Bipartisanship for Senate

As the race for the Democratic nomination to the US Senate reaches a climax this Thursday, both candidates are making their final push for votes.

Bob Tuke, who if he were black would be called presumptuous and arrogant, seems to be fairly confident in a victory on Thursday, coming out with TV ads hitting Lamar Alexander, as well as hiring a new Deputy Campaign Manager, John Little, last week.

Meanwhile, Mike Padgett is burnishing his bipartisan credentials in a press release which touts his Knoxville background having to work with Republicans as evidence he'd be able to get bi-partisan legislation through the Senate much better than you know who.

“In a Republican stronghold like Knox County, I had to be able to work with members of the other party if I was going to accomplish anything. And I had to be able to win Republican votes, or I wouldn’t have been elected seven times.

“It’s going to take that kind of strength to beat Senator Alexander in November – and it’s something that none of my Democratic opponents can claim.”

Of course Tuke might privately argue that he has a better relationship with his hiking buddy Bob Corker, which might lead to more fruitful discussions about joint legislation.

Either way, this race is going to come down to one county, Shelby. I can't predict who will win, but I can predict that he who wins Shelby, wins the nomination. Since Mr. Tuke is planning on celebrating election night in Memphis, it appears that he understands this as well.