Nashville Is The Nation’s Ninth Most Dangerous City
Posted on April 26, 2009 at 6:22 pmMemphis is number two a distinction some folks think might hurt a certain gubernatorial candidate.
Cohen Reacts To Memphis Mayor’s Challenge
Posted on April 21, 2009 at 6:07 pmRep. Steve Cohen has issued this statement upon hearing the news that the Mayor of Memphis may challenge him for his congressional seat:
“I was surprised to learn of this announcement by the Mayor’s office just now while reading the Commercial Appeal as I have been contacted by neither the Mayor nor any of his associates. I have an excellent working relationship with the City of Memphis as evidenced by the number of projects that received federal funding under the last budget. I believe that the overwhelming margin of victory during my reelection campaign last year showed that the people of the 9th District of Tennessee enthusiastically approve of the job I’ve been doing in Washington, D.C. In my nearly thirty years of public service as a legislator, I have always fought for the people of Memphis, and I plan to continue to do so in the U.S. House of Representatives for the foreseeable future.”
Mumpower And Memphis
Posted on December 22, 2008 at 7:08 amThe soon-to-be state House Speaker Jason Mumpower assures Richard Locker that he won’t shortshrift Memphis as power in the legislature shifts from West to East:
Mumpower said he’s familiar with Memphis issues after 10 years in the legislature. He and Ramsey quietly toured UT Memphis last spring, checking out reports of crumbling walls, outdated equipment and inadequate space. In many ways, Memphis is like their Tri-Cities area in feeling they get short shrift from Nashville.
“If I’m fortunate enough to become speaker, it’s going to shine a brighter light on my community. All my life, I’ve heard people there lament that most Tennesseans believe the state ends at Knoxville,” Mumpower said.
“But I am keenly aware of the need to be a speaker for the whole state, from Mountain City to Memphis. I care just as much about the other end of the state and everything in between.
“I have a deep appreciation for Memphis and Shelby County. It’s an epicenter for popular culture,” he said.
Alexander’s Capture Of The Black Vote
Posted on November 14, 2008 at 11:03 amThe New York Times makes note:
“What people were listening for in this election is, what are you going to do about my pocketbook, my health insurance, my electric bill,” said Mr. Alexander, a former governor and presidential candidate who is seeking to return as the No. 3 Republican in the Senate. “We need to step back and fundamentally change the way we talk about issues and be focused more on what we can do to help the country rather than what we can do to help the Republican Party.”
While colleagues like Senator Elizabeth Dole of North Carolina were coming out on the losing end in part because of a strong African-American vote for their opponents, Mr. Alexander, who had a record of appointing blacks to government and education positions, was able to win about 26 percent of the black vote.
Now Jeff Woods can downplay this if he likes but Lamar Alexander’ ability to ciphon off this percentage of the black vote in this political climate with a black man atop the Democratic ticket and his former Tennessee political director running against him is an impressive achievement.
Woods is correct that Tuke did not mount much of a campaign but because of that Alexander could have just sat back back and coasted to reelection. Instead, he took the opportunity to take the GOP brand to the black community and create a lot of Obama/Alexander split tickets.
It’s something deserving of at least grudging political respect, if not outright kudos.
White Pride In Memphis
Posted on November 9, 2008 at 11:22 amFormer GOP Congressional candidate John Farmer reports on a controversial conference in Memphis headlined by white nationalist David Duke:
I spoke with the cameraman for just a few moments and told him who I was, but all he really commented on was how many good-looking women were there [at the Conference] and how that surprised him. I think the first thing that strikes me about their reporting was that they said there were “dozens of people” at the event. Clearly this is deceptive, since although I could not give an exact accounting, the large meeting room I later entered was filled beyond capacity with standing-room only. I actually had to sit on the floor in the center aisle myself. Looking at the pictures I took, there looks like a dozen seats per row, and there were at least ten rows. So I would have to estimate between 120-150 people (seated) were attending the event, not “dozens”, and most likely more because there were “dozens of people” standing outside the room talking as I left. This leads me to believe other reports that the local media has been very biased in their reporting on the Conference.
Newscoma has two posts reacting to the former Republican candidate’s attendance at the event.
SEE ALSO:
WMCTV
My Eyewitness News
Aunt B.
White Power Conference In Memphis
Posted on October 30, 2008 at 7:47 amFacility claims they were hoodwinked:
We have learned that David Duke and other White Power groups are holding a conference near Memphis on November 7-9. The location is the Whispering Woods Conference and Retreat Center, located at the intersection of Hacks Cross and Goodman Roads in Olive Branch, literally just over the state line. Whispering Woods claims that they were tricked into signing a contract to host this White Power Conference, and cannot get out of it without risking a million dollar lawsuit.
After You Vote For Barack Obama, Vote Lamar
Posted on October 22, 2008 at 6:38 amThe not so subtle message of Lamar Alexander’s new advertising campaign in Memphis:
The second spot begins airing Wednesday in Memphis and Nashville. In it, Brown recalls that as governor in 1980, Alexander “appointed me as the first African-American justice on the Tennessee Supreme Court. More recently, Senator Alexander pushed to have Bishop William Graves approved as the first African-American to serve on the TVA Board of Directors – and then fought to keep him there when others tried to block him from serving. Lamar has always been ahead of his time, doesn’t care if you’re Democrat, Republican or independent.”
SEE ALSO:
Memphis Mayor Willie Herenton tells you to vote Lamar.
The Nashville Scene
Embattled East Tennessee Dem Debates
Posted on October 14, 2008 at 6:47 amRep. Nathan Vaughn, targeted by state Republican leaders who believe they can pickup his East Tennessee seat, comes back on those leaders in a debate with his Republican opponent:
“One of the things that I think has been so unfortunate about this campaign is it has just been so negative,” Vaughn, of Kingsport, said. “I’ve had the lieutenant governor (Ron Ramsey of Blountville) say negative things to me as it relates to Highway 126 (Memorial Boulevard). I’ve had the minority leader (Jason Mumpower of Bristol) say that my values aren’t consistent with yours. I’ve been criticized … that somehow I ought to represent inner-city Memphis.”
Video of the debate available at the link.
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Memphis Ranks Two In Percentage Of Debate Watchers
Posted on September 27, 2008 at 6:54 pmNashville was in the top five. Braisted has the numbers:
In the city rankings, Nashville had the 5th highest percentage of viewers (44%), and Memphis had the second highest (49.5%). St. Louis was at the top of the heap with about half of households watching.
Ralph Nader In Memphis
Posted on September 20, 2008 at 2:16 pmJackson Baker was there:
For someone who has been a longtime national figure, Ralph Nader has an unassuming manner, but at this stage of his life he may, in the mode of onetime perennial presidential candidate Harold Stassen, also have a tendency to overstate his role in the scheme of things.
Both tendencies were on exhibit Friday as Nader, assisted by one traveling aide and one local helper, came to Memphis for an appearance on behalf of his latest presidential candidacy. Speaking from a portable podium set up in front of City Hall (he had been denied access to the Hall of Mayors inside), Nader began modestly enough, introducing himself to a small battery of reporters as “an independent candidate for the presidency of the United States” and, taking note of a slowly gathering storm, asking politely, “Is that noise bothering y’all?”
SEE ALSO:
Mediaverse
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The County Ain’t The City
Posted on September 17, 2008 at 6:57 amLeft Wing Cracker reacts to the reports that Shelby County Mayor A.C. Wharton will run for Memphis City Mayor and challenges the assumption that his entry clears the field:
But what if they say the hell with it and challenge Wharton anyway? Remember that part of Wharton’s strength in running for County Mayor is that Republicans crossed over to vote for him, and there aren’t as many of them in the City as the County, to be sure. Also, in the City, it’s not inconceivable to think that Lowery and/or Long could take African-American votes from Wharton, while Chumney (Lowery and/or Long, too, for that matter) could take white votes away from him as well.
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Street Cred
Posted on August 10, 2008 at 10:02 pmThe Left Wing Cracker pens an open letter to defeated Ninth District Congressional candidate Nikki Tinker:
You COULD have had a future here. Had you chosen to run for City Council and shown you were willing to pay your dues and establish yourself, while you might not have beaten Cohen this year, you would have had a better shot.
However, you chose a different path. You ran the sleaziest type of campaign imaginable, earning the enmity not only of the city, and the state, but you made yourself a national joke, a figure of contempt. However, Ms. Tinker, worst of all, with that style of campaigning, you embarrassed and insulted the very people whose votes you sought: African-Americans of the 9th District.
You tried to run as a STREET Candidate? Really? Listen here, sister girl, I’m twice as gangsta as you’ll EVER be, and I’m a 50-year-old white guy who calls himself the Cracker.
RELATED:
FGF-Cohen Cage Match
Mitch Cohen
Jane Hamsher
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It’s All About Memphis
Posted on August 7, 2008 at 7:43 amJackson Baker reports that is where the Democratic U.S. Senate primary is likely to trun:
What is unusual about the Senate primary that ends this week is that Tuke, regarded by most observers (and by his own polls) as the leader in that race, chose to make Shelby County the focus of his primary efforts — to the point of scheduling his election-night celebration for the Cadre Building in downtown Memphis. “We think this is where the decision will lie,” said an aide to the former Democratic Party chairman on an all-day swing through Shelby County on Saturday.
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No Purchase Necessary
Posted on at 7:21 amTom Humphrey reports that a promotional press release from the Bob Tuke campaign seemed to run afoul of state lottery laws:
Tuke came up with a fundraising effort that arguably raised questions about whether his campaign could run afoul of state laws that prohibit most lottery contests.
“Donate $50 … and you may be selected to attend a private political strategy dinner with us as well as have VIP backstage access,” declared the solicitation.
The dinner on election night is to include both Tuke and Joe Trippi, his chief political strategist.
That might sound like offering a chance for a prize in exchange for money, forbidden by state laws except for charitable events explicitly authorized by the Legislature.
But it’s not, says Ben Chao, Tuke’s campaign manager, who pointed out a disclaimer below the main text of the solicitation. It says that no donation, or purchase, is necessary to win - just as with promotional contests.
“We were very careful not to violate any lottery laws,” said Chao.
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Ku Klux Kohen: Tinker Goes To The Sheets
Posted on August 2, 2008 at 8:20 pmSupporters of Congressman Steve Cohen are outraged by a negative ad currently running on Memphis television criticising him for his refusal to vote for the excavation of the body of Confederate General Nathan Bedford Forrest while a member of the Center City Commission:
Among the things that stuck in the craw of Cohen’s supporters, including several prominent ministers and public officials, was the ad’s juxtaposition of Cohen’s image next to those of Ku Klux Klansmen.
“For this ad to come up at the last minute is an attempt to divide this community racially. And this community isn’t going to be divided. We’re all in favor of our congressman, Steve Cohen,” said Myron Lowery, the longtime city councilman who, at the time off the most recent Forrest Park controversy, floated a compromise proposal for adding anti-slavery exhibits to the grounds of Forrest Park.
UPDATE:
Video of the ad in a TV news report
The Commercial Appeal
Mediaverse
Tuke Be Trippin’: Invites Donors To Dine On Primary Night
Posted on July 30, 2008 at 11:40 amDemocratic U.S. Senate candidate Bob Tuke will allow supporters a rare window into his campaign’s inner workings on August 7th:
On primary night, we are offering you an unique opportunity – to dine with Bob Tuke in a behind-the-scenes strategy session with myself and Chief Strategist Joe Trippi in Memphis. Donate $50 dollars by Tuesday, August 5 at noon and you may be selected to attend a private political strategy dinner with us as well as have VIP backstage access to our Victory Party on primary election night.
If you’re selected, you will meet Tuke, Trippi, and Chao in Memphis right before the polls close. We will discuss the campaign strategy and the issues that matter most to you.
Not only does this seem to be a blatant homage to Barack Obama, it also stands out as a pretty marked shot across the bow at his opponents. Obviously, a “strategy meeting” on election night before the votes are counted reveals (or attempts to reveal) a certain confidence in victory.
One assumes, after all, that the “strategy session” would not involve the decision whether to stay in adoption law or switch to mergers and acquisitions after a loss.
Memphis Choke
Posted on July 29, 2008 at 9:03 amSue: “Dude, you don’t know what it’s like out here. I’m from L.A.”
Trent: “Anaheim.”
Sue: “Whatever, man.”~ Swingers (1996)
Smart City Memphis chastises Rep. Marsha Blackburn for her Memphis-bashing campaign tactics:
In keeping with her scorched earth political style, she attacks Mr. Leatherwood for being uppity enough to run against her, and in her tours of the 7th District, she tends to say he’s from Memphis as if the word almost chokes her. Actually, he lives in Arlington.
She blames Mr. Leatherwood’s entry into the race on the courthouse crowd in that dreaded Memphis, but it’s pretty hard to understand who that crowd would be since Democrats have taken charge of Shelby County Government and surely not even Mrs. Blackburn would accuse Mr. Leatherwood of being a pawn of those political interests.
All in all, it’s easy to understand why, during her years as a Tennessee Senator, her colleagues and her party’s leaders frequently granted themselves exemptions to the Republican Party’s 11th Commandment.
Phil Bredesen’s Weak Foreign Policy
Posted on July 24, 2008 at 3:07 pmBill Hobbs criticizes the Governor for not taking the appropriate action to insure Mississippi doesn’t snake our water supply:
My sources tell me the Bredesen administration declined to join the lawsuit as a defendant. The result: instead of kicking the case directly to the U.S. Supreme Court, which under our federal constitution is the court that handles disputes between states, the case was heard in a Mississippi federal court.
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