Post Politics: 9 April 2008

By Kleinheider Posted on April 11, 2008 at 2:52 pm

Independent candidate for Congress in District 9, Jake Ford, accuses the Commercial Appeal of “journalistic terrorism” in its reporting on statements he made about who is racially qualified to represent the district.

Much has been made of a Sen. Roy Herron bill which would give a state board the power to determine how the Bible is to be taught in public school. Catherine McTamaney argues that it is not the biblical aspect that is new here, but the level at which the state gets involved.

The LA Times reports on how those snappy little political YouTube ads are produced for the Web.

The Politico argues that Hillary Clinton’s management of her campaign may reflect badly on her ability to run a government.

Rules have been adopted in Metro which allow city workers to continue to spray for mosquitoes in an area even if property owners object or pedestrians are present.

Democratic Leadership Council founder Al From wonders whether Barack Obama can change the electoral map with his refreshing new appeals to voters across traditional divides.

Ilissa Gold reports that plans to move the Bellevue library to a new site at an improved Bellevue Mall are well underway.

Andy Sher reports that revenue shortfalls have put state worker pay raises in jeopardy.

Some state officials see the federal government’s plan to overhaul the country’s financial regulatory systems as an intrusion on their powers, says Stateline.

Photos of the “Flying Spaghetti Monster” statue outside a Crossville courthouse. The Spaghetti monster is a popular symbol among atheists and agnostics used to illustrate the unlikelihood of the existence of religious truth.

Breaking Bad: A new report reveals that homebuyers using mortgage brokers were often directed towards higher-interest loans.

A Vanderbilt professor releases a 74-page paper calling for Tennessee to adopt a state income tax.

One journalist notes that House Speaker Jimmy Naifeh is engaging in more raw politics as his power is threatened in the legislature.

The Amendment makes the bill: Reporter Joe White explains the concept of a “caption bill.”

Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Mike Padgett asserts that Tennesseans are fed up with the war in Iraq and want their troops home.

Monkey Business: A delegate for Barack Obama steps down after racially interpreted remark.

Presidential candidate Mike Gravel releases yet another YouTube video where he covers Beatles tunes in a way only he can.

The Jackson Sun reports that Tennessee wildlife officers will no longer auction off weapons seized from hunters violating game laws on the courthouse steps. The weapons will instead be shipped to Nashville for sale in licensed gun shops.

The issue of trade with Colombia divides the political house of Clinton.

Where the white women at? Event coordinators for Michelle Obama make explicit their need for diversity at a campaign event.

The failure of a bill in a state house subcommittee means that the judicial selection committee may still meet in private.

The Memphis Daily News covers the battle of conservatives in the District 7 congressional primary.

A report by the Government Accountability Office in Washington exposed federal employees charging exorbitant amounts of money for Internet dating, tailor-made suits, lingerie, lavish dinners and other questionable expenses to their government credit cards over a 15-month period.

Clarksville Online thinks a new strategy is needed to advance environmental legislation through the Tennessee Legislature.

Nashville Mayor Karl Dean invites to his home members of WIN, a bipartisan group dedicated to helping recruit, train and elect qualified women to state and local offices in Tennessee.

The Wall Street Journal reports that the smart money, at first bearish on John McCain’s prospects, is now starting to flow in.

And finally, Ken Whitehouse discusses West Tennessee Democrats on the downslope of political prominence.

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Tags: Al From, Barack Obama, Jake Ford, Jimmy Naifeh, Karl Dean, Mike Padgett