Doing Dunn
Posted on June 26, 2009 at 8:02 am
Yesterday, it was reported that Rep. Bill Dunn of Knoxville when he was the state House Minority Leader in 2006, received $15,000 in political contributions from Bill Haslam and his family. The money was given to a leadership PAC, GET R DUNN, which is now closed.
This little tidbit comes up because Bill Dunn was the lone Republican to vote against a bill in committee during the last day of the legislative session which would have lifted the ban on raising political contributions during session.
This, of course, was a devastating blow to the gubernatorial campaign of Lt. Ron Ramsey who desperately needs to raise funds during session next year to be able to compete with Bill Haslam, whose ability to self-finance is well known and well-established.
So, is this a big deal that Dunn received this money three years ago? Does it mean that Dunn is in the pocket of Haslam, that he was returning a favor for the Haslam family support back then?
I mean that’s the implication here, right? What other reason is there to report such a thing unless one thinks that it is a reasonable conclusion to draw from the facts?
The interesting thing is that another reporter who picked up the story clearly doesn’t think so. Tom Humphrey at the end of his blog post on the story, a blog post that could lead the reader to believe Dunn was in Haslam’s pocket, adds a disclaimer.
“Note: Dunn has had an impeccable reputation for honesty that, so far as an old reporter can recall, has not been subject to challenge,” Humphrey wrote.
A bit of a mixed message there it would seem. After all, the Haslam family is very generous to Republican causes and candidates. Ron Ramsey himself has received money from Haslam. Many many Republicans have.
If I were looking for motive, I wouldn’t be looking at the money per se. I would look at the reason why that Dunn PAC got the money from is now closed. The reason, of course, is that a representative who has been ousted from leadership has little need for a PAC.
Leadership PACs are for raising money for political friends in order to get and keep their votes when you run for leadership. Bill Dunn is no longer in leadership.
Why is that? Well, he was replaced by Jason Mumpower, a protege of Ron Ramsey. Ramsey back when House Republicans were choosing their leadership in 2006 was the Senate Minority Leader and likely had already made his deal with Senator Rosalind Kurita and knew he was on the cusp of being Lt. Governor.
Building a Republican majority in the house to compliment what was to become his Senate Majority was likely very important to Ramsey, still is. Even more important than building a Republican Majority was building a Republican majority which had loyalty to him. A Bill Dunn-led House Republican Caucus would have been an ally for Ron Ramsey. A Jason Mumpower-led Majority was a better one.
Now, like Tom Humphrey says, Bill Dunn has an impeccable reputation for honesty and the like, and would not put petty grievances above his unvarnished and studious investigation of legislation. However, if one were looking for a ulterior motive for Dunn’s vote, a look at that leadership vote back in the day would seem as good as any.
In the end it doesn’t really matter. A Democrat, Rep. Mike Turner, voted for the measure and another Democratic vote, Craig Fitzhugh, changed at the last moment from yes to no. Bill Dunn shouldn’t bear the the brunt of the weight for this vote.
Because in the end, while it may be unfair for legislator to be impeded raising money for the a gubernatorial race while the legislature is session, nobody really cared out this rule until 2010 approached.
The passing of this bill, whenever it happens, if it happens, is going to look bad. Ramsey might be able to raise money but he will be seen as having pushed through a piece of legislation which he personally benefits from.
That and the fact daily stories about this Ramsey donor or that one who had business before the legislature will become a frequent occurrence if this bill passes. The money he can raise may be cancelled out by the heat he gets for changing the law and taking the money.
Ramsey has been put in a tight spot here, that much is true. But Bill Dunn’s vote and whatever the reasoning behind it, is the least of Ron Ramsey’s trouble now.
UPDATE: Rep. Mike Turner in the comments:
“I voted for the bill because it would help level the playing field, which is tilted towards money and wealth. As for my friend Bill Dunn done he is one of the most honest thoughtful people i have ever met, his argument against the bill was solid and reasoned. He pointed out that my reason’s for voting for the bill might be correct but he thought it sent the wrong message and might open the system to abuse, which is also a sound reasoning. How ever he made a better case against the bill than I did for it and even convinced Craig Fitzhugh ( another honest and reasoned person ) to change his vote. However we still have system that favors the wealthy when it comes to fundraising and we will look at this bill again in January, when we will not be up against a deadline ( the ending of the session ) and have more time to look at both the pro’s and con’s of the bill.”
He Knew The Rules
Posted on April 2, 2009 at 3:06 pmR. Neal thinks the Lt. Governor needs to pipe down about trying to get out of session early and trying to overturn the ban on fundraising during session:
So basically, Ramsey, who is running for governor, doesn’t really care if they deal with pressing issues such as judicial selection or thorough legislative review and oversight of the state budget. He’s more concerned that Haslam is getting the fundraising jump on him.
I thought we sent these guys over to Nashville to do the People’s Business?
Ramsey knew the rules when he got in the race. He could always resign from office if carrying out his elected duties is too much of a distraction.
For an alternate view, click here.
Money Men Did In Fact Flee From Forrester
Posted on March 20, 2009 at 4:41 pmThe AP’s got the indisputable evidence:
Federal election disclosures show the Tennessee Democratic Party is struggling to raise money in the aftermath of a leadership struggle.
The Federal Election Commission report filed on Friday shows the party under new Chairman Chip Forrester only managed to raise about $31,000 in February. That compares with about $211,000 raised in the same month of his predecessor Gray Sasser’s stint in charge of the party.
UPDATE:
Braisted says it’s time to step it up.
Knoxrebel weighs in.
A Blue Chip Special
Posted on February 4, 2009 at 8:01 amThe progressive blogosphere is apparently not content sit back and allow the Democratic bigwigs, money men and insiders to make snide comments about the new TNDP chairman’s ability to raise funds. They are going to actually do something to prove them wrong:
progressive bloggers across the state of Tennessee are this morning launching the “Chip in!” online fundraising blogathon to support the Tennessee Democratic Party during this critical rebuilding phase.
We have set up an ActBlue fundraising page where you can “chip in” a little or as much as you can to support this netroots effort and help the Tennessee Democratic Party hit the ground running for the critical 2010 elections for Governor and House of Representatives. Your secure online contribution goes directly to the Tennessee Democratic Party’s FEC regulated committee fund.
In his acceptance speech, TNDP chair Chip Forrester said “The Democratic Party has always stood for the average man and woman against the forces of power, privilege, and elitism. We have stood for fairness and safety in the marketplace and in the workplace, we have stood for individual rights and freedoms, we have stood for equal opportunities for all Americans, we have stood for equality and justice for all.”
The Obama campaign revealed a fundamental shift in American politics away from the “forces of power, privilege, and elitism” towards a more inclusive process, powered by an unprecedented grassroots movement of everyday people getting involved.
UPDATE: As of 8:40am nine donors had combined to give a total of $725
SEE ALSO:
Cobb
Grinstead
Aunt B.
Braisted
Newscoma
Russ McBee
Silence
R. Neal’s keeping a tally
Don’t Worry, I Got The Dollars
Posted on February 2, 2009 at 6:23 pmThe new chairman of the Tennessee Democratic Party emails to let us all know that the reports of the demise of the Democratic Party have been greatly exaggerated:
In running for Chair I had a clear fundraising plan to ensure that we’d be able to do what it will take to win back the house in 2010.
That plan consisted of a 2-pronged effort: a) a small-donor plan to bring in grassroots supporters from across the state expanding out base and enlarging the Party and, b) a high-donor plan to bring our strong Democratic contributor base into the 2009-10 funding cycle.
I took my first week on the job (last week) to get the office set up and began my Fundraising Call Program today. I’m happy to report that since the small-donor program began this past weekend and on my first day of high-dollar donor calls I’ve raised in excess of $15,000.
I want to continue the effort of bringing everyone into the Party and ask those of you who have not participated in the past to join me now. It is easy. Just go to www.tndp.org and contribute, $5, $10, $15, $20, $25 or whatever is most comfortable for you. Just make the commitment to participate
I’ll keep you apprised of how this effort continues with reports from time to time.
SEE ALSO:
Sean Braisted
R. Neal
McMansion Monty Outraises Incumbent In 4th District Race
Posted on April 18, 2008 at 8:08 amRep. Lincoln Davis has a challenge on his hands for his 4th District Congressional Seat:
A Republican challenger raised almost five times more than Democratic Rep. Lincoln Davis of Tennessee during the first three months of this year.
Monty Lankford, who runs a medical equipment company in Franklin, received more than $224,500 from the beginning of January through the end of March.
Davis, who is seeking a fourth term in November, raised $53,850 during the same period.
Lankford also reported more cash on hand at the end of March than Davis — $201,117 to $199,307.
John Rowley, a consultant to Davis’ re-election campaign, downplayed Lankford’s fund-raising advantage. Rowley and other Davis supporters insist Lankford lives in the neighboring district represented by Rep. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn.
“Even if he raised $5 million, he’s not going to win in a district he doesn’t live in,” said Rowley in a phone interview from Nashville.
Recent Comments
Yea she should prob go too…although she did apologize and said she would never do that...
Interesting, I’ve never said they’re liars. They have - in fact -...
How often do I post on international issues? I was Just...
I think it’s funny that, just this once, Matthew Hurtt takes something even...
I don’t HATE, Matt - just do not understand the infatuation with Sarah...
“I’m still stuck on how, exactly, a middle-aged beauty queen and weathergirl,...
If you have hate in your heart LET IT OUT!!! One tea party is enough, thanks.
Well hey, at least you’re ideologically pure! Even if you don’t win. You can pat...
Carter- If this were about following the organization’s rules, why isn’t the...
Please see my last comment.