From Staff Reports

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Madison Cawthorn, a young Republican congressional candidate from Hendersonville, urged his fellow Americans to “to be a radical” for freedom, liberty and the republic during his address at the Republican National Convention on the night of Aug. 26.

“When I’m elected this November, I’ll be the youngest member of Congress in over 200 years. And if you don’t think young people can change the world, then you just don’t know American history,” the 25-year-old Cawthorn, who is the GOP nominee in the 11th Congressional District, said.

“I say to Americans who love our country, young and old, be a radical for freedom, be a radical for liberty and be a radical for our republic, for which I stand. One nation, under God, with liberty and justice for all.”

As his speech ended, Cawthorn, who uses a wheelchair, said he would stand  up, with the aid of a walker, to honor the flag.

Cawthorn is facing several issues highlighted by AVL Watchdog’s series of investigative stories on his behavior and some statements he has made that have been — and continue to be — published in the Asheville Citizen Times.

In a recent column in the ACT headlined “Madison Cawthorn has a problem, but will it matter?” John Boyle quoted Western Carolina University political scientist Chris Cooper, who said that the district still is gerrymandered heavily in favor of a GOP candidate, so despite issues raised by his critics, Cawthorn has a good chance of winning.

Boyle also noted that Cawthorn’s Democratic opponent, Moe Davis, tweeted the following on Aug. 21: “My #NC11 opponent has no education, training or experience, but he has the the GOP behind him and even Trump dropping in next week to try & revive his floundering campaign.”

Regarding Davis’ tweet, Boyle wrote in his column on Cawthorn’s issues, “Davis is not wrong.

“But in politics, good looks and a good story go a long way, especially with a dash of gerrymandering tossed in.”

As for Cawthorn’s RNC speech, he began by stating, “Good evening, I am Madison Cawthorn, and I am running to represent North Carolina’s 11th congressional district.

“This is a time of great adversity for our country. And I know something about adversity.

“At 19, I was in a horrific car accident that left me paralyzed from the waist down. Instantly, my hopes and dreams were seemingly destroyed. I was given a one percent chance of surviving. Thanks to the power of prayer, a loving community and skilled doctors, I made it

“It took me over a year to recover. My first public outing in a wheelchair was to a baseball game. Before my accident, I was 6’ 4”. I stood out in a crowd. But as I was wheeled through the stadium, I felt invisible.

“At 20, I thought about giving up. However, I knew I could still make a difference. My accident gave me new eyes to see, and new ears to hear. God protected my mind and my ability to speak. I say to people who feel forgotten, ignored, and invisible: I see you. I hear you.

“At 20, I made a choice. In 2020, our country has a choice. We can give up on the American idea, or we can work together to make our imperfect union more perfect.

“I choose to fight for the future, to seize the high ground and retake the Shining City on a Hill. While the radical left wants to dismantle, defund and destroy, Republicans, under President Trump’s leadership, want to rebuild, restore and renew.

“I just turned 25. When I’m elected this November, I’ll be the youngest member of Congress in over 200 years.

“If you don’t think young people can change the world, then you don’t know American history.

“George Washington was 21 when he received his first military commission.

“Abe Lincoln was 22 when he first ran for office.

“Thomas Jefferson was 33 when he wrote the Declaration of Independence.

“In times of peril, young people saved this country abroad and at home. We held the line, scaled cliffs, crossed oceans, liberated camps and cracked codes.

“Yet, today political forces want to usher in the digital dark ages – a time of information without wisdom and tribalism without truth.

“National leaders on the left have normalized demagoguery and a radicalized identity politics that rejects MLK’s dream.

“MLK’s dream is our dream — for ALL AMERICANS to be judged solely on their character. Millions of people risk their lives to come here because they believe in the dream of MLK and the American dream. Join us, as we, the party of freedom, double down on ensuring the American Dream for all people.

“We are committed to building a new town square. It welcomes all ideas and people. Here, we will have freedom of speech, not freedom from speech.

“To liberals, let’s have a conversation. Be a true liberal, listen to other ideas and let the best ones prevail.

“To conservatives, let’s define what we support and win the argument in areas like health care and the environment.

“In this new town square, you don’t have to apologize for your beliefs or cower to a mob. You can kneel before God but stand for our flag.

“The American idea my ancestors fought for during the Revolutionary War is as exciting and revolutionary today as it was 250 years ago. I say to Americans who love our country – young and old – be a radical for freedom. Be a radical for liberty. Be a radical for our republic.

“One nation. Under God. With liberty and justice for all. Thank you.”