Your Thursday Munday Message

TNDP Chair candidate Wade Munday has a New Year's message for the TNDEC asking for their vote and listing what he'd like to do as chair, which includes cutting the spending:

Your state party will be managed efficiently, utilizing the strengths of our volunteer-led groups and individuals. My first goal is to eliminate wasteful spending and to trim excess, beginning with the salary of the chair. I will propose that the roles of the chair and the executive director be combined for a probationary period. I will propose new uses for updated technology and social networking tools. Ironically, our current investments in technology have been more expensive to implement and manage because of a lack of understanding about their functions. As a former director of a non-profit organization, I know how to manage an organization and its resources. I have successfully raised capital and led a large team of staff and volunteers. I propose we rethink our organizational structure at this critical time.

Finding ways to trim the budget will have to be priority number one for any of the people who want to be Chair, including Chip Forrester. The latest reports show that resources are largely depleted, and its unlikely that we'll raise more in the next cycle than we did this past one considering our relatively weak position in this state.  Getting the most "bang for our buck" should be a key factor in decisions going forward, and a hard-headed cost/benefit analysis should be done with regards to all programs and positions within the TNDP.

Read the full letter below.

The Ultimate Friday Dump

Why they chose both a Friday and Christmas Eve to release this tidbit of information, I don't know, but apparently the race for TNDP Chair is now a three man contest, as Justin Walling dropped out and announced his support for Matt Kuhn.  Whether he thinks he has a better shot at being Kuhn's ED than he does party chair, or whether he was just inspired by Matt Kuhn, I don't know, but this is probably one of the few nuggets of news in a TNDP Chair race that has been remarkably quiet these past couple weeks.

While Walling and Kuhn consider this to be a "game changer," its unclear how much, if any, support Walling had garnered before this announcement.  I'd say its safe to say that Chip Forrester has supporters numbering in the 30s, whether its in the high or low 30s remains to be seen (37 votes are needed to win the race).  That leaves Wade Munday and Matt Kuhn (Gordon Ball's candidacy seems to have consisted of a letter, and not much else) to vie for those who are either on the fence about Chip, or are part of the Anybody But Chip crowd.  Munday seems to have some support in Nashville and has been going across the state and meeting with various members, though it doesn't appear that many on the Executive Committee are eager to publicly commit to any of the candidates, with the exception of some outspoken Forrester supporters like Sylvia Woods.

Who ultimately is able to be the last man standing against Chip might come down to personal contacts and the logistics of how the party will be run.  While Kuhn has a deeper resume than Munday, the fact that he'd be in Shelby County most of the time might turn off some members from Middle and East Tennessee who are used to a centralized party apparatus, not to mention the dwindling number of elected TN Dems who are headquartered in Nashville.  

The election is going to be on January 8th, and there is a teleconference-debate scheduled for the 3rd.

Department of Misleading Headlines

It seems the world of journalists and right-wing pundits are perplexed at the President's choice to attend Christmas services at a chapel on the USMC Base in Hawaii.  The AP headline reads, "Obamas make rare trip to church while in Hawaii," the conservative blogs like the headline, "It Must Be Campaign Season: Obama Goes to Church – a 'Rare Occurrence'". Either way, its all quite ridiculous because Barack Obama did not go to a "church" so much as he went to a military chapel...which he would normally do at Camp David, the difference here is only that a pool reporter attended too.

I get that people want to doubt Obama is a religious person, but his answer for why he doesn't attend a public church very often is pretty reasonable...that it would be a disruption to the fellow parishioners because of the need for increased security.  That problem is not as applicable to a military base, as there is already security in place for the entire area.

Of course, there are also those who question Obama's press covered church visits because they think the alcohol drinking, abortion favoring, gay approving President is somehow a closet Muslim.  For those folks...there is no cure for willful ignorance, so there isn't a point in trying.

Profiles in Courage

President Obama recognizes and commends a courageous action...the hiring of Michael Vick?

NBC’s Peter King reported the call during “Football Night in America” on Sunday.

“I talked to Jeffrey Lurie, the owner of the Eagles this week, and he said he was surprised to pick up the phone one day and Barack Obama calls him to praise the Philadelphia Eagles for signing Vick and giving him a second chance,” King said from NBC’s Rockefeller Plaza studios. “Lurie told me that the president was passionate about the fact that it’s rarely a level playing field for prisoners once they leave jail. And he said the message was, what the Eagles had done with Vick was important for society,” said King.

Ummmmmm, no. Yes, I agree with the President that too often former felons are unfairly discriminated against in hiring, and it adds to the higher recidivism rates. However, the Eagles "courageously" hiring one of the better Quarterbacks/Running Backs alive today at a relatively bargain price after he spent two years in the pokey is probably not going to lead to a slew of companies giving a guy who has little work history and a long rap sheet a second (or sometimes first) chance.

If the Eagles have a program to train convicted felons for field or stadium work, then that would be commendable...otherwise, their move was entirely self-interested in nature. 

Merry Christmas Everybody

Mr. Hankey's Christmas Classics
Tags: SOUTH
PARKmore...

Ordinance to Demolish Racetrack

The ordinance, BL2010-820, to keep the fairgrounds and expo center through 2011, while demolishing the racetrack and turning that area into a park, has officially been introduced and has nine council members signing on which include; Sandra Moore, Megan Barry, Rip Ryman, Anna Page, Ronnie Steine, Parker Toler, Jim Forkum, Walter Hunt, Kristine LaLonde.

The Fair Board shall oversee the demolition of the existing racetrack, grandstands, and associated facilities on the Tennessee State Fairgrounds property. Once the racetrack, grandstands, and associated facilities have been demolished and the site has been cleared, the Fair Board shall transfer control of this area, as well as the floodplain area along Brown’s Creek, to the Metropolitan Board of Parks and Recreation for the development and operation of a public park.

Section 2. It is the intent of the Metropolitan Council that the expo center functions held at the Tennessee State Fairgrounds property will operate on the revenues generated by such functions at no cost to the general government. In the event the revenues generated at Tennessee State Fairgrounds property are insufficient for the operation and maintenance of the facilities, the Council intends to appropriate the necessary funds from the State Fair fund balance to cover any shortfall.

Both Councilwoman Sandra Moore and Anna Page, whose districts are arguably most effected by this ordinance, are sponsoring it.

Emily Evans FTW

In my hypothetical mayoral blog poll, Councilwoman Emily Evans comes out on top of Mayor Karl Dean by a 23 point margin, with 17% going to "Other".

Karl Dean	30 (29%)
Emily Evans	53 (52%)
Other	18 (17%)

While obviously this blog poll doesn't mean anything in real life terms, I was curious how readers of the blog felt about Karl Dean, and it appears many aren't all that favorable towards him. And while, as Salemtown Curmudgeon Mike Byrd pointed out, Emily Evans hasn't signaled any inclination to run next year, and has instead said she will not, however she is one of the leading critics of Karl Dean in Nashville politics, and I feel she is a good representation of some of the opposing factions who have coalesced to oppose Mayor Dean's proposals (which is why I didn't put in a plethora of other council opponents like Jamie Hollin or Eric Crafton).

Which brings me to another point, is Karl Dean invincible? While the Nashville media and many politicos would think or hope so, without any objective data on the matter (say a scientific poll) its hard to jump to that conclusion. Some assume that because the Mayor was seen relatively positively in the Flood response, that this would carry him on to a resounding victory...one need look no further than George H. W. Bush who went from sky high approval ratings over the Gulf War, to losing the election roughly a year later. What issue will drive voters to the polls, or keep them home, in August of 2011 is hard to divine this far out.

I actually think Dean's opponents lost out on a pretty good candidate to run against him when Kevin Sharp, head of the anti-convention center Nashville Priorities, was nominated to be a Federal Judge. He's intelligent, relatively young, a Democrat but with Republican ties and could've possibly built a coalition of conservatives and progressives, white and black. Of course, the biggest hindrance to any Dean challenge will be money, both because of Dean's family wealth and the impression that the business community is largely lined up behind Dean and his proposals.  And that hindrance alone might keep any serious challenger from emerging, reinforcing the hypothetical nature of all this speculation.

History Informing The Future

The race for TNDP Chair has been a little muted these past couple weeks, with no real  new dynamics emerging or shifting from what I can see.  But the race is still very lively for those whose job it will be to decide the next Chair.  Doug Horne, who wasn't big on Chip the first go around, is even less so now, and has sent out an email requesting members talk to upwards of 35 Democrats before making their decision (h/t JRLind).

Those Dems being; Governor Phil Bredesen, Fmr Sen. Jim Sasser, Congressmen Clement, Cohen, Cooper, Davis, Gordon and Tanner, Fmr State Sen. Doug Jackson, Fmr State Reps. Nathan Vaughn, Jon Litz, Eddie Yokley, Dennis Ferguson, Hackworth, Winningham, Fraley, Fincher, Bone, Kent Coleman, Sam Coleman, Ty Cobb, Borchert, Maddox, and Barker, and while they are at it former Party Chairs Dick Lodge, Will Cheek, Houston Gordon, Doug Horne, Bill Farmer, Randy Button, Bob Tuke, and Gray Sasser...and for good measure Gail Carson and Bill Owens.

This email from Horne, who makes the case for a younger party chair, comes after an email from Chief Chip Backer Sylvia Woods, who basically said she's been nonplussed with the previous party chairs of late and thinks Forrester has done a heckuva job and claims that we are "strong" and "looking forward" instead of waiting for the DNC to turn around:

When we elected Will Cheek years ago, it was over the objections of some. But we thought since he had been on the board for years, he would understand the need for ex. com. members to receive some respect and input. I was disappointed with the progress we made.

When Doug Horne ran for Chair with opposition, we again worked with Doug to gain respect for the committee. He did respect us and tried to include us, but very little was done in the field with training, etc.

Each year same o, same o.

Full text of the Sylvia Woods email below. Horne's available here.

Fabian Bedne Announces for District Council

Fabian Bedne, who ran against Parker Toler in the 2007 Metro Election, has officially announced that he is running again for the seat, this time he'll be facing former Council At-large candidate and head of the Office of Neighborhoods, Brady Banks. In a press release announcing his candidacy, Bedne said:

“Today represents a true highlight in my life as I am joined by family, friends and supporters as I announce my candidacy for District 31. This district has continued to develop sustainable growth areas and has become a model on how to eat, work and play right in your own neighborhood and it’s a place that has been wonderful to raise my family.”

Fabian starts off with a rather impressive list of supporters, including former Party Chair and US Senate Candidate Bob Tuke, and an advisory council consisting of "Cristina Allen, Richard Courtney, Dr. Nedra Huggins-Williams, Reverend David Kidd, Pam Kidd, John Little, Tom Negri, Avi Poster, Attorney Gregg Ramos, Attorney Martin Sir, Kathleen Egerton Harkey, Linda McFadyen-Ketchum, Renata Soto, Chris McCarthy and Alma Sanford, J.D."

Bedne got 31% of the vote in 2007, a number he obviously feels he can improve on this go around. Full text after the jump.

Kristine LaLonde Speaks Out on Belmont Discrimination

Councilwoman Kristine LaLonde, 18th District, who has remained relatively quiet about the recent Belmont firing/dismissing/mutual-dissolution-of-the-contract of Coach Lisa because of her own employment at Belmont, sent out an email to her supporters today to discuss the matter:

Recently, Belmont University, where I work as a professor, has been at the center of controversy over issues related to the position of gay and lesbian members of our university community. In the last two weeks, I have strongly believed that the goal of non-discrimination at Belmont was best served by my working in my capacity as a faculty member. Along with many, many of my faculty colleagues, I have been devoting many hours toward the goal of ensuring that Belmont’s policies of inclusion and non-discrimination are clear and powerful. During this work, I have felt it was important that I not be seen as using the issue to further my own political fortunes. I wanted to respect the confidentiality and discretion that the discussions then warranted.

Her former opponent, John Ray Clemmons, recently sent a letter to the press condemning the comments of Marty Dickens and calling for his resignation. In addition, Councilmen Hollin and Jameson introduced an ordinance to rescind the lease agreement with Belmont for Rose Park unless Belmont adopts a (stated) non-discrimination policy that includes sexual orientation.

House Caucus Selects Craig Fitzhugh as Next Leader

The House Democratic Caucus, a much smaller version of its former self, voted today to make Rep. Craig Fitzhugh Minority Leader on the second ballot over Rep. Gary Odom who has served in that position for two cycles.

Update:

Rep. Mike Turner stays on as Caucus Chair, Rep. Joe Towns is Assistant Minority Leader.

(h/t TNReport)

Bredesen Asks for 25 Words

Gov. Bredesen trots out an old refrain from, hell, I can't even remember...2005?  About how Democrats fail to win (I think he tucked this one in the closet for the 2006 and 2008 campaigns) because of a lack of a simplified message:

“[Republicans] were for lower taxes, you were for some strong family and religious values, you were for an aggressive approach to our position in the world and defense in the world. I’ve just used 25 words maybe to describe that; I challenge you to tell me what our party stands for in 25 words.”

OK, lemme try, "Democrats are for a sound foreign policy, progressive taxation, global competitiveness, minority rights, and the empowerment of the working and middle class." Sweet, now let the votes fall like manna from heaven. Of course, the problem here is that voters have to agree with those 25 words or less in order for them to vote for said party or candidate. And there is always the problem that a broad swathe of Americans don't vote based on the message or campaign of the day, but rather party loyalty. Democrats don't win African-Americans every election by margins of 80-90% simply because each year they have a winning message that resonates with Black people...its 'cause Black people know intuitively that Republicans don't like 'em, and Democrats are better than Republicans.

Perhaps Bredesen is right in that Democrats need to drop the nuance and take on a more hard-headed ideological approach like the Republicans and adopt a bumper-sticker style approach to governing.  But, then, we risk losing a lot of voters who back the Democrats because we are the adult governing party and the Republicans are like a bunch of spoiled kids who are unable to share their toys or work in a group.

(h/t JR)

Mayor 2011 Poll

While as of yet no serious challenger has emerged to face Karl Dean in the Mayoral election next year, his biggest challenger in the Metro Council comes in the form of Councilwoman Emily Evans from the 23rd District.  She fought the Mayor on the convention center, and the planned move of the expo, and the potential moving of the fairgrounds, and perhaps on demolishing the racetrack, though I'm not sure she's there yet.

Anywho, I just wanted to get a feel for how the readership of this blog felt about things.  Do you like what Dean has done in terms of trying to (literally) grow the city through various large scale projects, or would you rather a more conservative (in the classic sense of the word) approach to the Mayor's office that focuses on municipal services and leaves the rest to the private sector.

Poll will be on the right side of this blog.  As always, if you pick other, feel free to leave suggestions below.

Grasping at Hippie Straws

Richard Lawson has a few suggestions for what to do with the racetrack on the fairgrounds that some council members and local area residents would like to see torn down and replaced with a park:

What if the track could become a national model for how a raceway could peacefully coexist with a neighborhood and be ecologically friendly. It’s not as far fetched as you might think. Just look at what the Atlanta Motorsports Park has done. The goal there as to lower the carbon footprint through such measures as maximum efficiency heat and cooling; solar powered toilets and water faucets, tank-less water heaters, reclaiming water for irrigation and recycling garbage and oil. Of course, the Atlanta park is way in the world outside urban Atlanta but surely there are elements that could be used along with others to make the fairgrounds raceway “green.”

It sounds all well and good on the surface, the problem is though that the two situations are hardly comparable. Atlanta Motorsports is a sprawling 150+ acre private, members only, facility designed for wealthy people with fast cars.  The course is more of a Formula 1 style track, not the circular NASCAR style track that currently exists.  According to their zoning request:

Highlights of the facility will include:
• Nearly three miles of high-performance road course
• Two straight-aways nearly 2,000 feet each
• More than 120 feet of elevation change
• 15 possible road course configurations
• Flexibility to operate three separate driving courses simultaneously
• Members will be able to participate in performance driving their cars or superbikes, supercar rentals, safe driver education programs and karting

The question that begs to be asked is what purpose exists in spending millions of dollars to renovate this particular racetrack? I understand it has historical and sentimental value, but does digging it up and completely changing the structure in order to attract wealthy car enthusiasts really going to be a worthy compromise in the minds of those who want to keep the track as is?

As for another option, having electric car races, that sounds nifty but it sort of defeats a key purpose of NASCAR style racing, which is the roar of the engines, the skill in holding off on refueling (it takes generally under a matter of seconds to refuel a stock car, what is the avg refueling time for electric cars?), maintenance, etc...I'm sure you could hold one or two races a year that qualify, but certainly nowhere near the number that would be required to justify a standing (and expensively renovated) racetrack.

I appreciate the desire for those who want to split the middle here, hell, I'm always down for a good bit of compromise.  But this racetrack has already fallen out of favor with the NASCAR circuit, and if private developers are going to be in charge, certainly it would be cheaper to build on land outside of South Nashville as opposed to completely tearing apart and rebuilding this track which lies right next to a residential neighborhood.

Health Care Mandate Fails at First Hurdle

The Republican lawsuit to challenge the constitutionality of the individual mandate for health insurance has been deemed unconstitutional (pdf) by a Conservative Judge who, based on the wording in his decision, is clearly not too big of a fan of the health care reform legislation as a whole.

Luckily though, Judge Henry Hudson was also not a fan of a broadly sweeping decision against the entirety of the health care bill, and instead focused it on Section 1501 of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, which means all other aspects stand up, except for the $750 annual fine (phased in over about 4 years) for those who "can afford" health insurance but are unwilling to purchase it. Given the rather generous exemptions for people who can't afford it, and the rather generous benefits to subsidize insurance for the working class, its unlikely that this would've had a broad impact on America as a whole anyways.

So, obviously the Justice department will continue to defend the law in court, and in the law there was a ready made defense of the constitutionality of this proposal, citing United States v. South-Eastern Underwriters Association (1944) as a general basis to broadly interpreting the commerce clause to allow for this mandate. The question is, should Obama continue to fight for it?

In his campaign, Obama fought Edwards and Hillary over the need for such a mandate, either because he genuinely felt it was not needed or because he realized the political danger (nearly 80% polled oppose an individual mandate), but regardless, if Obama were to drop the fight against it (and lets be clear, he won't) it would help put him back in line with campaign promises, and put the Republicans in an awkward position of having to cheer on what is essentially a defeat for insurance companies.

In the end, I don't know what will happen once this ruling is kicked up the food chain, but either way, if the rest of the courts maintain the sever-ability positioning that Judge Hudson does, it leaves nearly all of the popular elements of health care reform in place and removes the biggest unpopular aspect, making it harder for Republicans to campaign on full repeal of the legislation.  It will put Republicans in a difficult position of having to repeal the popular elements of health care reform, or face the wrath of the insurance companies who helped put them in power.

Candidate for District 7 Emerges

Anthony Davis, co-owner of Nashville marketing firm iDesign, is poised to announce in the coming weeks his candidacy for Metro Council to replace the term limited Erik Cole in the seventh district, which encompasses Inglewood and other areas of East Nashville.

Davis, 30, has served as the head of the East Nashville Chamber of Commerce Advisory Council promoting the area and businesses he seeks to represent.  In addition, he's served in various capacities with the Davidson County Young Democrats.

Finally, and most importantly, Anthony's company designed the header of this blog.  Well, maybe not most important, but I appreciated it...perhaps more importantly, they also designed the sight Greener Nashville, which sought to help people "that are looking for sustainable resources in their everyday lives. Whether it’s saving energy, eating healthy or living green".

Hopefully more details will be coming soon.

The Snub Heard 'Round The Tennessean

The Tennessean has an article about Kevin Sharp's nomination to be the new Middle Tennessee District Judge, it largely focuses on the perceived snubbing of Tennessee's congressional delegation because Nashville lawyer Kathryn Barnett (daughter-in-law of Will Cheek Jr.) was passed over in favor of Kevin Sharp.

Now, I'm not sure how this decision was made, I'd imagine that a great many number of factors went into this choice.  Both Sharp and Barnett got their law degrees from Vanderbilt around the same time, both have a history of giving money to Democrats (though Barnett actually gave to Obama's campaign, whereas Sharp was a Richardson supporter), and both apparently were suggested by the Democratic Congressional Delegation as potential nominees...I'd say a factor that the Tennessean did not take into effect might be that Sharp had military service on his resume.

It seems this article more or less is seeking to stoke the fires between Obama and Democrats that has intensified due to his desire to make a deal with Republicans and make incremental gains as opposed to "fighting" and still losing. But, the fact remains, Sharp was on the initial list of potential candidates supplied by the Democrats, so any arguments that his pick of Sharp is a "snub" of those same Democrats seems a tad bit convoluted. Maybe they did prefer Barnett, and perusing her resume I probably would have as well because of her work at the Public Defenders office, but nonetheless, its not as if the White House backed a Republican for the position.

Ultimately, by choosing a nominee that Corker and Alexander approve of (and Democrats suggested in the first place) the President reduces the likelihood of a merit-less Republican filibuster over an unrelated issue some Senator in another state wants to trade in return for not objecting to a vote. 

Attack of the Anonymous Democratic Insider

Jeff Woods has a more detailed write-up of a recent meeting of various Democratic politicos regarding the future of the party.  One of those interviewed had this to say:

For the party to resurrect, he says, it must die first. The party needs to shed some of its current leadership, this Democrat says — then it can come back as a stronger being.

"There are still too many hangers-on now," he says. "The party itself is beyond hope right now. It's hopeless. It's not quite dead, but it needs to die before it can come back to life."

To me, there are two issues at play. If by "party" you mean the TNDP Chair and staff, that is one thing. It can and does change all the time, with occasional holdovers but generally a rather broad sweep every two to four years. Whether or not that will happen remains to be seen, a lot of folks seem to think Chip already has the votes secured, but the election is still a month away, so there is no telling what will happen.

The other issue is the elected "party" of the Executive Committee. That is setup by Tennessee State law, and so if something were to change it would have to happen legislatively. I haven't heard of any efforts to do this, and I don't think the Republican legislature is looking to do the Democrats any favors on this matter. While arguments can be made for and against an elected Executive Committee, the shear size (66 elected members) is rather daunting and cumbersome. I wouldn't be opposed to seeing it go from a man and woman elected in each Senate district, to a man and woman elected from each congressional district, thus cutting it by a third, and potentially making it more manageable.

Of course, there is a third aspect, and that would be Democratic groups/pacs/etc... Now that the GOP is in charge of the legislature, there is the possibility that they will do away with fundraising limits altogether, thus making it easier for wealthy donors to setup Democratic clubs that work not only to defeat Republicans, but also to choose and promote candidates they like in primaries. I'm sure there are quite a few wealthy Democrats and Republicans who wouldn't mind seeing something like that happen, so as to increase their power and influence over the political process. 

The Belmont Debacle

Dr. Bob Fisher spoke with the media last night to address the fiasco surround Coach Lisa Howe who was allegedly/supposedly/almost definitely fired/forced-to-resign/amicably-separated because she told folks she was gonna have a daughter with her partner.



His statement was entirely devoid of details about the matter at hand, but rather it focused on Belmont's desire to be inclusive.  According to Fisher, "in the ten years I have served as Belmont's President, sexual orientation has not been considered in making hiring, promotion, salary, or dismissal decisions."  So, either Fisher is disputing that Howe was dismissed and/or resigned because of her orientation, or maybe they are cool with gay people, just opposed to artificial insemination.  Either way, while his statement was designed to mollify opponents of the decision, it did nothing to address or dispute the reporting on the firing of Coach Howe. 

CM Barry Signals Potential Push for NDA Covering Private Employers

Councilwoman Megan Barry today released a statement calling out Belmont to have a thoughtful conversation about their employment policies, and hopes that Nashville can pass a forceful law covering private employers that prohibits discrimination based on sexual orientation:

I look forward to the day when Nashville joins the many dozens of cities and counties across the nation including Louisville, Salt Lake City, New Orleans, Kansas City, St. Louis, and Atlanta, that have written sexual orientation into local discrimination laws.

Having said that, it’s important to keep in mind that Belmont would in all probability be exempt from such a law as a religious organization. .

I guess her husband, Bruce Barry the head of the Tennessee ACLU, might be a person to consult on this, but I don't see why such a large employer like Belmont would automatically be exempt. Granted, I don't think we can force, say a church, to adhere to non-discrimination laws, but Belmont's religious affiliation is rather weak, and their non-clergy employees ought to have some protections. The White House has been trying to add anti-discrimination clauses to faith based charities that receive federal money, if Belmont receives any municipal funds, we ought to have the same stipulations.

Hurley Touts Stimulus Spending

Rep. Julia C. Hurley, freshman Republican who defeated Rep. Dennis Ferguson, is being used by TNDP Chair Chip Forrester for touting American Recovery and Reinvestment Act spending in Loudon and Roane Counties on her Facebook page:

Tennessee Democratic Party Chairman Chip Forrester applauds freshman Republican state Rep. Julia Hurley for bucking her party and supporting the federal Recovery Act, which has pumped billions of dollars and thousands of jobs into much-needed infrastructure projects across the state.

“I am encouraged by Ms. Hurley’s acknowledgment on her Facebook page that the Recovery Act was a key element to turning our nation and our state’s economy around,” Forrester said. “It’s my hope that she and some of the other newly elected members of the General Assembly will do what’s best for our state and those of us who struggle daily to make ends meet.

“Too often politicians fall prey to the whims and ill-conceived notions of the day. I’m sure her Tea Party supporters will turn on her and try to run an opponent against her in the 2012 Primary Election. But I’m confident she will pick up some Democratic votes as long as she does what is best for her community and the state as a whole.”

Of course, there really wasn't any words of praise for this spending in the Facebook note, for all we know she was pointing it out as a bad thing, though it seems rather unlikely.

Obama Makes A Deal, Liberals Fed Up

Judging by my Twitter feed, one might think that Barack Obama just ran over a basket of puppies in a Hummer.  In reality, he's reportedly cut a deal with Republicans to continue Bush tax cuts for two years, reduce the impending increase in the Estate tax, extend unemployment for a year, and cut payroll taxes on workers by 2% (to replace a temporary stimulus tax cut).

This has prompted Rep. Jerry Nadler to reportedly say to the President: "You're no Clinton. He would've let all tax cuts expire and called GOP bluff on loyalty to millionaires."

Fact of the matter is, the President's leverage is rather weak.  The Republicans can stonewall the Senate process until the end of the year over tax cuts because they still have all next year to amend the tax code.  Conversely, the President has until the end of the year to use the large Democratic majority we currently have to the benefit of Democrats and Americans.  If there is even a possibility of passing the START treaty or DADT repeal, we have to get past the subject of tax cuts.

As for Clinton, the congressional agenda during the '94 lame duck session consisted of passing a Uruguay tariff package...that's it.  Those are the only two votes of the '94 Congress post election.  Obama and the Democrats in Congress are in the process of trying to pass middle-class tax cuts, a year extension of unemployment insurance, the repeal of Don't Ask Don't Tell, the Food Safety Modernization Act, a Nuclear START treaty, and the DREAM Act allowing for children of undocumented immigrants to go to college.

So, fine, lambast the President for not wasting the month having Harry Reid continue to bring forward a tax cut bill that won't pass (and can't even muster all Democratic votes) out of some symbolic act of "fighting" the Republicans.  Or move on and focus on trying to pass DADT repeal, the START treaty, and the DREAM act.  Because make no mistake, there was no pressuring the Republicans into backing down over this issue, there was only a lost opportunity for naked partisan posturing.

Of course, the effectiveness of this deal depends on the ability of Republicans to keep their word (which is not in their duplicitous nature) and Obama to rally Democrats, who seem to be increasingly chaffing under his leadership, to this compromise.

Former Council Candidate Calls on Dickens to Resign

John Ray Clemmons, who lost out on the first round of balloting in the special election to replace Keith Durbin in the 18th Council District, has come out with a statement calling on Marty Dickens to resign his position as Chair of the Metro Convention Center Authority because of comments regarding the firing of Belmont Women's Soccer Coach Lisa Howe who was dismissed for starting a family with a female partner.

Clemmons says of Mr. Dickens:

We have invested too much and worked too hard to improve our neighborhoods and promote Nashville as welcoming to everyone, regardless of race, gender, political or religious beliefs, to have Mr. Dickens’ personal views threaten our city’s economic prosperity and cause irreparable harm to our hard-earned reputation.

Mr. Dickens and his misguided interpretation of equality deem him unfit to represent this city to businesses, investors, and potential visitors. I am making this statement today because I believe that silence in the face of this injustice is unacceptable.

Dickens, as Chair of the Belmont Board of Trustee's, told the Tennessean that "[we] do adhere to our values as Christ-centered, and we don't want to make apologies for that."

I have yet to find any evidence to back up Mr. Dickens' claim of "Christ-centered" values regarding firing women for having same-sex relationships or seeking alternative means to insemination.  I'm sure there are many Belmont employees pondering the question of which non-Biblicly sanctioned activities will result in firing...eating shrimp, for instance?

The district Clemmons sought to serve, District 18, is currently held by Kristine LaLonde, who is herself a Belmont employee.

Full release after the jump.

"Anyone But Chip" Goes Facebook

I just got an invite to be "friends" with a Facebook page titled "Anyone But Chip".

A few notable names on the "friends" list: David Briley, former Senate candidate Mike Padgett, and former McWherter campaign manager Kim Sasser Hayden.

Missing from the list so far: any of the candidates vying to replace Chip as TNDP Chair.

Update:

A couple fresh additions to the Anyone But Chip fan club, TNDP Vice-Chair Elisa Parker and TNDP Compliance Officer Matt Langley.  Of course, accepting friendship with this profile doesn't inherently mean said person is an ABCer, but still...

Munday Message

TNDP Chair hopeful Wade Munday shot out another email to the Tennessee Democratic Exec Committee:

I am proud of the way Democrats talk. The history of the Democratic party shows when we speak in anger, it is most often a righteous anger in stark contrast to the manufactured outrage of the Republican entertainers. I believe when we speak out in truth, it is truth founded on the freedoms of faith instead of demagoguery. When we talk to one another and to our opponents, we are rational and principled.

Full text below...

Cooper Votes To Block Democrats on Tax Cut Procedural Hijinks [UPDATED]

Rep. Jim Cooper voted with Republicans and about 30 of his colleagues to block a procedural effort by the Democratic leadership to vote on tax cuts for all Americans.  A previous GOP Congress and President Bush had voted to raise tax rates in 2011, and this bill would lower them back down to 2002-2010 levels for all taxable income except that over $250,000.

The move Rep. Cooper voted against would essentially gut an unrelated bill and tie it to tax cuts, thus getting past various procedural moves normally made by the minority party to avoid voting on the merits of legislation.

The measure passed with a majority of votes of those cast, but not of the majority of House members...thus, Democrats will likely have to persuade 5 more people to vote on the merits if they hope to get this item passed.  Ultimately though, if it is passed it will undoubtedly be bottled up in the Senate, so its a purely symbolic move of showing Democratic solidarity with the middle class and opposing efforts by Republicans and Conservative Dems to hold those middle class tax cuts hostage so millionaires can keep more of their millions.

Update:

Despite his procedural votes, Rep. Cooper ultimately voted with the Democrats and 3 Republicans to keep tax rates in place for middle class and let the previous Republican Congress' decision to raise taxes on income over $250,000 stand.

Horne Still Doesn't Want Chip Forrester to be Chair

Jeff Woods has some details on a meeting yesterday between Democratic party muckity-mucks looking to move the party forward after the GOP Blitzkrieg.  The meeting was attended by party chairs, both current and past, as well as donors and some Middle Tennessee area State Executive Committee members.  Also in attendance were four out of the five candidates to be party chair, with Gordon Ball not coming to show up.

Apparently Doug Horne, who helped prop up the party after the Governor froze out the organization shortly after Chip was elected back in 2009, has asked Chip Forester to step aside. While Horne was not one of the party elite who tried to destroy the party after Chip Forrester was elected, he nonetheless was one of the former party chairs who had endorsed Charles Robert Bone for the job over Chip Forrester.

The task of unseating Chip Forrester from his seat is rather simple, get a handful of people on the committee who endorsed and/or voted for him, to sign a letter asking him to step down. Its rather clear that Forrester is all about getting enough votes to win (similar to Obama's primary focus on getting pledged delegates instead of winning states or super-delegates)...just as he didn't back down when the establishment supported his opponent in 2009, its unlikely he is going to back down in 2011 simply because people ask really nicely. If he's assured he won't have the support or votes to win, then he may decide to bow out rather than face an embarrassing vote of no confidence.

People can argue about how that isn't right until they are blue in the face, but Forrester knows the system and is working the system.  So, play within the system.  Get enough people on the committee to publicly denounce his candidacy, and its over..at least for him, who replaces him is still another question altogether.

The Case (Again) for Open Primaries

I've made my case for why I think we should have open primaries in Tennessee a couple of times now. The topic seems to be on the minds of Republicans who, now that they have effectively destroyed any vestige of Democratic control in this state, want to aim their crosshairs inwards at Republicans who don't sufficiently pass their purity test.

Now, on the one hand, I think it would be good for the Democrats if the Republicans had closed primaries, because they would've potentially chosen more crazy and more unelectable candidates to be their nominees.  You can look at states like Delaware and Nevada, which have closed primaries, as prime examples where Republicans blew a gimme chance at picking up a Democratic controlled Senate seat.

In Tennessee, the Republicans at the top of the ticket have been relatively moderate, at least by Republican standards, and by extension more attractive to Democratic and Independent voters who may not particularly like the Democratic candidate.  How much of this is due to crossover and independent voters is hard to tell without adequate exit polling, but its safe to say it certainly helped this moderate phenomena.

Regardless, there is a good argument to be made that open primaries can have a moderating influence on the parties...for most of us that's a good thing, obviously for some extreme ideologues this is terrible. At the same time, there are many people who choose not to affiliate with a major party for various reasons, but still have to live with the reality of a situation that most legislative seats are uncompetitive, and the primary decides the winner; or they happen to like one candidate who happens to be affiliated with a party, and they want to see that candidate chosen. Either way, you are stripping Independent voters of the ability to participate in a key function of civic life.

Ultimately, close them or don't, it really won't hurt my feelings one way or the other because I think Democrats have a better chance at making a comeback at top of the ticket races if only rightwing ideologues can win a GOP primary...however, from a fairness stance, if we are going to have State run primary elections, taxpayers shouldn't be excluded because they don't like the idea of being labeled.

NFLPA Picks Wrong Season to Motivate Titans Fans

The NFL's Players Association is playing a game of chicken with the NFL Owners and they now want politicians to step in to aide their cause:

The NFLPA also sent letters to political leaders from other cities and states with NFL franchises. The letter called on Tennessee's leadership to stress to Adams "the importance of engaging in good faith negotiations with the NFLPA."

"During one of the worst economies since the Great Depression, NFL owners are preparing to cancel the 2011 season and, in the process, devastate Nashville business and stadium workers who count on football Sundays to make ends meet," said NFL Players Association President Kevin Mawae, a former Titans offensive lineman. "It is our hope that the owners will shelve this plan and negotiate in good faith to ensure that we are playing for the fans in 2011."

Now, I don't know who is or isn't negotiating in "good faith," nor do I really care, but excuse me if my heart doesn't break for a group of guys who get paid a minimum annual salary of $340,000...and that's for players with zero NFL experience...and many of those don't even play a freaking game. Oh, and for all of their whining about the potential loss of jobs and revenue? One of the bigger sticking points between the NFLPA and the owners is a plan to increase the number of games from 16 to 18. Guess whose opposed to that (hint, it ain't the owners)?

So, the NFLPA wants politicians to force the owners' hands to get a deal, so that there will be fewer games played, meaning a loss in potential revenue for the state and local economies. And then, in all likelihood, if the NFLPA's plans did work, the owners would come back to those same politicians pleading poverty and threatening to leave unless they got X number of dollars to improve/build a new stadium. Thus, the cycle continues.