Zach Wamp Is Just Like A Bunch Of People Many Of Whom Will Be Behind His Opponents
Posted on May 5, 2009 at 9:46 pmSo proclaims his press release:
“Zach combines the clear vision and laser-like focus of a Lamar Alexander, the energy and drive of a Bob Corker, the command of complex issues like a Bill Frist or a Bill Brock, the common sense and straight talk of a Fred Thompson, and the ability to relate to and communicate with folks from all walks of life like a Winfield Dunn or a Howard Baker. That makes Zach a uniquely talented candidate and a major political force, and I believe his momentum will simply be unstoppable as voters in Middle and West Tennessee get to know him as well as folks already do in East Tennessee.”
Democratic Gubernatorial Candidate Gave Extensively To Republicans
Posted on February 23, 2009 at 8:09 am
It would appear that the Tennessee Democratic Party’s new treasurer is not the only Democrat of note with a history of contributing money to both Democratic and Republican causes.
Post Politics has learned that Ward Cammack, one of two Democrats actively campaigning to succeed Governor Phil Bredesen in 2010, has given to a myriad of Tennessee Republican candidates starting in 1979 with a donation to Senator Howard Baker’s 1980 Presidential run.
While Cammack has supported Congressman Jim Cooper with financial donations steadily throughout his career, a large majority of his donations have gone to Tennessee Republican candidates for federal office. In 1994, the year of the Republican Revolution, Cammack gave extensively to both Bill Frist and Fred Thompson who were victorious in grabbing both of Tennessee’s U.S. Senate seats that year.
Cammack also gave heavily to Lamar Alexander contributing to both his Presidential run in 1996 as well as his initial 2002 Senate run. In 2008, Cammack gave heavily to Alexander’s opponent Bob Tuke.
Cammack’s most recent Republican donation was in late 2005 when he contributed $500 to Bob Corker’s 2006 Senate primary campaign though Cammack tells Post Politics he ultimately voted for Corker’s opponent Harold Ford, Jr.
In discussing his party shift, Cammack cannot point to any “Road to Damacus” moment but admits that he is “clearly a convert” to the Democratic cause and credits the Bush years for his shift in worldview.
“Everything has changed. A lot of things people thought they had to protect, be it money or a set of so-called moral beliefs, have proved illusory,” Cammack explains. “All we really have is each other.”
Cammack, whose first Democratic vote for President was cast last fall for Barack Obama, said it was the exclusionary tactics of the GOP which led him to begin to question the staunch Republicanism he had learned as a child.
“Eventually you just have to ask: What is this all about? Why are we marginalizing people like this?” Cammack explains.
When asked whether he could pinpoint whether it was Republican policies on social issues, economic issues or foreign policy that ultimate let to his conversion, Cammack was unequivocal.
“All of the above,” replied Cammack.
Cammack does expect that some may be skeptical of his political past but insists that the Democratic Party is a “very comfortable skin for him.”
“Yes, I have given [money] to Republicans in the past and I have voted for Republicans in the past. I have never tried to hide that,” Cammack says. “But if you ask me if I believe in the Democratic Party, the answer is yes. Yes, I do.”
SEE ALSO: The Rotunda asks: “[I]s there a prominent Democrat expanding the tent of the party to reach the affluent white guys like Ward Cammack and Bill Freeman?”
Every Group
Posted on January 31, 2009 at 2:58 pmSenator Bill Frist shares his congratulations to the new RNC chair:
I want to extend my personal congratulations to Michael Steele on his election as Republican National Committee Chairman. Michael is an excellent choice for RNC Chair and I look forward to working with him to return our Party to the majority in every aspect of government. Michael Steele said that he will expand the reach of the Party by competing for every group, everywhere. That must be the ongoing philosophy of the Republican Party. Our message must reach every person in this country. We must encourage the American people to become involved in the grassroots efforts of the Republican Party. We know that the Republican core principles remain the principles of the majority of Americans. Now we must work with Michael Steele to communicate our message across the country.
A Healer Among Men
Posted on January 16, 2009 at 9:59 amBill Frist on the legacy of George W. Bush:
A legacy of President George W. Bush will be that he saved 10 million lives around the world.
His critics ignore it, but name another president about whom one can say that with such certainty. It is what historians will say a decade from now looking back. Not bad for a president who leaves office with the lowest approval rating in recent memory.
The bottom line is: George Bush is a healer.
SEE ALSO: Bruce Barry
Into The Great Wide Open: Haslam’s A Go
Posted on January 6, 2009 at 7:55 amNo surprise here but it is now official. We have a three man race for governor on the Republican side:
“My family and I are going into this with our eyes wide open,” Haslam, 50, said with his wife and children standing around him.
This morning’s announcement at a breakfast for the media begins a two-day tour of the state, according to Jeremy Harrell, who served as campaign coordinator for Sen. Lamar Alexander’s 2008 re-election campaign and who has been retained to help organize Haslam’s campaign.
The “Breakfast with Bill” question-and-answer event at Pete’s Coffee Shop, 540 Union Ave., is the first of similar media sessions scheduled later today in Chattanooga and the Tri-Cities. On Wednesday, Haslam also plans to visit Nashville, Jackson and Memphis.
More via press release:
“In these challenging economic times, Tennessee needs a leader who has experience managing a budget and prioritizing resources,” Mayor Haslam said. “We need a leader who can restrain spending while creating good jobs, making our schools stronger, and ensuring Tennesseans have access to affordable healthcare. I believe my executive experience in private business and as Mayor has taught me how to be this leader. Over the course of the campaign, I look forward to sharing my experiences and ideas with citizens across our great state.”
Mayor Haslam also outlined the current challenges facing the state. Specifically, the Mayor cited Governor Bredesen’s projection that the state may face a budget deficit of nearly $1 billion next year and statistics showing that Tennessee students rank 39th out of 50 states on national assessment tests. The Mayor will be discussing his ideas for how to tackle these and other challenges facing the state as he travels to Tennessee’s 95 counties over the course of the campaign.
Mayor Haslam’s announcement in Knoxville is part of a two-day statewide tour that includes stops in Tri-Cities, Knoxville, Chattanooga, Nashville, Jackson, and Memphis.
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Living In Late 2006: National Progressive Website Gets Guv Race Wrong
Posted on January 5, 2009 at 3:24 pmNo mention of Haslam, overestimation of Wamp and a lack of realization that with no decent candidate on the horizon and the political terrain being what is a Republican is a shoo-in for the office:
How competitive would Wamp be statewide? Quite competitive, one would think, particularly if 2010 favors Republicans more than the last two cycles have done. Wamp is a reliable conservative (and was a rising star in the House, among the rabid conservative faction), so he shouldn’t have base problems. He might lose some of the moderates, though, especially as he’ll have to outwingnut the other folks in a contested GOP primary.
Both of the Democrats being tipped to run are centrists/conservatives - Rep. Lincoln Davis, and former Congressman, Senate candidate and current MSNBC contributor Harold Ford Jr. Of these two, Ford is the further to the left, although he’s certainly no liberal lion - he gets a lot of well-deserved criticism, but it’s likely (and unfortunate) that he will be the liberal option in the Governor’s race.
In a general election against Wamp, both of them would probably have a shot - Ford came very close to winning statewide in 2006 against Bob Corker, Wamp may or may not be a tougher foe. A lot depends on whether Wamp actually wins the primary, how much he has to stretch to the right to do so (and risk losing the center), what kind of political climate 2010 will see (if it’s neutral, that’s OK, but if it goes back to, say, 2002 levels, that’s very bad).
Shhh, I Got Webspace To Fill, Son
Posted on at 1:12 pmJeff Woods on the fact that Bill Frist’s withdrawal from the governor’s race only gives us the appearance of a real race for Governor, not an actual one:
Now that Frist is out, the Republican gubernatorial contest is supposed to be wide open, but it’s not that unpredictable. The betting here is that Knoxville Mayor Bill Haslam will run away with the nomination. He’s bright, telegenic and rich. What else is there to say?
The eager Memphis District Attorney Bill Gibbons–who jumped into the race a full 15 seconds after Frist’s big announcement–and Chattanooga Congressman Zach Wamp will flail away at Haslam, but both will eventually run out of money and lose.
It’ll kill her to sit on the sidelines, but we think Congresswoman Marsha Blackburn will stay out of this one. So will Lt. Gov. Ron Ramsey. Neither one could compete with Haslam, and they’ll hear exactly that from plenty of Republicans soon enough.
SEE ALSO: Wamp doesn’t impress Michael Silence much either.
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No Turning Back: Wamp Wants A Piece Of Haslam
Posted on at 10:46 amThe Chattanooga Congressman confirms that he will take on the East Tennessee moderate political establishment and run for Governor. The email sent to supporters below:
One of the highest honors of my life has been to serve the very best people in the world—the citizens of Tennessee’s Third District– in Congress for the last 14 years. I am grateful and humbled that you have again elected me to serve in Congress, and I will be sworn in tomorrow to serve you in the 111th Congress. I will continue to make my service to you my highest priority. Our country faces difficult challenges in the days ahead, and I will do my best to bring reasoned, conservative solutions to the problems we face.
However, I believe the time is at hand for me to expand my service to help even more people in our great state by pursuing the office of Governor. While so much is good in Tennessee, I know in my heart we can continue to do better. From education, economic development, infrastructure and transportation to safer cities and healthier children, I will lead our state with vision, planning and implementation while setting goals and achieving results for a better Tennessee.
In the next few days, I will travel the Third District to thank and hear from the people who have been so good to Kim, Weston, Coty and me over the years. I will also file the paperwork necessary to begin raising money as a candidate for Governor of the great State of Tennessee.
Bolstered by a strong record of public service, a strong faith in God and the support of thousands of people like you who have stood with us through the years, I begin this extraordinary journey with a servant’s heart and a commitment to the common sense values that makes Tennessee the state we all love. Please pray for us and spread the good word.
Thank you so much.
Zach
Frist’s Exit Choreographed To Help Haslam?
Posted on at 7:44 amMichael Silence raises the possibility.
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So What Will Frist Do?
Posted on January 4, 2009 at 7:26 pmIf not Governor of Tennessee, then what? Clay Risen hears things:
As for what Frist will do instead, other sources tell me he’s been approached for a leadership post at the Gates Foundation, which would accord nicely with his long-time interest in developing-world public health issues. In any case, this also makes it less likely that he’ll be a serious contender for the 2012 presidential race, which many Frist-watchers had sorta assumed he would enter, if only because he’s the sort of fellow to never leave a contest until he’s won it.
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The Cavalcade Begins: Gibbons A Definite Yes On Governor
Posted on at 6:51 pmNow that Bill Frist is out we can expect the field for the 2010 Governor’s race to become officially congealed in short order. Shelby County District Attorney Bill Gibbons is the first to issue his expected official announcement.
“I am a candidate for governor and will seek the Republican nomination in the August 2010 primary.
“As governor, I will place priority on two issues – crime and schools – that pose big challenges to our state and that we must address if we are to achieve a better future for Tennessee.
“Through safer communities and better schools, Tennessee will be positioned as a state where people want to live, raise their families, work and retire. And we will be a state where existing businesses want to remain and expand and new businesses want to locate.
“The very first sentence of the very first section of our state constitution notes that state government exists to provide for the peace and safety of the people. As our next governor, I will take the leading in making changes to fix Tennessee’s criminal justice system because I believe we must not surrender a single street, neighborhood or community to crime.
“Tennessee has the second highest violent crime rate in the nation, and it is a statewide problem. Over the past ten years, we have not shared in the national downward trend in violent crime. Law enforcement throughout Tennessee is doing a good job with the tools we have, but Tennessee’s criminal justice system has deep flaws. As district attorney in our state’s largest jurisdiction, I see those flaws up close, every day. We must change the system.
“We must do a better job of holding serious offenders accountable by keeping them off our streets and in prison where they belong. At the same time we must address the underlying problem of drug addiction that drives so much of our crime. We must address behavior among juveniles such as truancy that too often results in even more serious consequences. And we must make sure that our state law enforcement agencies, such as the Highway Patrol, develop and maintain a level of professionalism their employees and the citizens of Tennessee deserve.
“The other major challenge facing our next governor is our schools. In 2010, we will move to more rigorous standardized testing of our public school students. It will be a wake-up call for our state. We must make sure our young people have the skills and values necessary to compete in a global economy. We cannot simply pour more money into doing the same thing and expect significantly different results.
“My wife Julia and I are products of public schools, as are our two children. I was blessed to go to an excellent public high school in my hometown of Memphis, and my children were fortunate to go to exceptional public schools from kindergarten through high school. But I know many of our public schools today simply aren’t where they need to be in preparing our children for the future. As our next governor, I will change the status quo in our public schools and encourage innovation, instill high expectations of students, and demand and reward excellence in teaching.
“By making real progress on crime and public schools, Tennessee will be better positioned for the economic growth and employment opportunities so critical to the vibrancy of our communities. My administration will be focused on attracting high-quality jobs in every county, and our success in doing so relies very much on safety and better schools.
“I’ve spent my professional and personal life preparing to tackle these challenges, and I’m ready to do the job. I intend to make my campaign a conversation with Tennesseans about the real issues we’re facing today. I will be specific – about the direction I think we need to take, and the changes we will make – to ensure we do have safer communities, better schools, and more and better jobs. I’m looking forward to having this conversation all across our state.
“That process begins today as I enter the race and form a campaign committee. Germantown CPA Bill Watkins, who has served as chairman of the Shelby County Republican Party, as a member of the Tennessee Board of Regents, and as treasurer of dozens of campaigns for Republican candidates, has agreed to serve as treasurer of my campaign.”
SEE ALSO:
Memphis Flyer
MediaVerse
It’s Official: Frist Will Not Run For Governor of Tennessee In 2010
Posted on at 5:27 pmKen Whitehouse reports. The full statement:
“For 12 years, I had the tremendous honor of representing the interests of more than six million Tennesseans in the U.S. Senate. I pledged in 1994 to serve two terms and then, consistent with being a ‘citizen legislator,’ return to my childhood home in Nashville. After honoring my word, my wife Karyn and I, along with our three boys, returned to private life as active members of Tennessee’s civic and business communities.
“After significant reflection and conversations with loved ones, I have decided to remain a private citizen for the foreseeable future. I will, however, continue serving the people of Tennessee.
“My long-standing efforts both as a doctor and policymaker to improve access to quality, affordable health care throughout our state will carry on. I will also launch a statewide, nonpartisan, grassroots education initiative to improve K-12 education in Tennessee late this month.
“I will never enjoy a privilege greater than serving the people of Tennessee. I know the citizens of our great state will identify a tremendous leader to serve as our next governor, and I stand ready to assist in any way that benefits Tennessee.”
PREVIOUSLY: ‘Nooga website reports Frist will not run.
SEE ALSO:
Freddie O’Connell
Jackson Sun
Colby Sledge
Erik Schelzig
Terry Frank
Ilissa Gold
Brian Hornback
Media Lizzy
‘Nooga Website Says Frist Not Running For Governor
Posted on January 3, 2009 at 2:34 pmI got some plans to go away after. So for me, it’s worth the stretch. But, Elaine takes good care of you. You got plenty put away. T-bonds; real estate. If I were you, I’d be smart and cut loose of this.
~ Neil McCauley in Heat (1995)
Chattanoogan.com reports that according to “high Republican sources” Bill Frist will not run for Governor in 2010.
This follows a blog post by Jeff Woods earlier in the week which revealed Frist’s lack of a “fire in the belly” for statewide politics and gave voice to a growing feeling among the political intelligentsia in the state that Frist would ultimately demur from a race that is his to win.
Given the source, Post Politics is not prepared to assert with certainty that a decision has been made but the report is certainly not inconsistent with the way things seem to be heading.
If the call has been made, Senator Frist has made a wise decision. With the economy in despair and the state budget suffering from a lack of revenue in a political climate where any kind of comprehensive tax reform is political suicide, the next Governor will have his hands full.
Let’s be frank, one of the chief reasons (and possibly the only reason) Bill Frist would want to make a run for Governor would be to set himself up for a run for President.
While the official reason Frist left the Senate in 2006 was that he was fulfilling a commitment to self-imposed term limits, most political observers understand that he left the Senate because he was going to mount a Presidential campaign.
Visits to Iowa and New Hampshire were made and an apparatus was constructed. Ultimately, Frist failed to pull the trigger on the campaign and was prudent to do so. George W. Bush was clearly on the downslope of popularity and it was painfully obvious that a Republican would have an uphill climb capturing the Presidency in 2008 — especially a Republican so tied to the Bush Administration’s agenda.
Instead of running on the inertia of ambition and running a failed campaign possibly ruining his chances at the presidency forever, Frist decided to put off the Presidency and the take time to get clean of the Bush stink and preserve his viability for the future. It was a smart decision and one few ambitious pols would have made.
If Frist has decided to eschew the Gubernatorial race in 2010, he has made a similarly astute decision. While coming back home and getting elected Governor would be superficially good image-wise there are other variables that need be considered.
One is the timing. It’s off.
A 2012 presidential race is out. To make that run, Frist would essentially have to step off the inaugural platform at Legislative Plaza in 2011 and start running for President. Not only would it look bad, he would have no record off accomplishment in the state to run on. Just a title. His true resume would still be heavily Washington and heavily Bush-related.
Now, it is possible that Barack Obama could be a disastrous President and leave an opening for a Republican in 2012. Possible, but unlikely. But even if a Republican was going to have a chance, a candidate who could be reasonably seen as a restorer of the Bush legacy would not be the way for the GOP to go.
So, if Frist were to win the 2010 governor’s race, he would be looking at at least a term and some change before the 2016 race to succeed Obama starting getting dialed up. This, once again, brings us back to the state of the State and how feasible it will be for a Republican Governor to come out of a first term in 2014 smelling like a rose.
We have a poor economy that is not looking to recover anytime soon and a state budget with a revenue problem. Drastic spending cuts will hurt and tax increases will meet with blank stares in the new Republican General Assembly.
Now, if I were Frist I would look at this landscape and let the field of Haslam, Wamp and Gibbons fight it out for whomever the Democrats nominate to take the fall.
To follow the relative successful reign of Phil Bredesen with the economy in the shape that it is will be a daunting task. Frist is still a young man and there are other ways to get free of the yoke of the Bush legacy. That’s, of course, assuming Frist has the Presidential bug that bad anymore anyway.
Frist made a smart decision in 2006 backing away from a run for President. If this report is true, he has made another one — not just for himself but for the state of Tennessee. Among the candidates for Governor, all really want to be Governor for its own sake and at least one may even have the capacity to govern the state through what will be a difficult time.
Again, assuming the report is accurate, Frist has done a good thing in clearing a path.
UPDATE: The official Frist statement bowing out of the race.
SEE ALSO:
Jackson Baker
10,000 Monkeys and a Camera
So Is Bill Frist Running For Governor Or Not?
Posted on December 31, 2008 at 12:52 pmBill Haslam’s actions indicate he thinks not:
There will be a one-hour breakfast meeting at Pilot Corp. headquarters next Wednesday (Jan. 7) where about 100 guests will hear a status report on Knoxville Mayor Bill Haslam’s plans to run for governor in 2010.
Jimmy Haslam, CEO of Pilot and the mayor’s brother, issued the invitations to the group of heavy hitters with a promise the 7:30 a.m meeting will last no longer than an hour. Jimmy Haslam, who was a major player in raising money for the election of his friend Bob Corker to the U.S. Senate, is expected to play a major role in his brother’s campaign as well.
The Architect Of Activist Social Conservatism
Posted on December 19, 2008 at 7:46 amBill Frist eulogizes conservative icon Paul Weyrich:
While serving as Majority Leader I had the opportunity to appoint Paul to the National Surface Transportation Policy and Revenue Study Commission. Paul Weyrich handled this appointment as he did any task he undertook, with complete integrity and hard work.
He was a devout Christian and believed deeply in the conservative core values of the Republican Party. He was a brilliant individual and one of the best political tacticians I have known.
I extend my sincere sympathy to Paul Weyrich’s family and friends.
SEE ALSO:
Transit Hero
Dan McCarthy
Music City Oracle
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Good Luck With That
Posted on December 18, 2008 at 7:02 amThe Knoxville paper hopes that even if Bill Frist runs for Governor that other candidates will step up to elevate the debate and dialogue — and get beaten like redheaded stepchildren.
Regardless of Frist’s decision, we hope others will join the race. The times are too critical and call for a broad exchange of ideas across the state. A governor’s race can provide that exchange, and Tennesseans deserve to have that discussion with the state’s potential leaders.
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Some Kinds Of Wealth Are Forever
Posted on December 17, 2008 at 7:16 pmA writer for the Knoxville Metro Pulse wonders whether our economic decline may affect potential gubernatorial candidates decisions to run on a personal level:
Republican gubernatorial candidates have been waiting to see if Frist will decide to run for governor. If he does, they freely admit it will clear the field. No one thinks they can match Frist for campaign funds. But if Frist has been hit hard by the stock market crash, he may not want to spend the money.
Candidates expecting to do fundraising in the usual places—Belle Meade, Sequoyah Hills, Germantown, and Signal Mountain—may find wallets closed as traditional donors pull back due to market losses. Candidates with good mailing lists of small donors may not be at as much of a disadvantage in the near term.
We’ll See How Good It Is After Haslam Writes Few Fat Checks
Posted on at 7:08 pmZach Wamp tries to jockey for position in a potential Fristless 2010 GOP Gubernatorial primary by releasing a new survey:
Rep. Wamp, in an email to Friends of Zach Wamp, said, “As my family prepares for the opportunities ahead, I have attached the following results from a scientific survey that was conducted across East Tennessee Dec. 14-15 showing an extraordinary approval rating of almost 13 to 1 among Republicans. I am a very fortunate public servant and thank you so very much.”
The report says the three districts comprised 56% of the vote in the last non-Presidential Republican primary.
It says, “On a trial ballot, Zach Wamp has 48% support, including 24% ‘definite’ support while Bill Haslam has just 20% support. Wamp has majority support among some key conservative voting blocs like CD3 voters (86%), Chattanooga DMA voters (91%), very conservative voters (54%), male Evangelicals (56%), and working men (56%). Wamp also enjoys a decided advantage in terms of image with a majority (56%) of this electorate holding a favorable image of him and a fav/unfav ratio exceeding even that of Senator Alexander.
“In contrast, just 28% of this electorate holds a favorable image of Haslam, including just 38% support in the Knoxville DMA.
SEE ALSO: Scott Dismuke
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