Chuckleheads?
Posted on September 2, 2010 at 1:10 pmEl Jefe, to put it mildly, was less than impressed with Chas Sisk’s Tennessean story about David Hall:
We don’t know whether Sisk’s story was the result of a new Republican bias at the newspaper or a misguided attempt to give balanced coverage or just plain dumbassery. But somebody at 1100 Broadway must have realized belatedly that the story’s headline in the print edition was silly. On the web, it’s been changed to something a little less ridiculous.
Dymon or
Posted on September 2, 2010 at 11:50 amChecking out the Chancery Court’s writ cited by Dave Rosenberg this morning. Here’s the substantive part [emphasis mine]:
You are therefore commanded to require further identifying information on the 2010 general election ballot so that the Republican candidate for the 50th District of the Tennessee House of Representatives is described by either his legal name, “Dymon Dave Hall,” or that name under which he sought the nomination, “Dymon Hall,” in order to reduce misleading or confusing voters using that ballot or appear before this court on the 13th day of September.
Of course, he was a pledged Clinton delegate, but whatever
Posted on September 2, 2010 at 11:35 amThe TNGOP has a new billboard - available for viewing here at the cleverly titled LarryAndBarry.com - reminding voters that District 10 Democratic nominee Larry Mullins was a delegate to the 2008 Democratic National Convention.
From a TNGOP release:
“It’s no surprise that Larry Mullins repeatedly tries to distance himself from Washington politicians, but the fact is he connected himself to Washington liberals by actively supporting Hillary Clinton and then Barack Obama as a delegate to the 2008 Democratic National Convention,” said Tennessee Republican Party Chairman Chris Devaney. “We felt it necessary to make sure Hamblen County voters know exactly who Larry Mullins is and that’s a Democrat who supports liberal politicians advocating policies such as government-run health care, abortion rights, cap-and-trade, gun control, and card check. The people of Hamblen County want a representative who will fight for Tennessee when Washington liberals try to impose their reckless agenda on our state, not someone who will go out of their way to make sure those liberals get elected.”
Mullins, to be technical, was an alternate Clinton delegate.
Not again
Posted on September 2, 2010 at 11:00 amCommercial oil rig explodes in the Gulf.
They were all out of powdered wigs
Posted on September 2, 2010 at 10:50 amTennessee’s new Chief Justice gets some headgear from her predecessor:
Although Holder passed the gavel to Clark, she said she’d refuse to give up her “wand.”
Clark had given her the wand in 2008 when she was being sworn in as the chief justice. Since then, Holder says she’s contemplated using it to make her job easier.
“Now I’ve got to admit there are a couple of times when I was writing opinions where I was tempted to use the wand to make the conditions go away. I restrained myself and did not use my wand and I thought better of it and I resolved those issues appropriately,” Holder told the chuckling audience. “After that experience, I decided Chief Justice Clark would not need my wand.”
She then handed Clark two gifts. One was a tiara, which she considered “an essential part of any female chief justice’s wardrobe.” The other was a pink sash with the word “chief” embroidered on it, which - she pointed out - matches the tiara.
But how many votes did Learned Hand get?
Posted on September 2, 2010 at 10:15 am
In Sesh on the results of a recent poll:
Eight percent of Americans, roughly one out of every 12 to 13 Americans, says the chief justice of the United States is Thurgood Marshall, according to a poll released this morning by the Pew Center. Just over one-quarter of Americans were able to correctly name John Roberts. Interestingly, Marshall’s name didn’t even show up when this same question was asked in 1986, when Marshall actually sat on the court.
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Dymon is forever
Posted on September 2, 2010 at 9:50 amDave Rosenberg got a favorable ruling in his fight to make sure Dymon Dave Hall is listed on the ballot in that way:
In another push to give voters a real voice in politics, attorneys for Dave Rosenberg, candidate for Tennessee House District 50, yesterday filed suit against the Davidson County Election Commission for its “willful failure to take action, fostering voter confusion.” The Davidson County Chancery Court promptly issued an order requiring the commission to comply with a request Rosenberg made last Monday.
“We respectfully ask that the election commission be compelled to perform its duties under Tennessee Law, which empowers the commission to require ‘further identifying information’ if voters will be confused or misled by a candidate’s name,” attorney Rob Hill said before the court’s decision.
The complaint noted that one of Rosenberg’s opponents in the race, Dymon Hall, has asked to appear on the ballot as “Dave Hall,” a derivative of the name David Hall, who is a candidate for U.S. Congress and will appear on the same ballot. The candidates Hall are also using identical branding, and robocalls on behalf of the younger Hall alternate between identifying him as “Dave Hall” and “David Hall.”
“Regardless of intent, nobody has disputed the fact that voters will be confused and misled. This fact has been demonstrated in virtually every conversation regarding this matter,” Hill added. “If my client asked to run under the name Phil Bredesen, we would expect the election commission to take action to inform voters that Mr. Rosenberg is not the outgoing governor. Similarly, we are seeking to have Mr. Hall’s officially used and familiarly used name, Dymon, printed on the ballot.”
The lawsuit is another in a long list of efforts by the Rosenberg campaign to strengthen voters’ voices on election day. He has previously stated his opposition to incumbent Gary Moore’s proposed Constitutional amendment to double the length of time lawmakers remain in office before facing the voters. Rosenberg has also called for a transparent redistricting process to guarantee competitive elections rather than the drawing of “safe seats” behind closed doors that prevent voters from having a real choice.
Rosenberg concluded: “The bottom line is we should know with 100% certainty we are voting for the candidate we intend to-and not have to guess whether or not the same candidate is running in two races. Further, we should have the right to hold our elected officials accountable rather than cancelling legislative elections, and have the right to choose between the best candidates available-rather than allowing qualified candidates to be scared off by uncompetitive districts that are the result of backroom political deals.”
EARLIER:
Tribal politics
Posted on September 2, 2010 at 9:20 amThose six state-recognized Indian tribes probably won’t be after today, when a ruling is expected to say the state commission granting the recognition violated the Open Meetings Act.
The Least of Three Evils
Posted on September 2, 2010 at 9:00 amThe Sumner County Democratic Party - faced with the unenviable task of choosing between two Republicans (one of whom was already named as the county GOP nominee) for their nominee to replace the late Bob Barker - instead voted to ask the election be non-partisan. As if having to choose between two Republicans wasn’t proof enough of the trouble the Dems are in up Sumner County way - only six people showed up to the caucus.
Not for profiling
Posted on September 2, 2010 at 8:40 amHomeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano says the counter-terrorism tip line - which recently started advertising in Nashville - is not meant for spying on your neighbor:
“We’re not asking them to watch their neighbors per se,” she said. “What we’re asking them to do is be situationally aware and when they see something odd or unusual … that they give local authorities a call.”
Napolitano declined to comment on the Rutherford County mosque controversy directly, saying it would be inappropriate for her to speak about an ongoing investigation. She said that if it is determined to be arson, the culprits should be prosecuted.
“Arson is arson, and arson is a crime,” Napolitano said.
“They ought to find out who did it, and they ought to prosecute them.”
36 Crazyfists
Posted on September 2, 2010 at 8:20 amThe Ticket takes a look at the 36th District - where freshman Republican Chad Faulkner got beat in the primary by tea-party organizer Dennis Powers. He’ll face Democrat Keith Clotfelter, who has been distancing himself from national Democrats.
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Kerry is the new Black?
Posted on September 2, 2010 at 8:00 amMike Morrow’s mid-week political chatter round-up includes this:
Kerry Roberts, who ran unsuccessfully in the Republican primary for the 6th District congressional seat being vacated by Rep. Bart Gordon, says he is hearing from people encouraging him to run to replace state Sen. Diane Black, R-Gallatin, if she wins her race as the Republican congressional nominee.
Black is running against Democrat Brett Carter, an attorney and Iraq War veteran.
“I’m getting calls and e-mails literally every day, saying I hope you will run for Diane’s seat should she win,” Roberts said a few days ago. “The first thing I say is I need to focus on my business, which has been neglected for a year, and make sure she gets elected.”
Roberts runs a bicycle business. Another name that has surfaced in the discussion is that of state Rep. Debra Young Maggart, R-Hendersonville. Maggart faces re-election to her current House seat against Democrat Charles Ihrig and independent Jay Kalbes.
Witness
Posted on September 2, 2010 at 7:45 amPolice in the ‘Boro say they spotted a Nissan on the scene of the mosque fire - they are on the look out.
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Kent thanks the little people
Posted on September 2, 2010 at 7:30 amIn his release, the Speaker of the House remembers the folks who made the TNGA Web site happen (unlike somebody else).
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Murray slaughter
Posted on September 2, 2010 at 7:15 amPam Murray is going around her old district, knocking on doors, looking for information. The people, though, say they are being intimidated.
Sannithia Hendricks said it used to be a challenge keeping drug dealers and other criminals out of her East Nashville community. But these days, Hendricks and others said, they are fearful of their former Metro Council member.
“I mean, I know you’re upset because you lost, but when you came to my door, you intimidated me, and that makes me feel bad,” said Hendricks.
Hendricks was one of numerous District Five voters who signed a petition last year that led to the contentious recall election. Murray lost the historic election by three votes to Jamie Hollin.
Wednesday, Hendricks said, Murray knocked on her door with a copy of that petition and choice words about her vote for Hollin.
“So don’t come to my door asking me why did I vote for this man. That’s none of your business,” Hendricks said.
Camp David
Posted on September 2, 2010 at 7:00 amDavid Hall gets Phil Williamsed, who wants to know about the camp:
So how many teens participated?
“None participated — it never did happen,” Hall insisted.
“Are you sure about that?” NewsChannel 5 Investigates asked.
“Positive.”
But Hall’s own Facebook page declared back in July, “Do Hard Things 2010 is on the move, thanks guys (and gals)!”
And the next day, “Five more Do Hard Things 2010 campaigners arrive in Nashville this afternoon.”
“It was just mistaken information put on by a volunteer,” Hall explained.
NewsChannel 5 Investigates asked, ”So you’re saying believe you now, don’t believe what was on your Facebook page?”
“All I’m saying,” he answered, “there was a mistake.”
Then, we discovered a Facebook page that the kids’ organization had apparently tried to delete.
One posting read, “We didn’t know there were any Conservative’s (sic) in former Senator Hillary Clinton’s district. We were wrong, there are two and they’re both coming to Do Hard Things 2010!”
That appeared to march with a ”TN Trip” photo album from two New York sisters, showing them campaigning for David Hall.
NewsChannel 5 Investigates wanted to know, “If ‘Do Hard Things’ posted on its Facebook page that all of this stuff was happening, that’s a lie?”
“It’s not a lie,” Hall said. “It was a mistake.”
And even though 17-year-old Zach Hall supposedly heads the PAC, Hall didn’t want us to talk to him about other posts, like these:
“Received more registrants in the mail for DHT 2010, Praise the Lord.”
“Thanks to those who have already joined us here in Nashville.”“You’re interviewing me, not my child,” Hall said.
Over on The Tennessean, Chas takes a look, too.
Maybe you could have said that before the fire
Posted on September 1, 2010 at 4:00 pmThe Green Vest gets a “too little, too late” from CAIR:
A spokesman for a national Islamic organization said he appreciates Gov. Phil Bredesen’s comments urging Tennesseans to show religious tolerance toward Islamic beliefs, but he wishes the remarks came before a suspected arson incident at the site of a future Murfreesboro mosque.
“That’s a good statement, but perhaps it would have been more beneficial coming earlier and also coming earlier in the repudiation of the voices of bigotry that have been very loud in this debate,” said Ibrahim Hooper, spokesman for the Council on American-Islamic Relations.
Federal and state authorities are investigating what they say is suspected arson at the mosque site in which one piece of construction equipment was set ablaze and three others doused with accelerant Saturday.
Asked about Hooper’s remarks, Bredesen press secretary Lydia Linker said Tuesday in an e-mail that “with no disrespect to [Hooper], the governor wasn’t asked for his thoughts by the media until yesterday, and that was after this escalated to a level that he feels is clearly out of line.”
On Monday, Bredesen called on Tennesseans “to please have great respect for anyone’s religious preferences and their rights to practice those in the United States.”
The Price is wrong?
Posted on September 1, 2010 at 3:10 pmThe latest from Herron’s folks:
Congressional candidate Stephen Fincher is walking lockstep with one of his chief Washington handlers as both men find themselves at the center of ethics inquiries this week.
“Stephen Fincher is learning how to play ball with special interest groups from the most corrupt politicians Washington has to offer,” said Brandon Puttbrese, spokesman for Roy Herron’s congressional campaign. “More than ever, Tennesseans need a Congressman who will hold themselves accountable, act with integrity and fight special interests.”
According to a Sept. 1 Politico article, the Office of Congressional Ethics has asked the House ethics committee to investigate Fincher ally and supporter Rep. Tom Price (R-Ga.) in relation to fundraising events with financial services firms that coincided with the congressional debate over financial reform. He is accused of selling his vote against financial reform to Wall Street special interest groups.
In an Aug. 28 article, The Jackson Sun reported Fincher was the subject of an ethics inquiry from a prominent lawyer who challenged a suspicious $250,000 campaign loan and the absence of $100,000s worth of unreported personal debt that election rules require Fincher to disclose.
In April, Price loaned his voice to a robocall campaign plugging Fincher’s candidacy. Election records also show that Price’s Voice for Freedom PAC also donated $1,000 to the Fincher campaign.
Fincher issued a statement in January expressing his appreciation for Price’s support along with other Washington insiders, who seek to cut Social Security benefits and ship jobs overseas.
“You don’t need a crystal ball to see that Stephen Fincher’s agenda is bad news for working Tennessee families,” Puttbrese said. “Look no further than the corrupt politicians he’s taking notes from and the anti-middle class special interest groups spending millions on his campaign. Stephen Fincher is another vote for partisan politics, shady backroom deals with special interest and shuttering Tennessee factories.”
Your new favorite photo
Posted on September 1, 2010 at 2:35 pmNashville’s finest meet with Commerce Secretary Gary Locke, courtesy the Commerce Department via the WaPo:
That dog’ll hunt
Posted on September 1, 2010 at 2:02 pmOn the opening day of dove season, Mike McWherter reminds you he is a life-long hunter and to vote yes on Amendment 1, because we were all worried someone was going to come and take away our rights to hunt and fish:
“On November 2nd, voters will go to the polls and make a decision that will impact the lives of Tennesseans for generations to come. On the November ballot, voters will also decide on a proposed constitutional amendment that aims to establish hunting and fishing as protected rights in Tennessee. As a candidate for governor, an avid hunter and long-time member of the National Rifle Association, I fully support this ballot measure and encourage Tennessee voters to do the same,” said Mike McWherter, Democratic nominee for Governor.
“I am a hunter and a conservationist who recognizes the significant contributions of the outdoor community. Hunting and fishing generate billions in economic impact every year for our state. The outdoor community is also on the front lines when it comes to preserving endangered natural places and managing our wildlife resources. These outdoor activities are part of our state’s legacy and Tennesseans should take this opportunity to secure our heritage in the state constitution by voting yes on Amendment #1.”
Recent Comments
This press release dated TODAY from Union University says the Oct. 5th TN 08 debate is a...
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