Campfield and His Opposition
This week's question of the weekend is about the Senate campaign of State Representative Stacey Campfield.
It was made clear by this Christmas card Campfield received this week from Lonnie "Skip" Cauthorn-Chief of Staff to Tennessee House Democratic Leader Gary Odom-just what kind of trash are opposing Campfield. The so-called "Republicans" in the primary threatening to run against him are obviously cut from the same cloth as the Democrats who oppose Stacey, like Skip Cauthorn-because they say the same things about him.Labels: Elections, Republican Party, Tennessee politics
Davis Places One More Bet
Former Congressman David Davis is placing an all-or-nothing political bet:
To the surprise of no one in Upper East Tennessee, former Congressman David Davis appears ready to make one more run for the seat that he held for just one term-the Fighting First District, one of the most Republican constituencies in the nation.
Labels: Congress, Conservatism, Republican Party, Tennessee politics
Merry Christmas From the Masked Man
Opponents of State Senate candidate Rep. Stacey Campfield are about to be whipped on again at the polls...
We are all to be reminded, after all, that these same people said that Brian Kelsey was immature and filled with "antics"-we call him Senator Brian Kelsey, nowadays...
Now, the Society of Stacey Campfield Haters believes they have hit on just the thing that will finally rid them of the Energizer Bunny of Tennessee politics when Campfield was escorted from a Tennessee football game on Halloween night after being discovered wearing a mask. We won't discuss how Campfield removed the mask when asked, and how he cooperated with the authorities, despite the false impression left by the Knoxville News-Sentinel that Campfield did anything wrong. We won't talk about how Campfield was escorted from the stadium simply because an officer of the law violated Campfield's rights under the color of law and ordered him from the stadium without any cause at all. We won't even talk about how Campfield saw no signs informing him not to wear a mask, and that even in being tossed from Neyland Stadium he cooperated and did what he was asked. Nevermind that election to the General Assembly does not cause one for forfeit one's constitutional rights, that won't be discussed in this space today.
They've called him everything from a juvenile delinquent to a slumlord-everything but a child of God. Yet, as the scriptures tell us, we shall know the truth, and the truth shall set us free. Stacey Campfield's constituents know when they are being lied to, and they know their Representative isn't the one being deceitful. Gary Drinnen tried to defame Stacey Campfield, and Schree tried to run him through the mud. Ron Leadbetter has tried that once before, too-strange coming from someone with an otherwise fine reputation. How did that work out for Mr. Leadbetter the last time he went up against Stacey Campfield in a political campaign?
Labels: Conservatism, Elections, Republican Party, Tennessee politics
Special Session Called-for Scheduled Legislative Day
Why will the General Assembly be meeting in special session on a day when they were scheduled to meet anyway? Probably to avoid using a legislative day:Calling a special session seems to be a drastic step that is aimed at doing nothing more than insuring that the General Assembly does not use any of its 90 legislative days taking care of this educational grant question. The General Assembly is only constitutionally allowed to meet in session for 90 days in a two-year period, but days spent in a special session do not count against that total. Hence, a special session is being called in order to prevent the General Assembly from using part of their alloted business days to conduct business.
Labels: Tennessee politics
Buying a Primary Near You?
While Lieutenant Governor Ron Ramsey is surging, it appears that Knoxville Mayor Bill Haslam may have to buy his way out of a political jam:
Apparently, the latter was the standard format at the West Knox Republican event, and both the Lieutenant Governor and Knoxville Mayor Bill Haslam were present. Haslam, according to our source, got the standard reception of all the candidates who spoke, and there were many local candidates present who got up and gave their short stump speech. Ron Ramsey was applauded-rather loudly.
The informant who was present said of Mayor Haslam's expression: "Haslam looked pissed."
If this story is even remotely true (and we would not expect supporters of Bill Haslam to admit it is if it were) it might have done Haslam a bit more of a favor to show up at the Tennessee Conservative Union's Reagan Day straw poll last month. Sure, he probably wouldn't have won the tally, but he would have done even better than he managed to do and would have shown that a straw poll among conservatives in his own hometown is more important to him than fundraising with a Democrat. One thing that the internal party reaction to Haslam seems to show is that Bill Haslam simply has not won over the grassroots of the Republican Party in Tennessee, even in East Tennessee where his strength is supposed to lay and his "base" (what base exists) is said to be the most organized.
Labels: Elections, Republican Party, Tennessee politics
Not Talking Frank
Radio talk show hosts and conservative activists Lee and Terry Frank have voluntarily left the air:
Let's Talk Frank, the daily radio program of conservative activist, blogger, columnist, and writer Terry Frank and her husband Lee didn't air today in its normal 3:00pm time slot, because after the sale of the Horne Radio Network to Blount Broadcasting on Friday the Franks decided to pull the plug on the popular program after the new owners informed them that their rates were being doubled.
I've been a radio buff all my life, and have been involved with radio on and off professionally since college. It often shocks people-especially liberals-when I tell them that one of my biggest radio influences growing up was Larry King. I used to lay in bed at night as a youngster with the radio left on just so I could sneak a listen at Larry. It wasn't Larry's politics which kept me tuned in, but that he was entertaining and always kept my interest. I've heard some of Horne's talent, including the talent they pay for-and Lee and Terry were the only creative hosts on that radio outlet.
Labels: Conservatism, News Media
Third Sunday of Advent
Luke 3:10-17:
And the people asked John, saying: What then shall we do?
And he answering, said to them: He that hath two coats, let him give to him that hath none; and he that hath meat, let him do in like manner. And the publicans also came to be baptized, and said to him: Master, what shall we do? But he said to them: Do nothing more than that which is appointed you. And the soldiers also asked him, saying: And what shall we do? And he said to them: Do violence to no man; neither calumniate any man; and be content with your pay. And as the people were of opinion, and all were thinking in their hearts of John, that perhaps he might be the Christ;
John answered, saying unto all: I indeed baptize you with water; but there shall come one mightier than I, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to loose: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire: Whose fan is in his hand, and he will purge his floor, and will gather the wheat into his barn; but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire. Labels: Faith, Holy Mother Church
