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.
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”
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.”
Senator Mike Williams Hires Democratic Fundraiser
Posted on August 1, 2008 at 5:14 pmFrom the Tennessee Journal:
Republican-turned-independent Sen. Mike Williams has retained the services of the Thomas Lindsey Group, a fund-raising and consulting firm headed by Cathy Thomas, a prominent Democratic fund-raiser, and her son, Stephen Lindsey, a veteran campaign operative. Thomas has served as a fund-raiser for Gov. Phil Bredesen and other high-profile Democratic candidates.
Williams’ District 4 state Senate seat is targeted by the Republican Party, which wants to recapture it with the campaign of Church Hill lawyer Mike Faulk. No one wants it more badly than Lt. Gov. Ron Ramsey (RBlountville), whose political action committee, RAAMPAC, gave $7,500 to Faulk this month.
Williams raised $22,325, including $4,000 from the Plumbers and Pipefitters union, $5,000 from the Carpenters union, and $5,000 from the Tennessee State Employees Association. Democrat Mike McWherter, son of former governor Ned McWherter, gave $1,000. Williams’ balance was $34,016. Faulk, who raised $19,900, finished with $141,184.
A Faulk Load Of Gasoline
Posted on 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: 10 April 2008
Posted on April 11, 2008 at 3:00 pmA transformational shift in the way news is delivered in Nashville is coming.
Hinting by White House operatives that a housing bill may face Presidential veto provokes Republican leaders in Congress, Lamar Alexander among them, to question the maturity of those on Pennsylvania Avenue.
Ken Whitehouse reports that independent state Senator Mike Williams will not withdraw his petition to run for re-election.
Think Progress chastises national media for painting congressional hearing on Iraq as explicitly partisan.
Lawmakers push to have “huffing” included in state’s DUI law.
Changes to open records legislation in the legislature would allow record keepers more time to respond to public requests and retain the ability to charge for the service.
A former attorney who locked legal horns with embattled federal judge appointee Gus Puryear’s employer CCA is motivated to write a letter supportive of his former adversary after talking to Puryear hypercritic Matt Pulle.
Ilissa Gold takes issue with Elizabeth Edwards’ characterization of Barack Obama’s health care proposals.
Amid discussion over legislation which would return the crime of cockfighting to felony status, Tom Humphrey reports that cockfighting operators allege that they paid a former state representative to get the crime kicked back to a misdemeanor in the early 90s.
Interest rates may be good for America’s consumers but to seniors who depend on interest payments for income, the story is a bit different.
State Senator Tommy Kilby has withdrawn a bill which could have paved the way for large scale adoption of the toll road concept in Tennessee.
Michael Hooks, Jr. was sentenced to 30 days in federal prison yesterday for his role in a bogus-invoice scam in 2001 in the Juvenile Court Clerk’s Office.
Senator Lamar Alexander joins a bipartisan group of Senators in introducing legislation allowing any National Guardman or Reservist who served post-Sept 11 to be eligible for early retirement. Presently, National Guard and Reserve members are the only federal retirees who must wait until age 60 to collect retirement pay.
In related news, the Christian Science Monitor reports that reservists called up to active duty are increasingly finding the jobs they left gone after returning stateside.
Jackson Baker discusses racial politics in Memphis in the days surrounding the anniversary of the death of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King.
The U.S. Department of Labor reports that Williamson County, Tennessee has posted some of the highest employment gain numbers in the county.
The Oak Hill Gazette interviews two candidates for Commissioner in the satellite city.
The Nashville Scene writes up a book by a Vandy Professor praising negative campaigning.
Tennessee’s two U.S. Senators are trying to get the first desegregated school in the South located in Clinton, Tennessee made part of the National Park System.
A new viral video by Moveon.org makes the rounds accusing George Bush and John McCain of giving us endless war “on the installment plan.”
Senator Lamar Alexander is leading the push inside the Republican Party to take issues of climate change seriously.
Colin Powell tells ABC News that the War in Afghanistan presents greater challenges to our military than our efforts in Iraq.
Mike Byrd doesn’t believe, as the TNGOP does, that Martin Luther King, Jr. would be a Republican were he alive today — but he’s not so sure he would be a Democrat either.
Former Presidential candidate Mitt Romney follows in the footsteps of Fred Thompson and agrees to guest host for radio great Paul Harvey.
Blount County political activist Sunny Day has filed an election commission complaint against State Rep. Doug Overbey. Overbey is Alcoa’s city attorney and sits as a city judge. Day asserts Overbey cannot serve in the judicial and legislative branches at the same time.
Overbey, a Republican legislator who voted for Democratic Speaker Jimmy Naifeh, is currently challenging incumbent Republican state Senator Raymond Finney for the Republican nomination in the Eight District.
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