Chris McMurry, owner of the Crumb and Get It in Radford, Va., is the latest person to show just how offensive President Obama’s “You didn’t build that” speech remains to hardworking, risk-taking small businessmen.
Offered a chance to host a vice presidential stop, which a member of the Biden advance team described as “an opportunity of a lifetime,” McMurry essentially said to the veep: please don’t crumb and get it.
McMurry has the audacity to insist that he and his wife, Kelly—and not the federal government—are responsible for building their business. Asked about his decision, McMurry replied:
"Very simply, ‘you didn't build that’” McMurray said. “Speaking of small businesses and entrepreneurs all across this country and actually last night my wife was up all night. No sleep, she's worked a full 24 hours."
This is an important story—it is an illustration of the great divide in this country. On one side are those who favor more government, and on the other those who believe prosperity can be restored through individual initiative.
Bill Kristol of the Weekly Standard suggests that Romney-Ryan use McMurray’s store in an ad:
Do Republicans have the wit and agility to use this moment—and others like it—to bring home the fact that this election isn't about replacing one bunch of politicians with another, but is about the citizenry against the nanny state? Can they channel the spirit of Patrick Henry here in Virginia, the cradle of liberty?
They could say, We stand with Crumb and Get It—or we yield to Obama!
I’m seeing Mr. McMurray as the sunny antidote to Joe Soptic, the man who was willing to use the death of his wife in a campaign ad against Mitt Romney. And it seems that Mr. McMurray got some on the spot positive feedback:
Here's the back story, we’re told that shortly after Crumb and Get It told Biden’s advance people 'no' — the secret service walked in and told Chris McMurray ''Thanks for standing up and saying 'no' — then they bought a whole bunch of cookies and cupcakes.