Faulkin’ Good Enough
Posted on November 5, 2008 at 5:02 pmDavid Oatney congratulates his new state Senator:
Congratulations to Mike Faulk. He was far from the perfect candidate, but his opponent was far worse. Further, based on my experience with Mike, I believe he will be a responsive Senator, ready to answer constituents’ needs. I believe this not only because he had a good rapport with supporters during his campaign, but also (let’s face it) because his margin of victory was too thin to be angering his constituents.
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It’s Called Working A Job
Posted on October 21, 2008 at 2:43 pmAttorney Nathan Moore raps state Senator Mike Williams knuckles for criticising his opponent Mike Faulk for his work as an attorney:
At least now we now know that Williams despises both the federal and Tennessee constitutions with equal fervor.
Meanwhile, if you are charged with crime, there are places to go. Except for you, Mike Williams - I would never represent you. I’d represent a child rapist and a crack dealer gratis, with significantly less crisis of conscience, before I would make an appearance for your despicable hide.
Child Molesters And Drug Dealers
Posted on at 11:39 amSenator Mike Williams hits his Republican opponent for the way he made his living:
SEE ALSO: Sean Braisted
Faulk Goes Negative On Senator Mike Williams
Posted on at 9:19 amThe Republican candidate for Tennessee’s 4th District state Senate seat hits the Senate’s lone independent for leaving the Obama option open:
Senator Williams Has A Campaign Website
Posted on October 18, 2008 at 6:24 pmWhich, he says, he has nothing to do with:
A Web site supporting state Sen. Mike Williams’ re-election has appeared on the Internet, but Williams says he has nothing to do with it.
“I don’t know who did it. I do know I had nothing to do with it,” he said in an interview.
In an interview last month, Williams referred to himself as “old-fashioned” in campaigning while explaining his lack of a campaign Web site - a fixture for most legislative candidates these days.
The site, www.williamsforsenate.org, is fairly basic. It features a picture of Williams with Gov. Phil Bredesen, for example, but when a viewer clicks on the word “donate,” the only thing showing is the senator’s address, where a check could be mailed.
A check of records by News Sentinel staff shows the Web site was set up through a service that blocks identification of the creator.
RELATED:
Angelia asks some questions
More on the Fourth District race.
So He Has Decided About His Gubernatorial Run?
Posted on October 14, 2008 at 10:25 amOr is he just being a good party man:
Former U.S. Sen. Bill Frist will campaign across Tennessee this week for eight state legislative candidates as early voting gets underway on Wednesday.
Frist, who has aided each of these campaigns with fund-raising, will be doing events for state House candidates Terri Lynn Weaver, A.J. McCall, Bill Sanderson, Curtis Halford and Vance Dennis and state Senate candidates Ken Yager, Mike Faulk, and Dolores Gresham.
On Wednesday, Oct 15, Frist will campaign in the 40th House district for Terri Lynn Weaver, the 46th House district for A.J. McCall, the 4th Senate district for Mike Faulk, and the 12th Senate district for Ken Yager.
On Thursday, Oct. 16, Frist will campaign in the 77th House district for Bill Sanderson, the 78th House district for Curtis Halford, the 71st House district for Vance Dennis, and the 26th Senate district for Dolores Gresham.
“Sen. Frist’s work on behalf of our Republican legislative candidates has been invaluable in the pursuit of a Republican majority in the state Legislature that is committed to keeping our taxes low and working to create jobs,” said Robin Smith, Chairman of the Tennessee Republican Party.
One can, of course, find much more info about the candidates Frist will campaign for at the TNGOP’s Victory ‘08 website.
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Mike Faulk Makes Clear What His Campaign Is Really About
Posted on October 9, 2008 at 10:06 amThe battle for control of the Senate is about holding the redistricting pen:
Today, we are in another important battle and its outcome may also be a turning point in the direction taken by the State of Tennessee. Tennessee’s Senate is divided with 16 Republicans, 16 Democrats and 1 Independent.
The outcome of the election for Senate District 4 will likely determine for years to come the direction taken by our party and our state. In fact, the winner of this State Senate election may very well determine whose hand holds the pen used to draw the lines for redistricting every State House and State Senate seat and the lines for each of Tennessee’s Congressional Districts.
RELATED: Mike Slater
We Were Totally On A Break When That Happened
Posted on October 3, 2008 at 5:51 pmState Senate Democratic Caucus Political Director Mark Brown didn’t think GOP Senate candidate Mike Faulk’s counterattack on him for disclosing opposition research by a Texas firm to Kingsport Times News Reporter Hank Hayes was entirely appropriate.
Brown resents the implication that his informative political work was done on the state’s dime. He is on leave, you see, from the Caucus in order to provide reporters with information about a lawyers’ former clientele.
“Sounds like Mike Faulk desperately wants to change the subject. Absolutely nothing was done on state time. I am presently on leave from the state, working on Democratic Senate campaigns. Just as, for example, Republican staffer Rick Nicholson is on leave working for the campaign of Rosalind Kurita.”
The full piece of opp research can be found here. For more information about the crew that culled the salacious info on Faulk, go here.
SEE ALSO: Angelia
Faulkin’ PAC Money
Posted on September 16, 2008 at 7:13 amThe Independent Reporter’s Report, a Senator Mike Williams shill blog, charges 4th state Senate district candidate Mike Faulk with hypocrisy for accepting money from a conservative PAC while carrying on a relationship with a married woman:
The Tennessee Conservative PAC should send a demand letter to Faulk asking for an immediate refund since the money was raised under false pretenses.
In addition, John Gregory and relatives Faulk-ed over at least $8,000 in personal contributions.
While Faulk’s position of constituent services could be described as “missionary” outreach, he certainly seems to come up far short of the Conservative PAC’s high moral standards.
To steal from my friend Doc Holliday: “It appears Faulk’s hypocrisy knows no bounds.”
The Truth Will Set You Faulkin’ Free
Posted on September 15, 2008 at 1:44 pmDavid Oatney encourages his (former?) choice for state Senate to go that extra mile and explicitly admit his accessory to adultery:
I might have stated it quite a bit differently, but Angelia’s basic point is that if Mike would swallow his pride and own up to his end of this completely-it takes two to tango-he might be able to survive the political storm that has resulted in part from his apparent wrongful actions. Folks aren’t looking to hang Mike Faulk from a tree-I’m certainly not. What people want is an acknowledgement of the wrong and some real contrition, especially since Ms. Walker has already done her part in that department.
The Faulk camp is not only failing to do the right thing by acknowledging the relationship when nearly everyone now knows that it is factual, Mike isn’t capitalizing on the reality that by doing so he could put it behind him in enough time to save his campaign. One has to wonder if Mike knows that what I’ve just written here is true, but Faulk’s campaign folks are giving him not-so-great advice on how to handle the affair.
Mike: How about just doing the right thing, brother? The truth shall make you free.
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Stick A Faulk In Him, He’s Done
Posted on September 14, 2008 at 1:01 pmPotential constituent Angelia discusses state Senate candidate Mike Faulk’s alleged affair with a married woman, the fall out and how they handle such things in rural East Tennessee:
Kelli Walker owned her share of this and is shouldering the fallout: folks expected Mike Faulk to do the right thing and take his part. He didn’t. And this creates two big problems for the campaign: (1) It makes him seem like a callous ass, and (2) it raises the question: If Mike Faulk won’t stand accountable for his actions and support the people who are special to him: what can you reasonably expect him to do for you?
So, in light of that, how do you think this story end?
Personally: I predict folks will talk about the school teacher behind her back for a minute and perhaps give her funny looks. School functions w/ the parents might be a little awkward - but she’s tough and she has tenure. So, she’ll be okay. And by the time Christmas break is over, we’ll have moved on to the next town scandal.
As for Faulk, well, his next love interest can just stick a fork in his ass - because I’d say he’s done.
As for Ron Ramsey, before this is all over (and I don’t think it is) he may have to answer some of those McCain/VP type questions, such as “Did you bother to check this guy out before we bet our money on him?” Add to this mess, Rosalind Kurita’s election victory has just been declared invalid, leaving the Speaker possibly down two minions, which could get interesting
SEE ALSO:
The “Independent” (II)
And Angelia on the “Independent”
In Wake Of Faulk Revelations, Ramsey Advises Republicans To Keep Plowing
Posted on September 13, 2008 at 6:01 pmReacting to news that 4th District State Senate candidate Mike Faulk may have been an accessory to adultery, Lt. Gov. Ron Ramsey turns an unfortunate phrase:
One of Faulk’s biggest supporters has been Lt. Gov. Ron Ramsey, who is seeking to build a working GOP majority in the state Senate.Ramsey, a Blountville Republican, said he didn’t think Faulk’s past situation with Walker will make a significant difference in the campaign.“People really do want to hear about the issues, and Mike has the money to run a good campaign,” Ramsey said. “This is a little bump in the road you may wish didn’t happen because it diverts you from your message, but you keep plowing forward and keep the campaign on the issues, not about gossip.”
Past Tense: Oatney On His Support For Mike Faulk
Posted on September 12, 2008 at 11:37 amLongtime supporter and potential constituent, David Oatney, blogs his feeling on the allegations surrounding 4th District state Senate candidate Mike Faulk:
In Mike Faulk’s case, the reality that he knew what the consequences of his actions could be, yet continued engaging in morally deviant behavior speaks to his judgement. Were Faulk not involved in politics, what he did would still be equally henous, but would be a private matter with sad but private consequences. In public life, the kind of behavior Faulk is accused of is a private matter that has very public consequences-it could cost Faulk not only the election, but what appeared to be a very bright political future.
I still consider Mike Faulk a friend, and I probably always will. His saving grace may be that his opponent also has a chequered past , but I’m not sure it is wise to make who can out-philander whom the central issue of an election campaign. Merely because he is a friend does not mean that Mike Faulk deserves victory. He himself has undermined his opportunity and has let down not only his supporters, but the people of the 4th District who deserve much better representation than what we currently enjoy.
Mike Faulk’s “temporal punishment due to sin” may be that he can get the good Lord’s forgiveness, and even the forgiveness of his political friends, but must pay for his actions with his political career.
Timing Is Everything
Posted on at 10:51 amIt would appear that Mike Faulk’s big TV buy for his state Senate race comes on the same day as some unflattering allegations about him hit the papers. Interesting:
The ad purchase of nearly $75,000 makes Mike Faulk the first of the state senate candidates to be on television in the 2008 election cycle. The ad campaign is promised as a first installment of paid media planned by the Republican candidate in the 4th State Senate District covering Claiborne, Grainger, Hancock, Hawkins, Jefferson and Union counties.
No Worries
Posted on at 10:36 amSean Braisted makes a funny about the predicament in which Mr. Mike Faulk finds himself:
Under the New Moral Code adopted by the GOP circa September 1st, 2008, Mike Faulk need only admit he did something wrong, offer to marry the young Republican, and they will be lauded for their strong commitment to family values and examples of the redemptive nature of prayer.
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All Faulked Up: State Senate Candidate Accused Of Affair With Married Schoolteacher
Posted on at 7:14 amState Senate candidate Mike Faulk, the Republicans only hope of unseating a former Republican, now Independent incumbent, who sides with the Democratic Caucus, has been accused of an inappropriate relationship with a young Republican activist:
But his campaign is facing unexpected trouble because the chairwoman of the Hawkins County Young Republicans has circulated a letter discouraging other Republicans from supporting Faulk, saying he had an affair with her during the race and criticizing him for repeatedly denying it.
“My ability to perform my job in leading this organization has been tainted due to my inappropriate, extramarital relationship with state Senate Candidate Mike Faulk,” said the letter sent from the work e-mail account of Rogersville elementary school teacher Kelli Walker.
This is not the first state Senate race where the word adultery is fixing to play a pivotal role. Randy Camp, looking to keep former Lt. Gov. John Wilder’s seat in Democratic hands, has seen his former brother-in-law put his admitted adulterous relationships out in the street.
UPDATE: See Kelli Walker’s full email detailing her resignation from the Hawkins County Young Republicans at this link.
Gov. Bredesen Endorses State Senate’s Lone Independent
Posted on September 4, 2008 at 3:13 pmIn a statement to Post Politics, Governor Phil Bredesen has endorsed Senator Mike Williams of Maynardsville:
“Senator Williams has represented his district with pride and distinction. He’s been supportive of my agenda, especially when it comes to rural economic development, education reform, expanding access to health care and road projects. I’m happy to endorse him in his re-election efforts.”
The Governor hosted a fundraiser in Knoxville yesterday for the state senate’s only independent at the offices of architecture firm Ross/Fowler, P.C. State Treasurer Dale Sims and State Comptroller John Morgan were also listed as hosts at the $500 per person event.
Williams retains the services of Thomas Lindsey Group, a Democratic fund-raising and consulting firm headed by Cathy Thomas. In July, it was reported that three prominent members of the Senate Democratic Caucus had shifted excess mailing funds into Senator Williams account.
Long a thorn in the side of the Republican Party, Senator Mike Williams was one of two Republicans who voted for Speaker John Wilder in 2005. He left the party in 2007. He is opposed in re-election by Republican attorney Mike Faulk.
SEE ALSO:
Braisted
Silence
Angelia
A Bold Charge
Posted on August 6, 2008 at 10:07 amSenator Mike Williams’ shill blogger alleges he knows at least one of the reasons the Senator voted for John Wilder, instead of Republican Ron Ramsey, for Speaker in 2005:
The disembodied voice on the other end of the line says, “Mike, this is Jeff Hagood. I just wanted you to know I won’t be running against you. But there’s something else you should know. Ron Ramsey (then Senate Republican Caucus Chair whose primary task is preservation of Senate Republican incumbent seats) and Bob Davis (then Tennessee State Republican Party Chairman whose bylaws at the time prohibited involvement by party officers or officials in primaries) came to me and asked me to run against you. I wasn’t the one who came up with the idea. But I want you to know that I will not be running against you.”
You’ve got two seconds to figure it out. Gee, why didn’t Mike Williams commit to vote for Ron Ramsey for Speaker when Ramsey came to him in January 2005 and said, “Mike, I guess it’s a little bit too late to ask for your vote.”
UPDATE: Contacted by Post Politics Deputy Chief Of Staff to the Lt. Governor, Lance Frizzell, said that charges that Ramsey had recruited an opponent for Williams were “not true.”
A Faulk Load Of Gasoline
Posted on August 1, 2008 at 9:38 amThe “Independent Reporter” aims his pro-Senator Mike Williams scattergun at Republican Majority Leader Mark Norris:
Speaking of Peterbilt, take at look at Senate Republican Leader Mark Norris’ disclosure. He paid himself a piddling $6,029.28 for Mileage on July 9, 2008. I know gas prices are high, but, trust me on this one, that is a lot of fuel. Surely that was for more than just 28 days.
But could it just be a serious typo and there’s an amendment in the works? We truly hope he makes amends or makes an explanation.
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Mike Faulk’s Campaign Fianace Director
Posted on at 7:33 amAngelia is quite upset that Republican candidate for the 4th District state Senate seat of Mike Williams, Mike Faulk, beat her to the punch by revealing his daughter’s role in his campaign:
This allowed him to get the news out before someone else could give it a spin, which annoyed me. Really, really annoyed me.
In fact, I’ve been mad about it the whole week long.
See, I had already gone through the trouble of downloading Faulk’s campaign finance reports, bought a new calculator to add things up and spent time surfing around the Arkansas Secretary of State website, so I could post about how Faulk gives himself a reimbursement for mileage to rival that of a longhaul trucker, how he’d paid his daughter’s Arkansas corporation, KLF AND COMPANY, almost 10k in consulting fees (well, if you deduct her $1000 donation to dear ol’ dad, technically it would be less) and how some of the names on Faulk’s campaign donor report are people whom, I suspect, are still wearing their “I Heart the State Income Tax” t-shirts.
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It Is Quite Hot Out There
Posted on July 29, 2008 at 11:36 amThe anti-Mike Faulk shill blogger is at it again publicizing Justin Wilson’s donation to the Faulk campaign as well as spreading rumors that the 4th District Republican seeking to unseat incumbent Mike Williams was campaigning in shorts:
Eyewitness reports state that Mike Faulk was campaigning in a polo shirt and bermuda shorts over the weekend. Did he leave his coveralls behind? We’ve never ever heard of a candidate campaigning in his shorts before. Coveralls, yes. We have trouble believing he would campaign in bermuda shorts. But then Faulk may not have had time to change when he left the country club or his hideaway cabin. Got pictures, anyone?
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The Independent Conservative
Posted on July 28, 2008 at 10:27 amThe newest shill blogger on the scene continues his attempts to link Republican candidate for the State Senate seat of Independent Sen. Mike Williams:
The Tennessee Registry of Election Finance reveals this entry among Faulk’s disclosures:
SUNDQUIST COMMITTEE
9047 BRUNSWICK FARMS DRIVE
ARLINGTON, TN 38002
01/15/2008
$1,000.00Michael Anthony Faulk , AKA Michael A. Faulk , AKA Michael Faulk , AKA Mike Faulk has also received other contributions from Sundquist’s and other pro-income tax supporters.
SEE ALSO: The consistency of the message
Men Of The People — With Money
Posted on May 19, 2008 at 11:57 amAngelia has had just bout enough of David Oatney’s broadsides against state Senator Mike Williams on reneging on his promise not to take PAC money.
Mike Williams may no longer depend on the “little people” to fund his campaigns but then again neither does his Republican opponent, Mike Faulk, says Angelia:
Mike Faulk accepted special interest money too. What was it over $25,000 or so? Of course, much of this is from the Tennessee Conservative PAC, which is primarily funded by the Gregory family of King Pharmaceuticals - but that’s neither here nor there. So, your entire point is Faulk is better just because he took money from PACs without promising he would not?
Or maybe this is an attempt to confuse the voters so as to divert their attention from Faulk’s finances. Hello? Have you looked at the smaller donations and “best effort” bulls*** peppered throughout Faulk’s campaign reports.
$1,000 from Advance American Cash Advance Centers in South Carolina with maybe 14 or so “Borrow a Belt so We Can Take Your Pants Later” centers located in this region, $500 bucks from the Brundage Management boys (Thomas Brundage and Andrew Morrison) in Texas - who push the SunLoan Corportations in TN. No? What about a $1,000 from Charles Johnson in Florida, who listed an address that’s popping up as that of Community Loans of America… you know, the parent company of Tennessee Title Loans. No? None of this sounds familiar? How about Allan Jones, CEO of Jones Management - which handles “Loan by Phone” and “Check in Cash” companies then?
Read the entire missive.
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Post Politics: 9 April 2008 - Afternoon Edition
Posted on April 11, 2008 at 2:58 pmA new wrinkle is added to the controversy over alleged underage drinking at a legislator’s Mule Day celebration.
The Attorney General issues an opinion declaring a bill which sought to make it a crime for illegal immigrants to accept pay for work unconstitutional.
Fayette County attorney Steve Butler has withdrawn his petition to seek the Democratic nomination in state Senate District 26 in favor of endorsing fellow Democrat Randy Camp. The seat is currently held by former Lt. Gov. John Wilder, who is serving his last term in the legislature.
Katie Allison Granju wonders why women invest so much in the Democratic Party while receiving so little yield on their investment.
Rob Huddleston reports that the Knox County GOP is in disarray.
Stagnating incomes for the poor and middle class make it hard for them to weather the storm of a recessionary economy.
David Oatney reports that Church Hill Attorney Mike Faulk has raised over $146,000 in his race to unseat independent state Senator Mike Williams in District 4.
Christine Buttorff reports that the “Support Student Safety” coalition wants Metro Schools to adopt a policy that includes anti-discrimination language for sexual orientation and gender identity.
Speaker Jimmy Naifeh defends his recent parliamentary maneuvering which resulted in the demise of some popular firearm legislation.
Nashvillians can come out and celebrate the opening of the Cumberland Pedestrian Bridge this Saturday.
Matt Pulle discusses legislation sponsored by Rep. Ben West designed specifically to allow one man to build a home without updating the septic system on the property.
An argument in favor of repealing the 17th Amendment to the Constitution.
Surprise: Local conservative talker shows little respect for his ideologically divergent colleagues.
Nashville Scene Editor Liz Garrigan is going to take some time apart from Gov. Phil Bredesen.
Memo to activists and public relations specialists: “Befriend a local prominent blogger and make them understand the urgency of your cause.”
Rep. Ulysses Jones, a Memphis Democrat, successfully changed a measure before the legislature which called for the election of both the Secretary of State and the creation of a new elected office of lieutenant governor to only apply to the latter.
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Post Politics: 3 April 2008
Posted on April 8, 2008 at 9:47 amJust one week after announcing her intention to seek the 71st District State House seat currently held by the retiring Rep. Randy Rinks, Dwana Pusser-Garrison, daughter of legendary McNairy County lawman Buford Pusser, has withdrawn from the race citing health concerns. Pusser-Garrison has multiple sclerosis.
Harold Ford, Jr. schedules his engagement party in Memphis on the anniversary of the death of Martin Luther King, Jr.
Church Hill attorney Mike Faulk celebrates his Scots-Irish heritage and cites a book by a Democratic U.S. Senator in officially announcing his intention to seek the Republican nomination for the Tennessee Senate’s Fourth District. The Senate’s lone independent, Senator Mike Williams, currently holds the seat.
A blog dedicated to bringing retailer Trader Joes to Nashville claims victory.
Former Democratic candidate for president turned Libertarian Mike Gravel covers the Beatles’ Helter Skelter on YouTube.
Jackson Baker reports that a recent poll conducted by Ethridge and Associates shows Congressman Steve Cohen in good position for reelection despite announced opposition from Democrat Nikki Tinker and independent Jake Ford.
Terry Heaton links up to panel discussion involving Al Gore, John Siegenthaler and Wikipedia founder Jimmy Wales.
Media Bistro discusses the ideological diversity of the talking heads on the cornucopia of political chat shows on the cable news networks.
A magnanimous Barack Obama tells reporters that he would be more than happy to hire revered former Vice President Al Gore for a high level cabinet post.
Knoxville TV blogger Katie Granju wonders who exactly is in favor of “mountaintop removal” mining.
Both of Tennessee’s U.S. Senators praise a tentative bipartisan agreement on a bill to alleviate the mortgage “crisis.”
A Zip Code breakdown of Mayor Karl Dean’s submitted list of Metro Board and Commission appointees shows the mayor following through on his goal of geographical diversity.
61 year-old Ed Lawhorn, a Vietnam veteran and political independent, announces his intention to run for U.S. Senate versus Lamar Alexander. He will join Green Party member Chris Lugo on the general election ballot. Democrats Bob Tuke, a former party chairman, and former Knox County Clerk Mike Padgett are currently vying for the Democratic nomination for the seat.
In an increasingly digital world, Ben Cunningham warns that reliance on email rather than face to face meetings make relationships fragile in the face of conflict.
Nashville Scene editor Liz Garrigan announces a retooling of the alt-weekly’s blog Pith In The Wind and shows off some great artist renderings of political and media reporters Jeff Woods and Matt Pulle.
Deft political maneuvering in the state house Criminal Practice Subcommittee yesterday insures that the state’s gun permit records shall remain open until at least 2012. The bill created a Class E felony of unauthorized publication of permit information or records. An attorney general’s opinion stated that the bill might have been vulnerable on First Amendment grounds. Angelia Gibson-Herrell discusses.
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