Debra Maggart Asks Doctors To Open Their Wallets

43 Responses to “Debra Maggart Asks Doctors To Open Their Wallets”

1. Donna Locke writes
   September 30th, 2008 3:26 pm

   I think they can count on the doctors.

2. Maryanna Clarke writes
   September 30th, 2008 3:29 pm

   I would like to know why Ms. Maggart will not appear in a debate with Mr. Allman. Even Sarah Palin is putting her money where her mouth (and often her foot) is, and will show up for a debate against her opponent. Why has Ms. Maggart repeatedly dodged debating the issues, one-on-one, with HER opponent?

3. Donna Locke writes
   September 30th, 2008 3:30 pm

   I just want to add that if you care about demagnetizing Tennessee to illegal immigration and about protecting our voting process from fraud, state Rep. Debra Maggart has had the guts to do something about those things, in the bills she has sponsored and co-sponsored.

4. OldYellerDog writes
   September 30th, 2008 3:41 pm

   From what I’ve heard, both Rep. Maggart and Sen. Black have worked to avoid discussing their records in public with their opponents. Why is this? What are they afraid of, if they have done such a good job?

5. Laura B. writes
   September 30th, 2008 3:41 pm

   I’m sickened by Maggart’s lowdown tactics. I’m especially disgusted that she’s attacked family members, the candidate’s wife and children. Clearly, some Republicans don’t seem to agree that family members of candidates are OFF LIMITS! Maggart won’t defend her record in a public debate, and this dirty, covert appeal smacks of desperation.

6. Donna Locke writes
   September 30th, 2008 3:45 pm

   And keep in mind that just about every good thing Maggart and other Republicans have tried to pass in our legislature has been torpedoed or stolen by the Democrats in control. Put Republicans in control in the House, and you won’t have this problem.

7. Joshua Gwinn writes
   September 30th, 2008 3:46 pm

   The good folks of Sumner County have endured below-the-belt political tactics for far too long, and Ms. Maggart continues to put partisan, negative politics above the interest of her constituents. It is time for us, the fair mannered Sumner County residents, to show that we don’t stand for this type of politics by voting Ms. Maggart out of office this fall.

8. Chester Copperpot writes
   September 30th, 2008 3:47 pm

   Can someone please explain which of his family members were addressed in the letter besides him and how they were attacked? I must be missing something. Since when did pointing out an obvious truth become a dirty campaign tactic?

9. Paul writes
   September 30th, 2008 3:52 pm

   I am a proud Blue Dog as most of you know, but I hate Trial Lawyers and they are the Big Oil of our Party.

   We need tougher laws on Trial Lawyers

10. Laura B. writes
    September 30th, 2008 4:04 pm

    The mailer includes a photo of Allman’s family members and uses the text HIS FAMILY. An obvious truth, you’ve got to be joking! Again, this ploy shows Maggart’s desperation.

11. Donna Locke writes
    September 30th, 2008 4:50 pm

    I must add one more thing here. When the Democrats in our legislature have snatched one of the Republican-sponsored bills having to do with illegal immigration and run with it, the Democrats have weakened or otherwise made a mess of those bills — the highway-patrol enforcement bill/law as an example. This legislation was significantly weakened from the original bill that Republicans Mark Norris (state Senate) and Dolores Gresham (state House) introduced.

    I do think a few of the state Democrats have tried to get their own bills right but have not been supported by their leadership. People, Naifeh has to go.

12. Maryanna Clarke writes
    September 30th, 2008 4:54 pm

    Ms. Locke — you’re a bit off topic, but that’s OK. As long as we’re off topic, will you please ask Ms. Maggart (and Ms. Black) why they steadfastly refuse to debate their opponents? If they have so many people in their corner, as you suggest, they have nothing to fear. Debate between candidates is one of the hallmarks of our democracy — I hope your candidates will choose to be patriotic and participate in a debate of the issues that face Tennesseans.

    Thanks!

13. EJ writes
    September 30th, 2008 4:54 pm

    Oh, I get it. It’s ok for Andy Allman to put his family in his political ads with the headline “My family helping yours…” But how DARE anyone mention that Andy’s family benefits from his being a trial lawyer? I have a suggestion for you Andy…if you don’t want your family in the middle of your campaign, leave them out of YOUR campaign.

14. EJ writes
    September 30th, 2008 4:58 pm

    I’d like to know why Mike McDonald didn’t debate his opponent two years ago? Any of you Dems got an answer for that one?

15. Donna Locke writes
    September 30th, 2008 5:01 pm

    I don’t know if I’m off topic or not. For some reason, I ended up in a neighborhood with a bunch of doctors, and some of them have gone out of their way to let me know they agree with what I’m saying on the immigration issue. And when I was living in Georgia, we helped put my own doctor, Phil Gingrey, into Congress on this issue.

16. MusicCityVic writes
    September 30th, 2008 5:04 pm

    They don’t debate because of the past “hidden” agenda of the people in charge of the debates with the slanted questions. They make the MSNBC crowd look like independents.

    Look at the legislation they have supported or opposed and make a decision based on that. We are better for having both of them in the State Government to combat the Neifeh run legislature.

    In fact we need MORE of them. Your worrying about debates in your party, you should be worried about what the dems did to Kurita.

17. MT writes
    September 30th, 2008 5:26 pm

    So, are we supposed to believe Allman’s family doesn’t benefit from his job? I don’t get it. What exactly is he “saddened” about? I don’t see any “attacks” here.

    Looks like a fundraising letter restating phrases Allman used in HIS VERY OWN AD. Allman - not Maggart- used the photo his family to promote his work as a trial lawyer specializing in ambulance chasing… or “medical negligence” – whatever pretty thing politcians want to call it.

18. Carolyn C writes
    September 30th, 2008 5:55 pm

    Debra Maggart has no values when it comes to getting re-elected so that Sumner County citizens can stay victims of her partisan politics. Exactly what good legislation Maggart has brought to the state I don’t know about, she is constantly making herself look bigoted because her main cause seems to be gays or moral values, where are hers? If Maggart and her R friends in the legislature have done so much for Sumner County, why do they not want to debate so they can proclaim how much they have done for the county? My guess is that they know that their opponents have their number and they are afraid to put themselves out there. Attending a debate that is not open to the community is a farce unless it is changed and open to the community.

    Andy Allman has a perfectly wonderful family and two beautiful daughters who do not need to be brought into Maggart’s mean and tiresome political ploys. If she wanted to go to doctors to ask for their money, she could have done that without using a picture of the Allman family. Actually, they are assets to Mr. Allman, but should be totally off limits to mean, vindictive politicians who are afraid of losing and want to circle their wagons. Shame on the whole R party in Sumner County, your lack of family values are becoming more evident each day.

    Mr. Allman, as an attorney, has stopped bigotry in its tracks in Clarksville and other areas of Tennessee. He represents the many that the R’s want to ignore because it might cut into their bases money, the best interest of the disadvantaged be damned.

    All of these R’s can protest all they want, but the truth is that they are an elitist bunch who think that they can scare people with their tactics, but I think that most people in this county are ready to elect people who are caring and interested people, not partisan egotistical people who want total control. All thinking people must join together to stop them now.

19. The Doc writes
    September 30th, 2008 6:07 pm

    Ask those same docs if they would prefer Mr. Allman or Ms. Maggart to represent them in the legislature against the insurance lobby, in order to reduce fee “adjustments,” needless paperwork, delays, interference with the doctor-patient relationship, etc. Hey, ya’ll: any evidence that the Republicans ever side with insurance company profits, against good medical care?

20. Len writes
    September 30th, 2008 6:08 pm

    For EJ & MT:
    The Allman ad in question was NOT a “campaign” ad, but rather an ad for his law firm that originally ran BEFORE he even announced he was running for office. Andy did NOT inject his family into the campaign, Rep. Maggart did. If you read the ad, you’d see that. Also, Allman is no ambulance chaser. He represents clients that have been wronged -his current area of practice is civil rights, where he has stood up against bigotry. Sure, he also does medical malpractice work, but unlike the stereotypes the Republicans like to trot out, he helps people who have been truly wronged by the medical system. Have you ever been the victim of negligence? Have you ever had a family member permanently hurt, maimed or disfigured by medical negligence by a hospital? If you have, you’d want someone in your corner fighting for your rights. Andy Allman is that man. He is not what people who don’t know him make him out to be.
    The Maggart ad was a low blow, misleading and using an image of Andy’s family for political gain. I see no reason why that should not be noted.
    Final point, why do this unless she’s afraid she’s going to lose to Allman? Why go negative so early against a challenger? See you all on November 5.

21. Maryanna Clarke writes
    September 30th, 2008 7:37 pm

    So, let me get this straight: when Andy Allman uses his family in a mailer promoting HIS BUSINESS, that makes his family fair game in a political fight. But when Sarah Palin uses her family in every stump speech she gives, her family is totally off limits in a political fight. How very interesting — how very republican.

22. Blue Sumner Daze writes
    September 30th, 2008 8:55 pm

    Everybody hates lawyers. Thinks they’re the dirtiest dogs that ever lived. Until he needs one.

    Given the nature of this low blow against her opponent, claiming that he “preys” upon his clients, Debra Maggart ought to think about consulting one herself.

23. Donna Locke writes
    September 30th, 2008 9:29 pm

    As always, it’s a matter of getting your priorities in order. Only you can decide those. As for some of the issues mentioned above, I’m a gay-rights advocate, and my brother is a trial lawyer who tries to do the right thing every time he takes a case. What I hear from health care professionals involves a complex set of policies to which we are all held captive, and several of you have touched on those. People who read this blog know my leanings, so it’s no surprise that, weighing it all, I would vote for Maggart if I were in her district.

24. MusicCityVic writes
    September 30th, 2008 9:29 pm

    Lets see. Ms. Maggart has opposed illegal immigration. She’s against homosexual couples being used as foster parents. She is against a State Income Tax. She sponsored some Long-Term healthcare legislation for Seniors. She sponsored a bill to require helmets for children umder 18 who ride ATV’s. She sponsored legislation to require an ID before voting. She sponsored legislation to toughen up the sex predator notification laws.

    Gee….seems like she is public enemy number one….to the liberals…sex predators and illegal immigrants and voters make up a large part of their voting base.

25. EJ writes
    September 30th, 2008 9:39 pm

    So why did Andy Allman run this political ad disguised as a business concern? I guess it’s so that his law firm can pay for it. And if I remember correctly, business entities can’t make political contributions…so he skirts the rules. But hey, that’s what trial lawyers do best, right? Screw the rules, win at all costs, and line their pockets with the ill-gotten gains?

    Allman’s ad is POLITICAL. It’s an ELECTION year…Andy Allman is RUNNING FOR OFFICE. All you easily-offended candy-assed Democrats out there need to un-bunch your bloomers. What SHOULD offend you Democrats is the ease with which he pimps out his family in his thinly veiled political advertisement. His campaign is too cheap to spring for a real ad and instead his firm pays for an advertisement touting his “medical negligence” practice. For those of you who don’t recognize that type of law, it’s trial lawyer jargon that to the rest of us means “parasitic ambulance chasing trial lawyer.” And that’s gonna get you a lot of votes in Sumner County.

26. Blue Sumner Daze writes
    September 30th, 2008 10:09 pm

    Well, EJ, that would make sense - if the business ad did not precede Allman’s campaign by several months. As a Sumner County resident who saw the business Ad on the back of a local publication, which was full of ads for local businesses, I’d suggest to you it would have been better to keep your mouth shut and be thought a fool than to have opened it and removed all doubt.

    And by the way, speaking of “skirting the rules”, I couldn’t help but note Rep. Maggart’s reminder to her target audience to be sure to give her a personal check rather than one from their business.

27. Laura B. writes
    September 30th, 2008 10:13 pm

    Donna L., thankfully, you are not in the 45th district as I am. I’m tired of Maggart’s antics. She’s an embarrassment. Leave it to the Republicans to cut to the petty name calling. As a resident of the 45th House District, I’ll be casting my vote for Andy Allman.

28. EJ writes
    October 1st, 2008 7:11 am

    “Well, EJ, that would make sense - if the business ad did not precede Allman’s campaign by several months.”

    It ran last month. LONG after Allman declared his candidacy. But hey, I understand…truth has never been the strong suit of the Sumner County Democrat Party. Why start now, right?

    “And by the way, speaking of “skirting the rules”, I couldn’t help but note Rep. Maggart’s reminder to her target audience to be sure to give her a personal check rather than one from their business.”

    Yeah, last time I checked, political contributions directly to candidates can only come from individuals.

    Keep talking, fool.

29. Len writes
    October 1st, 2008 9:50 am

    For EJ (yet again…)

    For someone with such strong opinions, you sure need to learn to temper them with actual knowledge of the facts. Regarding the Allman ad, it has run several times (you know, advertisers buy ads months in advance to run over the course of several editions of a publication), and it first ran long before the race began. The entire ad buy took place BEFORE the race began and BEFORE Andy had decided to run.

    People are allowed to advertise their businesses while they are running for office. Rep. Maggart is can certainly publicize her business as she sees fit, as can Andy Allman. Yes, even in an election year.

    Finally, your characterizations of Andy are simply false. He is not what you say he is. Have you ever met the man? I have known him and his family for YEARS and know who he is and what is practice is about.

    Hey EJ, take a chill pill, take a basic course in advertising, take a minute to meet the people you bash and another to learn about the industry you seem to despise. Maybe then you’ll moderate your view a little.

30. EJ writes
    October 1st, 2008 10:48 am

    “Maybe then you’ll moderate your view a little.”

    Yeah, that’s rich. Coming from someone who writes a column called “Veer Left”…oh and wrote this little bit of “moderate” thinking:

    SCDP Expresses Outrage over Attack on Andy Allman’s Family

    Maggart’s Attack an “Act of Desperation”

    SCDP urges all members to ACT NOW!

    In a sure sign that the campaign is heating up and that incumbent Republican Debra Maggart is seriously worried about Andy Allman’s campaign for positive change in Sumner County, the Maggart campaign sent a letter to doctors in District 45 that uses scare tactics and fear to get doctors to send the campaign $1000.00. But that’s not the worst of it! The letter goes on to attack Andy’s FAMILY, accusing them of making large sums of money off the backs of doctors who are “already struggling.” Included in the attack letter is a photo of Andy with his wife and two little girls. (Copies of both pages are attached.)

    This is simply outrageous and will not be tolerated. Attacking young children of who have done nothing wrong is truly beneath contempt and a sure sign of more outrages to come. It also means she’s worried! Why attack an opponent (and his family!) if you didn’t think you were losing?

    What can you do? Here are a few options. We urge you to do all you can to help Andy and his family.

    1) Call your doctor. Ask if he or she has received this letter. Let them know how you feel and that Andy is a good family man and is not about driving up health care costs. In fact, its just the opposite. Andy wants to expand and improve health care options for all of us. Ask your doctor to not be swayed by this outrageous attack on a family.

    2) Come to Andy’s fundraiser. You’ll be getting an invitation in the mail soon. Join us and support Andy and his family.

    3) Get involved. We canvass for Andy every Saturday (this week is right after the party meeting) and we phone bank Tuesday and Thursday. If you can help with either effort, call Eric at 715-1296 or email him at eric@andyallman.org. (Note: All efforts also support our other Democratic candidates, including Jim Hawkins, Steve Sudbury and Ken Wilkinson.)

    4) Donate to the campaign. Visit http://www.andyallman.org and make a secure online donation or send a check to Andy at 343 Indian Lake Rd, Hendersonville, 37075.

    5) And if you see Debra Maggart, tell her how you feel. Tell her this kind of negative advertising is wrong as is attacking a man’s family. A family that has done nothing wrong!

    6) Spread the word! Tell everyone you know about this outrage.

    If you are wondering, Andy so far has sent out two mail pieces, one introducing himself and his campaign and one noting that Debra Maggart voted AGAINST a non-binding resolution calling for an investigation into oil price gouging. He spoke the truth and left Debra’s family out of it. Can she say the same? NO!

31. EJ writes
    October 1st, 2008 10:49 am

    Oh, maybe we should talk about Andy’s little lawsuit involving “bad gas?” How would you like me to uncover that little gem? Hmmm?

32. Laura B. writes
    October 1st, 2008 11:25 am

    EJ–Would you be Eric Jackson of Keystone who is on the Maggart payroll? Of course you would be supporting her. That’s why she pays you.

33. Donna Locke writes
    October 1st, 2008 12:03 pm

    Since Rep. Maggart’s bill to secure the elections process didn’t pass, thanks to the Democrats, I might be able to go up to that district and vote for her.

34. Donna Locke writes
    October 1st, 2008 12:38 pm

    By the way, how has Allman “stopped bigotry in its tracks in Clarksville and other areas of Tennessee”? I’m curious to know.

35. Carolyn C writes
    October 1st, 2008 12:49 pm

    EJ and Donna L,

    with one of you on her payroll and the other not in her district, does she really need any enemies? The fact is that when you have been rebuked several times and have been given the facts, you still take the Republican route of perpetuating lies and putting your partisanship above the needs of the people. Maggart may have introduced many bills, but Democrats look at them and analyze them and then come to the conclusion that they are politically motivated and will do nothing to help. Sure, hear in the 45th you can slam gays and by okay, because people will only look at the word gay and agree, while not bothering to check facts that pretain to the situation. Illegal immigration will be stopped when penalties are high enough against your corporate base to stop them from hiring them. Again, I would suggest that you get to know Andy Allman before being so quick to attempt to discredit him. The fact that his Civil Rights cases could set a standard for the country and help people that you and your candidate and party ignore is all that needs to be said about him and how he cares for people and their needs, not what they can do for him politically.
    The fact that Gov. Palen has a 17 year old pregnant daughter and a handicapped son, and a baby’s daddy that they had to clean up and parade on TV after he had said publically that the neither wanted to be a father or a husband is supposed to be offlimits, but a family man with two young daughters is fair game. Once again, the Republican way of twisting things to suit your partisan purpose rather than caring about who you hurt in the process. Shame on both of you for your grandstanding. Let’s hope that neither of you need a good attorney in the future because of someone’s negligence, given your feelings on how dirty they are, you might have a difficult time finding representation. It is sometimes daunting how your words and actions can come back and bite you where it hurts.

36. EJ writes
    October 1st, 2008 1:42 pm

    “The fact that his Civil Rights cases could set a standard for the country”

    How about his “bad gas” lawsuits?

    I’m enjoying all this. You Dems are a real “gas”…doing the same thing you accuse other people of doing before you even have time to take another breath.

    I’m out….going to light my cigar with a $100 bill I earned from the Maggart campaign.

37. Len writes
    October 1st, 2008 6:36 pm

    Donna:
    Andy represented African American police officers in Clarksville who accused the Clarksville PD and govt of various racist actions, including passing over for promotions, creation of a hostile work environment, etc. That’s just one example.
    EJ: Thanks for the plug and the repetition of my call to action!

38. EJ writes
    October 1st, 2008 9:07 pm

    Oh, no problem Len. I hope everyone enjoyed reading your hysterical call for manufactured outrage. James Carville, Paul Begala and the rest of the talking-point-sky-is-falling-bed-wetting ninnies would be very proud of you.

39. Donna Locke writes
    October 1st, 2008 9:19 pm

    Thanks for the info, Len. I don’t know the guy and wondered if stopping “bigotry” might have something to do with trying to halt or subvert enforcement of U.S. immigration laws — for some reason, I tend to be suspicious that way.

    Carolyn, you seemed to be addressing me, so I would like to know where I’ve told or perpetuated any “lies” here. I’m just telling you I followed some legislation and drew some conclusions about the difficulty or ease certain bills met at crossing the Rio D. Y’all can wring your hands over a bunch of other issues, but I’m telling you that if we don’t get immigration numbers under control, these other issues may be moot. That’s why immigration is at the top of my list when I decide how I’m going to vote.

    It’s a sacrifice for me — and other voters — in some ways, because we care deeply about many other issues. This triage situation may not always be this way for me and wasn’t always that way in my past, but it’s the way I think right now. Massive, unchecked immigration is a crisis situation and factors into many other problems our nation is facing at the moment.

    I know Rep. Maggart grasps the gravity of the situation and has shown the guts to do something about it while enduring the abuse that has cowed many politicians. Clearly, I don’t agree with Maggart on everything, but the demagnetization issue and some fiscal issues and the crying need to get a Republican majority in our legislature — for so many reasons — are why I’d vote for her.

40. “Bad Gas” from a Bad Lawyer | the legitimate businessman's social club writes
    October 2nd, 2008 10:50 am

    [...] that you get to know Andy Allman before being so quick to attempt to discredit him. The fact that his Civil Rights cases could set a standard for the country and help people that you and your candidate and party ignore is all that needs to be said about him [...]

41. Robert Reich writes
    October 2nd, 2008 8:01 pm

    EJ, Donna L and others,

    It would appear that this conversation has gotten a little off topic. Yes, Andy Allman is a Lawyer. Yes, Ms. Maggart is a State Representative.
    Yes, Ms. Maggart said “How can you help me defeat this trial lawyer who seeks to do your industry harm by preying on patients and their families for his own personal gain?”
    Yes, Andy Allman’s ads started running prior to his becoming a candidate. Yes, they have run recently.

    Would Ms. Maggart be warning homeowners, to beware of intentionally set fires, if Andy was a fireman?

    Would she be appealing to the fears of the people of this state to beware of disease or illness, if Andy was a Doctor.

    I think she probably would…
    But the facts are the facts and opinions are opinions. You can debate opinions until you are blue in the face, or you can be a democrat…

42. EJ writes
    October 3rd, 2008 8:51 am

    Ooooh….yeah, get on your molehill and look down at everyone else. The whole “we’re smarter and better than you” shtick is OVER.

    The DEAFENING silence I hear since I posted this tells all. Andy and the rest of you don’t have the sack to respond to this in any way:

    http://www.ericjackson.org/2008/10/02/bad-gas-from-a-bad-lawyer/

    Andy Allman as state rep. would be good for the people of the 45th district in one way: He wouldn’t have as much time to practice his gutter law.

43. Christopher Cooke writes
    October 6th, 2008 12:24 pm

    Are you serious about Andy Allman people?

    The guy is a parasite that preys on the the very foundations of this country. The only thing I havent seen this guy pull is Crisco with a camera on a Wallmart floor looking for his next slip and fall case to be settled out of court. This isnt about politics, this is about electing some ambulance chaser that sues people becasue he thinks it’s his God given right with no morals or ethics involved. This was the guy that was beat up in high school on a daily basis and is taking it out on the world. This is the guy that watched the OJ trial and wants to be Johnny C when he grows up. I think electing Andy Allman in this district would be like electing Hitler to run for Isreal’s prime minister. Dont look, argue, and fight on the party lines. Look at this guy for who he is and what he does for a living and who he has done it to. Hell, I am waiting for my certified letter just for typing this. You should spend a week with Andy and see what Andy really does for a living. Andy is to law as Josef Mengele was to medicine.

    I hope all the other veterans in the county support Maggart. Because I have met and talked to Allman. He has no soul nor backbone and I can tell you in my homestate of NY people like that dont last to long as lawyers yet less run for politics. All I am asking is you call a spade a spade. Dont call a trail lawyer a good outstanding member of society. You act like this guy protects baby seals from being clubbed.