Editorial: Jackson's Obama Days are Fair Game

President Obama speaks with Dr. Ronny Jackson (RIGHT)/Photo by White House photographer Pete Souza

I have heard quite a bit of back and forth during the last few days about 13th congressional district candidate Ronny Jackson and his tenure as a physician to the president under Presidents George W. Bush, Barack Obama, and Donald Trump. While I am sure the debate will continue about this topic, I think Jackson’s interview this morning on “Fox and Friends” provides some information that should be considered by voters.

Several times during Jackson’s appearance on “Fox and Friends” on Thursday morning, Jackson cited his work in the White House as an asset for voters. Specifically, Jackson mentioned voters will lose some seniority in Washington when U.S. Rep. Mac Thornberry (R-Clarendon) retires and that his own connections in Washington will allow voters to not be completely shut out. Here is the exact quote from the interview:

“Well, I think, you know, there are quite a few people in the district running...there were as many as thirteen people running, throwing their hat in the ring for this particular seat. Some great candidates and I totally respect the fact that they have a desire to serve....I think what I can do that separates myself from the other candidates in this race is, you know, I've been in the White House for the last fourteen years over the last three administrations. I've been with President Trump since day one of his administration and I've worked closely with him and his team. The day Mac Thornberry, he has a lot of influence and a lot of authority in Congress right now because he's been there for twenty-four years. When he needs to get something done, he chairs committees, he's the ranking member, things happen. What I try to tell people out here is that the day he leaves, that's all over for the district. They're going to have a freshman congressman that probably isn't going to have a lot of influence or a big voice. I think I'm the exception to that rule. I know folks in the White House, folks in the West Wing...I think I can influence the process in a way that the other candidates won't be able to for a long time. I think I can get the district immediate influence.” -Dr. Ronny Jackson

Considering Jackson’s quote above, it seems he plans to use his work in the White House and his experience working as a physician to the president as a key selling point for local voters.

Jackson’s supporters have attempted to say he should not be criticized for his time during the Obama Administration, but at least one of his opponents feels otherwise. Chris Ekstrom, a Republican running against Jackson for the party’s nomination for Congress, blasted Jackson when he joined the race Monday, calling Jackson “Obama’s doctor” and drawing attention to his time in the Obama Administration. Jackson’s supporters swiftly pushed back against Ekstrom’s comments, noting that his service under President Obama occurred while Jackson was a member of the U.S. Navy.

While his work was performed during his time in the U.S. Navy, he still wants to use his experience in the White House as a point to sell voters on his candidacy. He made mention multiple times during his “Fox and Friends” interview about his time in the White House and later joked with host Steve Doocy about possibly receiving an endorsement from either Presidents Bush, Obama, or Trump during his campaign.

Taking his entire interview into account, I think it should be said that if Jackson wants to sell voters on his candidacy by using his work as Physician to the President under Donald Trump, then voters and his opponents should be free to talk about his work as Physician to the President under Barack Obama. His time in the White House is not a one-way street where Jackson and his supporters can cherry pick which Presidents he wants to run on in a heavily-Republican district and which ones he wants to avoid talking about.

Jackson’s Obama Administration work is much like Amarillo City Councilwoman Elaine Hays’ record on tax increases. Hays, who is also running for Congress in 2020, has claimed in her campaign that she opposes tax increases and has even signed a pledge to not raise taxes if elected. However, her record shows she has voted for two of three tax increases brought before the Amarillo City Council and has voted for every budget which included a tax increase during her time in office. While she wants voters to now focus just on her promise to swear off tax increases, voters should be free and encouraged to consider and scrutinize her actual record on taxes.

While some may view Jackson’s time under President Obama positively, and others may view it as a liability, because Jackson is using his time in the White House as a key platform point for voters, then his entire time in the White House should be up for scrutiny.

I am not saying what stance voters should take on Jackson’s background or about his work under Presidents Obama and Trump. That is up to each individual voter to decide. However, I do believe voters have every right to consider Jackson’s entire White House tenure in their decision, including his work under all three Presidents, in consideration of the fact that Jackson himself has made the White House theme central to his candidacy. I admire Jackson for his service to this country and for his service as a member of the United States Navy. However, it is my belief that Jackson should not be allowed to pick and choose what parts of his White House tenure to run on when he has made the theme central to why he feels he should be elected. If Jackson wants voters to consider one part of his White House work, then they must be allowed to consider all of his work in the White House, including his work under President Obama.

Regardless, I encourage voters to research every candidate, their records, and why they are running for office in 2020. We will do our best to bring updated information to you about every candidate and we hope you will take the time to decide which candidate will best represent you in Washington.