“You have to sell your business. If you have a fiduciary business, you have to sell that, so I’ve gotta walk away from a business I built up for 30 years. Who’s gonna buy it without me there? Answer: Nobody. Whoever I sell it to has to take my name off of it. Now, what’s it worth? Absolutely nothing.
“I own a third interest in the largest real estate company in Springfield; I have to sell that. Do you want to buy a real estate company today? You know, they’re not worth anything, and I have to give up my real estate broker’s license.”
However, Bob McCarty has been digging around and it appears that Long doesn't want to answer the question of whether he has parted with his business interests like he promised voters he would do if elected to Congress. McCarty writes for Andrew Breitbart's Big Government and his own blog Bob McCarty Writes, a Tea Party conservative blog.
McCarty contacted Long's office for answers two weeks ago, and they did not return his inquiry. He followed up today including having a conversation with Bret Funk, one of Congressman Long's handlers without any success. Long's office basically told McCarty since he didn't live in the district it was really none of his business despite McCarty's press credentials.
“Apologies Bob, we are initially focusing on our district press for media requests. Please keep us in mind in the future.”
Long doesn't appear to have a problem talking to other members of the press from outside of Long's 7th District, so why doesn't he want to answer the question about the great sacrifice? In fact, Long has been quite friendly with the Washington press corp, always ready to provide a sound bite. So why doesn't Long's office talk to McCarty?
The heat was turned up on Long after Long decided his first bill in Congress would have nothing to do with reeling in Washington spending--rather Long proposed the United States recognized National Auctioneer Day. The press eager to show the world the freak show in Congress was able to get Long to admit that he still owns Billy Long auctions, as mentioned before did little to reduce doubt about the idea that Long is playing a political game with his auction company and Murney Associates, hoping the voters will forget as he obviously may be playing ownership games on paper.
The Hill writes, "Long still owns Billy Long Auctions LLC, which auctions a variety of items. Long’s fellow freshman Duncan specialized in real estate auctions."
Still, to the average voter, they were promised Long would give up his business interest by the "Colonel" himself in order to avoid any conflict of interest that often arise when lobbyists are laying down favors and bills come up that may benefit Congressman Long's private interests.
While one question is definitely what is the status of Billy Long Auctions and Congressman Long's 1/3 share in Murney Associates, which he promised voters he would sell, another question remains, when is Josh Marsh going to act like a journalist and hold Congressman Long's feet to the fire since it was his interview that started this ball a rolling.
