Cautiously Optimistic

By Kleinheider Posted on December 10, 2008 at 9:00 am

Betty Bean talks with the two lone East Tennessee Democrats in the state House about the changing of the majority in the chamber and hopes that it may flip again:

Democrats will get through it, but they need to regain their majority status in 2010, because the winners that year will be in charge of redrawing district lines for both state and federal legislators.

“There is good hope that the Democrats can make a comeback in the next election. Will we, for sure? Don’t bet your home on it, but there’s a chance. We’ll probably need help from the national party. We’ll need help from the governor, too. He’s a nice man, but he really doesn’t like politics, and his administration is moving into its last two years. We’re hoping he’ll help us out on some things.

“Next time it’s for keeps,” Tindell said.

SEE ALSO: R. Neal

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Tags: 2010, East Tennessee, Harry Tindell, Jason Mumpower, Joe Armstrong, Tennessee Democrats  

Rep. Mark Maddox Makes His Case

By Kleinheider Posted on September 16, 2008 at 10:02 am

For State House Majority Leader. Newscoma has the full correspondence:

What kind of Majority Leader do I intend to be? I intend to do it the same way that I have led over the last six years as Assistant Majority Leader and Majority Whip: Listening to you without preconceived notions, caring about you and your constituents and thoughtful consideration and discussion. Every voice will be heard: urban and rural; conservative and liberal; East, Middle, and West. As Majority Leader, I CAN work side by side with you, our Governor, our Speaker and other elected leadership members to ensure that the legislative priorities of our caucus and the lives of our constituents come first, not personal agendas.

The bottom line is that I want to be YOUR Majority Leader and I can serve YOU effectively.

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Tags: Gary Odom, Jimmy Naifeh, Joe Armstrong, Mark Maddox  

Armstrong And Turner To Battle For House Caucus Chair

By Kleinheider Posted on September 6, 2008 at 12:38 pm

From Tom Humphrey:

[Rep. Joe] Armstrong said that colleagues had encouraged him to seek the caucus chair, “a frontline position where I can help manage the agenda of the Democratic caucus” and provide a geographic balance to House leadership.

House Speaker Jimmy Naifeh is from West Tennessee, and House Majority Leader Gary Odom is from Middle Tennessee. Armstrong said it would be appropriate for the Democratic chair to come from East Tennessee.

“We would have a balance of leadership across the board,” Armstrong said.

Turner began campaigning among Democratic representatives and candidates in late May, shortly after Rinks announced he would give up his House seat and instead seek to replace Riley Darnell as Tennessee’s secretary of state.

“I think I’ve got the votes (to win),” [Rep. Mike] Turner said. “Joe is my friend, and I think he’d do a good job (as caucus chairman). I just think I’d do better.”

Turner characterized himself as a little more vocal and more willing to stand up and fight than Armstrong, who characterized himself as a leader able to build a consensus.

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Tags: caucus chair, Joe Armstrong, Mike Turner, Randy Rinks  

State Democrats To Get Up In McCain’s Grill Over Knoxville Visit

By Kleinheider Posted on April 18, 2008 at 1:39 pm

Via Press Release:

Democratic Party Chairman Gray Sasser, Senators Andy Berke (D-Chattanooga) and Reginald Tate (D-Memphis), and Representative Joe Armstrong (D-Knoxville) will address Tennessee media via conference call on Monday, April 21, regarding Sen. John McCain’s upcoming presidential campaign visit to Knoxville. Democrats will attend the call with brief remarks and answer questions for any available media representatives.

Sen. McCain’s self-described “Forgotten Parts of America” tour was reported in USA Today as intending to reach out “to African Americans, displaced factory workers, and people living in poverty.” McCain will appear in Knoxville on Tuesday, April 22.

UPDATE: KAG reports that McCain will not be in Knoxville next week or anytime in the near future.

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Tags: Andy Berke, Gray Sasser, Joe Armstrong, McCain, USA Today