edited by: Kate,
Tennessee Editor
Cara Kumari says that guns in bars enthusiasts are trying to get right with the court that throw the law out as unconstitutionally vague by drawing up a new proposal. She says the new proposal says that if a place serves liquor you can carry your gun but [...]
A press release entitled ‘Key Reporters and Republican Leaders across Tennessee Join Zach Wamp in Asking: “What’s Haslam Hiding?” cites no reporters, only columnists, commentators and editorials:
Nashville, Tenn. – Zach Wamp, Republican candidate for Governor today again asked the question that a growing chorus of other Republican candidates and leaders, [...]
From RealClearPolitics:
RCP: Two Democrats from swing districts in Tennessee have now announced they will retire at the end of the 111th Congress. Do you think these signal what will be a difficult 2010 for Democrats nationwide? And what does this say about the political landscape in your state?
BLACKBURN: As [...]
CNN:
Connecticut Sen. Joe Lieberman told CNN Tuesday that he has not ruled out running as a Republican in 2012.
Lieberman told CNN Senior Congressional Correspondent Dana Bash Tuesday that the move remained a legitimate, if unlikely, option. “I don’t know what I’ll run as,” he said. “I like being [...]
From email fundraising appeal:
My son Rand has the status quo running scared in his race for Kentucky Senate. First, he outraised his opponent. Next, Rand took the lead in the polls. And now, the party insiders are scrambling.
We just found out that the National Republican Senatorial Committee has formed a [...]
From Hank Hayes:
Before the luncheon, Wamp was asked whether he supports the reinstatement of state House Speaker Kent Williams of Elizabethton back into the Tennessee Republican Party (TRP).
At its December meeting, TRP’s executive committee chose not to consider letting Williams back into the party. He was expelled from the [...]
“When a teacher is granted tenure, it’s something that you need to have some objective criterial you looked at and not simply the opinion of one or two people,” Ramsey said.
Ramsey said the state has had education data available since enacting the current school funding formula in [...]
Tennessee’s Supreme Court Tuesday granted an extension of time to attorneys for convicted killer Gaile Owens, whom the state intends to put to death for her part in the 1985 murder-for-hire plot that left her husband dead. Owens’ team now has until Feb. 5 to respond to [...]
James Chesser, the former head of the Davidson County Libertarian Party is running GOP:
I am proud and humbled to announce my candidacy for the Tennessee State Senate in 2010. We live in a state abundant with distinction, community energy, and international resources. With your support, I will represent [...]
From the NY Times:
Oral Roberts, the evangelist who rose from humble tent revivals to found a multimillion-dollar ministry and a university bearing his name, died Tuesday. He was 91.
Roberts died of complications from pneumonia in Newport Beach, Calif., according to his spokesman, A. Larry Ross. The evangelist was hospitalized [...]
An email from Speaker Kent Williams to staff about an upcoming special session of the legislature:
Early this morning I had a conference call with Governor Bredesen, Lt. Gov. Ron Ramsey and Staff. The call was at the request of the Governor.
The Governor advised us of his desire to call [...]
Concerned Women Political Action Committee (CWPAC) has announced its endorsement of Stephen Fincher for Congress in Tennessee’s 8th Congressional District.
Concerned Women PAC is affiliated with Concerned Women for America Legislative Action Committee, the nation’s largest public policy women’s organization with more than 500,000 grassroots members nationwide.
The [...]
The original Publishers Weekly review says: “Covering such topics as ‘Doing Justice’ and ‘Protecting Life,’ Herron writes with sensitivity to the politically conservative members of his audience, but argues that Christian politicians and citizens should support a number of liberal causes.”
On Herron’s website, though, the review has [...]
Not so fine, says David Oatney:
What no one disputes is that the Haslams have more money than Jehovah, and that if they can’t win over Republicans, they will try and win the primary with Democratic crossovers-and in doing so, they have a good chance to win. After all, the [...]
Nice:
As part of its new media strategy, the Republican party launched a new site called GOP.am on Monday. It’s a URL shortener designed to make it easy for conservative web surfers to exchange links to web pages.
Pranksters almost immediately began using the service to link to controversial or ironically [...]
From a press release:
“There’s all this talk about ‘history.’ The majority leadership seems determined to engage in this political kamikaze mission toward a historic mistake.”
“But there are lots of different kinds of history, and a lot of historic mistakes have been made … For example, there was the Smoot-Hawley [...]
Tom Humphrey gives you a press conference preview:
Gov. Phil Bredesen has scheduled an afternoon news conference today, apparently to announce a push for rapid action on a legislative package of education bills next month that could help the state collect as much as $600 million in special federal funding.
Bredesen [...]
From the political and policy consultant’s blog:
I would be lying if I said I was NOT interested in being a Democratic candidate for this seat.
I am interested.
I’d like to find out who else is. But this has piqued my interest and my desire to serve the people of the [...]
Don’t run for the Sixth District congressional seat because you can’t win:
Last night, I spoke with a couple of respected Democrats in Tennessee’s 6th Congressional District about what Rep. Bart Gordon’s announced retirement meant for a Democrat’s chances in 2010.
I got the same answer from both: it will be [...]
Sen. Lamar Alexander is not a fan of bringing the Gitmo detainees on American soil for trial:
“Congress made it very clear to the administration that bringing dangerous terrorists onto American soil is not only the wrong thing to do, but goes against the wishes of the American people. I [...]
J.R. Lind reports on a lawsuit that says there is racism, nepotism and favoritism in Wilson County:
The lawsuit also claims county officials routinely and casually make racially and sexually charged remarks. During a break from testifying in a deposition for another lawsuit, Dedman allegedly made a joke containing the [...]
From the Talking Points:
In a potential Democratic primary, Gillibrand has 32%; Thompson has 23%; former Rep. Harold Ford (D-TN), who ran unsuccessfully for Senate from his original home state in 2006, has seven percent; and labor union organizer Jonathan Tasini, who is actually an active candidate, has only three [...]
Aunt B. thinks Toys for Tots and similar programs needs to make allowances for children of undocumented resident aliens.
[...]Michael Petrilli says what Rod Dreher has been saying for a while now:
What’s needed is a full-fledged effort to cultivate “Whole Foods Republicans”—independent-minded voters who embrace a progressive lifestyle but not progressive politics. These highly-educated individuals appreciate diversity and would never tell racist or homophobic jokes; they like [...]
Kid has to go to counseling because he drew a picture of Christ on the cross when asked to paint up something that reminded him of Christmas.
[...]Can you claim both the Baker wing of the TNGOP as well as the tea party movement in your political heritage? It seems like you’d have to be either one or the other.
From the days of the founding of the modern Republican Party in Tennessee by names such as [...]
Albeit a small one:
Due to overwhelming reader and advertiser demand, Editor & Publisher will publish its next issue, the January 2010 edition, as planned, Editor Greg Mitchell announced today.
It will be mailed to subscribers around January 4.
But it may still be the final issue of E&P, after 125 years.
In [...]
Some say it should remain a citizen movement about issues, protests, and rallies. Others say it should be about raising money and getting folks elected:
But Judson Phillips, president of Tea Party Nation, acknowledged there’s some disagreement among activists about whether raising money for candidates runs afoul of the issue-based [...]
Hank Hayes reports:
“Agriculture traditionally was just a great engine of the economy in our state, but under this current (Bredesen) administration, it is like an afterthought,” Wamp claimed. “The Farm Bureau will tell you that. Your growers and producers will tell you that. Agriculture is not what it used [...]
Stephen Shirley wants some new blood in the 6th District race:
But in a political season where the American public is disgusted by politicians of every stripe, is a field of potential candidates that’s a virtual “Who’s Who of Political Insiders” really what the 6th District deserves? No one challenged [...]
In the wake of the retirements of conservative Blue Dogs Rep. John Tanner and Rep. Bart Gordon speculation has naturally turned to the future of Rep. Lincoln Davis. Will he hang it up or stick it out one more time?
Davis is a Blue Dog just like Tanner and [...]
A CQ report on the race to replace Rep. Bart Gordon:
Tracy had already hired Nashville-area political strategist Mike McCrady, who has worked on Tennessee state legislative races and in the 2008 cycle worked for Florida 22nd district GOP nominee Allen West. McCrady said Monday that internal polling had shown [...]
Rep. Stacey Campfield reports:
I spoke with former US Rep and Republican gubernatorial nominee Van Hillary and he said he will not interested in seeking the US seat held by Bart Gordon at this time. Van has moved into the district a few years ago and has been getting calls [...]
Some say it’s a bit weak:
The GOP source compared this to the other open Democratic seat in Tennessee, where Rep. John Tanner is retiring and where Dems immediately recruited state Sen. Roy Herron, saying that there isn’t a truly strong Democratic candidate here. “Unlike TN-08 [the Tanner seat], you [...]
From the Daily News:
Kyle isn’t ready to roll out his specific plan to freeze tuition levels for college students. That, he told The Daily News, will come later in the campaign.
Kyle said he stands by the pledge despite worsening economic conditions and the promise of budget problems taking center [...]
Mike Byrd is making an exception:
Mayor Dean has motivated me to do something I never thought I would do: support a referendum on an individual Metro budget item, albeit the largest capital project in Nashville history. I’m going to sign the petition that with enough signatures could leverage public [...]
Voters are buying into the argument:
More Americans believe steps taken to reduce global warming pollution will help the U.S. economy than say such measures will hurt it. It’s a sign the public is showing more faith in President Barack Obama’s economic arguments for limiting heat-trapping gases than in Republican [...]
Joey Garrison reports it:
In October, Crafton proposed legislation that would have given voters the final say on issuing bonds for all projects in excess of $250 million not considered “necessities.” The six-member Charter Revision Commission disapproved the resolution unanimously, and the bill was deferred indefinitely last month.
The councilman’s latest [...]
Campfield reminds his fellow conservatives what Democratic retirements mean in the short term:
While many are excited by the probable pickup of two new Republican seats in the US house of reps from Tennessee, there is one little problem with Tanner and Gordon deciding not to face the voters again…….
They [...]
Operatives are upset that their elected are running for the hills:
“Democrats fought 12 years to win back the majority. Now at the first sign of a fight some members want to waive the white flag?” one Dem leadership aide asked incredulously. “It’s time to buck up, roll up our [...]
Hotline on the Republican tune-up we are about to receive:
TN has been in need of a “recalibration” for a while now. Dems hold five of the state’s nine CDs, even though John Kerry and Pres. Obama barely broke into the 40’s there. This isn’t to say Dems will certainly [...]
Phil Williams looks into the process:
The Court of the Judiciary is composed of 16 people — all but three of them lawyers and judges — who sit in judgment of the ethical conduct of other judges.
“When you decide between a public reprimand or a private reprimand, you’re going down [...]
But there’s a rumor out there that State Sen. Mae Beavers is thinking about mounting a congressional run. Is it for Bart’s seat? Or Cooper’s?
I heard a rumor from another credible source that State Senator Mae Beavers, champion of firearms freedom in Tennessee, might be considering a run. This [...]
Three Nashville postal stations have been dropped from consideration for closing, according to a list released by the Postal Service on Monday.
Only two Tennessee stations, one in Memphis and one in Chattanooga, remain among the sites being considered. The November list of 241 sites was trimmed to fewer [...]
Lou Ann Zelenik bought some negative ads she wishes she could take back:
On my way home from work this evening I heard three Lou Ann Zelenik ads on two different radio stations. In each ad, Ms. Lou Ann was talkin’ ’bout how she was going to hand it [...]
A group of citizens plan to deliver a few coathangers to Nashville’s congressman.
[...]From Jackson Sun:
U.S. Rep. Marsha Blackburn, R-Brentwood, today announced her appointment of Anthony Hulen as her chief of staff.
Hulen was formerly the White House liaison and director of external and intergovernmental affairs at the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Hulen also has served as chief of staff for Rep. Randy [...]
Lou Ann Zelenik welcomes the newbies in the GOP race for the Sixth District:
“Our democracy succeeds with more ideas and viewpoints,” Zelenik said. “I have had the great opportunity to meet with and listen to voters across the Sixth District since my entry into the race in October and [...]
The liberal radio talker asserts that Republicans actually want Democrats to ignore and/or gloss over progressive ideals:
Tennessee Republicans want nothing better than for Tennessee Democrats to continue to run to the right using the extremist positions on social issues. And they think they can bully us into doing so. [...]
From a press release:
Nashville State Community College announced today that Senator Doug Jackson has agreed to teach a class at the college’s Dickson site for the spring 2010 semester. The evening class, American National Government, will be at the Renaissance Center in Dickson, and marks the first time Senator Jackson [...]
Robin Smith’s not saying that the recent collapse of the Tennessee Democratic Party is completely her doing — but she has come to claim her share of the credit:
The recent rash of announcements that prominent Tennessee Democrats are retiring from Congress or ending their campaigns are the fruits of the [...]
Your friends are all jumping off the bridge before they were pushed off in 2012. You’ve always been more of a follower than a leader, and the rumors have been flying that your campaign coffers are as dry as our federal government’s.
There’s no time like the present. [...]
In conversations over the weekend, Gibbons expressed disappointment in what he considered lack of zeal by members of the media in seeking answers to such questions, which he had previously raised. He noted that conflict-of-interest issues had loomed large in government and politics in recent years.
Among [...]
Yet another statement:
Senator Mae Beavers, who has represented parts of nine counties within the 6th Congressional District since 1990, today wanted to wish Rep. Gordon well with his eventual retirement.
“I have been able to serve the same constituents as Rep. Gordon for many years now in both the State House [...]
From Tiny Cat Pants:
The fact is that the conservatives in this state are fractured, too. And our running to the right has provided enough pressure that those fissures have stayed somewhat closed. But they’re there. The libertarian-inclined folks and the nutjob faction sit together very uneasily. You think libertarians, [...]
Politico reports:
Rep. Bart Gordon (D-Tenn.) didn’t mention his political predicament in his retirement announcement, but Republican polling in his middle Tennessee district showed that he would have faced one of the toughest races in his career if he stuck around.
A November poll conducted by the GOP firm Public Opinion [...]
From an emailed statement:
“A full campaign kick-off event will be coming after the first of the year, but in light of Bart Gordon’s retirement we felt it was necessary to announce we’re fully in this race and we’re committed to winning.
The people of Middle Tennessee need a Congressman with [...]
Sen. Bill Ketron told Post Politics in a phone call that he’s taking a look at running for Congress in TN-06:
We’ll take a look at it. Of course, there’s always been an interest there [in the congressional seat]. But today is Bart’s day, a day to celebrate and recognize [...]
Bill Mason, director of community affairs for Gov. Phil Bredesen, has told NashvillePost.com’s Ken Whitehouse that he is considering a run for the congressional seat being vacated by Rep. Bart Gordon.
Mason is a native of Rutherford County, lives in Robertson County, and worked in congress for 22 years [...]
Metro Councilman Duane Dominy has formally announced his Republican primary campaign for Democratic state Rep. Sherry Jones’ House District 59 seat.
“For a number of years, residents have asked me to run because I’ve been involved in the community. They’re not pleased with the representation they’ve had,” Dominy [...]
From a Gannett satellite office:
“I am giving it some consideration. It is something I have thought about for a number of years.”
(FT: GiT)
[...]From the desk of the State Democratic Party chair:
“Congressman Bart Gordon has served his district admirably for 25 years. He is a true statesman who votes his convictions and for the best interests of his district. Congressman Gordon had an important impact on working families in Tennessee by helping [...]
Jeff Woods has sources close to Rep. Bart Gordon:
“We would have won this race,” this source says. “But it would have been ugly, divisive for the community and for the whole district. The problem then is basically you’ve probably gotten yourself two more years. You’ve put everybody through that [...]
Jackson Baker on the reaction of some Democrats to the retirements of John Tanner and Bart Gordon:
Some Democrats — especially in the blogging fraternity — have reacted to the withdrawals of Tanner and Gordon by saying, in effect, Good riddance, these weren’t real red-blooded Democrats anyhow.
That, of course, is [...]
On the Democratic side, state Rep. Henry Fincher, a Harvard-educated attorney from Cookeville, said he is considering joining the race.
“I’m sure I have a lot of company in mulling it over,” he said.
Fincher, who has been a vocal supporter of gun rights and an opponent of abortion [...]
A list of conservative Dems in Congress who may be looking to get out of the ‘critter race.
[...]From the senior senator:
“Bart Gordon’s leadership on science, technology, and education has been hugely important to the Tennessee Valley and to our country. I have especially valued working with him to enact the ‘America COMPETES’ legislation, which will help create good new jobs for our future. Bart should be proud [...]
From the desk of Chris Devaney:
“Like John Tanner, Bart Gordon can see the writing on the wall in 2010 and has chosen to step aside,” said Devaney. “Tennesseans are struggling with 10.5 percent unemployment and are looking to their elected leaders for common-sense solutions that will put help [...]
The statement:
“For more than 24 years, Bart has been an honest and thoughtful voice for Middle Tennessee. As Chairmen of the Science and Technology Committee and dean of the Tennessee delegation, he has been a leader for good ideas and common-sense legislation. His work with Oak Ridge National Labs to [...]
A Facebook movement to draft the former state Democratic Party spokesman for the seat being vacated by Bart Gordon has begun. From the page:
Wade is a Gallatin boy at heart. While currently in Boston to help little kids or something like that, Wade will always [...]
State Sen. Jim Tracy (R-Shelbyville) will officially announce his candidacy for the 6th Congressional District later today.
Tracy said he will file papers this week and a press release is forth coming relating to his decision to run for the seat currently held by Rep. Bart Gordon (D-Murfreesboro).
“It [...]
One of the already announced Republican opponents for the seat shares her thoughts:
“I applaud Congressman Gordon for his years of service to the people of Tennessee and for his willingness to accept the changes within our state. When Congressman Gordon came to office, the Sixth District was a very [...]
From David Wasserman:
If there is any upside here for Democrats, Gordon’s departure may save the DCCC from having to spend money defending a seat where national Democratic performance has fallen off a cliff. As House Science Committee Chair, Gordon is a widely respected figure, perhaps the House’s fastest [...]
“Of course they are all quitting. They can fight and maybe remain for two more years and then get redistricted out or they can leave gracefully now.”
[...]From Aaron Blake:
Gordon joins Reps. Dennis Moore (D-Kan.), John Tanner (D-Tenn.) and Brian Baird (D-Wash.) in announcing his retirement in recent weeks. Also, Rep. Neil Abercrombie (D-Hawaii) announced Friday that he will resign early to run for governor.
[...]Tom Humphrey reports:
This would seem to confirm rumors reaching Tennessee from Washington insider types during recent weeks. Basically, they are that Gordon saw a difficult reelection campaign coming and has a potentially lucrative congressional lobbying position lined up. Supposedly, according to the gossip, he was waiting only to help [...]
A few from Ken Whitehouse:
Several Republicans have been actively campaigning for the seat and state Sen. Jim Tracy had indicated he would likely join the race as well. Other Republican’s that might throw their hat in the ring are state Sen. Bill Ketron and Hendersonville state Sen. Diane [...]
Writing before Gordon’s announcement, the group noted that Gordon had won handily in the last three elections and wouldn’t be starved for resources this time around, with more than $1.1 million in the bank at the end of the third quarter.
Tennessee state Sen. Jim Tracy (R) is set to announce his candidacy for Rep. Bart Gordon’s (D-Tenn.) seat, according to a source with knowledge of his plans.
The source said Tracy plans to make his announcement Monday. Gordon announced moments ago that he would not seek reelection. Tracy [...]
From the inbox:
“Tennessee is now the place where Democrat congressional candidacies go to die. Within a matter of weeks, four Volunteer State Democrats have abandoned their campaigns for Congress because voters there are rejecting the Obama-Pelosi agenda. The retirement of 25-year veteran Bart Gordon – who supported every major piece [...]
From an emailed statement:
Bart Gordon, my friend and colleague, has been a trusted, humble, and astute public servant for his Middle Tennessee district for over two decades. A visionary, Bart’s desire and passion were to serve the greater good through the advancement of science, education, math, and technology and [...]
Boom goes the press release:
After more than a quarter-century of public service to his home state of Tennessee, U.S. Rep. Bart Gordon announced his plans to retire from Congress when his current term ends in 2010.
“I feel honored that the people of Middle Tennessee have allowed me to serve them [...]
For some the election of Barack Obama as president wasn’t what they thought it would be:
Barack Obama ran for president as a man of the people, standing up to Wall Street as the global economy melted down in that fateful fall of 2008. He pushed a tax plan to [...]
Whatever of you think of the man, how he wins election and gets crossways with both parties establishments is kinda of admirable.
[...]At least he is in Copenhagen this week:
As international climate talks appeared in danger of disintegrating, Al Gore arrived to a rock star’s welcome in Copenhagen today.
If Copenhagen is the enviros’ Woodstock, then Gore is The Who, the Grateful Dead and Creedence Clearwater Revival as a one-man band. [...]
