A Question Of Effectiveness
Posted on May 16, 2008 at 7:08 pmJon Lindberg of the Main Street Journal breaks down the Republican primary in the Seventh Congressional District:
So the question remains – is Blackburn a “rising star” among House leadership, or is she simply a Congressional foot solider – part of the conservative wing of the Republican Party?
Consider this, during her six years in Congress Blackburn has sponsored 34 bills, 32 of which have never made it out of committee. While that is hardly unusual, it hardly speaks of leading-the-charge. And while it is true Blackburn has remained an active House member, co-sponsoring hundreds of bills, many of which have been passed into law, when it comes to the issue of leadership, the argument that numerous Republican leaders throughout Shelby County are making is that Blackburn is great for sixty-second sound bites on radio or television, or for making an appearance at an event, delivering her sound bite and the exiting out the door – but when it comes to getting things done, something is lacking.
According to these same leaders, comprising mostly of elected officials who openly support Tom Leatherwood, Blackburn is seen more as a style candidate and less of a substance candidate. Or as one Shelby County elected official asked rhetorically, “What has she really done?”
The question, more appropriately phrased, “What have you done for me lately?” seemed to come up a number of times among Shelby County leadership. Sour grapes – or does Blackburn, who is still seen in as politician from Nashville who only makes stops in Memphis, have a Shelby County problem?
Tom Leatherwood is hoping so.
Comments
7 Responses to “A Question Of Effectiveness”
Well, here’s my .02.
At least two of the people who ran when Blackburn was initially elected, former US Attorney David Kustoff and Sen. Mark Norris of Collierville, want to run for that seat if she leaves it two years hence to run for Governor. There are a few other Republicans here thinking about it; since they have the seat in mind, I’m not sure anyone’s going out on a limb for tom Leatherwood.
Of course, if all that happens, there will be three (or more) candidates from Big Shelby crowd the GOP primary for TN-07 in 2010. What’s to keep the same thing from happening again, with someone from the outlying area taking everything outside Big Shelby?
That’s what they ought to think about. I am to the LEFT of my party here; however, if we can’t have a Democrat from TN-07, I’d at least like someone from Big Shelby sitting there.
Those frustrated over the geographical gerrymander that is the 7th can look forward to the next gerrymander in 2011.
Mark Norris, as well as Marsha Blackburn, would make an excellent governor of Tennessee.
As for what Blackburn “has done,” if you believe in limited government, what a rep stops and keeps from happening is more important most of the time. Blackburn has been a force in that way.
Marsha Blackburn does not believe in limited goverment, she is the Queen of Pork. Bridge to NoWhere anyone?
Liberty voted out the window anyone?
Trade packs anyone?
United Nations anyone?
Unconstitutional war anyone?
Increase the debt by 4 TRILLION dollars anyone?
Compared with the alternatives, Mickey.
Donna, are you voting for McCain? Is he better than the alternatives Obama/Hillary ?
I will not vote for McCain. He is essentially the same as Obamahillary in some key respects.