Holding nothing back: Texas' Justin Jordan

(Note: The reason behind the delay in posting this interview is that I suck at life and accidentally deleted the file it was in and spent most of the day retrieving it. Luckily, I was able to pull it off, and put it all back in one piece. My most sincere apologies, but at least it is here, unlike Truth Caucus’ Who’s Next feature!)

Justin Jordan is surely the closest to a dynamo that we in College Republicans have, at least out of those that I have met or know of. There are very few people, not just in our organization, that possess strong moral fiber and great character, even an unwavering sense of right and wrong. Very few college freshmen make it out of their dorms for class on most days, let alone uncover and pursue corrupt administrators, even after being wrongfully arrested for doing so. There are also very few people in our organization, or in politics on the whole, that are as unabashed and forthright in offering their honest, candid opinions and answers. Very few have anyone in mind but themselves, as well, or care about results more than they do rhetoric. And even fewer would put their own political future on the line for what they believe is right.

Justin Jordan brings all of this to the table, plus a wealth of experience. Few have shot upward so quickly in College Republicans, going from founding a CR chapter to interim Texas Vice-Chairman in mere months. Next weekend, he will be up for special election in Texas to fill the rest of the current term as TFCR Vice Chairman, and some heavy hitters in Texas politics will be pulling for this young man. He holds nothing back, and if you do not like it, he is probably deservedly calling you out. So, without further pomp and circumstance, the much-anticipated Red State Rampage debut of Justin Jordan unleashed:

Red State Rampage: You are running to keep your job, in effect, as Vice Chairman of the Texas Federation of College Republicans, after you were appointed in the interim since Jason Fite of Texas A&M stepped down. Can you speak to why it is you were chosen to fill the role of Vice-Chairman, and why there was a vacancy?

Justin Jordan: Well the Chairwoman expressed her confidence in me after seeing that I am a hard worker. Jason Fite graduated in December so it left that vacancy within the organization. Eliza called me just as I was about to go and cut the yard and asked me if I would do it and I told her sure.

RSR: Since your appointment was temporary, you have to run in this special election to fill the rest of Fite's term officially. You are opposed in this race, by Ryan Murphy of the Colin County CC College Republicans, a chapter that has been involved in TFCR for almost three years longer than Texas Southern. What, then, uniquely qualifies you to be Vice Chairman instead of Ryan Murphy?

JJ: Well I have always believed that my relationship with various elected officials uniquely qualifies me to be Vice Chair. The Vice Chair's role is one of high importance because I am actually in charge of helping Republican candidates on the campaign trail and raising money-something i have effectively done at my own chapter.

RSR: Your candidacy has been endorsed by some heavy hitters in Texas politics, including Lt. Governor David Dewhurst, future Congressional candidate Paul Bettencourt, and the President of GOPUSA Dr. Bobby Eberle. How did you go about winning their support? How exactly can you capitalize on these individuals support to better TFCR for all of its members?

JJ: I won their support because they know how hard I work to keep Texas a red state every election season. These are respected folks around my state and in some parts of the country. With these guys behind me, it gives TFCR a chance to develop those relationships in other parts of the state and it will enable us to raise more money.

RSR: Corruption has been a hot button issue nationally, and you have been recognized for your efforts to battle corruption at your own university, Texas Southern. You and a couple of friends took on your school's President, and it certainly was not easy going at all. How has this experience affected your life, and would you do it all over again?

JJ: Well it lets me know that there should be a 2^nd Civil Rights movement started. One that frees blacks from Corrupt Ass Blacks who steal from their own children and people. It also showed me and the other 2 Gentleman that you have to be the change, you can’t just talk that talk and not walk the walk. If I had to do it all over again, I would in a New York Heartbeat! It was a challenge but it was also so much fun.

RSR: Did you ever consider backing down, especially when you were arrested during the ordeal?

JJ: No, it did scare me though. After we were arrested we went back to the Governor’s office then shortly after that we approached the Attorney General and his office who then introduced us to the Local District Attorney’s office. The DA’s office took the case and as a result of us turning over the evidence we had, Dr. Slade along with several other people have been indicted on numerous charges. Knowing many of them were indicted put a big smile on my face of course.

RSR: What advice would you pass along to someone in a similar situation as you found yourself in? What do you think can be learned by others from your actions?

JJ: No matter how much pressure is put on you always do the right thing. If you know you are right then what others say really means nothing.

RSR: Besides taking on corruption in your own backyard, U.S. Representative Tom Delay also represented your area until resigning amidst accusations of illegal activity. One of the pictures on your campaign Facebook group features you with Mr. Delay. Do you see Mr. Delay's situation as one he brought upon himself, or is it a mere political ploy, as some have suggested? And do you see his resignation as a good thing in the long run?

JJ: The accusations against Delay were like most lies, if you repeat them enough they start to sound true. Tom Delay was indicted by a backwoods hick Democrat named Ronnie Earle who has a record of going after Republicans with trumped up charges. I knew Congressman Delay and he was a great ally in terms of helping the CR’s in my area out. I volunteered on his campaign and we grew to know each other that way. I hated to see him resign, but what I can say is he is no Priscilla Slade.

RSR: You worked to found the College Republican group at Texas Southern, and you were successful in doing so. Texas Southern, as with other predominantly black colleges, presents a challenge to College Republicans, because of the perceived, and sometimes real, hostility to the Republican message. Do you see this as being a real issue, and, if so, what can College Republicans do to be successful in this area?

JJ: Well I think some black Republicans whine too much when they talk about the "hostility" they receive from other black people about being a Republican. Personally, I love the hostility from black liberals because usually I hate them just as much. However, the whole idea in recruiting minorities is that you don’t want an all black thing or an all white thing. I personally don’t think that all blacks should be involved in the GOP because we have some in the GOP now who are the biggest gate-keeping assholes. I can attest to that because they are in my state. These are your older ones mind you, but they are still narrow minded assholes and if they are reading this and are offended then I am talking about you.

RSR: There are some within the Republican Party who do not think Black Republicans can be successful in winning election. They often point to the recent losses by Maryland's Michael Steele, Pennsylvania's Lynn Swann, and Ohio's Ken Blackwell as evidence of this. In Blackwell's case, a race that I saw first-hand, this was even used against him in the primary, which he went on to win. What are your thoughts on the matter, and do you think they have a valid argument? Do you even think voters should consider race when choosing whom they will vote for?

JJ: No they don’t have a valid argument. First of all, who are “They”? Those in that “They” column are your cowards in the party, the ones who tear down and don’t build up. Black Republicans tend to do better with white voters and some black voters because they feel like that racial stigma will not be used (i.e the Jesse Jackson & Al Sharpton type of Bull Jive). Yes I think voters should factor race when choosing whom they vote for especially if Barack Hussein Obama is the Democrat Nominee. I hope that every white person and black finds that racist bone on Election Day and votes against him. He is not even black by the way, just ask Congressman Bobby Rush [RSR Note: U.S. Rep. Bobby Rush (D-Chicago) represents an urban district of Chicago, Illinois, and was challenged in the 2000 Democratic Primary by Obama]. I know I won’t be voting for him. Also, 2006 was a bad year for all Republicans and when you run most of your black candidates in blue states this is what happens. If they ran a black candidate in Texas or any other red state--in a district that isn't predominately black-- they would win, are you reading this ROVE?!?!?!?!

RSR: The national scene of College Republicans is, quite frankly, a mess. There is no semblance of cooperation, and many seem to have themselves at the heart of their interests. What are your thoughts on this situation, and what can you do as a state federation officer to help change this environment?

JJ: I don't have any thoughts on the national scene.

RSR: One question that I like to ask all College Republicans, especially leaders like yourself, is where you see the role of College Republicans being at: on campus fostering real debate on the issues of the day, or on the campaign trail getting results for Republican candidates?

JJ: Both.

RSR: What, if elected, do you see as being your biggest priority for TFCR? What would be one thing that you would advocate continuing in Texas, and where would you seek change from the status quo?

JJ: Getting Republicans elected statewide and at the local level too. I would advocate spreading the message of Republicanism across the state and to more young people. Well my mere presence is a change from the Status quo. Don’t you think?

RSR: College Republicans tends to be a rather hierarchical system, where one moves up the chain as experience is gained. You will be one step away from leading TFCR if you win this election. Are we going to see a Chairman Jordan in the future?

JJ: Who knows? Probably. Do you think I would make a great chairman? I may decide to throw my hat in for CRNC chair and go straight to the top from Vice Chair. I know I would have Yogi Bear and Fred Flintstones support; I haven’t heard back from George Jetson yet.

RSR: Your current state chairman, Eliza Vielma, seems to be a very polarizing figure among College Republicans involved at the national level. It appears that most either love her, or hate her. You get to work with Eliza on a more personal level than most, so what is your opinion of the job she has done? Can she really be as hard to get along with as some would say?

JJ: Honestly, from what I hear--depending on who you ask--everybody on the national level is "polarizing". This is one of those loaded questions. Well if I didn’t like Eliza I wouldn’t be answering these questions right now, because I wouldn’t be Vice Chair. So that should tell you something. No she is not hard to get along with and she is doing a great job leading TFCR. By the way she can cook some good Hamburger Helper with the tortillas on the side.

RSR: One of our shared personal heroes is J.C. Watts, of Oklahoma. How hard is it for a Texan to openly like a Sooner, first of all, and secondly, do you see Watts as having a viable future in politics if he chooses to seek it?

JJ: When Watts stops doing those damn infomercials he can come back to politics. But Watts is making too much money in the Private sector to come back to the public sector and who can blame him?

RSR: Why is it that people like Jesse Jackson and Donna Brazile have so voraciously attacked J.C. Watts for his views? Do you see the perception of the Black Republican as a negative one within the African-American community?

JJ: Look at the 2 people you gave me to choose from of course they attack him, he is smarter than both of them put together. The reason Donna attacks him is because she and other black Democrats can't control him like they control black Democrats. Jesse Jackson is an idiot and the fact that most black people will still line up behind the Rev. Baby Daddy should tell you a lot about the state of the black community. When the GOP starts targeting younger upwardly mobile Blacks like myself and others only then will they then see different results.

RSR: Obviously, there is a primary upcoming in early 2008 for President, and people are starting to line up behind candidates. Have you made your decision yet, or is there anyone that you would particularly like to see win the nomination?

JJ: I would love to see Justin Jordan win the nomination! But yes I have gave it some serious thought and I am just undecided right now.

RSR: We wish you the best of luck in next weekend’s election, and anxiously await whatever it is you do next! Thanks for talking with us, and we hope to do it again soon!