Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

Zorro

(15,740 posts)
Tue Aug 14, 2018, 01:57 PM Aug 2018

Melissa Howard reverses course, drops out of race after degree scandal

Source: Sarasota Herald-Tribune

A day after saying she planned to continue running for a state House seat despite revelations that she lied about having a degree from Miami University and went to great lengths to deceive people, Melissa Howard reversed course Tuesday and dropped out of a contest that has received national attention.

Howard said in a text message to the Herald-Tribune that “I have come to the realization that the right thing to do for my community is to withdraw from the race. I will do so today.”

“I made a terrible error in judgement,” Howard added. “I am thankful for everyone who gave so much toward my success, and I am deeply sorry.”

Howard’s announcement brings to an end one of the more bizarre chapters in Southwest Florida politics and brings relief to many local Republicans who worried her campaign was embarrassing the local party and making it a national laughingstock.

Read more: http://www.heraldtribune.com/news/20180814/melissa-howard-reverses-course-drops-out-of-race-after-degree-scandal



What a shame. She was the perfect Republican standard-bearer.
48 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Melissa Howard reverses course, drops out of race after degree scandal (Original Post) Zorro Aug 2018 OP
They're worried about being a laughing stock? Owens Aug 2018 #1
And she showed such promise, too - a rising star. TheCowsCameHome Aug 2018 #2
Such promise, ..such a 'fresh face' for the future Wwcd Aug 2018 #18
She was perfect for the GOP.. A natural born liar and con artist. CentralMass Aug 2018 #33
Exactly. iluvtennis Aug 2018 #34
Thoughts & Prayers LandOfHopeAndDreams Aug 2018 #3
Too much work. Maybe she can get an honorary from DumpU or a xian college. erronis Aug 2018 #13
Or better yet, Betsy D. will lower the standards so she won't need one! infullview Aug 2018 #25
A fake degree is cheaper than student loans. keithbvadu2 Aug 2018 #29
She has already earned a...... 3catwoman3 Aug 2018 #26
Catwoman, surely you jest jmowreader Aug 2018 #43
I couldn't resist the BS for... 3catwoman3 Aug 2018 #44
Damn. She should have stayed. dalton99a Aug 2018 #4
The entire Republican Party is radical noodle Aug 2018 #5
Womp womp! fleur-de-lisa Aug 2018 #6
Aww...let's send her away with a copy of the home game! forgotmylogin Aug 2018 #41
Well, she will always have her Bachelor of Science in Marketing from Miami of Ohio to ... Botany Aug 2018 #7
Probably been offered a job in the Trump administration. n/t Mr.Bill Aug 2018 #8
Doesn't Melissa Howard realize that you are supposed to wait and then perpetrate.... magicarpet Aug 2018 #9
Surprised she dropped out. Power 2 the People Aug 2018 #10
So you got a copy of the Repuglicon Playbook?! It's actually not been a top secret. erronis Aug 2018 #14
It really seems like an affirmative quality to R voters Cosmocat Aug 2018 #15
6. Blame liberals 7. Blame the media hibbing Aug 2018 #16
Blame Pres. Obama. nt NCjack Aug 2018 #46
Error in judgement... tosh Aug 2018 #11
IKR...you have to have judgement to make an error in it. Lochloosa Aug 2018 #22
Like having a fake diploma made up and then ... Botany Aug 2018 #37
Good comment Scalded Nun Aug 2018 #12
seems par for the course these days with the reTHUGS berksdem Aug 2018 #17
This message was self-deleted by its author Ponietz Aug 2018 #19
I SO Wanted to Write a Biting Response About This Repuke Floosie, But ... DoctorJoJo Aug 2018 #20
IKR? "The U.S.S. Laughingstock....". 🤣 sprinkleeninow Aug 2018 #23
Well, sprinkleeninow Aug 2018 #21
This could be said of any (R) candidate volstork Aug 2018 #24
Anyone wanna bet she sent her resume to FAUX after that text? edbermac Aug 2018 #27
Soon as I saw her, it was obvious who she would appeal to. dixiegrrrrl Aug 2018 #48
Curly Bill Brocius may have said it best ... marble falls Aug 2018 #28
Republican family values... Her mom helped her, posing with the fake diploma. keithbvadu2 Aug 2018 #30
Yep! Her mom was in on the scam. LiberalFighter Aug 2018 #32
HahahahahahahahaWipeout! NBachers Aug 2018 #31
Awww, so sad. sinkingfeeling Aug 2018 #35
For a party that looks down on educated "Elites" I don't understand trc Aug 2018 #36
I hate to see her drop out Crabby Appleton Aug 2018 #38
Sorry to see her drop out. She was a keeper! Kaleva Aug 2018 #39
She looks like Marsha Brady?? Blue_Tires Aug 2018 #42
Does a Dem win? duhneece Aug 2018 #40
Dang! truthisfreedom Aug 2018 #45
K & R Crabby Appleton Aug 2018 #47
 

Wwcd

(6,288 posts)
18. Such promise, ..such a 'fresh face' for the future
Tue Aug 14, 2018, 02:58 PM
Aug 2018

What happens to the cash in her campaign stash?

Is it returned to the donors?

3catwoman3

(23,987 posts)
44. I couldn't resist the BS for...
Wed Aug 15, 2018, 12:59 AM
Aug 2018

...Bull Shit, altho her ballsiness certainly does qualify for either the More Shit or Piled Higher and Deeper designations.

I would never think that I could get away with something like that.

Botany

(70,504 posts)
7. Well, she will always have her Bachelor of Science in Marketing from Miami of Ohio to ...
Tue Aug 14, 2018, 02:06 PM
Aug 2018

.... fall back on.


But following the incident, Miami University’s General Counsel Robin Parker confirmed the
news sites original scoop that the degree was fake.

snip

Parker revealed that if Howard did graduate with her retailing major, she would have gained a Bachelor of Science degree in Family and Consumer Sciences.

"The picture of the diploma shows that Melissa Marie Fox received a Bachelor of Science in Marketing degree from Miami University on December 20, 1996,” the statement said. "The picture of the diploma that was posted on the HowardforHouse73 Facebook page does not appear to be an accurate Miami University diploma."

"Miami University's degree for Marketing majors then, as it is now, was a Bachelor of Science in Business."

https://www.newsweek.com/florida-gop-candidate-faked-college-degree-university-says-1069824

magicarpet

(14,150 posts)
9. Doesn't Melissa Howard realize that you are supposed to wait and then perpetrate....
Tue Aug 14, 2018, 02:17 PM
Aug 2018

.... the fraud AFTER you are elected, not during the election while the scrutiny is high and all eyes are upon you ?

Power 2 the People

(2,437 posts)
10. Surprised she dropped out.
Tue Aug 14, 2018, 02:21 PM
Aug 2018

Usually Republicans just weather the storm because they,along with their base, have no moral compass or play by any set of rules.

1. Deny vehemently
2. Once caught,make excuse or claim you misspoke
3. Admit to the lie but claim your opponent is worse
4. Claim you've asked Jesus for forgiveness
5. Back in business

Rinse and Repeat

erronis

(15,257 posts)
14. So you got a copy of the Repuglicon Playbook?! It's actually not been a top secret.
Tue Aug 14, 2018, 02:37 PM
Aug 2018

I think aspiring Crooks For Congress get a signed copy for $299.99. Signed by Senate/House/WH leaders.

Scalded Nun

(1,236 posts)
12. Good comment
Tue Aug 14, 2018, 02:27 PM
Aug 2018

Howard’s announcement brings to an end one of the more bizarre chapters in Southwest Florida politics and brings relief to many local Republicans who worried her campaign was embarrassing the local party and making it a national laughingstock.

Unfortunately, the SS Laughingstock sailed long ago.

Response to Zorro (Original post)

 

DoctorJoJo

(1,134 posts)
20. I SO Wanted to Write a Biting Response About This Repuke Floosie, But ...
Tue Aug 14, 2018, 03:06 PM
Aug 2018

... I read the ones above and they are priceless! Thanks for all the great material!

volstork

(5,401 posts)
24. This could be said of any (R) candidate
Tue Aug 14, 2018, 03:10 PM
Aug 2018

"many local Republicans who worried her campaign was embarrassing the local party and making it a national laughingstock"

dixiegrrrrl

(60,010 posts)
48. Soon as I saw her, it was obvious who she would appeal to.
Thu Aug 16, 2018, 01:45 PM
Aug 2018

Fox prolly will give her a job. Their entire stable of on-air women look exactly like her, exactly like what Trump favors.
would not be surprised if he had voiced his desire to see those type women, and Hannity obliged.

keithbvadu2

(36,806 posts)
30. Republican family values... Her mom helped her, posing with the fake diploma.
Tue Aug 14, 2018, 03:44 PM
Aug 2018

Republican family values... Her mom helped her, posing with the fake diploma.

Surely her mom would have remembered the (NO) graduation ceremony.

https://www.democraticunderground.com/10142131916#post17

trc

(823 posts)
36. For a party that looks down on educated "Elites" I don't understand
Tue Aug 14, 2018, 05:01 PM
Aug 2018

why she would make such an obvious and sloppy lie. I would think the whole "I worked my way up from nothing to run for congress" would have played well with the rubes.

Latest Discussions»Latest Breaking News»Melissa Howard reverses c...