho pointed out.
“Finally, I believe that America’s involvement in world affairs has been a positive factor in international relations. If the United States was not engaged or involved, chaos would break out in many parts of the world. Our diplomats and our troops are a force for good and have been throughout history. In contrast, my opponent accuses the U.S. of maintaining a ‘global empire.’ The Libertarian Party calls American foreign policy ‘imperalist adventures’. I see little difference in this stance and that of radical left-wing groups,” Cho finished.
The Republican Primary is May 6. Early voting begins April 17.
For more information on Augustus Cho, go to www.choforcongress.com.
For Immediate Release: April 6, 2008
Contact: Augustus Cho 919-951-4708
www.choforcongress.com
AUGUSTUS CHO FILES SIGNS FREEDOMWORKS EARMARK PLEDGE
Augustus Cho, candidate for the 4th Congressional District has signed the Freedomworks Earmark pledge. Earmarks are the process by which Congressmen divert taxpayer funding to special projects outside of the normal competitive and merit-based review process. In recent years, earmarks have increased substantially and according to Congressman David Price, are about 1 percent of the total federal budget.
According to the Office of Management and Budget, the 2008 total budget is $2.59 trillion dollars. That means earmarks are almost $26 billion dollars. “Twenty six billion dollars is an awful lot of hard-earned money that is coming from average, hardworking Americans,” said Cho as he signed the pledge. “I understand the importance of looking out for the 4th District when I get to Congress, but I also understand that federal dollars should be spent according to certain priorities, and I will not vote for funding that has not passed Congressional muster.”
The Freedomworks Earmark Pledge states: “I, Augustus Cho, in my capacity as U.S. Congressman do hereby pledge that I will personally support spending reform in Congress by refusing to seek, support, or enact earmarks during the appropriations process for fiscal year 2009.”
Augustus Cho is the former chairman of the Orange County Republican Party and currently sits on the Town of Chapel Hill Transportation Board.
The 4th Congressional District includes Durham County, Orange County and parts of Chatham and Wake Counties. The Republican Primary is May 6, with early voting beginning April 17.
For more information on Augustus Cho, go to www.choforcongress.com.
Freedomworks, founded in 1984 is headquartered in Washington DC and has thousands of grassroots volunteers nationwide. Former U.S. House Majority Leader, Dick Army chairs Freedomworks, which fights for lower taxes, less government and more freedom.
PRICE MAY BREATHE EASIER, BUT TAXPAYERS DON’T LIKE EARMARKS
For Immediate Release: March 27, 2008
Contact: Augustus Cho 919-951-4708
www.choforcongress.com
Augustus Cho, candidate for Congress from the 4th District criticized Congressman David Price today over his comments about earmarks.
“According to David Price, taxpayers do not need to worry about earmarks. Well I beg to differ,” Cho said. “Earmarks are the most egregious examples of the Democrats’ inability to control government spending.”
Price spoke Wednesday at the Cary Chamber of Commerce. According to the News and Observer, Price said that the recent attention to earmarks was unwarranted and exaggerated. Price said “Everybody should take a deep breath.”
“When I get to Congress, I will not support earmarks,” declared Cho. “The problem with these expenditures is that they are slipped into bills at the end of debate or even after a bill has passed in the summary language. If a proposal cannot withstand the scrutiny of debate and transparency, then it has no business being included in any bill.”
“David Price may not have a problem with earmarks, but the voters of the 4th District do. We do not support spending tax dollars for the pet projects of Congressmen buying votes for their re-election, and frankly, not even projects in our own district that do not merit full debate and disclosure.’
Cho, who lives in Chapel Hill, is the past chairman of the Orange County Republican Party and a member of the Chapel Hill Board of Transportation. Cho, a naturalized American citizen, joined his mother in the United States in 1968, and attended Linton Hall Military School in Bristow, VA. The family moved to Durham in 1973. Cho graduated from Sanderson High School in Raleigh, the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill, majoring in Economics, and Westminster Theological Seminary in Philadelphia. He is an author, and, until recently, a columnist.
SENATOR NEAL HUNT JOINS STAM AND CAPPS IN ENDORSING AUGUSTUS CHO
Contact: Augustus Cho
919.951-4708
Verify: Senator Neal Hunt
919.781-3464
March 24, 2008
Senator Neal Hunt (R-Wake), has endorsed Augustus Cho to represent the Republican Party in the 4th Congressional District in the November General Election. Cho faces B. J. Lawson in the May 6th Republican Primary.
Hunt joins Representative Paul "Skip" Stam, a member of the North Carolina House of Representatives, representing the 37th House (Wake County) District, and former NC House member, The Honorable J. Russell Capps.
Cho said of the endorsement, "I have worked hard to earn citizenship in this wonderful country and serve my community. To have my efforts recognized, through these endorsements from distinguished Representatives and, now, a Wake County Senator, is indeed humbling."
Cho, a naturalized American citizen, joined his mother in the United States in 1968, and attended Linton Hall Military School in Bristow, VA. The family moved to Durham in 1973. Cho graduated from Sanderson High School in Raleigh, the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill, majoring in Economics, and Westminster Theological Seminary in Philadelphia.
He is an author, and, until recently, a columnist.
He has been appointed to various Boards by the Mayor/City Council in Chapel Hill.
Press Release
For Immediate Release
Contact: Augustus Cho
(919) 951-4708
Verify: The Honorable J. Russell Capps
(919) 846-9199
The Honorable Paul "Skip" Stam
(919) 361-8873/(919) 777-2962
CHO RECEIVES TWO SIGNIFICANT ENDORSEMENTS
March 17, 2008
Augustus Cho, Republican candidate for the fourth Congressional District, has received two important endorsements, one from The Honorable Paul "Skip" Stam, a member of the North Carolina House of Representatives, representing the 37th House (Wake County) District, and former NC House member, The Honorable J. Russell Capps.
Cho, a naturalized American citizen, originally from Seoul, South Korea, responded to his endorsements, saying, "I am honored to have been recognized as the better qualified Republican candidate to serve the people of the fourth district by these distinguished servants of the people. It makes me most humble, and deeply appreciative."
Cho, who joined his mother in the United States in 1968, and who attended Linton Hall Military School in Bristow, VA, moved to Durham in 1973. He graduated from Sanderson High School in Raleigh, the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill, majoring in Economics, and Westminster Theological Seminary in Philadelphia.
He is an author, and, until recently, a columnist.
He has been appointed to various Boards by the Mayor/City Council in Chapel Hill.
PRESS RELEASE
Augustus Cho, 49, former Chair of the Orange County Republican Party is filing Thursday, February 28 to seek the Republican nomination in the 4th Congressional district to challenge incumbent Democrat David Price in November.
A pre-filing celebration will be held from 8:00 - 10:00 AM, Thursday, February 28th at the Velvet Cloak Inn, 1505 Hillsborough Street, in Raleigh. He will formally announce his plans for the race at that time.
You're invited to meet Mr. Cho at this event. Press Kits will be available for distribution. Mr. Cho will be available for actualities.
GOP candidates express differing opinions
By Ray Gronberg : The Herald-Sun
gronberg@heraldsun.com
Feb 14, 2008
DURHAM -- Two Republicans vying for the right to challenge incumbent U.S. Rep. David Price, D-N.C., this fall squared off in a debate Wednesday that suggested the local GOP suffers from a few of the same fissures as the national party.
Candidates Augustus Cho and B.J. Lawson traded barbs on national security, the national debt and civil liberties during the debate, which unfolded at a luncheon for area Republicans at Hope Valley Country Club.
Cho, former chairman of the Orange County Republican Party, sought to portray himself as a mainstream conservative and Lawson as a libertarian who follows the same creed as GOP presidential candidate and U.S. Rep. Ron Paul, R-Texas.
"It's going to take a true Republican to beat David Price, not a libertarian quasi-Republican," Cho said. "I call him 'Ron Paul Jr.' because that's what he is."
Lawson, a businessman who founded and later sold a medical software company, didn't exactly run away from the characterization. He said Cho has no real strategy for defeating Price, and argued the GOP has to change its approach to appeal to middle-of-road voters.
"My strategy is all about building bridges," Lawson said. "We need to stop dividing the country against itself."
The issues dividing the two candidates were plain, most often when they addressed foreign policy.
Lawson made it clear he's no supporter of the Bush administration's handling of the Iraq war, or of its approach to post-9/11 domestic security.
Both, he said, posit a "state of war that has no criteria for success and frankly will never end."
Americans, he added, "tired of the same old message," "tired of living in fear" and believe they don't "have to sacrifice liberty and freedom," he said. Moreover, "the idea that we can police the world for Germany and South Korea at no cost to them and all the cost to us [is], frankly, unsustainable."
Cho countered that the country faces a clear threat.
"Islamic terrorism and extremism is real. This is not a game," he said. "They have declared war on us. We need to take this threat seriously. We're fighting against individuals that cross borders, that cross race, that transcend religion. Their agenda is clear, that is to turn the world into an Islamic state. We have three choices: fight it, accept it or become their slave. To me the last two are not an option as an American."
The two also disagreed about the federal government's deficits. Cho argued that the national debt as a percentage of the gross domestic product isn't that different from what it's been historically. Lawson contended that debt has skyrocketed and undermined both the economy and the country's security relative to countries like China.
Cho and Lawson are scheduled to face off in the May 6 primary, though as yet only Lawson has officially filed for a place on the ballot.
Price, a Chapel Hill Democrat, is the favorite in the race no matter whom Republicans put against him. State legislators tailored the 4th District specifically to fortify his re-election chances and prevent a repeat of the 1994 upset he suffered at the hands of former Raleigh Police Chief Fred Heineman.
Price turned the tables on Heineman in 1996 and hasn't been seriously pressed since. He's rolled up margins of nearly two to one against GOP challengers in each of the past three elections.
The 4th District includes Democratic strongholds in Orange, Durham and northern Chatham counties. It also covers southern Wake County.
© 2008 by The Durham Herald Company. All rights reserved.
(This article used with the permission of the author.)
Press release
For Immediate Release: January 15, 2008
Contact: Augustus Cho, 919-951-4708
Cho Resigns as Chairman of Orange County Republican Party
Cites Campaign for Congress
Augustus Cho announced today that he has resigned as chairman of the Orange County Republican Party. Cho is running for Congress as a Candidate in the 4th Congressional District. He is the first Korean-American to run for any state or federal office in North Carolina.
"It has been a privilege to serve our country as Chairman of the Orange County Republican Party," said Cho. "I have been surrounded by wonderful individuals who - like me - love our community and nation." He continued, "The Orange County Republican Party is vibrant and strong. In many ways, we are like the United States Marines: what we lack in number, we make up for in quality. Our Party will continue to be dedicated to the right causes and will always stand for what is good about America."
Augustus Cho currently serves on the Town of Chapel Hill Transportation Board and has served on other Town of Chapel Hill's Committee/Task Force in the past. He is also involved in the community by being a volunteer referee for the Rainbow Soccer League and until last month, was a contributing columnist for the Chapel Hill News.
Cho is a 1982 graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. During and upon graduation from Westminster Theological Seminary located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with Master's of Divinity degree, Augustus Cho served as a youth director and pastor in the Middle Atlantic region. He also taught the men and women of the U.S. military for three years in Korea for CTC, a college contracted by the Department of Defense. Currently, Cho is a tae kwon do instructor and an author. He has written books about tae kwon do and exercise. He is currently working on the 4th volume of his autobiography Great Light Will Shine, a memoir of his life in the United States as experienced by an immigrant.
"It is an honor to travel throughout our district and meet so many good fellow citizens who care about the future of our community, our state and our nation," Cho shared. "This campaign will not be about me; it is really about the Fourth District and how the district is not being properly represented in Congress."
"I believe our nation was founded on the principles of honor, strength and individual greatness. The best of America is yet to be seen. My campaign reflects these beliefs as I focus on national security, lower taxes and immigration issues." Cho concluded., "For more on my positions, please visit my website at http://www.choforcongress.com.
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For Immediate Release: December 6, 2007
Contact: Augustus Cho, 951-4708
http://www.choforcongress.com
AUGUSTUS CHO ANNOUNCES CANDIDACY TODAY FOR CONGRESS (NORTH CAROLINA-4TH DISTRICT)
Stating that it is time for somebody else to hold the 4th Congressional District seat, Augustus Cho of Chapel Hill announced today that he is running for Congress. Cho is a native of Seoul, Korea. He moved to the U.S. when he was ten, and has been a naturalized U.S. citizen for more than 30 years. Cho is running as a Republican.
“A career politician has held the seat for too long. It is my goal to put an end to that. The seat belongs to the people, not to any one person,” declared Cho Thursday.
Citing four key issues – immigration, national security, taxation and energy, Cho said “David Price has been AWOL on all of them.”
“As an immigrant from Korea I think in many ways I appreciate the value of the American system and the American people even more than those born here. This is the greatest nation on earth. We have accomplished more in our brief 200+ year history than any other nation in history”, Cho continued. “But we are a nation of laws and our laws must be enforced.”
Cho also talked about national security. “The war on terror has many fronts. One of them is Iraq. David Price and Nancy Pelosi even today are denying our troops the funding they need. General Petreus says violence is down 60%. We must defeat Islamic extremists that want to destroy us. We cannot withdraw without victory. Our experience in Vietnam still haunts our national psyche.”
Candidate Cho also advocates a smaller government, including lower taxes and less spending. “Our government tries to do too much for too many. When I became a naturalized citizen, I swore to uphold the Constitution of the United States, and that is the reason I am running for Congress, to take us back to the meaning of the Constitution.”
Energy policy was the other issue Cho discussed. “As an environmentalist, I am concerned about our energy policy. By halting new drilling and exploration, extremists in the environmental movement have only succeeded in damaging national security and driving up energy costs. American technology for finding, drilling and developing oil wells is far superior to the technology in oil producing countries. Environmentalists and the Democrats have actually hurt the planet by restricting development of U.S. sources of energy.”
For more information on Augustus Cho, go to http://www.choforcongress.com..
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