Knoxville mayor and Republican gubernatorial candidate Bill Haslam today unveiled a new campaign ad aimed at his general election audience—in other words, not just Republicans—and it hails Tennessee’s two most recent Democratic governors along with the state’s current Republican U.S. Senators as leaders whom Haslam intends to emulate. Here is the ad script, courtesy of the campaign:
There’s no place like Tennessee. Mountains in the East, river in the West. Heartfelt music in every corner. Good people. Great leaders. Phil Bredesen, Ned McWherter, Lamar Alexander, Bob Corker. People who take our natural good and give it a shine. There’s another good man from Tennessee. Thinks he can make a difference. Seasoned in the world of business. Created thousands of jobs. As mayor, led Knoxville to its best days ever. Sees Tennessee a few steps ahead of some. Plan’s right for the future. Brings us security, prosperity. Bill Haslam. Businessman. Mayor. A good man. The right experience to be Governor. Not for any part of Tennessee, but for the good of all Tennessee.
Governor Phil Bredesen and former Gov. Ned McWherter, both popular Democratic officials, have endorsed Haslam’s chief opponent, Mike McWherter, in the November election.
Haslam campaign manager Mark Cate said “Tennessee has been blessed with great leaders—statesmen—who rise above the fray during difficult times. Bill Haslam is that type of leader, and the combination of his public and private executive experience makes him uniquely qualified to govern in these challenging times.”
UPDATE: Andy Sher of the Chattanooga Times Free Press got this reaction from the Mike McWherter campaign:
McWherter campaign spokesman Shelby White scoffed.
“It’s glaringly apparent that Bill Haslam is leaving out the eight-year term of (Republican) Gov. Don Sundquist in his new fluff piece,” White said. “He also fails to address the fact that his family strongly supported Don Sundquist and raised millions of dollars to support their quest for a state income tax.”
UPDATE 2: I found this quip by renowned political commentator A.C. Kleinheider on Facebook: “Let’s be honest. If Mike McWherter [weren't] the actual candidate running against him, even he would be thinking seriously about voting for Bill Haslam.”
The conventional wisdom on midterm elections says it’s not going to be an easy year for Democrats in Tennessee (or many other places). But by all available accounts, there was no damper on the optimism at the state party’s annual Jackson Day fundraiser Friday night in Nashville.
The blogger at Dru’s Vues reported that no chickens were harmed in the making of the event: instead of the typical dinner, donors “paid top dollar to sit on hard metal chairs.” Party chair Chip Forrester said that the money saved on dinner would be put to use in funding campaigns.
Chas Sisk, Erik Schelzig, and Richard Locker each wrote stories about the fundraiser, which reportedly amassed close to $400,000 for the state party. Former Vice President Al Gore introduced current Vice President Joe Biden, who cheered on the three Democratic congressmen who are running for reelection. Gov. Phil Bredesen also spoke, along with Mike McWherter, who is running to replace him.
Four of the candidates running to be Tennessee’s next governor will participate in a town hall-style debate Monday night in Belmont University’s Curb Center. Nashville television station WSMV will broadcast the event, and other NBC affiliates around the state are expected to carry the signal.
The only Democrat in the race, Mike McWherter, will appear with three of the Republicans seeking to gain their party’s nomination: Knoxville Mayor Bill Haslam, Lt. Gov. Ron Ramsey, and U.S. Rep. Zach Wamp.
(I personally hope it’s being streamed on the Web as well, since the time — 8:00 Eastern, 7:00 Central — conflicts with “Adventure Time” on Cartoon Network, and I’m outnumbered in any contest that might ensue over the viewing choice. There’s always the US-101 radio simulcast, too.)
You’re invited to follow @TnTicket on Twitter for live commentary during the event, although if doing so will distract you from getting information you need, then I’ll understand.
Today, before a standing room-only crowd of supporters at Swett’s Restaurant in Nashville, Governor Phil Bredesen officially announced his endorsement of Jackson businessman Mike McWherter to succeed him as Tennessee’s next governor.
“I have spent the past eight years working to make Tennessee a better place to raise a family and operate a business, and I believe Mike McWherter is the candidate best suited to build on this foundation,” said Governor Phil Bredesen. “Mike’s background as a small business owner gives him the personal perspective and experience he needs to move our state forward, particularly during these tough economic times. He understands what it takes to make a payroll, to provide health insurance to working families and to create new jobs from scratch. I believe Mike is the most qualified candidate in this race and I look forward helping him win in November.”
“When Governor Bredesen took the oath of office, Tennessee was on the verge of bankruptcy, and because of his steady judgment, willingness to make tough decisions, and commitment to fiscal responsibility, Tennessee weathered that crisis. That took leadership, it took doing the right thing, not the political thing and that’s the kind of governor I will be,” said McWherter. “As I have travelled to all 95 counties, I have seen first-hand how much Tennesseans value Governor Bredesen’s commitment to problem solving rather than folding to the politics of usual. I appreciate and share this style of leadership and as governor I will uphold these principles, putting the best interests of Tennesseans above those of special interests and partisan politics.”
Following the announcement, McWherter rolled up his sleeves and went to work bussing tables and washing dishes at Swett’s as he made another stop on his Mike Works! Tour. The Mike Works! Tour is an initiative launched several weeks ago that provides McWherter the chance to work alongside small business owners and employees across state giving him the opportunity to learn more about the issues and challenges facing working families across Tennessee.
Nashville radio host Steve Gill, appearing on “This Week with Bob Mueller,” says that the Bredesen endorsement is a “kiss of death.” (via Pith in the Wind)
Tim Childers, a Southeast Tennessee teacher who blogs about education, attended the annual conference of the Professional Educators of Tennessee (PET). Six gubernatorial candidates spoke to the conferees, and Childers ably scribed his reaction to each. Here’s an excerpt:
Ron Ramsey (R) – Mr. Ramsey is currently the Lt. Governor of TN. He is the first Republican Lt Governor in 140 years. He has experience working directly in the state legislature. It is unclear to me yet if this is a positive or negative. He still works part-time as a real estate auctioneer in Eastern Tennessee and surrounding states, so he has business experience as well. At first glance, he reminded me of a television evangelist. He is tall and fit with silvery gray hair slicked back away from his face. Two things hit me negatively about Mr. Ramsey during his talk. First, he kept using the word “physically” instead of “fiscally.” That’s my English background raising its head I’m sure. Second, when asked about Race to the Top he stated that if it comes with strings attached he doesn’t want it. Come on, Mr. Ramsey. All federal dollars come with strings attached.
Samuel Duck (I) – Mr. Duck holds a bachelor’s degree. He has no political experience. One of the first statements out of his mouth was that he believed in the literal interpretation of the Bible and the Constitution. He actually carried a copy of the Federalist Papers with him and quoted from them often. At one point he gave us his explanation about why education exists. It is a quote from the Constitution (as it relates to the Patent Office). He asked if anyone knew where it came from. When no one volunteered an answer, we were chastised and told this is “one of the problems with education.” I don’t think Mr. Duck scored any points with a group of teachers then.
Chas Sisk captured the essentials from last night’s Nashville Junior Chamber gubernatorial forum at Lipscomb University in Nashville. Not surprisingly, much of the conversation centered on crises and government responses to them. The audience heard from Knoxville Mayor Bill Haslam, Jackson businessman Mike McWherter, and Third District U.S. Rep. Zach Wamp.
Lt. Gov. Ron Ramsey was not at the forum, as he was active in his role as Speaker of the Senate at the time.
Democratic gubernatorial candidate Mike McWherter on Monday released his 2009 federal tax return to the media, and called for Republican contenders to do the same.
According to the Nashville Post (subscription only), McWherter reported a total income of $1,095,421 and a federal tax bill of approximately $215,000.
Gubernatorial candidates met with supporters in Paris, Tennessee Thursday evening.
Zach Wamp supporter Jenci Spradlin, a Jackson area resident, took pictures and posted them on her Twitter account.
Meanwhile, presumed Democratic Party nominee Mike McWherter was photographed by a campaign staffer speaking with supporters at his residence.
There is a reason that candidates are converging on the relatively small town of Paris. The Paris Fish Fry’s main events will begin on Friday. This is not just any fish fry; oh, no. It’s the world’s biggest.
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