Tennessee U.S. Senate Candidate Willing To Sacrifice Senate Majority Leader Over Nuclear Power
Posted on May 16, 2008 at 7:02 amDemocratic U.S. Senate candidate Mike Padgett is apparently not afraid to take maverick stances and buck his own party when he needs to. According to Joe Lance, Padgett believes in nuclear power and also believes in taking on the Democratic Majority Leader in order to create workable plans for its expansion:
He also indicated a preference to keep nuclear power at the forefront of our ongoing plans—and not a little distaste for Nevada Senator Harry Reid’s efforts to keep radioactive by-products from being deposited under Yucca Mountain. “This issue is bigger than Harry Reid; it’s the nation. If it takes the (elimination) of a man of my own party [from the Senate],” he flatly declared, “then we don’t have a choice.”
Yucca Mountain, a ridge line in the south-central part of the U.S. state of Nevada, is located in a desert on federal land adjacent to the Nevada Test Site in Nye County, Nevada.
Senator Harry Reid of Nevada opposes the Yucca Mountain Repository, a U.S. Department of Energy deep geological repository storage facility for spent nuclear reactor fuel and other radioactive waste, which sits on the land. Since he has become Majority Leader, Reid has used his considerable power to block any progress in nuclear waste storage at the Repository.
Mike Padgett, a former Knox County Clerk, is running against Former Tennessee Democratic Party Chair Bob Tuke and five other candidates in the Democratic primary in order to face off against Senator Lamar Alexander in the fall.
UPDATE: The Padgett campaign issues a clarifying statement on the candidate’s views regarding Yucca Mountain and Senator Harry Reid:
“Nuclear power is but one of our energy options, and it shouldn’t be ruled out as long as it is economical and safe, U.S. Senate Candidate Mike Padgett said Friday.
“But a big part of the safety question is how to dispose of the waste, and I don’t feel like Yucca Mountain should be off the table,” Padgett said. “I respectfully disagree with Leader Harry Reid on this, but that is a far cry from calling for his head.
“As we try to do what’s best for the American people, there’s always room for respectful debate among Democrats, and I look forward to being part of that debate and to working with Senator Reid.”
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Bob Tuke’s Freedom Has A Special Flavor
Posted on April 21, 2008 at 10:46 amU.S. Senate candidate Bob Tuke speaks to the crowd assembled for a “Welcome Home” parade in Crossville for all of the veterans who fought in Vietnam on the 35th anniversary of that conflict.
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For The Love Of York
Posted on April 18, 2008 at 7:39 amLibertarian conservative John Brown pens a tribute to famous Pall Mall, Tennessee native, Sgt. Alvin York. As we all know, Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Bob Tuke loves him some York. Could the partisan divide be bridged here?
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Mirrorball
Posted on at 6:54 amFrom the Commercial Appeal:
U.S. Sen. Lamar Alexander told military leaders in Millington on Thursday that better benefits and education opportunities are the key to successful Navy recruitment and retention.
I could’ve sworn I’d just heard about somebody talking about stuff like this.
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Alexander Tax Plan Falls Flat With Opponents
Posted on April 17, 2008 at 6:37 pmU.S. Senate Candidate Bob Tuke calls out Senator Lamar Alexander today in a posting on the national blog Huffington Post:
Senator Alexander, I want to give you the benefit of the doubt. I’m hoping that this is not a tawdry political stunt.
To put this perception to rest, I propose that you show us your budget for your new tax plan.
Show us how you fund our troops, care for our veterans, fully fund a sensible GI Bill and pay down the massive debt you’ve run up.
Show us how you will protect Social Security and Medicare.
Show us how the thousands Tennessee families keep homeowner exemptions at tax time.
Tell us what you would cut. Education? Health care? Social Security? Homeland Security? Student Loans? Corporate welfare for big oil companies?
Senator Alexander this is your chance to put me in my place. Prove to me this isn’t an election year gimmick.
Better yet, let’s schedule a public meeting to discuss it. Bring your plan. We will invite the media and have a calm chat about your plan.
I’m calling your bluff. I want to see your hole card.
Mike Padgett just hours later had a few words to share with our senior Senator on the falt tax as well:
“If Senator Alexander were serious about lifting some of the load off of the working class, he would not have voted at least a dozen times to block tax cuts that were targeted for middle- and lower-income taxpayers,” Padgett said.
“What about tax cuts that would really make a difference in the working family’s budget – a tuition tax credit equal to 50 percent of college costs, for example, or a first-time homeowner tax credit? How about doubling the tax credit for child-care expenses?
Post Politics: 15 April 2008
Posted on at 11:37 amGov. Phil Bredesen registers his disapproval of Barack Obama’s now infamous “bitter” remark, verbalizing the belief that rural, small-town voters often reflexively seek refuge in immigration, social and firearm issues rather than focusing on economic reality. The Tennessee Republican Party, never one to shy away from criticizing Obama (unless explicitly directed), has also weighed in on the subject.
For her part, Hillary Clinton is taking full advantage of Obama’s choice of words.
Sen. Lamar Alexander proposes to simplify the tax code by allowing taxpayers to opt in to a 17 percent flat income tax.
The state House has voted 84-11 in favor of a bill prohibiting those under 14 from obtaining a small-engine motorcycle license.
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Post Politics: 8 April 2008 - Afternoon Edition
Posted on April 11, 2008 at 2:44 pmSean Braisted ponders whether some Democratic contributors to Lincoln Davis would be surprised to the learn that the Congressman gave $1,000 to Tennessee Right to life last December.
Our man at the Capitol, Ken Whitehouse, breaks open another one, reporting that a powerful member of the state House will not seek re-election.
The Tennessee Democratic Party blog posts a “homemade” video from a “Tennessee Democrat” chiding Businessman Monty Lankford for running for Congress in a district not his own.
April is Minority Health Month in Tennessee.
No Silence There: As of May 5, newspaperman Michael Silence will no longer have to worry himself with producing copy for the print product of the Knoxville News-Sentinel.
The Democratic Leadership Council blog takes on John McCain for not standing tall on one of his signature issues.
Mike Byrd continues his quest to clean up his neighborhood specifically a market owned by the politically connected Kenny Norman.
The State Budget figures are out and you know what that means: Tennessee Republican Party spokesman Bill Hobbs is talking about the Copeland Cap.
Bruce Barry is not fooled by Senate Bill 3910, which he calls a retrograde piece of legislation that bans adoption by any couples who are engaged in “unmarried sexual cohabitation.”
The Wall Street Journal reports that Hillary Clinton thinks she can put Tennessee in play in the general election.
Aunt B. takes issue with how low-income is described in the new AT&T cable compromise legislation.
Barack Obama talks nuclear disarmament on YouTube.
Glen Dean wonders who the real enemy is when it comes to high gas prices – the oil companies or the government.
Matt Pulle wonders whether a Democratic candidate for Senate who drives a red Saab convertible with a vanity plate which makes reference to his service in the Marines might be vulnerable to an attack ad.
A new Rassmussen Reports poll shows Lamar Alexander sitting in the catbird seat for re-election.
Blogger and Montgomery Bell Academy Teacher Alan Coverstone announces that in just a few days he should have $10,000 in cash on hand for his 9th District Metro School Board race.
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Post Politics: 4 April 2008 - Afternoon Edition
Posted on April 8, 2008 at 9:52 amArmy Reservist, former state Senate candidate and blogger of some repute, Bob Krumm, has been called up to active duty in Iraq. Krumm will serve a six month tour as an analyst while taking a leave of absence from his employer, D.F. Chase, Inc.
Brendan Loy comments on Hillary Clinton’s assertion that their is no such thing as a “pledged” delegate to the Democratic convention.
Williamson County Sheriff Ricky Headley shares some insight into how he became addicted to prescription drugs.
Sean Braisted tells Hillary Clinton that the last thing we need in government is another “Czar.”
One member of the gun rights community is none too pleased with the Tennessee Republican Party’s public request for a list of the state’s handgun carry permit holders.
Jeff Woods keeps a running tally on matters of state our governor isn’t all that motivate to engage.
Liberal activist Jim Grinstead sums up the persona of John McCain as “right-wing with moderate warps and maverick feints.”
Robert Kennedy announces the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in 1968 on a campaign stop in Indiana.
Southern Beale notes the difference between John McCain’s impressions of Martin Luther King Jr. yesterday and today.
Steve Cohen suggests that his independent opponent, Ford family political scion Jake Ford, grab up a subscription to National Geographic.
And if you’d like to include a little politics in your weekend plans, Democratic U.S. Senate candidates Bob Tuke and Mike Padgett will both be participating in Mule Day celebrations Saturday in Columbia.
Republican incumbent Lamar Alexander with be there, too – appearing with Democratic Congressman Lincoln Davis, according to an Alexander press release. They will be discussing federal funds they procured for the historic James K. Polk home.
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