O’Bryan/Richards-Samuel Host Unconventional Kickoff To Gubernatorial Campaign
Candidates James "Jimmy" O'Bryan, for Governor, and Pamela Richard-Samuel, Lt. Governor
“We’re going to make a fight out of this.”
With these words, gubernatorial candidate James “Jimmy” O’Bryan Jr., and his running mate, former Commissioner of Tourism Pamela Richards-Samuel, kicked off their campaign in an hour-long radio presentation on WDHP 1620AM.
The O’Bryan/Richards-Samuel team is one of four seeking the Democratic nomination for the top two spots in Virgin Islands government. The will face challenger teams incumbents John deJongh/Gregory Francis; Sen. Adlah “Foncie” Donastorg/Sam Baptiste; and Gerard “Luz” James/Glen Smith in the September 11 primary,
It was O’Bryan’s first media appearance since his well-publicized departure from his morning radio slot on 1620. The presentation was very similar to the talk-show interview format he is most recently known for – and Richards-Samuel participated in the presentation by telephone from St. Croix.
The pair identified their top four platform issues as 1.) Public Safety; 2.) Education; 3.) Health Care; and 4.) Employment.
“This is not a marriage of convenience – this was a proposal built on mutual respect for each other,” O’Bryan said about his decision to team with Richards-Samuel.
Richards-Samuel spoke extensively of her experience in the Tourism role and both candidates emphasized the need to return integrity to the Government of the Virgin Islands. Other topics that were discussed were the Constitution, which both agree should be managed outside of the general election, and the property tax issue, which Richards-Samuel called “the straw that broke the camel’s back” in her decision to run for the Lieutenant Governor’s spot.
O’Bryan concluded the presentation by setting an expectation for the rest of the campaign, saying that there won’t be a lot of “fish frys and social events.
“We don’t have time for that – these times are too serious for that.”
What did you think of this kickoff presentation?
Wow, that website is wack. I like Jimmy, but come on, I got nephews that can build better websites than that.
Looking at that website ticks me off more than anything. Trying to play us for fools.
I won’t vote for him. Jimmy will run last in the primary.
I wonder how many votes Team O’Bryan will gain. Probably 300 on St. Thomas and 100 on St. Croix. He might have a chance. RUN, JIMMY, RUN!!!!! AWAY!
No way they are getting 300 on St Thomas. I will give them 75 on St Thomas/St John and 30 on St Croix.
AAAAAAA, HA! HA! HAAAAAAA! Jimmy’s and Pamela Richards website is the WORST website I have ever seen!!!!!!! Jokes for days!
I had to go see for myself what all the commotion was about with jimmy’s website. You guys hit the nail on its head. What a Joke!
I will vote for Jimmy and Pam. I like their approach, no big fanfare so I guess they won’t have to pay back the devils. I hope Jimmy and Pam don’t read this website because most of you are a bunch of haters!! who you need to hate on you don’t. I trust this team more than the other 3 teams. Jimmy was right there for the longest, hearing our cries on 1620am, and he would be the most compassionate out of the three, he is by far the most approachable.. Give this team a chance!!
I agree with you VI Lady. We are still looking for bells and whistles.Empty barells make the loudest noise. Jimmy and Pam will
owe no one but the people of the Virgin Islands after this election.
If you really need a FREE T-SHIRT go to the Salvation Army on Saturday morning!
Keeping it real !!!
vilady,
Does your real name happen to be James ‘Jimmy’ O’bryan? Numerous people on CIF have asked you to stop posting in support of yourself. I too will join them by asking you to please stop.
When this election is over all of your integrity and credibility will be gone.
VI Lady: This is not lack of fanfare; this is nofare. No thought, no effort. A total lack of disregard for voters who he is asking to vote for him. Has he held any event so voters can meet him to elaborate on his “platform?” No! The more I think about it, the more irate I get. He has a lot of nerve. I think anyone besides family would be foolish to throw their vote away on someone who obviously got something out of “running” (if you can call it that).
@ Anonymous, no my mother did not name me James O’bryan! I’am a VI lady and I come on CIF to voice MY PERSONAL VIEWS.I’am backing team #4 because I have all rights to do so!
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Or O’Bryan, who has spat in the face of Virgin Islanders. I have more self-respect than that. He didn’t even have the decency to choose a strong running mate.
@ bring back the 70s, let’s have this conversation after the debate!
Jimmy/vilady
Calm down and stop throwing a hissy fit. You knew from the start there was no way you were going to win this election.
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After the debate there are only 2 weeks until the election. How dare he think he can spend so little time getting his message out to voters. And what percentage of voters do you think will be at the debates, huh? 5:30 on a Thursday. Yes, there will be many, but he needed to do more than that. Way more. If, for any reason, the votes get split up in a way that DeJongh wins because of this damn foolishness, Jimmy won’t be able to come out of his house for awhile. He out to be ASHAMED!
I can’t read anymore of this nonsense. I’m out.
The O’Bryan/Richards-Samuel team is the only team that dealt with
platform issues as opposed to biographical data on their web-site.
Stop reading with your eyes wide shut!!! We should be looking for
substance not style.
Keeping it real !!!
They threw together a list that anyone who reads the newspapers, listens to talk shows, or listens to the gossip while standing line at the post office could do. How is he going to get it done? At least the other candidates have been, oh, I dunno, MEETING and TALKING to voters to explain their platforms in more detail!!! I am intelligent enough to be offended.
Im really gone this time.
Back again (because I am really pissed) – look at the Political Forum board. People are talking about Donastorg, Mapp, Luz, and hell – even Dejongh. Not a soul is talking about O’Bryan. Same on the talk shows.