Did Haslam Skip A Conservative Event For A Democratic Hosted Fundraiser?

5 Responses to “Did Haslam Skip A Conservative Event For A Democratic Hosted Fundraiser?”

1. Johnny Mac writes
   November 8th, 2009 1:45 pm

   You cannot be serious. What a coward.

2. Jerry Provost writes
   November 8th, 2009 2:27 pm

   I’ve heard this, too. Appears to be true. Can’t face the conservatives in his own home town? I also heard he bussed in college kids to vote for him.. but couldn’t even show up himself. Just goes to show they really think money will buy this thing. It’s going to be close, but if Haslam thinks he can buy the primary like he tried to buy that straw poll it’s going to be a long 10 months for his team. I really think people are actually paying attention this time around. Just my two cents, of course, because I wasn’t there.

3. Ed Baxter writes
   November 8th, 2009 2:35 pm

   Haslam is arrogant and believes that money can buy this race. The hard working people of Tennessee are not that stupid.

4. Number9 writes
   November 8th, 2009 3:41 pm

   Haslam is working hard. He has some strategy of some kind and it appears to be a “I’m a conservative and a moderate too, but I tell people I’m a conservative businessman”. It is a confusing message.

   That will appeal to everyone expect real conservatives. This is another Ingram deal where they try to divide the conservative vote and let the moderates and democrats cross over and win the Republican Primary for Haslam.

   It could work. It worked with Corker. But if either Ramsey or Wamp drop out Haslam is done. Toast. Stick a fork in him.

   Polling will play a big part in what happens. If Haslam continues to poll poorly no one has to drop out. Money will not win an election with a squishy candidate. Haslam has no presence. No persona. No gravitas. There is a stutter in his speech that telegraphs a lack of confidence.

   The debates will not be pleasant for Haslam. He will stick out like a sore thumb. Haslam has to win the Primary before the debates. He needs a big lead before people hear that waiver in his voice. Much will be made about the historic low voter turnout in the Knoxville City election of last week. Much will be made about the Bloomberg “Mayor’s Against Guns”. And much will be made about the vote on prohibiting guns in Knoxville City Parks.

   Do the Haslam’s have enough money to shore up this candidate?

5. Joe Kirkpatrick writes
   November 9th, 2009 12:47 am

   There’s not enough money in circulation. It just ain’t happening.

   Yes, Wamp will likely be the one to drop when the Haslam cash becomes too much to bear. Ramsey has had a few questionable votes, but he has 18 senators and 40+ house members playing on his team and expecting a promotion in the leadership.

   However, TARP is the big killer. It is the reason I didn’t support him. The apologists and liberals have no idea how pissed people are about that. Without that, he would have been a shoe-in. For better or worse, now, his fate is in Bob Davis’ hands.

   It could very well have been a career trainwreck for a few movement conservatives. Zach is definitely good enough and likable enough to survive it, just not this time out. He can’t make it against Ramsey long-term and needs to realize it sooner rather than later. He’ll make a capable Deputy Gov or Commissioner of Econ & Tourism or a fortune as a lobbyist.

   Yes, I am grassroots. Yes, I am most unlikely to win. However, it seems my strongest support is coming from Hamilton and Bradley Counties. Why? I honestly believe Zach would barely have held, if at all, his seat in a GOP primary against Tim Gobble. Robin and the other seven or eight candidates wouldn’t have run against him.

   If Gibbons and the vice squad are determined to stay in until the end, and he pulls his 8 or 9 per cent, it is still anybody’s race. I expect that he will pick someone to support ultimately. His day job is safe no matter who the Governor is.

   Bill Haslam cannot win with all five of us still in. Look for him to get about 21-24 per cent. Good, but not enough. It will take 32 percent to win. He’ll be third at best. Ramsey will pull it out by a nose and jog to victory in the general. Bill Haslam is the only candidate who could discourage the GOP faithful enough to elect a Democrat.

   Everyone points to Corker-Bryant-Hilleary. Party dynamics have changed significantly, and much more importantly, Bill Haslam is no Bob Corker. I don’t always see eye-to-eye with our junior senator, but he is a bona fide genius.