Tennessee's Progressive Report

Colbert run shows broken system

2007-11-01T16:20:00.000-04:00

The South Carolina Democratic Party announced today that Stephen Colbert will not be allowed on the primary ballot for the 2008 presidential race. Heartbreaking really.

Yesterday on his show, Colbert announced that he was unable to run as a Republican because of a $35,000 candidacy fee. Thats right... It costs a years salary just to put your name on the ballot. And now, after paying the more reasonible but still ridiculous $4,500 fee for the democratic primary, has been denied his right to run for President.

Colbert, who officially filed papers to get on the ballot this morning, lost a
roll call vote, 13-3.
Meanwhile, presidential long shots, Rep. Dennis
Kucinich and former Alaska Sen. Mike Gravel, made the cut.

I could almost guarantee that Colbert would outpoll Kucinich and Gravel combined. Its a sad day for South Carolina and for democracy.

Still pulling for him on the Unity '08 ticket.

I'll leave you with this:

Edwards blasts Colbert for ties to 'taco chip lobbyists'

2007-10-29T12:42:00.000-04:00

More Colbert goodness caught my eye this afternoon. This time coming from the CNN.com Political Ticker. Apparently the battle for the title of South Carolina's favorite son is getting dirty.

"What is more troubling than his quest for a status his own mother won't grant
him (favorite son) are his ties to the salty food industry," Wells said. "As the
candidate of Doritos, his hands are stained by corporate corruption and nacho
cheese. John Edwards has never taken a dime from taco chip lobbyists and America
deserves a President who isn't in the pocket of the snack food special
interests."

Will the mudslinging never end. Actually, I have a newfound respect for the Edwards campaign. Their response to Colbert's candidacy is hilarious. I've always been an Edward's fan (I voted for him in 2004 in the TN primary) but worried his time may have come and gone. If his speach writers can be just as clever talking about real issues as they are with faux press releases, he just may prove me wrong.

Colbert even has something to say to all his naysayers:

"I am here not only to accept the honor you have given me but to prove to
everyone that this campaign is real," Colbert said. "To put an end to the
vicious rumors that this is not a serious candidacy."

So there...

Colbert vs. Coulter (a comedic book report)

2007-10-25T18:07:00.000-04:00

I came across a really great KNS article I thought the blogosphere would enjoy. It shows the ironic hilarity that Stephen Colbert brings to current events when compared to the kind of crap Ann Coulter spews in her new book. Take a gander:

Colbert is by trade a political jokester, the court jester of talk TV. I might put Coulter down as a comedian as well, a card-carrying cuckoo clown, but others say she's a modern-day oracle, and that's nothing to laugh at. They both set out to enlighten, but the only things they actually have in common are a sharp tongue and first letter of their last name. Here are some takes from the two books: Coulter's "If Democrats Had Any Brains, They'd Be Republicans" and Colbert's "I Am America(And So Can You!)."

On the media:
Coulter: "Fox News isn't conservative (despite liberals repeating that to themselves over and over again). But it does promote something liberals fear more than anything other than the FBI being able to see the porn sites they've visited: debate. What really distinguishes Fox News is that prime-time lineup is predicated on conservatives and liberals debating, which regularly results in liberals being trounced."

Colbert: "The beauty of the new media is that no evidence is
necessary. The brave blog-troopers have stormed the cockpits of news, and wrested the joystick of authority away from the seasoned pilots of the press who would land our country at Facts International Airport. Now there's fresh blood at the controls, without any of the preconceived notions of the rudder-and-flaps crowd."

There's more...

On education:
Coulter: "People who have dedicated their lives to exposing lesbian imagery in 'Moby Dick' are more prevalent on the nation's campuses than serious scholars. The nation's colleges and universities have become a Safe Streets program for traitors and lunatics."

Colbert: "If there's a bigger contributor to left-wing brainwashing than colleges and universities, I'd like to see it. There's an old saying, 'A little knowledge is a dangerous thing.' Which means a lot of knowledge must be a really dangerous thing."

On religion:
Coulter: "It's becoming increasingly difficult to distinguish the pronouncements of the Episcopal Church from the latest Madonna videos... Liberals do not believe in God because they think they are God."

Colbert:
"Presbyterians are identical to Methodists except that one of them says 'debts' instead of 'trespasses' in the Lord's Prayer. Hundreds of years of bitter armed conflict has failed to resolve this difference. How many more lives must be lost?"

I recommend you check out the whole post. Thanks to Ina Hughes for the compilation.

If I didn't have the names in front of them I wouldn't know who to whom to give credit... Sad...

Return of the Stem Cells

2007-04-12T15:26:00.000-04:00

As most people already know, stem cell legislation is back. The first time this bill was sent to the Whitehouse, Bush used the first veto of his presidency. That was in September of 2006. Now, less than a year later, Bush may have to do it again!

The bill didn't have a veto proof majority, but an article in USA Today points out just how out of the mainstream the Bush policy really is:

Nearly two-thirds of the American public supports stem cell research, according to a CBS News poll in January. Six of the nine members of Congress running for president voted this year to lift the restrictions, including Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., in yesterday's vote.
In recent weeks, Bush's appointee to head the National Institutes of Health spoke against the president's position, saying the federal stem cell policy is no longer working. "It is in the best interest of our scientists, our science and our country that we find ways, that the nation finds a way to go full speed across adult and embryonic stem cells equally," Elias Zerhouni said at a Senate hearing March 19. "It's not possible for me to see how we can continue the momentum of science and research with the stem cell lines we have at NIH that can be funded."
Given all that, Democrats entered a floor debate over the past two days relishing the chance to paint Bush as badly out-of-step with both science and public opinion, while Republicans who support embryonic stem cell research were placed in the uncomfortable position of having to criticize their party's leader.

Sean Braisted points out that Tennessee's delegation split on the issue. Lamar Alexander supports the measure, but freshman senator Bob Corker voted against it.

Perhaps Bob Corker is a right wing nut afterall... and here I was thinking it was all an act.

Belated thoughts on Thompson

2007-04-12T15:09:00.000-04:00

Now that Fred Thompson's health has been called into question, let me be the millionth person to say, why would he make a good president?

The man is 64 years old, has lymphatic cancer (a disease that nearly claimed the life of this blogger's mom), and isn't exactly the model of healthy living. Lets face it, this guy could keal over any day now. If not from cancer, then a heart attack, or even old age.

I'm not being insensitive, but are Tennessee bloggers thinking this whole mess through? What happens if Thompson is elected? He almost surely be a one term president. Not only that, but when he loses in the primary, will some of his magic wear off. Isn't it better for Tennesseans to remember Thompson as the former senator and tv star instead of the failed presidential candidate?

The guy isn't even all that conservative... What do those on the right see in Thompson that they can't find in any of the other presidential candidates. Whats new? What's fresh? What's original?

Idiocracy Deuce

2007-04-12T14:37:00.000-04:00

***YAWN***

Me: Where am I? What happened?

Doctor: It's okay, you're safe... its the year 2007, April to me exact...

Me: But... how?

Doctor: You were put into cryogenic hibernation more than a month ago. You were awaken because the world needs your help.

Me: My help? What's happened...

Doctor: It turns out, watching the Fox News Channel will literally kill brain cells causing contagious retardation. Mr. Miller... you are now the smartest man on the planet!

Me: Oh my God... Doc, please answer me this one last question... I've been dying to know the answer... Surely you must know by now! Please, doctor, tell me... Who's Anna Nicole's baby daddy!!!

Alright, alright... I'm back! Took some time off because as it turns out, blogs can come up on background checks when looking for jobs, so I layed low for a bit, while on the job hunt. Now that I'm now willfully employed again, I can re-join the fray.

So? What did I miss? Imus is a douche... Strippers don't like lacrosse... Anna Nicole's baby doesn't stand a chance... anything else?

John Edwards/Nevada Dems shut out FOX

2007-03-10T14:07:00.000-05:00

Let me just be the millionth person to say, all Democrats should freeze out Fox News. Some may call unwise given the political climate and the fact that Fox is the most popular cable news network, but I say they brought it on themselves. There's only so much rightwing propaganda one country can handle.

Democrats have already all but shut out the talk radio circuit, its time to make the jump to tv. War means war and they decided to pick sides. And don't get me wrong, I'm a reasonable person... I watch cable news all the time and see MSNBC's Keith Olbermann chant on the left, and honestly I wish he'd shut the hell up... but he's the only one on that station that does it.

Every single Fox News analyst has a slant... every single one of them has an agenda. Fair and balanced has gone out the window. Working in TV I often wonder if its the News Directors with the slant, the producers, naturally the talent, or does it go all the way to the top. Do producers get promotions when they schedule an interview that reflects poorly on the left?

Allow me to get to the point of this entire post... John Edwards is the first Democratic candidate to jump ship on Fox News. They're out... shut down... frozen... out in the cold... at least for one debate... It ain't much but its a start.

Here's what the campaign has to say. I'd normally just post a small segment, but the whole letter is actually quite inspiring...

You may have heard by now that John Edwards was the first candidate to officially say no to the Fox News debate in Nevada—and because of the hard work of so many grassroots and netroots Democrats, news is breaking tonight that Fox is out.

Fox has already started striking back at John for saying no. (There's a surprise—Fox attacking a Democrat.) Last night, Roger Ailes—the life-long Republican operative who is now Chairman of Fox News Channel—said that any candidate "who believes he can blacklist any news organization is making a terrible mistake" and "runs a real risk of losing the voters."

And John's not their only target. Tonight Fox News Vice President David Rhodes is telling news organizations not to get involved in the Nevada Democratic Caucus because of "radical fringe" groups—meaning grassroots Democrats (that would be you)—who objected to Fox's long history of spreading Republican propaganda at the expense of Democratic leaders.

The whole right wing is getting in on the attack; the Drudge Report is blaring the headline: "War! Dems Pull Out of Fox News Debate."

Enough is enough. It's time to send a clear message to Fox News and their allies that their right-wing talking points and temper tantrums won't go unchallenged anymore—when it comes to what Democrats should do in the Democratic primary, we'll decide—no matter what they report:

http://johnedwards.com/r/7157/840472/

Fox News has already proven they have no intention of providing "fair and balanced" coverage of any Democrat in this election.

In recent weeks they have run blatant lies about Senator Obama's background. And Fox was only too happy to give Ann Coulter a platform to spew more hate a few days after her bigoted attack on Senator Edwards and the gay community.

Now it's time for Democrats to stand together and send a clear message to Roger Ailes, Fox News and all the rest of them: bias isn't balance, but turning tables is fair:

http://johnedwards.com/r/7159/840472/

The truth is, Fox News can "report" whatever they want. And when it works for us, we'll deal with them on our terms. But this campaign is about responsibility and accountability, and we need to send the message to Fox that if they want to be the corporate mouthpiece of the Republican Party more than they want to be an impartial news outlet, they shouldn't expect Democrats to play along.

You can send that message by contributing today, and remind Fox News that in this election, Democrats won't take their spin lying down:

http://johnedwards.com/r/7161/840472/

Thank you for standing up for what we believe in.

Jonathan Prince
Deputy Campaign Manager
John Edwards for President

Ann Coulter is a bitch...

2007-03-03T13:12:00.000-05:00

What? You wanted a more creative title. I prefer simple and to the point.

As most people probably already know, Ann Coulter took her crackpipe conservatism one step further by calling John Edwards a faggot. If you don't believe me, Kleinheider found it on YouTube.

I've come to expect ridiculousness from Ann Coulter, but who in the hell were the people in the background roaring their approval. Is this really the Republican party? Has it come to this?

John Edwards sent out an e-mail today calling for Democrats to rally around him in his effort to battle radical conservo-fascism (I coined it... Eat it Colbert!):

Did you hear about Anne Coulter's speech this afternoon attacking John? A friend just forwarded me the video and it's one of the worst moments in American politics I've seen.

I can't bring myself to even repeat her comments. Her shameless display of bigotry is so outrageous you actually have to see for yourself to believe it.

This is just a taste of the filth that the right-wing machine is gearing up to throw at us. And now that it's begun, we have a choice: Do we sit back, or do we fight back?

I say we fight. Help us raise $100,000 in "Coulter Cash" this week to show every would-be Republican mouthpiece that their bigoted attacks will not intimidate this campaign. I just threw in 100 bucks. Will you join me? Just click here.

Coulter's attack was no accident. It happened on national television at one of the year's biggest conservative conferences. Dick Cheney and most of the Republican candidates were in the audience. She was even introduced by Mitt Romney.

John was singled out for a personal attack because the Republican establishment knows he poses the greatest threat to their power. Since they have nothing real to use against him, Coulter's resorting to the classic right-wing strategy of riling up hate to smear a progressive champion. And the Republican attack dogs will keep playing this despicable trick as long as they think it works.

But this time, you and I can change the game.

If we can raise $100,000 in "Coulter Cash" this week, we can show that bigotry will only backfire on those who use it. John is not the first progressive leader to face this kind of slime, but together, we can make sure he is one of the last.

Coulter Cash? I love it... sure its a lame fundraising ploy but the ability to make light of Coulter's slurs and use it to your advantage is great politics.

Thanks Ann... it seems you're good for something afterall...

Duncan, Blackburn support Romney

2007-03-03T11:43:00.000-05:00

There was speculation earlier this week that Knoxville Representative Jimmy Duncan was "supporting" if not "endorsing" Mitt Romney for President. According to the News Sentinel this is rumor no more:

Can a Mormon from Massachusetts carry Tennessee and become the next U.S. president?
Two of Tennessee's U.S. House members, John J. Duncan Jr. and Marsha Blackburn, hope so. They are backing him as the best pick among the known Republican candidates.

In interviews, both praised his record as governor of Massachusetts for four years, ending in January, managing the state operations without raising taxes.

Duncan, a Knoxville Republican, said he met Mitt Romney about a month ago and found him articulate and with good answers to various questions.

"That's a really difficult thing for a fairly conservative Republican to be governor of a liberal Democratic state like Massachusetts," Duncan said.

Honestly, if the Democratic party has to lose in 2008, progressives couldn't have a better ally on domestic issues than Mitt Romney. The guy is as liberal as any Tennessee Democrat, he's just a Republican because he's more conservative than most of Massachusettes.

I hear many progressives saying Rudy Guiliani is a good progressive Republican candidate, but Rudy's hawkish tendancies scare me. On all other matters Guiliani is a great candidate, but the elephant in the room is foreign policy and this guy wouldn't think twice about mopping up Iraq and moving on to Iran. We don't need another gunslinger in the oval office.

One thing to Republicans do have going for them are vibrant characters. Everyone on the Democratic side seem so stale and rehearsed. Hillary Clinton couldn't buy my vote. John Edwards' message is so old it needs a walker. Barack Obama is a "black: man who's family owned slaves...seriously?

I think the Democrats best hope is Bill Richardson. Have you seen the creds on this guy? If he wasn't a Latino in this xenophobic era of American history, he'd be unstoppable. Sad, but true.

Frankly speaking, Terry is full of... U-235

2007-02-25T12:28:00.000-05:00

Knoxville seems to have no shortage of conservative wingnuts... If you thought Stacey Campfield was a loose cannon, let me introduce you to Terry Frank!

She's the conservative blogger that claimed to have an "exclusive" on enriched Uranium being found in Iraq. She was interviewed by Gene Patterson on Tennessee This Week on WATE which just aired (watch online), and says she has a source through Oak Ridge who hand delivered her unclassified documents proving that 1 million pounds of Uranium was found in Iraq. She has been repeatedly pressured to release the documents so that her fellow bloggers might read it and form their own opinions on what the documents mean.

Well, she claimed she was waiting to post the documents until she could speak with some members of the MSM. I suppose she's taking from Campfield's playbook by wanting to use this "exclusive" to whore the media (which she demonizes). Its pretty obvious that if she posted the documents on her website, there would be no reason to put her face on the TV (and thank God for that).

In an update, Frank posted this:

I made no claims as to a cause for war nor as a reason to stay. My article only offered up inventory tabs at one site alone and questioned why this information isn’t more widely discussed.

That's like me making an exclusive post like "Glenn Reynolds wears dresses", and then claiming that my post was not intended to prove that Reynolds was a cross-dresser, but simply to make the information widely available.

Terry Frank is a media whore... she still has not shown her evidence and her claims bear a striking resemblance to other published reports from a few years ago.

The bottom line is that, even if her claims are true, which they probably aren't, or they are severely exaggerated, it wouldn't mean anything. She herself proved that Saddam Hussein was not an imminent threat, had no weapons of mass destruction, and had zero capability to create any WMD's.

She wants to know why nobody cares if there was Uranium in Iraq? Because it changes nothing...

And by the way, why the hell would her source in Oak Ridge be priveledged to documents on material found in Iraq?

UPDATE: And she refers to herself in third person... CREEPY

ANOTHER UPDATE: Braisted actually beat me to the punch. He said basically everything I just did only he said it yesterday... thats what I get for venting before reading my blogroll.

2007-02-22T20:26:00.000-05:00

Well, if you ever wanted evidence that Fox News is not "fair and balanced" but instead intent on bashing democratic politics and politicians, look no further than Outfoxed: Rupert Murdoch's War on Journalism. I actually did a college report in my Media Ethics course on this film.

Well, that particular documentary is about 3 years old... Brittney links to an update on Fox's attempt to discredit Barack Obama.

(h/t Sharon Cobb)

I stopped watching Fox back in 1999. Their bloodlust over Bill Clinton's blowjob was too much for me to handle. Match that with Fox News being the first to name George W. Bush the next President, despite the fact that polls weren't closed and 2 states were WAY too close to call.

Then again, their one token liberal is Alan Colmes... no comment needed.

With conservative radio being their sole talent pool, its no wonder. Bill O'Reilly, Sean Hannity, Shepard Smith, and Brit Hume... its like a who's who of conservative hacks.

Republican hypocrisy knows no bounds

2007-02-22T15:58:00.000-05:00

Looking through my inbox this afternoon, I came across this release from the Tennessee Republican Party. They are claiming John Edwards is a hypocrite because he appeals to poor people, but is actually quite rich.

Are you serious? After bashing Democrats not 3 months ago for calling out Corker on all his money, the TNGOP wants to play the exact same card?

(Nashville) - Tennesseans welcome liberal Democrat presidential candidate John Edwards to Nashville today. Edwards, who has used class warfare in his bid for the presidency, will share more of his hypocritical insights into solving the poverty crisis in America.

"John Edwards forgot to bring substantive ideas to Nashville today, but he certainly remembered to pack a good dose of hypocrisy," said Tennessee Republican Party Chairman Bob Davis. "It must be easy for Edwards to champion his disingenuous 'man of the people' political rhetoric while enjoying the comforts of his multi-million dollar mansion."

Edwards' $4.2 million mansion – the most expensive house in Orange County, N.C. with five bedrooms, more than six bathrooms, a swimming pool, and basketball and racquetball courts – has many Americans questioning the candidate's continued record of hypocrisy.

"After repeatedly complaining that there are 'two Americas,' it is clear in which America John Edwards' and his 29,000-square-foot mansion resides," said Davis.

Yo, Bob Davis, you wanna know what the difference is? Edwards ain't dumping millions of dollars into his own campaign! Besides, I don't believe Edwards ever claimed to be a poor man.

The guy was the "son of a mill worker" who went to public school, a state university, and got his law degree. If you have a problem with this American dream, then you have a problem with Bob Corker.

Edwards is a populist. He lived in North Carolina, very similar economically and geographically to my home here in East Tennessee. The man wants to use government to help the lowest of the low so that more people can live the American dream that he has.

Tennesseans need a candidate like John Edwards. If Bob Davis, and other GOP hacks, want to play hardball here in Tennessee, they should pick on the woman or the black guy. Picking on the "everyman" like John Edwards won't fly.

Campfield on WATE tonight

2007-02-17T16:05:00.000-05:00

This afternoon Stacey Campfield came by the station and did a short interview on his bill to issue death certificates to aborted fetuses. It'll be on at 6pm tonight.

All the reporters were tied up, so low and behold, your's truly had to conduct the interview. Let me just say, there is a reason I took a job off camera...

All in all the interview went well. This was not the first time I had shaken hands with Campfield. I met him once while he was on the campaign trail. But, I must say, the man doesn't seem to match the politics.

It was weird, with us coming from two totally different points of view. I mean, I had to keep mine to myself... you know, journalistic "integrity". But I was struck at how likable the guy seemed. Like if he weren't lobbying for something as ridiculous as death certificates for lumps of cells, he might be someone to grab a beer with.

I know there are plenty of people in the blogosphere who spit on the name Campfield, and for the most part, I can understand that. I will never attempt to justify or condone grandstanding of this nature. But seeing the man behind the wild eyed ideas was different.

I guess I expected a Jerry Falwell character. Don't know why...

But Stacey seemed like some guy who genuinely cares about the abortion issue and wrote up a bill using something he thought would give aborted fetuses legitimacy as living beings.

He obviously didn't think it through, but he did answer one question (which may or may not air, so I'll post his response) about adding in measures to prevent the creation of a registry.

He said he would support an amendment to his bill, or another bill, that would take measures in protecting the identities of women who have abortions. Without these safeguards, the bill would surely fail... probably wouldn't even make it to a vote.

All in all, it was totally different than I expected. I genuinely expected to hate the guy. I expected him to open his mouth and spew hate, and I had prepared to return the favor. But that didn't happen at all...

This post is getting long and boring, so I may take a recess and come back with more, but if not, you get the point. Campfield is most likely a good guy, with bad ideas, and a position of power to put them into play.

For another example, see George W. Bush.

Senate resolution fails

2007-02-17T15:51:00.000-05:00

Actually, the vote to consider a vote on the resolution against the troop surge failed. The good news is that 7 Republicans joined with nearly all the Democrats. This from CNN:

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Senate Democrats failed to garner the necessary 60 votes they needed to consider a nonbinding resolution that opposes President Bush's plan to send more troops to Iraq.

The vote was 56-34, with seven Republicans crossing the aisle to vote with senators who oppose the troop buildup.

Sixty votes were needed for passage.

The Democratic-controlled House passed a nonbinding resolution Friday rebuking the plan to send 21,500 additional troops to Iraq.

"We are policing a civil war in Iraq," Sen. Charles Schumer, D-New York, said before the vote. "American troops should not be in the middle of that war."
He added, "The president's escalation is misguided, to put it kindly."

When you look at the vote count it means 2 Democrats voted against the resolution. I tried to get the vote tally but the Senate website had not updated yet. I'll post an update later.

"Wrong way on the Interstate"

2007-02-16T20:31:00.000-05:00

I had begun this post thinking I would highlight the votes of various members of the Tennessee Congressional delegation in regards to the troop surge resolution.

During my research I stumbled upon a speach given by the bravest conservative congressman in the country: my representative Jimmy Duncan.

As you may remember he was one of only 2 congressional republicans to vote against the initial invasion of Iraq. Here we are 4 years later and Congress is voting on a symbolic resolution opposing President Bush's recent troop surge.

Here's what Duncan had to say on February 14th:

To me our misadventure in Iraq is both unconstitutional and unaffordable. Some have said it was a mistake to start this war but that now that we are there we have to finish the job, and we cannot cut and run. Well, if you find out you are going the wrong way down the interstate, you do not keep going, you get off at the next exit.

There is no way, Mr. Speaker, we can keep all of our promises to our own people on Social Security, veterans’ benefits, and many other things in the years ahead if we keep trying to run the whole world.

As another columnist, Georgie Anne Geyer, wrote more than 3 years ago, Americans “will inevitably come to a point where they will see they have to have a government that provides services at home or one that seeks empire across the globe.”

[C]onservatives have traditionally been the strongest opponents to interventionist foreign policies that create so much resentment for us around the world.

[...]

Finally, Mr. Speaker, we need to tell all of these defense contractors that the time for this Iraq gravy train with its obscene profits is over.

It is certainly no criticism of our troops to say that this was a very unnecessary war. It has always been more about money and power and prestige than any real threat to us or to our people. And this war went against every traditional conservative position I have ever known.

It is time, Mr. Speaker, to bring our troops home.

I hope you take the time to read Duncan's speach in its entirety. (Also I'd love it if someone had recorded it on C-SPAN and put it on YouTube).

For those of you who are still wondering about the resolution and how your Congressman voted:

Yays--
Jimmy Duncan - 2nd District (R)
Lincoln Davis - 4th District (D)
Jim Cooper - 5th District (D)
Bart Gordon - 6th District(D)
John Tanner - 8th District (D)
Steve Cohen - 9th District (D)

Nays--
David Davis - 1st District (R)
Zach Wamp - 3rd District (R)
Marsh Blackburn - 7th District (R)

Another interesting tidbit -- Dennis Hastert didn't vote?

UPDATE:
Kleinheider has a statement from Lincoln Davis.
WBIR has an interview with Duncan.
Knoxviews also gives Duncan a pat on the back.

"Don't make heroes out of Warlocks"

2007-02-15T20:37:00.000-05:00

I stumbled upon this clip from Jesus Camp. It proves everything that is wrong with the religious right... They're crazy!

Now, I'll admit I'm a closet Harry Potter fan, so I'm a little biased, but come on.

"If Harry Potter were living in the Old Testament, he would be put to death."

Here's a little history lesson for ya there chief. So would you... for daring to stand up and speak in that tone of voice in a room full of men.

Women couldn't preach in 1st century Israel. I'm not sure why this gets me all irate, but the thought of ignorant people spewing more ignorance disguised as truth to kids is criminal.

The raping of the human intellect.

Joining the fray

2007-02-14T17:19:00.000-05:00

I know I'm coming in a few hours too late, but after reading about Campfield's ridiculous "death certificate" bill, it got me way too fired up to stay silent.

Surprisingly, after all that has been said about it, only one person has come even close to the real issue. Privacy...

If this bill is enacted, death certificates would be created for aborted fetuses. As many know, death certificates are public record. In an age when all state documents will be part of some database, its not unlikely that someday an employer will be able to hop online and search to see if a potential employee shares his/her pro-life viewpoint.

It just one more way to regulate morality. Until adoption is officially made a crime, we don't need to pave the way for abortion's equivalent to the sex offender registry.

UPDATE: After reading an update on Campfield's blog, he states that this would not create an abortion registry. He seems to forget that on every death certificate there is a place for a mother and a father's name. Technically, if the father of an aborted fetus is known, he could also be subject to unjust discrimination .

Freedom Engine worth every penny

2007-02-14T16:14:00.000-05:00

A little over 5 years ago the city of Knoxville, moved by the events of September 11th, raised money and donated a fire engine to the Fire Department of New York.

It was called the Freedom Engine, and while most people were glad to do anything to help the victims of 9/11, recently some people have questioned the need to donate a million dollar fire engine to the largest department in the country.

I wish I could find published outrage, but it has mostly come to my attention from a few people calling into the station after a several recent fires. One that scarred downtown Knoxville, one that claimed the lives of 4 children, and countless others that have taken homes and property.

Some had questioned whether or not these fires would have been better served if the money raised for FDNY had been spent here.

Well, let me put that to rest. The freedom engine, or FDNY Ladder 14, was used to rescue several children from a Harlem apartment fire. The fire fighters involved were honored for their bravery. The lives of those rescued children are worth far more than the 1 million bucks we spent for that engine.

Video here...

Laughing out Loud

2007-02-11T11:17:00.000-05:00

This could quite possibly be the best piece of journalism I have ever seen. Why don't stories like this ever fall in my lap. The hilarity of the situation just keeps going and going.

Wait for commercial then enjoy the madness:

UPDATE: Okay, I can't figure out why the video is off center, but if you full screen it, it works fine. Or just click the link up top. I swear... I gotta learn html.

Barack Obama live and streaming

2007-02-10T10:52:00.000-05:00

In just moments Barack Obama is expected to announce his intention to run for the Democratic nomination for President.

Yeah, yeah, we already knew he was running... This just makes it official. The campaign is producing a live video stream from his website right now... Check it out.

I'll have more on this event later.

UPDATE: And I've only got one word to describe it... Inspiring. I never thought I could vote for Obama. I mean, who the hell does he think he is. The guy is a freshman Senator from a under-reported state for a mere 2 years... what does he have to offer America. I'll tell you: HOPE.

It was truly amazing to hear the guy speak at length. I'd heard sound bites and fluff speeches from him, but never anything like I saw today.

I also had no idea he was such a populist. We're talking Roosevelt populist. But that seemed to work out okay for him. He called for the government to put broadband internet in inner cities and rural areas. He wants universal healthcare by 2012. He's the brown John Edwards minus the great hair.

I was also impressed with his lack of partisan bickering. He never mentioned Bush, Republicans, or Conservatives by name. Sure he said we've been suffering from a lack of leadership for the past 6 years, but I think at this point, even Bush would agree with that statement.

Finally, Obama made a believer out of at least one Democratic hold-out. I'm not saying I'm definately going to vote for the guy, but I'm no longer going to rule it out. And that's better than I can say for some of the other candidates... Hillary included.

This can't be legal

2007-02-09T16:51:00.000-05:00

ACK links to an article in the Tennessean where cops use, in my opinion, a very unethical approach to making arrests. I'll let you decide. Here's my comment on V2:

If I were a judge I would throw out all the charges on these people. Baiting suspects by fraudulent means can't be legal.

If a private company did this they would be under arrest.

I can justify baiting criminals by pretending to be a minor wanting sex, a dude buying drugs, or a husband trying to kill his wife, but in these cases you are actively committing a crime.

In this instance, the only crime is needing 200 bucks.

Do Conservatives hate Capitalism?

2007-02-08T22:23:00.000-05:00

The title of this post is mostly a joke... Afterall, conservatives can't hate capitalism. Its their only defense for attacking public schools, defending outsourcing, and promoting bilingualism... WHAT WHAT WHAT?

Bilingualism? That can't be right? Conservatives in Nashville just outlawed the damned thing. But isn't allowing Spanish to thrive in America the epitome of letting the free market work. Afterall, isn't it corporate America who is putting answering services in two languages, printing food menues in Spanish, and hiring immigrants from south of the border?

This is what has always baffeled me about the conservative agenda. It picks and chooses what is should and shouldn't be government regulated like rolling the dice in a casino.

Are you mad that you gotta push 1 for English when calling the credit card company. Its not the immigrants fault. There was no public outrage from the Hispanic community asking for these services. Corporate America realized that their was a major demographic in the US that would flock to a company that offered it. THAT'S CAPITALISM.

Instead of demanding the city speak only English, demand your local McDonald's stop putting "Lovin' It" in 8 different languanges all over their food wrappers.

Instead of whining about all those damned aliens speaking Spanish, stop to think what you're really mad about. Its not that in the privacy of their own home they speak Spanish. Its that businesses are ready to start providing services in Spanish... ***GASP***

Enough is enough... So in 20 years your kids may have to know a few words of Spanish. This would happen anyway unless the world is ready to declare a universal language. The planet is getting too small. If it wasn't Spanish it'd be German. If not German, Chinese... or French, or Japanese, or Arabic. Its just time to get over it... Let the free market work...

Why I hate living in the South

2007-02-08T16:24:00.000-05:00

What are we going to do about Nashville, eh? I typically tend to think Nashville is the happy medium between the crazy and corrupt Memphis and my ridiculously backwater home in Knoxville. Nashville seems to think it wasn't getting enough attention due to Knox County's Charter problems and Memphis's "Is Cohen Black" or "Another Ford is in trouble."

Well, Nashville couldn't have picked a more controversial issue, that's for sure. Hell, those idiot politicians in Nashville already took care of the gay marriage issue back in November. Looks like the city wants part of the immigration pie now.

If you've not been following this, the Nashville city council voted to make English the official language of the city. Nevermind the fact that it already was...

Other bloggers have run this into the ground, but something on V2 pissed me off enough to post about it:

It seems to me that the opposition to this bill is about nothing more than public relations. It is about sales. The tourism industry and the development industry does not want to be put in the spot of having to sell a backwater, intolerant, anti-immigrant Nashville. Just like the elite in South Carolina did not want to sell a state that embraced the Confederate flag, neither does our elite want to sell an English-Only Nashville.

This is not about tolerance, this is about money. This is about public perception. Sure, this bill is symbolic. So, is the Confederate Flag. Symbols are important -- that is why they are attacked. They give people and cultures a sense of self, a sense of who they are and what they are about.

The City Paper asserts that the bill does not "does not paint an accurate picture about the sensibilities and spirit of Nashville." Really? Send the bill up as a referendum, let the people vote, and then tell me that. This bill paints very much an accurate picture of the people and the feelings of the people who live in Nashville.

Oh, I apologize Mr. Kleinheider for not wanting Tennessee to look like a bunch of ignorant rednecks. This is where democracy pisses me off. Call me a liberal elitist all you want, but the majority of Tennesseans, nay Southerners, nay Americans, are wrong on this issue.

Go ahead, put it to a vote... it will pass with the same percentage as the gay marriage bill. And what does this mean... that Tennesseans, as a whole, are assholes.

Maybe the metro council really did have a benevolent intent for this bill. But, instead of making it the official language, why not set up free "English as a second language" schools if you are truly trying to promote assimilation.

This is simply a handout to the ultra-conservative backwater rednecks that make up the voter base in Tennessee. I've always known the South wasn't for me. Afterall, how can I have a conversation with neighbors, co-workers, or acquaintances when most of the time the only defense any of them have for holding a belief is that the Bible says so. Or maybe they rattle off the bullshit excuses politicians they vote for say like "They're taking our jobs". Our jobs are going overseas, not being taken by Pablo and Maria.

I fear for children growing up in a society like this. Its like Jim Crow for brown people. Its a new kind of state sanctioned racism and xenophobia.

Knoxville's favorite QB gets a shot at a championship

2007-02-04T11:17:00.000-05:00

Well, it may be about 9 years too late, but at least Peyton Manning is finally getting his shot at the title.

I really felt bad for the guy when the year after one of the greatest quarterbacks to ever come out of Tennessee leaves, a much less qualified T Martin gets to wear the National Championship ring.

But that old thing can't possibly compare to a Super Bowl ring. Do it for us, Peyton!

(Cartoon by Charlie Daniel)

Finally a minimum wage agreement

2007-02-01T18:32:00.000-05:00

According to the AP, the US Senate has finally passed the minimum wage bill. But, since the tax breaks the Senate gave to businesses wasn't in the House bill, its possible some of the breaks will be removed. We can only hope.

While I'm not against small businesses, I am with Edward Kennedy when he asked why these amendments couldn't be added to another bill, which would pave the way for a clean mimimum wage bill designed to help those stuck in poverty.

I don't know too many small business owners below the poverty line, so if you ask me, their precious tax breaks can wait.

Anyway, here's the full AP story... make up your own mind.

CAPITOL HILL (AP) - The Senate has voted to raise the minimum
wage by more than two dollars, to seven-25 an hour.
The vote was 94-to-three on the bill, which includes eight (b)
billion dollars in tax breaks to ease the impact on small
businesses.
Senator Edward Kennedy called the increase "a small but
necessary step" to helping the working poor escape poverty.
Republicans stressed the importance of the business tax breaks in
the bill, though smaller than they previously had sought.
Wyoming Senator Mike Enzi (EHN'-zee) says those breaks help show
"that small businesses have been the steady engine of our growing
economy."
But those tax breaks are not part of the bill approved by the
House.
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid has indicated some of those
breaks could be stripped from the final bill.

(Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

I'm going to end this post with a little Democrat bragging... Looky what we can do!!!

Hillary the little song bird

2007-01-28T08:18:00.000-05:00

I'm going to get alot of flack from my fellow progressives about this post, but good God... One listen and you'll be singing the national anthem and smiling all day long.

Thanks to Wes Comer for exploiting this little jewel:

Poor little tone deaf Hillary. At least we know she won't be going on any late night talk shows and showing off her repertoire of show tunes. Maybe she can play the sax...

Bredesen calls for tougher public school curriculum

2007-01-27T13:17:00.000-05:00

Way to go governor... Tennessee public education is in serious need of reform. Unlike some of my Republican counterparts, I am a firm believer in public education, but I do recognize that our current curriculum is leaving students unprepared for the workforce or college.

NASHVILLE (AP) -- Governor Bredesen has asked state education officials to develop a more rigorous curriculum for public schools and implement it next year.

Plans call for having the new curriculum drafted by July. The Legislature will be asked to approve it during the current session.

Bredesen wants to bring Tennessee in line with the American Diploma Project, a national effort to assure that high school graduates are prepared for careers or college.

He has charged Education Commissioner Lana Seivers with bringing Tennessee into the fold.

A state Board of Education task force is already looking into curriculum changes.

The panel has proposed a core curriculum for high school that includes four credits of upper-level math, three science credits and two credits of foreign language.

The current requirement is three in math, two in science and no required foreign language.

I'm happy to see more emphasis put on math and science. Tennessee has been left in the dust compared to other states' curriculum.

For example, my family moved to Tennessee during my first year of high school. I had attended a magnet school in Montgomery, AL (although it was a magnet school, we're still talking Alabama public schools... not something to be proud of) but when I started my first day in the Hamblen County school system I was already a full 2 years ahead in my classes.

I would have hoped to skip those classes I'd already taken, but the way my high school worked was that if you couldn't skip all the classes in a certain grade, you couldn't skip any of them. Low and behold, Tennessee History (you remember that ridiculous class, don't you) held me back.

I say this not to brag or to bash Tennessee public education, but come on... Public education should promote the learning process, not hold it back with red tape.

I hope the Governor will continue his quest to better Tennessee schools. The answer is not vouchers, private schools, or home schools. Those only serve to shelter children from the real world. My high school experience was one of the reason I became a progressive. (This will be used by some conservative pundit someday). By being in such an eclectic learning environment, my education went beyond books to lessons in race, culture, religion, politics, class warfare, and the like.

Private schools and especially home schools only introduce children to a single lifestyle, viewpoint, or worldview. Perfect for you conservatives who don't want their precious sons and daughters influenced by those kids without daddies.

Why won't Republicans work for Americans

2007-01-26T16:04:00.000-05:00

TNGW are fired up about the blatant disregard for America's working class. I'm talking about how the Republicans managed to suck the life out of the minimum wage bill. Now, as a moderate I'm not a huge Senator Kennedy fan, but AMEN this this:

(h/t Geiger)

It seems to me that Republicans simply don't care about the American working class. How can they in good conscience defeat a bill that has the potential to lift thousands of families out of poverty?

God must hate me

2007-01-24T18:10:00.000-05:00

Well, here I am... Its been nearly a month since my last post and I've not done any serious blogging since the election, but I do have a few really good excuses. Forgive me if I ramble but I feel I owe an explanation to alot of the friends I've made through blogging.

Where should I start? Perhaps with my newest let down. Last week I got fired from my job at WATE. Fired may be too strong a word. Layed off will suffice, but if you loved your job like I did, it was just a huge slap in the face. I work the nightside assignment desk here at the ABC affiliate in Knoxville, and last Wednesday my news director called me into his office and told me my position was being eliminated do to budget cuts.

I didn't really believe this at first, thinking it was a problem with how I did my job. But, I found out later that day that fellow Young Broadcasting station WKRN in Nashville was forced to fire a couple desk workers as well. Maybe Brit or ACK can confirm this.

Anyway, they wanted me to leave immediate to relieve budget pressure. Fortunately for me I had signed a contract saying they had to pay me for 30 days work whether they kept me around or not.

The news director decided to keep me on till the middle of February while I look for a job. Don't know why they wouldn't want a nightside desk person during Feb sweeps, but hell, I don't make the decisions.

To kind of smooth things over, they offered me the only open position in the newsroom. A part-time AP job.... yeah... going from a manager to a part-time AP doesn't sound like a good deal to me. But right now I'm desperate.

To make matters worse, when I came to WATE I left the NBC affiliate WBIR, ironically enough for a better position and pay. Not only that, but I turned down a producing job at the only other station in town WVLT in the process. Basically I've burned every bridge in Knoxville. If I wanna stay in the media I'm going to have to move.

That sucks, but an even weirder thing happened. Exactly a day after I got fired, my wife's position as a advertising salesperson at alternative magazine Metropulse was also eliminated. They weren't so kind to her and gave her only a week. So here we are, both out of work, and noway to pay bills or get insurance.

A happy, healthy couple probably could've made the transition with limited instability. But my wife and I have been on the rocks since we got married about 7 months ago. Hell, she had even handed me the divorce papers, I just never got the guts to sign them. I don't think I could handle having a big D next to my name at 24. Luckily, I held out and things got better. A lesson in patience if you ask me.

Whereas my wife and I would probably be searching for jobs away from each other, now we're a team again, and it feels good.

I say this because it taught me a lesson in how bad things can really get. As bad as losing my job and my marriage in the same month was, it could've been worse.

Not to say I handled it well. I was thrust into heavy alcoholism. Just ask my local bartender. Soon that no longer helped either and I just had to wake up and realize my life wasn't going to fix itself.

I'm not a real religious person to begin with, and I'm a firm believe that if you want a prayer answered, get off your ass do it yourself. The human will and strength never ceases to amaze me.

More on this later... comments are welcome and appreciated...

Merry friggin' Christmas

2006-12-25T10:22:00.000-05:00

Merry Christmas folks... enjoy!

Personal attacks make Campfield look like an ass... Oops!

2006-12-22T16:43:00.000-05:00

This post is in response to a post by State Rep. Stacey Campfield regarding 2 not-so-prominent citizens here in Knoxville.

The lump of coal award for this year has to go to Brian Connely and his wife. Brian as you may or may not know is the owner of the Looney left news rag Metro Pulse out of Knoxville.

[...]

Well what goes around has come around. The Conellys were pulled over and were arrested for PI and the misses for as I understand it, hindering the arrest. I guess the reason they were against Lumpy so much was, they thought if the police were out looking for a double murderer they would not have time to catch them on their drunken spree around town. I hear this is not their first run in with the law either.

You hear? Give me a break. This is the kind of post I'd expect from some political lackey, like myself, but definately not from my state representative.

Campfield goes as far as to post the mug shots of the 2 citizens in question. Again, something I'd expect from the MSM, but not from my state representative.

Lastly, Campfield proves time and time again that he has no desire to take the moral high ground. His posts lack character and integrity. Smart politicians pick fights with political enemies, but this attack is aimed a 2 people who have done nothing more than own a newspaper who's editorial staff endorsed his opponent (As did the KNS, if I remember correctly).

Campfield's holier-than-thou attitude has finally reached an annoying peak that I can no longer stay silent. I may just be some punk with a computer and alot of opinions, but Campfield just made a political enemy. Unluckily for him, I don't have any embarrassing mug shots floating around. I guess he'll have to use ideas. Tough concept, I know...

Terror victims can sue Iran

2006-12-22T13:29:00.000-05:00

Well, not exactly... their family members can. Explain to me how this works?

A federal judge in Washington has cleared the way for family members of 19 Americans killed in a terror attack in Saudi Arabia to sue the government of Iran.

How in the hell does an American judge rule that due to a terror attack in Saudi Arabia, the family can sue Iran?

These are 3 independent countries we're talking about here.

What court could possibly preside? If Iran is found guilty, what is the punishment? Who would enforce it?

Now, I admit I don't know much about international law, but I do know an American judge doesn't have jurisdiction overseas...

Bush stingy on pardons

2006-12-22T11:35:00.000-05:00

I don't believe it. Bush and I actually agree on something. Criminals deserve punishment... its a novel idea.

Seventeen minor criminals have gotten a pre-Christmas gift from President Bush.

Bush has issued 16 pardons and reduced the sentence of one person, for a total of 113 pardons and three commutations in his nearly six years in office.

That makes him one of the stingiest presidents for such federal forgiveness.

Six of the people who were pardoned had been convicted of drug crimes, while other offenses included mail fraud, bank fraud, lying on a loan application and conspiracy to defraud the government over taxes.

That's right... Bush is actually one of the stingiest presidents on pardons. Too bad he's not the stingiest on government spending, executive power, and desire to go to war.

But hell, we'll take what we can get...

State legislators get a pay raise

2006-12-21T15:42:00.000-05:00

I must admit that I am terribly torn by the news that our state legislators got a pay raise. I am torn because there are perfectly logical arguments on both sides for and against the pay raise.

For example, I believe it is ridiculous for our leaders to expect bi-annual raises when the minimum wage hasn't been increased in nearly a decade. I mean, who do these guys think they're working for?

On the other hand, part of the problem with politics is that only the rich can participate. A salary of just over $18,000 a year prevents most people from even considering public service. I know I wouldn't be able to pay my bills on that kind of money.

A salary matching the Tennessee median income seems fair enough. (Anybody with that figure? I've found household incomes but nothing for a single salary). An un-educated guess would probably put it somewhere around $23,000.

What I am trying to say is that such a low wage for state legislators means that only the rich can afford to hold public office. Most people I see as fit to run for office wouldn't be able to do it and keep their same standard of living.

So what are we doing to ourselves? Are we stopping the rich from getting richer by keeping their salary low, or are we clearing the way for fat cats to run unoppposed year after year?

Here's a fair compromise, raise the minimum wage and the legislators pay...

Bredesen wins legal fight over nominees

2006-12-14T17:34:00.000-05:00

At long last the Tennessee Chancery Court has released its decision regarding Bredesen's pick to fill the Tennessee Supreme Court. For those of you who need a refresher, Tennessee law states that when a vacancy arises in the state supreme court, it is up to the Governor and the Jucial Selection Committee to fill it.

Basically, the Governor gets a list of 3 possible nominees chosen by the committee. If none of those nominees meet his liking, he can reject them and get 3 more nominees that he must choose from.

However, the problem arose when one of the original nominees turned down the job. Bredesen rejected that panel on the grounds that having the lone black candidate withdraw created a lack of diversity on the panel, which he viewed as important.

Naturally, everyone on the committee screamed racism. The committee then went about choosing its next panel to present the governor. This time around they put one of the previous panelist on the new list.

Bredesen filed suit primarily due to the fact that the Judicial Selection Committee did not present him with 3 new candidates.

The court decided that the selection committee must choose 1 additional nominee from their pre-existing list of applicants.

I like the court's decision. While I disagree that race should even be considered in chooses justices, the fact is that the law states the Governor must give a reason he rejected the nominees, but it doesn't say it has to be a good reason.

He could put as his official reason for denying a given candidate, "I didn't like his haircut" and the selection committee would just have to take it.

Well played, Mr. Governor, well played...

UPDATE: The KNS and AP put it a little better than I could... and with half the words.

A Davidson County chancellor today ruled in favor of Gov. Phil Bredesen by blocking two rejected candidates from being reconsidered for the fifth and final seat on the state Supreme Court.
The governor, who sought a summary judgment from Davidson County Chancellor Ellen Hobbs Lyle, sued the Judicial Selection Commission because its most recent three-person panel of candidates included a nominee the governor had previously rejected.

Lincoln Davis gets new committee

2006-12-14T16:10:00.000-05:00

Democratic Representative Lincoln Davis sent out a press release about his brand new committee assignment. He seems pretty excited about it, but I almost fell asleep just reading the headline.

DAVIS NAMED TO FINANCIAL SERVICES COMMITTEE

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- U.S. Rep. Lincoln Davis has been named to the exclusive House Financial Services Committee by the Democratic Steering Committee.

Davis said Financial Services is a well regarded committee assignment with jurisdiction over the banking and insurance industry, Federal monetary policy, securities, housing, and international finance.

"I believe the Fourth District will be well served by this committee assignment," Davis said. "Financial Services' broad jurisdictional scope allows us to investigate the financing of terrorism, examine financial privacy issues, protect consumers of financial services, and monitor corporate governances to protect Americans from Enron type fiascos."

Davis said he sought the assignment because it offers a unique opportunity to work on consumer protection issues not offered in other committees.

"I believe our government's ability to protect its citizens is special," he said. "Serving on this committee will hopefully allow me to be a key figure in finding solutions to identity theft issues, reducing terrorist financed activities, and protecting Americans from corporate abuses."

Davis will be sworn in for a third term when the 110^th Congress convenes on January 4, 2007.

Oh well, I know all these financial and appropriations committees are important, but if I were a congressman, I'd be looking for the sexy committees to be on.

You know, the Intelligence Committee, Ways and Means Committee, Armed Services Committee... compared to those the Financial Committee looks downright comatose.

I'd also want to stay away from any committee that could be linked to higher taxes. If Davis wants to run for Governor someday, voting on a bill that would fund student loans but raise taxes would get you run off the ticket.

Alexander offered consolation prize

2006-12-13T21:07:00.000-05:00

In hopes of enticing Lamar Alexander to run for re-election in 2008, the GOP leadership is offering him a consolation prize.

Not as glamorous as Minority Whip but at least he can get his name out there. Afterall, if it weren't for his failed bid for the whip position, how many people outside the state of Tennessee could even tell you who Alexander was. Here' s the article:

AP Exclusive: Alexander to get key committee assignments

WASHINGTON (AP) - US Senator Lamar Alexander is getting key committee assignments in the new Congress.
According to The Associated Press, the move is designed to make sure the Tennessee Republican runs for re-election in 2008.
Alexander, a Republican in his first term, recently considered retiring from the Senate in 2008, but the new assignments make it nearly certain he will run again.
He's in line for the Environment and Public Works Committee and the Appropriations Committee, which controls the government's purse strings.
Alexander wants to be on the committee that oversees environmental matters in part because he is interested in clean-air issues. He previously introduced legislation that would limit pollution from power plants, including carbon emissions.
Sources spoke to The AP on the condition of anonymity because they did not want to get ahead of a pending announcement by incoming Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell about committee assignments.

I agree with the AP. This means Alexander has to run again. This also means Ford is out of the race. I suppose Tuke is going to be the democrats sacrificial lamb.

UPDATE: Well, we didn't have to wait long for official confirmation. A half an hour after the story hit the AP wires, the Alexander crew released this:

U.S. Senator Lamar Alexander (R-TN) will become the first Tennessee Republican ever to serve on the Senate's Appropriations Committee, widely considered to be its most powerful committee because of its jurisdiction over federal spending.

Congrats to the senior Senator from good ole' TN. Maybe his term will be more productive in its final 2 years than it was in the first 4.

Back to the Future

2006-12-10T10:27:00.000-05:00

Ever wonder what the future will be like. I've been thinking about it more and more. Will the final outcome look anything like we had hoped. If the past is any indication of the future, it probably won't.

Sorry to sound so cynical, but I was just flipping through some old posts at my old blog and stumbled on this little gem of scholarly work:

I am currently reading Deception Point by Dan Brown and it got me thinking. Whatever happend to the future we were promised? Back in the day, my roommates and I used to sit around and think about all the things that should be happening right now that aren't. Allow me to elaborate...

First of all, what breakthroughs of significant global interest have been achieved in the past 30 years. Of course, everyone's first rebuttal would be the creation of the internet and huge advances in medical sciences such as cloning and stem cell research. Although these things are great and have or will change the way we live, they fail to meet the one thing that I believe makes things monumental: tantilize the human imagination in ways never thought possible. Do you remember hearing stories from your parents and grandparents about the first moon landings. Governmental offices, schools, and businesses all stopped what they were doing in order to watch moon launches. We were promised tours of space, moon colonies, mars visits, and extra-stellar travel. Here we are 35 years a later and we've not even been back to the moon!

Also, the invention of the automobile was nearly 100 years ago. Although there have been advances in aerodynamics, speed, and efficiency the cars we drive today are virtually the same models first introduced in the 1900's! Where are the hover-cars, personal airplanes, and jetpacks we'd all be taking to school and work? It seems that once again technology hasn't quite kept up with our dreams.

Even the entertainment industry hasn't quite shot par in the past couple decades. For example, how many of you fellow Gen Xers remember the Power Glove for the regular Nintendo. It was a brilliant idea, the beginning of video games without controllers or buttons. The eventual product sucked but it was to open the doors for more advanced gaming. Next came the Nintendo Virtual Boy which only had about a dozen games made for it, but was the gateway to full fledged virtual reality. Completely virtual worlds that had no controllers except the human body...that was the dream! Where did that dream go? Even the latest X-Box 2 falls embarrassingly short when it comes to the "next generation of gaming."

But is there hope that the imagination might once again provide modern scientific marvels. Possibly, but this blogger has his doubts. Afterall, NASA refuses to launch manned missions to other planets, can't keep a shuttle intact to even orbit the Earth, and continues to spend billions of dollars on a space station nobody cares about. Our only hope for is the Chinese who still have the passion and imagination to surpass the 35 year old landmarks of the US and Russia. China is planning a manned moon mission for 2007 or 2008 and this may once again provide some initiative for space exploration.

As far as cars go, we've got to get away from gas powered vehicles. We've all experienced the rising gas prices, but what some people don't realize is that this is not a temporary trend. Best estimates state that the world will be completely devoid of oil in 35 years. Thats right... in the year 2040 there will not be any oil left for our SUVs (Whatever will we do?).

The true purpose of this post in to attack complacency in all aspects. There were days when men and women acted on completely unique ideas and came up with the very inventions we take for granted today. TV's, telephones, airplanes, and cars were completely original inventions. It seems that today we are stuck with standing on the shoulders of our predicesors. I hope to see more ingenuity from the next generation than I have in our own...

I wrote that about a year and a half ago. It rings even truer today. The degradation of our society is something that we should all take responsibility for.

So thats how much a Senate seat costs

2006-12-08T16:33:00.000-05:00

Well, the final numbers are in and it looks like Bob Corker's Senate campaign cost an unbelievable $18 million. This according to the Tennessean (although I found it at WBIR):

Corker's newly released report to the Federal Election Commission shows he raised more than $18.3 million to defeat Democrat Harold Ford Jr. in November.

That amount includes $4,165,000 the former Chattanooga mayor loaned his campaign committee. Corker has since forgiven all but $500,000.

Corker's campaign spent more than $17.9 million. The campaign has $71,000 in the bank and debts of more than $5.5 million.

Sickening isn't it. Although, in all fairness, Harold Ford probably spent about the same amount when all was said and done. I'm not sure of his official numbers but it wouldn't surprise me if it was somewhere in the $15 million range.

I'm appalled that campaigns are able to rake in that kind of money. But I suppose thats the going rate for a Senate seat. As a realist I must accept it, but as a human being I don't have to like it.

TBI issues AMBER ALERT

2006-12-07T17:47:00.000-05:00

UPDATE:

The TN Statewide AMBER Alert issued by the Gatlinburg Police Department has been canceled. At approximately 8:00 p.m. Central time, the TBI and the Gatlinburg Police Department were able to establish that Andrea Montoya is in the custody of her father who picked her up at the motel this afternoon without permission. The mother has communicated with the child, and has indicated that she does not believe the child to be in any physical danger.

For further information please contact the Gatlinburg Police Department at 865-436-5181

AMBER ALERT

Andrea Montoya
Age: 3
Sex: Female
Race: White
Hair: Brown Eyes: Brown
Height: 3'00"
Weight: 35lbs
Last seen wearing a purple coat and grey sweatpants
NIC# M906229164
Missing From: Gatlinburg, Tennessee
Missing Since: 12/07/2006

Details: The Gatlinburg Police Department has issued a Tennessee Statewide
AMBER Alert for Andrea Montoya. Andrea is a 3 year-old, white female. She has
light brown hair and brown eyes and is 3 feet tall and weighs 35 pounds. She was
last seen wearing a purple coat and gray jogging pants. Andrea was last seen at the
River Terrace Hotel in Gatlinburg, Tennessee at 2:45 p.m. Eastern Standard Time
in the hotel?s laundry room. Andrea is originally from the state of Florida and is
on vacation with her mother and grandmother. A newer model, white Jeep
Cherokee may be involved in the abduction. If you have seen Andrea please contact
the Gatlinburg Police Department at 1-865-436-5181 or the Tennessee Bureau of
Investigation at 1-800-TBI-FIND .

Gatlinburg Police Department
Detective W.H. Ogle
(865) 436-5181 or
1-800-TBI-FIND
Tennessee 12/07/2006

Corker chooses chief of staff

2006-12-07T15:27:00.000-05:00

Well, Corker won the Republican nomination for Tennessee's Senate seat in part because he wasn't a "Washington Insider" like former congressmen Hilleary and Bryant.

Ironically, the first thing Corker does is announce he looking for someone who knows their way around Washington... not an "insider" mind you. Just someone who knows the inner workings of national politics. Paleeease...

Anyway, the moment has finally arrived and Corker has chosen his chief of staff. Here's the Corky presser. Try not to laugh at all the grab assing:

Sen.-elect Corker Announces David Armand DeKeyser as Chief of Staff

DeKeyser Comes to Corker’s Office with Over 30 Years of Broad-Gauged Leadership Experience

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator-elect Bob Corker (R-TN) today announced that David Armand DeKeyser will serve as his Chief of Staff. DeKeyser, who was Sen. Jeff Sessions’ (R-AL) Chief of Staff for eight years, comes to Corker’s office with over 30 years of leadership experience in local, state and federal government as well as the military and private sectors.

“Armand DeKeyser is a proven, experienced leader, and I’m delighted that he has agreed to head our Senate staff,” Corker said. “He will play an integral role in forming and managing our team, and making sure that every day we are committed to serving and representing the people of Tennessee.”

“Senator-elect Bob Corker is a focused, intelligent and committed leader who will represent all of Tennessee with great distinction,” DeKeyser said. “I am honored to be leading his team and looking forward to serving him and the citizens of Tennessee.”

Following six years of active duty as an Army Transportation Officer, DeKeyser worked in his family’s wholesale seafood business. He went on to work in the mayor’s office in his hometown, Mobile, Alabama. DeKeyser remained a Reserve Army Officer until 2000 and was Assistant Operations Officer for two ports in Saudi Arabia during Operation Desert Storm. He served as Chief Administrative Officer for the Alabama Attorney General’s office in the late 1990s, and then as Sessions’ Chief of Staff from 1997-2005. He is currently Executive Director of Government Relations at Kilpatrick Stockton, LLP.

DeKeyser, 56, is a graduate of Auburn University. He and his wife Beverly, an educator, have two grown sons, Phillip and David.

Not sure if this is the "insider" Corky was looking for. I assumed he would pull someone from Frist's or Alexander's staff, not some guy from Alabama.

But maybe it'll work out for him. Then again, maybe he'll have to have Tom Ingram bail him out again... he's never done well without someone holding his hand.

Rumsfeld the war criminal

2006-12-06T17:30:00.000-05:00

That was my inspiration for this picture...

Now that Rumsfeld is gone, will former tortured detainees who've been found innocent or never charged and released start looking to return the favor.

If so, I've got 1000 shares of Halliburton stock that says Bush will acquit him.

Come folks, play along... what would you dress Rummy up to do after retirement?

(h/t Kleinheider)

Hello, my name is Matt and I'm a recovering romantic.

2006-12-03T11:16:00.000-05:00

UPDATE: I knew I shouldn't have posted in the middle of a bad day, in the middle of a bad week... Looks like it got me in a little bit of trouble over at NiT. No worries though, I've been called worse before and I'll be called worse again. But, I did decide to take down the negative part of my rant simply because it was a mistake. Thanks to those with kind words and good advice though. Apparently having a bad day isn't allowed in Nashville, but I'm happy to see its okay for the rest of us...

After reflecting on Sharon Cobb's rant and re-watching the movie "Hitch" I started to think about how ridiculous dating life is. I don't have the right words to describe it so I'll let Vince Vaughn do the talking:

Don't be a Dick...

2006-12-03T10:45:00.000-05:00

In one of the most entertaining posts I've read this year, yes the whole year, Sharon Cobb describes her most recent love connection. I won't spoil everything, so be sure to read the whole thing, but consider this an appetizer:

Dick:"What are you taking?"
Me:" Xanax"
Dick: "Cool. I want you to be relaxed."
Then Dick pulls out his own medicine bottle.
Dick:(pointing proudly to his bottle) Viagra!
He opened the bottle and took one.
Dick: "So what do you say we skip the movie and head back to your place?"
Me: " Uh, no. I'm all up for skipping the movie, and I'd love to head back to my place, but alone."
Dick: "Don't play coy with me."
Me: "Huh?"
Dick: "I know you're a wildcat."
Me: "Excuse me???"
Dick: "Yeah. So and so (name omitted to protect the guilty)told me about you and him and how you two did it in every restaurant, car and movie when you two dated."
Me: "That was a hundred years ago! I'm nothing like that!"
Dick:"You're not?" That's too bad. You sure you don't want to..."
Me: (to waitress) May we please have the check?"
Dick: "So, the viagra is kicking in."
Me: "Excuse me a moment."

Dick... teach me to be as smooth as that. I mean, it takes some major balls, Dick, to pull out the viagra in front of your FIRST date.

Neo-conservatives lose their candidate

2006-11-29T16:00:00.000-05:00

Well, the blogosphere's been talking about it since November 8th, but a short 3 weeks later, its official. Bill Frist won't run for President.

WASHINGTON (AP) - Doctor-turned-politician Bill Frist won't be making a White House run.
The outgoing Senate Majority Leader says he wants to take what he calls a "sabbatical from public life." The move effectively ends his political career, at least for the time being. Frist had promised to retire after two terms, and the second is just about up.

So long Mr. Frist. We will miss you-- in that sick "you're always an easy target" sorta way.

But, what next. Frist could run for Governor of Tennessee or mayor of Nashville... and lose... Or become a lobbyist, which would be my guess.

Frist's decision also spells trouble for Neo-conservatives. You know, the 32% of the population that still thinks Bush is doing a good job. Who are these people anyway... and who would they vote for?

Looking down the list of possible GOP candidates, the right wingers are in a tough spot. The front-runners are the anti-Bush "Maverick" McCaine, Massachusettes Mormon Mitt Romney, and the most liberal RINO Rudy Guiliani.

George Allen and Bill Frist were the radical right's guys. Whats next?

I know... Bryant/Hilleary '08!

You'll shoot your eye out

2006-11-26T13:25:00.000-05:00

The never-ending gun debate continues this Sunday morning on WBIR. On Inside Tennessee Greg "Lumpy" Lambert, Tim Burchett, and Don Bosch (other guests were there but didn't speak the entire first 15 minutes of the show) faced off on the various incidents involving guns and elected officials.

As a refresher, both Lambert and Burchett are republicans lawmakers who pulled guns on burglars in the same week. Bosch is an well known attorney in Knoxville who tends to lean left on most issues.

The most thought provoking part of the discussion was when Bosch noted that most police do not recommend engaging suspects with firearms because criminals are much more willing to pull the trigger than the average gun owner.

Lambert said he gave the criminal an opportunity to surrender his weapon. Luckily for Lambert, the man was a slow draw. I doubt he would have thought twice about shooting Lambert. Especially now that he's a suspect in a murder in a Walgreens parking lot in north Knoxville.

The fact of the matter is, guns can give people in dangerous situations a false sense of security. Training in gun safety can only go so far.

Getting in the habit of pulling a gun on anyone who gets too close to you may scare off many would-be attackers. But it only takes one guy not threatened by your pea shooter. In these cases you're just going to piss off an already unstable criminal.

Interesting tidbit: Of the 34% of households with a gun, more than half are more likely to get the gun used against themselves or their family members than on a would-be criminal.

Dell Inspiron: RIP...

2006-11-12T16:52:00.000-05:00

Alright, as many of you might have noticed I've not been posting as regularly over the past week and a half. There a couple reasons for this:

First of all, my wife borrowed my laptop to finish some school work and accidentally dropped it, breaking the LCD screen. Something else is loose in there too, but I don't know what it is. So, in short I'm not able to use my home computer until I can save up the money to get it fixed or get a new one... not gonna happen anytime soon.

Secondly, I've been trying to post less from work. I kinda want to seperate my work life from blogging. As far as I know, my blog has been low-key enough not to draw much attention from my co-workers... and I'd like to keep it that way.

The last thing I need is to screw up and get fired because I was too busy blogging to do my actual job. And I definately don't want my bosses to cross-reference my posts to my work schedule.

So, alas, there will be many more posts to come, and I'm not going anywhere, but until I get the home PC situation worked out, it will be light blogging. I'll still post from work (like right now), but less often...

Oh, but at least I made it through the election. Once the election was over, my google hits diminished to next to nothing... its as if nobody wants to go to a political site two years away from an election...

We've been had by Haslam

2006-11-09T18:56:00.000-05:00

And they said Pilot was just a retailer and had no control over gas prices. You mind telling me why the Pilot next to my house is 8 cents more expensive than it nearest competitor and why the price of Pilot gas has gone up a dime since election day.

We got played like a drum, folks... I expect the price of gas to increase to about $2.50 by next month.

When it does, what will be the excuse, and will we still cling to the idea that Republicans don't control gas prices...

UPDATE: Knoxviews has a new poll you gotta check out. How much will gas prices go up?

Bredesen to run in '08?

2006-11-09T18:43:00.000-05:00

This AP article jumped out at me:

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - Governor Bredesen plans to hire a chief
of staff for his office in an effort to tighten operations there in
his second term.

Bredesen, a Democrat who was re-elected in a landslide on
Tuesday, said the new position will be responsible for overseeing
the governor's staff and for communicating with the Cabinet.

The chief of staff position will serve along with the existing
deputy governor.

Could this be a hint at a 2008 bid for president? The Chief of Staff position is typically first in line to claim the spot as campaign manager in a political bid.

Since he just got re-elected and won't run again, what would be the point in hiring a position that you've done without for 4 years?

Boy oh boy, I hope its true... we need you Bredesen...

Drum roll please...

2006-11-07T19:56:00.000-05:00

UPDATES --
2,189 of 2,330 precincts - 94 percent

x-Bob Corker, GOP 882,086 - 51 percent
Harold Ford, Dem 833,120 - 48 percent
Ed Choate, Ind 10,034 - 1 percent

Story of the hour:
AP calls race for Corker... probably accurate but I ain't giving up just yet
TPR calls VA-Sen for Webb by 3,000 votes
TPR math has the race down to a couple thousand voters. Ford will close gap with huge Shelby and Davidson wins.
Most East TN counties counted; Shelby County just 35% reporting
Corker wins Hamilton County by only 56-43

WINNERS:
Governor - Bredesen (D)
Amendment 1: YES

Polls are closing in East Tennessee in less than 10 minutes. After that, we should get early voting numbers in.

I'll try to keep a running post on all the new numbers. Unfortunately, my first priority is work, but during some down time I'll give you guys some updates.

Predictions:
Senate - Corker by 4
Governor - Bredesen by 35
Amendment 1 - Yes by 30
Amendment 2 - Yes by WHO CARES

We'll see if I'm right...

Do the East TN rain dance

2006-11-05T12:41:00.000-05:00

I posted yesterday on the rain forecast for Tuesday's election. If you're a Ford supporter, rain in East Tennessee may win you the election... and guess what... the forecast just keeps getting better.

Pull out your umbrellas and do a little rain dance in Knoxville, Chattanooga, and the Tri-cities.

Check out the latest:
Memphis - stay the sunny course

Nashville - some rain in the morning, all clear by afternoon

Chattanooga - more rain, baby

Knoxville - let it pour, let it pour...

Tri-cities - and just for fun lets see north-east TN... oops, more rain!

Now we've just got to let the votes fall as they may. That is if Memphis can get its act together... damn, that's a screwed up city. I lived there for 3 years... glad I got out.

There's hope despite latest polls

2006-11-05T11:05:00.000-05:00

Yeah, the Corker people released a new independent poll by Mason Dixon showing Ford down...*gulp* 12 points. Here's the presser:

Nashville—The forth independent poll released this week again shows U. S. Senate candidate Bob Corker leading in the Senate race with 50% or more of the vote and the clear momentum heading into Election Day. The new independent Mason Dixon Poll commissioned by the Chattanooga Times Free Press and the Memphis Commercial Appeal shows Corker leading with 50% of the vote and Ford sinking to 38%.

The Mason Dixon poll was taken November 1-3 has a 4 point margin of error. In early October, the same poll showed that the race was a dead heat with Corker leading 45 to Ford’s 43.

But don't lose heart... This came from Sean Braisted:

None of the public polls reflect the reality of the early vote. Nearly 800,000 people have cast actual votes in Tennessee but the public polls do not account for this. A poll that does not account for this reality does not reflect the fact of what is happening in the Senate race. These voters are not "likely voters." They are voters.

No candidate spends $2 million of his own money in the last week of the campaign to air six negative ads simultaneously if he believes he is leading by 8 points or more, which is what the Corker campaign has done. And no campaign that is poised to lose in a landslide attracts the kind of unprecedented enthusiasm that Harold Ford, Jr. is generating in his campaign stops - most recently to the Tri-Cities area.

National reporters who are aware of the internal polling of both parties and campaigns rate this race as a tossup. Just this week, Stu Rothernberg of the Rothenberg Report, Chris Cilizza and Dan Balz of the Washington Post, and Charlie Cook of the National Journal all agree the race is a tossup and too close to call heading into the final week.

These numbers are infuriating. Tuesday cannot come soon enough for this particular Blogger.

Here's to hoping Ford wins big...

Ted Haggard in Jesus Camp

2006-11-05T10:53:00.000-05:00

Pretty funny video of Ted Haggard in the documentary Jesus Camp. If those kids only knew the truth. Gays are bad, but gay massages... it don't get no better than that.

P.S. Who in the hell spends money on Meth, just to throw it away... he's lying.

God must really love Ford

2006-11-04T12:23:00.000-05:00

According to recent polls, Harold Ford Jr. is going to need a lot of help from above to be able to win the Tennessee Senate seat... But I've got some good news for my fellow Democrats. God is on our side... at least in Tennessee...

Take a look at Tuesday's weather forecast and it may bring a smile to your face. Everyone knows rain suppresses voter turnout. Lukewarm voters tend to stay home instead of braving the elements.

Here's a breakdown:
Memphis - all clear

Nashville - small chance of showers

Chattanooga - showers

Knoxville - even more showers

Granted, all these are extended forecasts and could change before Tuesday, but it definately looks like the farther east you live, the more rain you will get during voting time.

What this all means for the vote crunchers is that West and Middle voters will probably vote in higher numbers than Eastern voters. That's a huge advantage Ford.

Also, we've already established that Ford probably took the advantage in early voting. Regardless of what the polls are saying, don't count Harold out just yet.

A vote for Corker rewards GOP

2006-11-02T21:19:00.000-05:00

A vote for Bob Corker is a vote to reward the GOP for 6 years of inaction. Its also a vote to reward nasty political ads. How anyone could vote Republican in this election is beyond me, but that sentiment is particularly aimed at my fellow Tennesseans.

Just look at the ouright false and malicious ads put out by the RNC in the final weeks of the election. One had to be pulled and another is so outlandish it wouldn't run on a Tennessee TV station.

Is that the kind political action Tennessee wants to reward? I think not. The Metropulse editorial staff puts it best:

The only way that the electorate, which nearly unanimously condemns political attack ads and mud-slinging, will ever be able to force the assailants’ hands on the issue is by voting them down. In this instance, it is the Republicans who introduced the element of race into the campaign and whose attack was the most despicable.

Should Corker win because the race card was played, he’d have to be ashamed—not of himself, but of the elements in Republican power who initially told him to mind his own business when he asked that the ad be taken off the air.

Dragging up the past to the detriment of a whole state and region should be punishable at the polls. It’s too bad that a vote for Ford and racial acceptance has become a vote against Corker and intolerance, but it’s his party that brought race to the fore, and it’s been reprehensible enough that it should turn the tide in Ford’s favor.

We endorsed Ford anyway, partly because of the general air of negativity expressed in the early weeks of the Corker campaign, but we didn’t realize at the time that we were supporting a basic principle of the 21st century way of American life against one of the worst tenets of the 19th.

In another article in the same issue, Frank Cagle give his take:

I have argued that if you reward bad behavior, you get more of it. I still think so. If the Republicans sweep back into office you can forget any corrective action.

[...]

Dick Armey, former Republican Majority Leader, in this week’s Washington Post: “Republican lawmakers forgot the party’s principles, became enamored with power and position, and began putting politics over policy. Now, the Democrats are reaping the rewards of our neglect—and we have no one to blame but ourselves.”

I hope my conservative friends will take that to heart when voting this Tuesday. Harold Ford Jr. is a smart, honest, and charismatic candidate and will make a great Senator. He offers an alternative to faux Republicanism.

He's conservative enough for you, liberal enough for us... he's the very definition of a moderate candidate and the one thing this country doesn't need anymore of is extremists... on either side.

DSCC poll has Ford by 6

2006-11-02T16:21:00.000-05:00

From a DSCC presser:

New polling data out this afternoon from the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee (DSCC) shows Harold Ford Jr. leading Bob Corker by six points (46%-40%). In addition, the survey shows that Corker’s support has dropped six points in just three days. Hamilton Beattie & Staff conducted the survey among 600 likely voters statewide from October 31 to November 1. The margin of error was 4%

No links provided. It may be an internal, but at least its got Ford in the lead.

Kleinheider has more on this, and other recent polls...

Happy Birthday to me

2006-10-30T12:23:00.000-05:00

That's right, everyone's favorite liberal-to-moderate cyber-pundit is having a birthday. 24 years ago today, a woman whom I'd come to know as Mom, went through 16 hours of labor to pop out an 8 lb crying mess... and that mess... was me...

Kinda makes you cry, doesn't it.

I'm sipping my first beer at 12:30pm... at this rate I should be feeling "birthday-riffic" by about 3:00.

Oh, and by the way, disregard any other posts today... Its just the booze talking.

By the way, does anyone know when the firt bar opens up in Knoxville? Or anywhere in the state for that matter... ROAD TRIP!

Politics and the cell phone effect

2006-10-29T12:12:00.000-05:00

Rasmussen, SurveyUSA, Mason-Dixon... all polling services who use telephone interviews to guage public opinion on political issues. The pundits following the race for Tennessee senate have depended on the numbers being accurate and a fair breakdown of all Tennesseans.

But what happens when a large portion of the population is excluded from these polls? How could this skew the numbers?

I'm talking about young men and woman who don't own a landline telephone. Currently, pollsters do not contact people on their cell phones, so these voters are excluded from polling samples.

Typically, people who don't have a landline are young, possibly in college or recent graduates.

Now, I realize this is all a stretch, but could the younger, more energized, unpolled population tip the political scales in favor of the younger, more charismatic, Ford?

Me thinks its possible. Afterall, I'm one of those kids who only uses a cell phone (there's no point in paying for 2 phone services when one works just fine) and many of my peers are the same.

Carol Andrews is my hero...

2006-10-27T18:28:00.000-04:00

"Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned." That should be the title of this video. The TNGOP are claiming they were "manhandled" by Carol Andrews at a recent Ford event.

According to a TNGOP press release: Ford senior staffers were caught on tape using profanity and aggressively manhandling a young Republican staffer – all while Congressman Ford stood by watching idly.

That's right... a GOP camera-MAN was MAN-handled by CAROL ANDREWS! I don't think this warrants an apology from the Ford campaign. I think it warrants an apology from the Tennessee GOP for hiring such a girly-man...

Corker puts down payment on election...

2006-10-27T16:05:00.000-04:00

He hasn't quite bought the election just yet. He's simply put a $650,000 down payment on it.

Sean Braisted links to a Memphis Commerical Appeal article that shows Bob Corker further cheating the system. We have campaign finance laws for a reason, and the reason is to stop multi-millionaires from buying elections.

Bob Corker put another $650,000 of his own money into his U.S. Senate campaign Thursday in a strategic move that apparently assures he can outspend Harold Ford Jr. in the last days of the most expensive race in Tennessee history.
New financial disclosures filed by Republican Corker and Democrat Ford on Thursday show that total spending in the ongoing campaign has reached $38.7 million, including expenditures by outside groups trying to influence the election and candidates who lost in the primary.

Bob Corker is wrong for Tennessee in so many ways... this is just one more to add to the list.

Thanks Corky for giving my one more reason not to vote for you...

Getting ready for the final showdown...

2006-10-27T15:51:00.000-04:00

Live in Nashville... its the bout we've all been waiting for. Harold "I'm not black, its just a tan" Ford vs. Bob "I'm not short, its just the shoes" Corker.

Its almost here... Debate of Doom III only on Pay-Per-View, or C-SPAN. What are the two candidates doing to get ready?

I don't really know... Probably the same thing they've been doing since the beginning.

Bob Corker is working on his overly exaggerated southern twang and rehearsing his "I started a business with just $8,000" speach.

As for Ford, he's probably practicing his roundhouse to the face that Chuck Norris taught him...

I expect this debate to be bloody and brutal... No token hospitality... The guys just plain hate each other...

UPDATE: Michael Silence has some real advice for the candidates. Somehow I still believe giving Corker a roundhouse to the face will make him look more Senatorial.

Corker cheating campaign finance laws

2006-10-26T15:49:00.000-04:00

Its not illegal, but does scream manipulation... I'm talking about Bob Corker putting his campaign into debt so he can later bail it out by pouring in millions of his own money. The objective: to prevent Harold Ford Jr. from being able to compete financially.

Bob Corker pulled the same stunt during the primaries and is attempting to once again buy the election. The Corker campaign is out of money. Advertisers are demanding payment for TV and radio spots already purchased, but Corker is waiting to last available moment to write the check.

From the Knoxville News Sentinel:

The Ford campaign distributed copies of the fund-raising e-mail message to media Wednesday and said it shows Corker is "gaming" the campaign finance system.

Under federal law, when a person donates large sums of personal money to his or her campaign, a so-called "millionaire's amendment" or "millionaire's clause" requires that the opposing candidate be immediately notified within 24 hours.

The opponent is then allowed to collect bigger donations than usual to help make up the funding difference.

Jimmy Haslam, president and CEO of Pilot Travel Centers LLC and chairman of Corker's finance committee, asks in the e-mail message that Corker supporters find potential donors quickly so Corker can delay putting personal funds into the campaign.

Like I said... its not illegal, but Tennessee voters are about to let Bob "the real Tennessean" Corker spend more than $2 million of his own money to usurp the will of thousands of small donors.

Do you want a candidate in the Senate who's going to find loopholes and play games with our tax dollars the same way he's playing games with campaign finance laws?

Ford doesn't have $250 million dollars at his disposal. He's going to depend on each and every one of us to give a little.

TN Sen: Tied in SurveyUSA poll

2006-10-25T18:24:00.000-04:00

The latest SurveyUSA/WBIR poll shows Harold Ford Jr. and Bob Corker tied with 48% of the vote. I've spoken ill about this poll before so I'll keep my mouth shut...

Except that East Tennesseans made up 41% of the sampling... a full 15% more than West Tennessee.

I won't argue too hard because it shows the race closer than any SurveyUSA poll has before.

This race continues to remain close... get out and vote.

RNC ad officially pulled

2006-10-25T16:28:00.000-04:00

The Chattanooga Times Free-Press is announcing the RNC ad has officially been pulled. No doubt in response to the massive national media coverage it attracted.

The Republican National Committee is in the process of switching out a controversial ad featuring a white woman asking Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Harold Ford Jr. to call her.

Mike Costa, vice president and general manager of WTVC-TV 9, said the station has replaced the spot featuring the woman and replaced it with another RNC ad that claims Rep. Ford took money from “porn moguls” and “wants to give the abortion pill to our schoolchildren.”

What's worse is that the ad was replaced with an even less truthful ad... But the Corker campaign is still pleases with itself...

The Corker for Senate campaign today expressed gratification that, according to news reports that a controversial RNC ad is now off the air.

I'll get that new RNC ad so soon as possible...

UPDATE: Kleinheider comes through again with the video...

National media loves Ford Jr.

2006-10-24T18:43:00.000-04:00

The Tennessee Senate race is attracting the attention of practically every national news medium.

Just today, I opened up my mailbox to see my Newsweek waiting, Ford's face a-shinin'. Then I hopped down to U-T campus to see Ford appear on Hardball with Chris Matthews. After that I came home and popped on the tube to see every news network covering the ill-fated RNC "Harold, call me" ad.

But, on the downside, two new polls show Ford slipping in the polls. But all is well in the Ford camp... There is some good news. There are still plenty of undecided voters here in Tennessee, and polls show independent, undecided voters siding with Ford nearly 65% of the time.

This race will be close... the momentum has shifted, and late in the game, Republicans are "coming home". Voter turnout is key...

Here's what you can do to help... volunteer, donate, and bring everyone you know with you to the polls.

I've already voted, donated, and this Thursday morning I'll be volunteering here in Knoxville. I'll be making calls and doing all the stuff real staffers are too busy to do. I recommend you all do the same...

Guess who I voted for...

2006-10-23T14:21:00.000-04:00

This afternoon I voted... Since the big discussion recently has been who Glen Reynold's voted for, I want to take bets on who I voted for... just kidding...

But I did want earn my "moderate medal" by admitting I voted to re-elect Republican Jimmy Duncan to Congress. Bredesen and Ford were no brainers. As were the amendments... But I actually had to take a second a think about the congressional race.

He voted against allowing stem cell research, for making the Patriot Act permanent, and for banning flag burning. A very conservative voting record.

Then I thought about Iraq. He voted against going to war in Iraq and against linking Iraq to the war on terror. Pretty ballsy for a Republican.

The one thing I didn't know about Duncan when I was in the booth was hit vote against Net Neutrality... that may have swung my vote right there. No worries... he was my token Republican vote.

Also, I wanted to mention my voting experience... first of all, the line was soooo long. I was there for nearly 45 minutes... for EARLY voting!

I voted in Halls in north Knox County and when I asked the woman explaining the voting machines to the senior citizens in line why the line was so long, she said, "At least while you're waiting you don't have to worry about getting shot or bombed.."

To that, I replied, "Do I still get my finger in purple ink?" She didn't laugh... Not sure if she didn't get it, or if she didn't think it was funny...

The one detail that jumped out at me was that I was the only person under the age of 60 in line. I was like a celebrity... all the old folks wanted to talk to the young whipper-snapper in line to vote.

It wasn't my first time folks. It wasn't even my 5th time...

Ford on cover of Newsweek

2006-10-22T15:24:00.000-04:00

"Not You Daddy's Democrats". That's the headline on the newest edition of Newsweek featuring Harold Ford Jr. on the cover. Thanks to the Flypaper Theory for the screenshot...

Did you just hear that? That's the sound of Corker's momentum coming to a screeching halt.

If nothing else, it will reinvogorate the out-of-state donors. Corker is expected to open his own wallet in the next week, so Ford couldn't have timed this cover shoot any better.

This is free advertising at its best... Ford's name and face will appear in countless doctor's offices, waiting rooms, dental clinics, and law firm lobby's across Tennessee.

This may be the break Ford needed to overcome a week of bad news...

UPDATE: Newsweek on Air also has a great podcast discussing the TN Senate race at length...

AP touts Ford's centrist credentials

2006-10-22T12:48:00.000-04:00

The Associated Press has an good story on Harold Ford's gradual move towards the center of the political spectrum. I posted it on the WATE website instead of copy-and-pasting the whole thing here... but you know I can never resist quotations:

The 36-year-old has crafted a centrist image, taking positions on issues like federal spending, immigration and even abortion that may be more popular outside his district than within it.

Many think the election may hinge on whether Tennessee voters -- a majority of whom lean Republican in statewide elections -- believe Ford's moderate credentials are authentic, and not, as his opponent alleges, just a ploy to become more electable.

No matter how you look at it, Ford just isn't as liberal as Bob Corker would like him to be. He's already proven he's not afraid to stand up to both sides of the aisle (by running against Pelosi for minority leader in 2002 and nearly tackling a group of Republicans during the "cowards cut and run" fiasco last year).

Ford has run a flawless campaign (well maybe not flawless... I hated the "Lifestyles" ad he had out for a while, and the recent confrontation with Corker was dumb). If he loses its not because he's not been a good congressman or because he won't make a good senator.

If Ford loses its because of how he was born (which he had no control of). He was born black (strike 1), born into a corrupt family (strike 2), and born in a liberal city (strike 3)... if Tennesseans can look at the issues and not how Ford was born, he wins outright.

CNN/Time highlight TN Senate race

2006-10-21T14:29:00.000-04:00

The confrontation between Harold Ford Jr and Bob Corker made it on the front page of Drudge and CNN.com today. The CNN post is video only and paints the confrontation in a much more positive light than many others saw it.

Call it spin, liberal bias, creative editing, or whatever, but the media is focusing much more on the actual confrontation than on the context. If the raw video weren't available online, most people would think this was a Ford win. Regardless of what you thought of the stunt (the majority of feedback has been negative) it did grab national headlines...

Also, Time Magazine released an article entitled "The GOP Gets Nervous in Tennessee". Its not very long, so I recommend you hop on over and read the whole thing, but here's an excerpt:

How a junior Congressman with little name recognition in Tennessee beyond his native Memphis has managed to force the state's thoroughly entrenched Republicans into a panicked sweat is a testament to Republican overconfidence and Ford's charisma. Political observers say Republicans — and even some Democrats — were all too certain that no amount of support from national Democrats could convince conservative Tennesseans to send a young black candidate from a family tainted by political corruption to the Senate. Against all political wisdom and warnings that he was throwing money away, Ford, who had no primary opponents, launched his campaign in April, even while Corker and the other Republican primary candidates launched ugly attacks against each other.

At the end, it give a shout-out to Knoxville local Frank Cagle for his endorsement of Ford as a means to punish the Republicans in Washington...

In light of recent events, Ford needs something positive to talk about. A new poll showing him in the lead, another positive ad, or a big endorsement could do the trick.

Corker does seem to be gaining momentum... Ford needs Corker to screw up again, which isn't likely thanks to the revampings of Tom Ingram.

Ford needs a break... and alot of votes...

RNC pressured to pull another attack ad

2006-10-21T10:47:00.000-04:00

Well, for the second time in a couple weeks, the RNC is being asked to pull an attack ad aimed at Harold Ford Jr.

I mentioned the ad earlier (but mistakenly attributed it to the NRSC). The guys at Knoxviews have been following this ad from the beginning. Kleinheider also gives his two cents and posts the video seen above. (Thanks AC!)

The Knoxville News Sentinel has an article (via Commerical Appeal):

The Bob Corker campaign late Friday said it is asking the Republican National Committee to pull an ad in which an actress says she met Democrat Harold Ford Jr. at a "Playboy party" and later winks and says, "Harold, call me."
"The new RNC ad we have just seen on our local broadcast outlets is tacky, over the top and is not reflective of the kind of campaign we are running," said Tom Ingram, Corker's campaign chairman. "While we cannot legally communicate directly with the RNC regarding ads of this nature, we can certainly do so through the media."

I have to agree, that this ad crosses the line... but I also must agree it only helps Corker.

What I found most interesting was that this ad was released almost simultaneously with the Corker "Memphis man on the street" ad. I didn't think the RNC and the Corker people were allowed to interact.

Both ads look exactly alike and seem as if they might have even been shot on the same day. Was there some backdoor communicating involved? If so, was it legal?

Former Ford intern appears in Corker ad

2006-10-20T21:43:00.000-04:00

According to a commenter in a previous post, one of the men "on the street", was actually a former Harold Ford Jr. intern.

You have to admit the resemblance is striking if its not the same person.

The intern is question's name is Sean McLean and he served as a House intern during the summer of 2005.

If the Corker ad is correct (which has been called into question before) he is a Memphis native.

So the real question is, "Why would he turn his back on the very same Congressman who took him to Washington?"

I'd love to hear from McLean. Did he have a bad experience with Ford? Was he always a Republican, but had to work with Ford if he wanted an internship? Or, did he just sell out to be in a statewide TV ad.

Anyone have information on how these campaigns come up with the talent?

New NRSC ad made me laugh... at Corker

2006-10-20T19:34:00.000-04:00

I'm sure everyone has seen the "Memphis Man on the Street" ad put out by the Bob Corker campaign.

You know, the one that says "Whoa, he sure does look good on TV."

Well, an NRSC ad along the same line is running here in Knoxville is a little different. In fact it even goes as far as having a blonde woman say, "I met Harold Ford at the Playboy party." It then ends with the same woman mouthing "call me" while holding up an imaginary phone.

The YouTube version hits Ford on his life in DC, but this latest edition goes for the morality vote.

The ad actually made me laugh. It didn't make me dislike Ford, but it did make me think he'd be a fun guy to party with... and thats a powerful weapon. It gave Bush the presidency... twice...

BREAKING: Ford crashes Corker press conference

2006-10-20T14:42:00.000-04:00

Bob Corker is here at the station so I don't have much time to give all the details but expect an update very soon.

Here's something from the Corker campaign:

In a juvenile, non-Senatorial manner, Washington Congressman Harold Ford today crashed U.S. Senate candidate Bob Corker’s news conference at the Memphis airport

UPDATE: Apparently the confrontation was less interesting as originally reported. According to the Corker campaign, Bob was minutes away from a press conference explaining his new lobbying platform, when the Ford bus pulled into the same parking lot. Naturally, all the reporters and tv crews flocked over to Ford as he exited the bus.

Ford explained that Bob Corker was attempting to use his family for political gain, but disguising it as lobbying reform. Corker and Ford never got face to face, but according to witenesses, Corker looked pretty flustered at the stunt.

Ford of course came prepared. He said he was there to defend his family from Corker, who had previously promised not to involve them.

This little trick may have actually worked, as all the news outlets are focused more on the confrontation than on Corker's new lobbying ploy.

I'm waiting on an e-mail from Carol Andrews to get the Ford side. More later...

UPDATE II: Kleinheider has video (via WMC, in Memphis) showing the actual confrontation.

I contributed to a New Generation

2006-10-19T21:01:00.000-04:00

It wasn't much, but in light of Bob Corker's millions, I realized that just my vote may not be enough. I have a Harold Ford Jr. bumber sticker, a sign in my apartment window, and a blog dedicated to electing progressive politicians in Tennessee, but that too may not be enough...

That's why I decided to donate to the Ford for Tennessee campaign. I'm a recent college graduate. I work a low-paying job in television. My disposable income is nearly non-existant... I, like many Tennesseans, just didn't know how my little donation could help. Afterall, for me it was just $35. Thats all I can afford... compare that to Bob Corker's millions...

That's why I urge everyone, no matter your financial situation, to please donate a small amount to help Harold Ford Jr. become our next Senator.

The new generation of leadership doesn't come for free...

When Corker buys campaign, will KNS dump endorsement?

2006-10-19T20:17:00.000-04:00

Rumor has it, Bob Corker is going to dump another $2 million of his own money into his botched Senate campaign, just to pay existing bills...

Corker responded with a "we'll see" on Wednesday when asked if he would put more personal money into his U.S. Senate campaign.
The Ford campaign, on the other hand, says a self-funding Corker check is certain.

Powell, senior adviser to the Ford campaign, said research shows Corker's campaign has reserved $1.738 million in TV advertising plus $240,000 in radio ads, and money to cover them must be paid by the end of the week.
Corker reported earlier this week that his campaign had $497,583 cash on hand as of Sept. 30.

That's gotta make you wonder, "Could the average Tennessean buy a senate seat?" The answer is, of course, no... But that didn't stop the Knoxville News Sentinel from endorsing Bob Corker due to his "Tennessee lifestyle".

Will the KNS editorial staff eat their words when Corker dumps "emergency millions" into his campaign... Afterall, everyone is Tennessee has millions to blow when their candidacy can't attract anymore donors.

But as Kleinheider puts it: Corker's been through too much to let this slip through his fingers over a few million dollars.

Sheesh... you make it sound live a few million bucks can be found inbetween the couch cushions. In my entire lifetime, I will not make a few million dollars. (well maybe with inflation when I turn 100...)

New poll trouble for Ford

2006-10-19T19:52:00.000-04:00

The latest poll in the Tennessee senate race has Bob Corker leading by 7.4%. Others have written about this poll at length, but I wanted to point out that the Zogby Interactive poll has not been good to Harold Ford Jr..

In past ZI polls Ford has been behind anywhere from 6 points to 2 points, but never in the lead.

Compare this to other polls by Gallup, Rasmussen, and SurveyUSA... Each has Ford ahead by a few points, but never behind more than the margin of error.

That makes me wonder how Zogby gets these numbers. They are unable to release a sampling report because its done completely online.

Its my own experience that the online crowd here in Tennessee is fairly liberal... more moderate than conservative (but with those conservatives being raving lunatics).

So where do they get these people... these numbers? I hesitant to discredit this poll outright because I admit I'd probably being singing its praises had it found Ford up by 7, but this just seems insane.

Is the Zogby Interactive voter registry slanted right? Do the majority of those people with enough free time to participate in online polls come from the Republican side? What gives?

Early voting begins today

2006-10-18T11:53:00.000-04:00

Well, the time has finally arrived. Early voting is underway. There's no turning back now.

For Knox County early voting locations check out Knox Votes or this pdf.

For other voting locations accross the state check out these guys.

KNS wrong on Corker

2006-10-18T11:25:00.000-04:00

As expected the Knoxville News Sentinel endorses Bob Corker for senate. I have lost so much respect for the Sentinel...

I want to know just one thing Bob Corker offers the state of Tennessee...

It is largely on their differences in background - solid business experience and a Tennessee lifestyle - that we endorse Bob Corker.
Corker says his unsuccessful run for the Senate in 1994 - the year Frist defeated incumbent Sen. Jim Sasser - proved to be "about the best thing that ever happened to me." He remained in business as a construction contractor and developer, and he got to watch his children grow up. He also remained in Tennessee.

Thats it... Bob Corker will make a better senator because he lost his previous bid for the seat and because he never made it out of Tennessee.

Since when was going to a good college and law school a bad thing. Apparently the News Sentinel would rather Tennesseeans stay in-state, attend UT, MTSU, or Memphis, than actually set goals and achieve them.

This race is a no-brainer. Harold Ford Jr. will win on November 7th because he offers new ideas to better Tennessee and the country.

I guess the Editorial staff folded like a cheap deck of cards. How much you wanna bet Jimmy Haslam made a few intimidating phone calls on this one. The Haslams have always owned the KNS, but if voters listen to this piece of trash, they may also own the senate.

Ford wins Chattanooga TFP endorsement

2006-10-16T23:42:00.000-04:00

In a very unexpected endorsement, the Chattanooga Times Free Press endorses the candidacy of Harold Ford Jr..

According to Knoxviews and the Ford website, Ford has picked up the support of Chattanooga's mainstream newspaper.

Can Bob Corker not even win the endorsement of his hometown newspaper.

Rep. Ford’s most appealing attributes are his candor and his sensible, honest practicality. He sees an administration that has bloated the size of government, that traded cuts in core services for tax cuts for the wealthy elite, and that has recklessly waged a war on a credit-card philosophy — all without asking commensurate sacrifice by its citizens, or caring how its conduct undermines our future and national security in such myriad ways.

Like most citizens, Rep. Ford knows that’s neither right, nor sustainable. He seeks election to change direction. This page endorses his candidacy, and strongly urges his election.

I'm waiting to see the FTP article before I believe this, but if true its a massive slap in the face to former mayor Bob Corker.

Here's to a new generation of leadership...

Another attempt by Meet the Press

2006-10-16T16:20:00.000-04:00

I posted this information over the weekend, but so few people read blogs on Saturdays that I thought it best to repost it. If anyone has an update let me know. The original post can be found here...

This morning I had a chance to meet with Harold Ford Jr and several of his staffers. Ford was appearing on Tennessee This Week, a political show hosted by Gene Patterson, and after the show I had a small conversation with Carol Andrews.

[...]

Carol flippantly mentioned that Russert's staff had been contacting her in hopes of getting Ford and Corker on the show afterall. Apparently, since Ingram joined Corker's campaign, there is renewed interest in Meet the Press. Whereas Corker had originally declined the invitation, Ingram may be rethinking that position.

Carol said that Corker's staff may even agree to the invitation if the show is shot in Tennessee. That would mean Russert and the entire Meet the Press crew would have to meet Corker and Ford on the campaign trail. I guess its a "How bad do you really want this..." proposal.

Thanks to TimMorgan, guest-blogging at Nashville is Talking, for passing the info along...

Corker makeover goes online

2006-10-16T15:22:00.000-04:00

This morning the official campaign site for Republican Bob Corker has had a major makeover. This is long overdue...

Not sure it will help him much since many of the web-savvy voters in Tennessee have been following this campaign from the beginning and have already made up their minds about Corker.

Corker even changed his campaign slogan. Remember "conservative principles, positive results." Well Corker 2.0 is "solving complex problems with bold solutions."

Tom Ingram may know what he's doing, but all these changes so late in the game looks more like desperation than course-correction.

Just look at the front page. The text barely mentions Bob Corker and immediately rips into the "attractive young man whose total life experience is about Washington, politics, and perpetuating the Ford political machine."

It just goes to show you that you can't get back on message if you never had a message at all. Corker offers Tennessee nothing. He simply wants a fancy title to go with all his money.

The choice is simply... "Stay the course" or a "New generation of leadership."

Whitehouse tells Corker to play hardball

2006-10-15T13:58:00.000-04:00

The Washington Post has an article about how Bush and Rove are still optimistic about the GOP's chances in November, despite the downward spiral of nearly every Republican candidate facing viable Democratic opposition.

The article explains that the Whitehouse has focused much of its attention on Tennessee.

A key focus is Tennessee, central to GOP hopes of holding the Senate, where Republican Bob Corker is locked in an expectedly tight race with Rep. Harold E. Ford Jr. (D). Bush has visited there twice, and Republicans anticipate another visit from Bush and the first lady. White House officials have also pushed Corker to go after Ford more aggressively.

The first two Bush visits didn't seem to do much for Corker except fill is campaign pockets. I think he would've been better off just dumping in another $2 million of his own money and telling Bush to stay home...

Its interesting that Rove has his sights set on Tennessee. I've noticed the tactics of the Corker campaign getting sharper and dirtier... this may explain why.

All this will do, however, is prove Harold Ford's point that Bob Corker is the "stay the course" candidate. He's going to be a rubber stamp on the failed GOP agenda. Afterall, when has W ever brought in someone who might contradict him. He knows Corker's in his pocket...

TN Gov: Who cares...

2006-10-15T10:15:00.000-04:00

Seeing as this blog is supposed to be about all things involving Tennessee politics, I figured the final Tennessee Governor debate deserved a small write-up. But really who cares.

After watching the first 10 minutes of the debate, I turned the channel... Bredesen is going to mop the floor with Bryson, and Bryson seemed to know it. Alot of the air has been let out of Big Jim's sails since the last debate.

Thats probably because despite hanging with Bredesen through 3 debates, his poll numbers remain unchanged. He's not gaining ground and early voting starts on Wednesday...

Since I didn't watch the whole debate I'm not really at liberty to talk about it extensively. For those of you who are actually interested in what they had to say (and I don't know why you would) check out Sean Braisted's write up on it...

Has the NRSC abandoned Corker?

2006-10-15T08:39:00.000-04:00

According to a new DSCC press release, the National Republican Senatorial Committee will stop running ads for Bob Corker on October 19th. Here's the full text:

SENATE REPUBLICANS PULL OUT OF TENNESSEE

After Weeks Of Trying To Resuscitate Corker's Sagging Campaign, The National Republican Senatorial Committee Will Stop Running TV Ads This Week

After weeks of trying to resuscitate the sagging Corker campaign, the National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) will stop running TV ads for Bob Corker on October 19. Contrary to a Corker campaign release from earlier today, the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee (DSCC) will be up with ads on behalf of Harold Ford Jr. through Election Day, and has more advertising time reserved in Tennessee than the national GOP does.

"The Corker campaign is doing a great job to ensure that Bob Corker's credibility problems remain at the forefront of the Tennessee Senate race," DSCC spokesman Phil Singer said. "Instead of putting out misleading press releases, the Corker campaign should focus on making sure that their candidate does a better job of addressing his character problems."

These are the facts:

As of 10/19, the NRSC has no advertising time reserved on behalf of Bob Corker for the remainder of the election.

From now until Election Day, the DSCC has reserved more advertising time on behalf of Harold Ford Jr than the National Republicans have reserved on behalf of Bob Corker.

The NRSC presser mentioned above was sent earlier in the day claiming the DSCC isn't helping Harold Ford Jr. Here's a little from that one:

In more bad news for the Ford campaign today, an item in National Journal’s Hotline reports that the combined Democratic ad spending was even or greater than combined GOP spending in every major Senate race except one – Tennessee.

I'm glad the DSCC rebutted, and they used actual facts. Anyone in the TV business knows you can reserve ad time on pretty short notice, but the 19th is mere days away. Have the Republicans really lost faith in Corker?

UPDATE: Bill Hobbs discredits the DSCC release. His "sources" tell him its a scare tactic... yeah right...

UPDATE: Naturally, Blogging for Crocker...err...Corker has also attempted the disprove the DSCC presser. Honestly, only time will tell.

Also, thanks to R. Neal and Jeffraham Prestonian for being the only bloggers to give me credit for breaking this story. Its common courtesy folks. Even if you think your idea is original, at least check and see if it is. I always try to update later if I see another blogger beat me to the punch... If I don't, let me know... I know what it feels like to be a small fish in a big pond. Small-time bloggers need love too...

Corker may Meet the Press afterall

2006-10-14T13:31:00.000-04:00

This morning I had a chance to meet with Harold Ford Jr and several of his staffers. Ford was appearing on Tennessee This Week, a political show hosted by Gene Patterson, and after the show I had a small conversation with Carol Andrews.

I mentioned that it was unfortunate Knoxville did not have a debate scheduled for the two candidates. She said she regrets that Knoxville voters won't have the chance to see the two candidates together in person, and mentioned that WATE would have been the first debate of the campaign had the Corker folks not rejected it.

The conversation then went to Meet the Press, and Carol flippantly mentioned that Russert's staff had been contacting her in hopes of getting Ford and Corker on the show afterall. Apparently, since Ingram joined Corker's campaign, there is renewed interest in Meet the Press. Whereas Corker had originally declined the invitation, Ingram may be rethinking that position.

Carol mentioned that Corker's staff may even agree to the invitation if the show is shot in Tennessee. That would mean Russert and the entire Meet the Press crew would have to meet Corker and Ford on the campaign trail. I guess its a "How bad do you really want this..." proposal.

Even if Corker doesn't appear on Meet the Press, it shows the state of his campaign that he's going back on his original response and at least entertaining the idea of debating Ford nationally.

Props to Ingram if he can make this happen...

Reaction to Warner's drop-out

2006-10-14T12:34:00.000-04:00

A few days ago former Virginia Governor and possible Presidential candidate Mark Warner dropped out of the race for the Whitehouse.

If you are a regular visitor to this blog you've probably heard me mention Warner's name more than once. He may not be involved in Tennessee politics, but his Presidential aspirations got the attention of this blogger a few months after the 2004 election.

He had all the right credentials: moderate Democrat and southern Governorn. Same as Bill Clinton and Jimmy Carter (the last two successful democrats).

With all that said... Warner was my guy. After hearing about his accomplishments during Virginia's 2005 gubernatorial race (Warner was term-limited) I realized that Warner had what it takes to win not just the Democratic nomination, but also the general election.

And now I'm a democrat without a candidate. Since Warner dropped out, I've been searching the political landscape for an alternative, but none presents itself. I voted for Edwards during the 2004 Tennessee primary, but even he can't win against McCain or Guiliani.

That leaves me Clinton, Kerry, Gore, or Biden. None of them represent the new democratic party. I could vote for Wesley Clark, but I don't believe he's serious about running again.

I'm so disappointed in the list of possible democratic nominees that I'm considering starting a Draft Bredesen PAC, if one doesn't already exist.

The only way democrats will win in 2008 is if they choose a moderate southern Governor. A Senator hasn't won the presidency since JFK and the list of moderates (in either party) is getting shorter every day.

Please Phil... run for President after you trounce Bryson. Your country needs you. We won't survive another 4 years of Republican governance.

Playing doctor...

2006-10-14T11:25:00.000-04:00

I apologize for the lack of updates recently. My poor wife had to have surgery this week and I've been taking care of her. Between waking her up every 3 hours for medication, making sure she's not running a fever, bathing her every morning, spoon feeding her meals, and keeping her comfortable and relaxed, I've not had much free time at all...

I'll try to hit on a few things this afternoon, but until the woman recovers, posts will be sporadic at best. Sorry to my faithful readers (shout-out to mom), but taking care of Crystal has to be my first priority.

Sampling errors lead to Corker lead in poll

2006-10-11T15:39:00.000-04:00

As a poll junky, I tend to like it when more than just the percentage results are made available to the public. The latest Survey USA/WBIR poll does just that.

With information such as where the people questioned live can estimate just how "random" a given poll is.

Take a look at the sampling in the latest poll showing Bob Corker in the lead by 2 points. The most conservative region of the state represents 37% of the random sample. Compare that with 36% from middle Tennessee and a dismall 27% from the western part of the state, the most liberal part of Tennessee.

What does this mean? It could mean nothing. It could very be true that voters from the eastern and middle parts of the state vote during off year elections, and west tennessee voters stay at home. But I have been unable to find any evidence confirming or denying this.

However, in an election that has liberals motivated and conservatives staying home, I believe this sampling depends too much on East Tennessee making up 37% of the electorate.

This poll is also anomalous in the fact that Corker is winning West Tennessee. There is no other poll that shows West Tennessee even in play for the Republicans. I'm pulling the partisan card and discounting this poll outight...

Corker vs. Ford: And the winner is...

2006-10-10T20:11:00.000-04:00

Tonight's Senate debate between Corker and Ford was tame for the most part. In fact, I thought they were nearly tied until the last 10 minutes.

It was at that point that Corker, attempting to sound apologetic, threw Ford's family back into the debate. It was then that I thought Ford grabbed the upper hand. Corker came off looking petty and desperate, while Ford seized the moral high ground.

Harold Ford also seemed much more relaxed than he did in the previous debate. And Corker held his own... I found it odd how little Corker defended his party. Corker has been hammering away for weeks about Ford voting with Clinton, Reid, and Kennedy, but couldn't justify running for a seat in the Republican party.

Update: WATE has an online poll asking who you think won the debate... Right now the results are:

Harold Ford Jr: 80%
Bob Corker: 20%

I guess the pundits will call this one a tie too, even if the voters disagree...

TN Sen: Debate in Chattanooga

2006-10-10T18:36:00.000-04:00

There's less than a half an hour left until the 2nd Tennessee Senate debate between Democratic Congressman Harold Ford Jr. and Republican Bob Corker.

I'll try to post a few updates during the actual debate for those of you who can't get it on TV. Chattanooga viewers should tune into WTVC and Knoxville viewers can watch WATE or WBIR.

Debate blogging...

2006-10-09T13:32:00.000-04:00

Unfortunately I missed both the Senate and Gubernatorial debates this weekend. Neither were broadcast live here Knoxville, and I didn't find out until it was too late that WREG was working with C-SPAN until it was too late. Here's some people who did see it.

With that said, I plan on making the most out of the Chattanooga debate tomorrow night. WATE is going to be working with our Chattanooga affiliate in order to help the people of Knoxville make an informed decision for Senate.

From what I've read about Saturday's debate, which was stategically shown during one of the biggest Tennessee football games this season (Go Vols), it was a tie...

Not sure how that happened. After seeing Corker in the primary debates, I seriously thought he was going to get shalacked by Ford. No doubt Corker has been training for this since winning back in August.

One of the highlights (or lowlights) was when Corker finally drug Ford's family into the fray. It was only a matter of time, but I had always assumed the RNC or RSCC would take the heat and keep Corker clean. But to fire the shot from Corker's own mouth was very unexpected.

My thought is that this was to be reserved only for the Memphis debate. Here in East Tennessee the Ford name is known, but most people are indifferent at best. But in West Tennessee the Ford's are a dynasty and have therefore made plenty of enemies. I'm sure Corker was trying to say that a vote for him is a vote against the Ford family. Could play well, but don't expect Corker to pull the same punch tomorrow night.

Lawyer or Not?

2006-10-06T18:43:00.000-04:00

In possibly the stupidest smear yet in the campaign, the Corker camp is claiming Ford has called himself a lawyer without passing the Bar Exam. Is this the best they could come up with... Talk about a stretch. It was a blatant attempt to overshadow the Gallup poll showing Corker 5 and 10 points behind... But whatever, this too shall pass.

The Harold Ford Jr campaign called the media to make sure they posted a correction the AP is putting out concerning the issue. Here's the new article:

Republicans, Democrats squabble over Ford's background

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (AP) - Republicans are accusing Democratic U-S Senate candidate Harold Ford Junior of embellishing his resume.

Ford, a congressman from Memphis, has a law degree but has never passed the Tennessee bar exam.

Michael Powell, senior adviser to the Ford campaign, said Ford has been joking when making references to being a lawyer.

Powell said Ford has never seriously portrayed himself as a
lawyer.

Thats right ladies and gents, Ford has only made reference to being a lawyer in jest. Its a pathetic attempt. I can't imagine it will affect anyone's vote come November. Afterall, who the hell cares?

UPDATE: Okay, I stand corrected. Kleinheider has video of Ford claiming to be a lawyer. As partisan as I may be, that's a burn. A very very small burn, but a burn nontheless...

TN Sen: Ford with huge lead in poll

2006-10-06T15:20:00.000-04:00

The latest USA Today/Gallup poll shows Harold Ford Jr. with a 10 point lead among registered voters. He holds a 5 point lead among likely voters. Here's the full breakdown:

Ford (Dem.) Corker (Rep) Other (vol.) Not voting No opinion

Likely Voters

2006 Sep 27-Oct 1 50 45 1 -- 4

Registered Voters

2006 Sep 27-Oct 1 46 36 1 10 7

One of the biggest reason Ford has such a big lead is the fact that he is favored by 65% of self-described moderates (like myself, kinda...).

For more info:
WBIR
Ford Report
Knox News
TN Politics Blog
Kos

Knoxville Page on Myspace

2006-10-05T18:29:00.000-04:00

Tyson Vivyan, the former Congressional page from Knoxville, has an interesting myspace page. I don't normally like to publicize the personal life of someone involved in a scandal, but Vivyan made his debut on Nancy Grace so he's not looking for privacy.

I received an interesting e-mail from a group referring to themselves only as "Concerned Pages". Here's an excerpt:

It is also true that none of Vivyan's Page colleagues would question our assertion that Mark Foley was a likely focus for Vivyan as a politically interested Page who is also a gay man. There's no need to take our word for it. Simply review Vivyan's MySpace profile, where you'll find he describes himself as 'Orientation: Bi.'

Vivyan is at least partially in the closet, as his IM conversation with Mark Foley made clear, (he was just divorced in the past two years), and he is, therefore, a politically engaged tortured soul. There is plenty of common ground between Vivyan and Mark Foley.

This speaks first to his willingness to engage in conversation with Mark Foley through 3-4 weeks of purported predatory messaging and also to the substantial likelihood that he knew exactly who he was talking to. But, more importantly, it reveals some of the psychological conditions underlying his current overt and extreme need for media attention.

Vivyan's Myspace page can be found here. I don't really see how it matters that Vivyan is gay, but it does call into question the motives of the "Concerned Pages". They seem more interested in crushing Vivyan than getting to the bottom of this scandal. Mark Foley is the predator not the pages he approached...

Glen Dean shows true colors... Red (and Yellow)

2006-10-05T09:14:00.000-04:00

I knew this was going to happen and I saw the beginnings of this on Faux News late last night. According to Glen Dean:

So tell me this. If these IM's were written in 2003, why were they held for three years? Who felt that an October surprise was more important than the well being of children?

How sick do you have to be to try to blame this on anyone other Mark Foley. You can try to blame this on the Democrats if you like. If anything you should blame ABC, which showed its true leanings during the Path to 9/11 crap.

Who knows how long ABC had the information, but from all the information I've seen, they were approached by the page that was involved in the messages.

Republicans would love to see this as some conspiracy, and maybe it is. But if so, its a Republican conspiracy involving Dennis Hastert, Tom Reynolds, and John Boehner... I've not heard Delay's name in all this, but if it was going on in the House during 2003 to 2005, you know he had some idea of what was going on.

I find it telling that hard core Republicans like Glen Dean would rather point the finger in the other direction than actually take a moment to self-reflect and realize the kind of behavior you are defending and condoning by not taking responsibility.

It is about the kids, Glen... whether you want it to be or not...

Not the race card...

2006-10-05T08:52:00.000-04:00

I was so happy the Tennessee Senate race hadn't gone to playing the race card, but it looks like it might have. The KNS has a pretty extensive story in this morning's paper saying that the Democrats believe the Republicans are invoking race in their latest tv ads and fundraising literature.

State Democratic Chairman Bob Tuke said the RNC ad is "almost Willie Horton" - a reference to an ad depicting a black criminal used by Republicans against Democratic presidential nominee Michael Dukakis in 1988.
"It has a black man walking toward you in an alley. It suggests danger from a black man who looks like Harold Ford," Tuke said.
RNC spokesman Danny Diaz called the contentions "outlandish."
The state GOP fund-raising letter has two photos of Ford, who would become the first black senator elected from the South if he defeats Republican Bob Corker on Nov. 7.
The letter was obtained by the News Sentinel from a Republican who received the solicitation.
"They have darkened Harold Ford's image to make a racist statement," Tuke said after reviewing the mailing. "It's obviously altered."

I don't buy into this and I sure hope Tuke and Ford don't try to play black vs white, because in Tennessee the black congressman will lose. His best bet is to keep on message and avoid questions altogether on race, not because he doesn't want white Tennessee to know he's black, but because it shouldn't matter when choosing a Senator.

I hope this isn't the first battle of an entire culture war here in Tennessee. Most people in this state are level headed and don't care about race, but there are some people that admit that their own prejudices prevent them from voting for a black man.

I found that most of those people are too ignorant to make an intelligent decision anyway and will vote Republican because if they can't tar and feather gays, at least they can stop them from getting married...

Bryson lied at debate

2006-10-04T21:00:00.000-04:00

Republican candidate for Governor BIG Jim Bryson is a BIG liar. According to the Knoxville News Sentinel:

Though he described himself as a "hunter and fisherman" during a Knoxville debate, state Sen. Jim Bryson has never held a hunting or fishing license in Tennessee, according to Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency records.

Shame on you Jim Bryson... If you had a chance before, which you didn't, its probably gone now.

AP: Chattanoogans in Corker ad aren't from city

2006-10-04T20:40:00.000-04:00

One of the producers here at the station brought this to my attention. It came as an URGENT story from the AP wires.

Corker supporters in TV ad not from Chattanooga

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - Some of the people in T-V ads praising Republican Senate candidate Bob Corker for the job he did as mayor of Chattanooga don't live in that city.

The Corker campaign confirmed today that not all those people live in Chattanooga or voted for Corker when he was elected Chattanooga mayor in 2001.

The most recent ad, which began airing Friday, praises Corker for lowering the city's property taxes and crime rate. A similar ad, featuring the same people, ran before the Republican primary in August.

The Corker campaign, which paid for the ads, would not confirm the exact number of people in the commercial who are not from Chattanooga.

Patti Frierson of Lookout Mountain, a small but separate town near Chattanooga with its own mayor and town council, is quoted in one ad.

She said tonight she was involved in Chattanooga's civic life during Corker's term in office, even though she didn't pay city property taxes.

I guess I never assumed the people in the ad were anything but hired actors, but the AP is successful in nailing the campaign for being less than truthful. I mean, the woman who celebrates paying the lowest propery taxes since the 1950's has never had to pay a cent to Chattanooga for property taxes. Corker wasn't even her mayor!

The ad is annoying regardless of where the people live. I hope Tom Ingram can do a much better job at making ads that don't make me vomit. Between Mama Corker and Chattanooga (maybe) suck-ups the only thing missing are newborn puppies and fat happy babies.

New Ford ad goes back to the basics...

2006-10-04T20:05:00.000-04:00

Now this is what I'm talking about... This ad made me smile for the first time all day. Its about time Ford went back to the basics and started touting the things that really matter: his ideas to make Tennessee and America better.

Its the strategy that took Ford from 15 points behind to 5 points ahead in less than 2 months. Its going to work for him again because its unexpected in this political climate.

The ad transcript isn't available so here's a brief description. Ford opens by saying that he's never ordered a big meal he couldn't pay for. Weird? No, listen to the rest... We all know its ridiculous to order something you know you can't pay for, so he goes a step further and asks if the federal government should be allowed to approve a budget that isn't balanced.

The answer is a resounding no... Ford favors the Balanced Budget Amendment, and so do I if its written correctly.

Harold Ford Jr just got back on my good side. Thank you for correcting and salvaging your candidacy, Harry.

	Ford (Dem.)	Corker (Rep)	Other (vol.)	Not voting	No opinion

Likely Voters

2006 Sep 27-Oct 1	50	45	1	--	4

Registered Voters

2006 Sep 27-Oct 1	46	36	1	10	7