Democrat Party Spokesman Endorses Republican Yager for State Senate

Breaking news . . . Wade Munday, flack for the Tennessee Democrat Party, has endorsed Ken Yager, Republican candidate for the 12th State Senate District (currently held by retiring Sen. Tommy Kilby, a Democrat) by wearing a Yager sticker at campaign stops on Monday. Oh, or is this dirty Democrat tricks?

Democrats Conspire with Terrorists to defeat FISA

With the very security of our nation at stake, Democrats decided to play poltics today rather than do what's right. Dems lead by San Francisco liberal Nancy Pelosi went after Josh Bolton and Harriet Miers by issuing contempt charges against them (nevermind the constitution's seperation of powers doctrine. Why let the constitution stand in the way?). Meanwhile, the Dems prepare to leave town while letting FISA expire. This will take away powers that our nation needs to maintain our safety and security by allowing the feds to eavesdrop on phone calls and e-mails of SUSPECTED TERRORISTS!!!!!

Paying more to Phil up your tank . . .

Didn't Nancy Pelosi promises to lower gas prices within a year? Now, she along with Gov. Phil Bredesen are talking about hiking taxes on gas. Say hello to $4/a gallon if they add on all the taxes they are talking about.

Bredesen said the state will need to increase its gasoline tax, currently 22 cents per gallon, in order to fund what the Tennessee Department of Transportation says is $5 billion in necessary road projects over the next 10 years.

Is it just me or do you cringe every time the Dems talk about how it is shameful for oil companies to make profits? If they had their way, they would go Hugo Chavez on the oil companies putting all the oil companies in the control of the government. Given the government's inefficiencies, can you imagine the waits at the pump for your tax-subsidized gas.

A Drunken Sailor

The Tennessean has the text of Governor Bredesen's State of the State address tonight. While he use a nautical motif to describe his role as head of state, he could have avoided the state's current fiscal shortfalls if he had not spent money like a drunken sailor last year. Bredesen has practically doubled the size of the state budget in his six years in office, blew through $1.8 billion in new revenue last year, and now is coming up short. It's time for Bredesen and the Democrats to sober up and realize the state should live within its means just like we do at home. Of course the governor's official residence will be much bigger than ours, especially once he spends more taxpayer money to build his underground dance hall.

W.W.R.D.?

While it seems that even Republicans want to go along with the liberal/progressive/Democrats who think the answer to every problem is more government and higher taxes, it is high time to ask W.W.R.D.? That is, What would Reagan do?

Latest Poll: Obama slips to third after Hillary, Undecideds

The latest poll (from WSMV) for the February 5th presidential primary in Tennessee shows that Democrat primary voters are split: 34% plan to vote for Hillary, 28% are undecided, 20% back Obama, and 16% support Edwards. On the Republican side, the poll shows the state's delegates are up for grabs although it was taken before Fred dropped out: "Don't know yet" polled first at 26%, Fred at 25%, Huckabee at 24% (but leading in West and East Tennessee), McCain at 12%, and Romney at 7%.

So, if Fred stayed in, would he have even won Tennessee?

Alcoholics, thieves or adulterers?

Rep. Gary Moore (D-Joelton), presumably speaking only for his caucus, said his fellow representatives were either alcoholics, thieves, or adulterers. Hmm....wonder which Democrats are which? Apparently, some fall into more than one of these categories. Rep. Moore, could we get a list for each group? Thanks!





More: Briley apologizes for behavior

Who do the Democrats want for the GOP nominee?

I've heard lots of talk among Republicans regarding whether Hillary or Obama will be the tougher Democrat nominee this fall. But, turn that question around. Who do the Democrats fear most. Today, Senator John McCain said he was the "Democrats worst nightmare". As a Republican, I personally have problems with all of the candidates left in the running. While I backed Fred but was disappointed with his campaign, I was happy with his positions. McCain is attractive to independents and moderates, but conservatives distrust his positions on illegal immigration and his role in McCain-Feingold. Romney has flip-flopped on so many issues. Huckabee was soft on illegal aliens and raised taxes in Arkansas. All three are picking up Thompson's crumbs, especially in Tennessee. Look for Romney and Huckabee to announce their Tennessee leadership early next week.

But, who would Hillary or Obama rather face? I'm not sure yet, but I'd love to hear what the Dems are thinking.

The donkeys beat a dead horse

This is just in poor taste. Senator Thompson is out of the race, and now is not the time to pile on him. Apparently, the Democrats still have nothing good to say.

What about Christmas? MLK Jr. Day?

In looking for the TN Democrat Party's telephone number for the last post, I noticed that the page still has up a blog wishing everyone a "Happy Thanksgiving" but no mention of Christmas. Why is it that Democrats don't want to wish you a "Merry Christmas"? The secular nature of the Democrat party and their support of a secular, religion free public environment is another reason why people have left the Democrat party.

I expected to see something marking today's national holiday in honor of Martin Luther King, Jr., but the Democrats apparently forgot that too. There's no mention on the party website. They do have a video from their Jackson Day fundraiser held last. In honor of Dr. King's legacy, the TN Republican Party does have an article.

Campfield wants you to call 615-327-9779

Rep. Stacey Campfield blogs today about TN Democrat Party Chair Gray Sasser's comments in support of an elected lieutenant governor. In fact, Campfield wants you to call Jim Sasser's son with these suggestions:

1. Allowing communities to vote for an elected school superintendent if they want.

2. Allowing state judges to be really voted on not the crappy yes/no vote system.

3 Allow the other positions to be added to this debate for elected state wide office also like comptroller and attorney general or how about revenue commissioner.

After all ""When you elect someone rather than appoint someone, they are more accountable to voters and citizens."

What say you?

What's wrong with this picture?

President Bush is pursuing a plan to give checks of up to $800 to taxpayers in an effort to stimulate the economy. While President Bush and the Democrats seem to agree on the plan, Democrats want to use the opportunity to play Robin Hood by redistributing the wealth. They want the moeny go to the 50 million or so Americans who don't pay income taxes in the first place. In addition, they want to expand the food stamp program and unemployment benefits. We know how Democrats love to take from those who work so they can play Santa Clause.

But why do we need to extend the unemployment benefits? Liberals tells us that we need the illegal aliens because there is a labor shortage. Yet, millions of Americans are living off of welfare and unemployment checks. What's wrong with this picture? Don't discourage hard work and the reward for effort that comes with it. That's why Socialism doesn't work.

Tennessee Democrats: Like a Vegeterian Colonel Sanders, But Making Karl Marx Proud

State Rep. Gerald McCormick sets the record straight regarding Rep. David Hawk's (R-Greeneville) House Bill 9 while correctly asserting that State House Democratic Leader Gary Odom is like Kentucky Fried Chicken, "(H)earing Gary state an aversion to 'pork barrel' spending is about as believable as Colonel Sanders coming out in favor of vegetarianism."

House Democrat Leader Gary Odom is the father of pork barrel spending having pushed his caucus for the $20,000,000 in taxpayer funded "pork grants" that the legislature funded last June in the state budget. Now, Odom calls a Republican plan to use excess lottery revenues for school construction and renovation "pork barrel" spending ignoring his "pork grants" for ballfields. Republicans opposed the pork grants although they obviously submitted their requests when it became apparent the Democratic-controlled House had the votes to pass them. Otherwise, the funds for Republican districts would be diverted to Democrat enclaves. Republicans preferred to give the money directly back to taxpayers in the form of a food sales tax cut. In short, the pork grants were anything but finger lickin' good.

Meanwhile, Kevin Burke takes Gary Odom and Tennessee Democrats to the woodshed:

Are you kidding me? Rep. Odom even says, "The lottery scholarship was never intended to be an academic scholarship; it was intended to be a way to help more Tennesseans get a college education." That's the most ridiculous statement I've ever heard. It's a prime example of how today's Democrats represent the modern Socialist movement. If it's not an academic scholarship, then what is it? Free money?

Crutchfield walks

For his role in Tennessee Waltz including the acceptance of a $3,000 bribe, disgraced former State Senator Ward Crutchfield (D-Chattanooga) gets a $3,000 fine, six months home detention, and two years probation. He will not serve time in a correctional facility. That amounts to an interest free loan of $3,000 for 3 1/2 years.

UPDATE: Couldn't Crutchfield at least have to pay for the legal expenses incurred by the state in prosecuting the case, the court costs, and the cost of a special election?

Illegal Alien Invasion Continues

The invasion of Tennessee by illegal aliens continues with an illegal alien, already deported once, coming back in the country illegally and raping a 12-year old girl. Meanwhile, Democrats in Congress have stripped funding from the border fence project and cut back the scale of it while making it subject to all kinds of regulatory approval. Our own Democrats in the General Assembly continue to block common many sense bills to demagnetize Tennessee. When will this madness stop?

What about the constitutional officers?

Sure Governor Bredesen supports electing a state Lieutenant Governor, but what about the Secretary of State, Comptroller, and Treasurer. They certainly have more power over the lives of Tennesseans and have never been elected by anyone if you don't count Democrat majorities in the legislature.

Governor Shows True Liberal Colors

Although not deserved, Governor Bredesen has enjoyed a reputation for being fiscally conservative despite nearly doubling the size of the state budget during his tenure and increasing taxes in a year of a $1.5 billion surplus. Now, Bredesen admits he is a true tax and spend liberal:

"One of the great things about being governor is you get to take taxes away and later give it back and people are happy," Bredesen said. "Is this a great job or what?"

Tip of the hat to Ben Cunningham.

UPDATE: Here's the video:

Democrats: Who needs ethics?

Despite Tennessee Waltz and other demonstrated ethical, moral, and legal violations, Democrats continue to demonstrate their disregard for ethical leadership:

The Tennessee Republican Party is chiding House Speaker Jimmy Naifeh, D-Covington, for his "disdain" of ethics. When reminding his House colleagues on Tuesday that ethics training is mandatory, Naifeh added , "We all voted for that, for some reason."
GOP leaders also took Naifeh to task for extending an excused absence Tuesday and today to Rep. Rob Briley, D-Nashville, who has pleaded guilty to driving under the influence. "Briley's own disdain for ethics and propriety were on full display last year when the married lawmaker had an affair with the lobbyist for the Tennessee Trial Lawyers Association while simultaneously chairing the House Judiciary Committee which was considering high-priority legislation important to the trial lawyers," a Republican news release says.
"Naifeh no doubt will call this a partisan attack, but Republicans believe both parties should take ethics seriously, and we believe the people of Tennessee deserve better than to have a House Speaker who disdains ethics and coddles corrupt lawmakers," GOP spokesman Bill Hobbs said.

Have they forgotten Briley, Ford, and Cooper already?

Democrats in the legislature seem determined to forget about the drunken incidences involving several of their leaders in the past year. In an article in today's City Paper, Democratic leaders said their members know better than to misbehave:

“My members know not to drink and drive,” said Senate Democratic Leader Jim Kyle (D-Memphis). “Individual behavior is the responsibility of the individual senator. These are grown men and women, and they will be held accountable for their actions just like the ones who weren’t here were ultimately held accountable for their actions.”

Question for Senator Kyle: Have you forgotten about Senator Cooper's DUI last year? About his wreck while driving drunk? What about Senator Ophelia Ford's drunken antics?

House Majority Leader Gary Odom (D-Nashville) said legislators are “all adults” and they know “what’s right and they know what’s wrong.”

Question for Rep. Odom: Remember Rep. Rob Briley? You know. The one that didn't bother to show up for today's first legislative day. The one who drove drunk, hit a car, fled the scene, vandalized a police car, and refuses to give up his seat in the legislature. Meanwhile, he's doing weekends in the Wilson County jail. You think he knows "what's right" and "what's wrong"?

Income tax rearing its head again?

Today's Tennessean has a preview of the legislative session that begins tomorrow. Of particular note is House Democratic Speaker Jimmy Naifeh's quote on taxes:

Other points of partisan contention will include taxes, with Republicans pushing to lower the state sales tax. Democrats, Naifeh said, have some reservations in a year when the budget is tight and the economy is stalling. "I'd like to see how to replace that with a stable source of income," he said. [Emphasis added.]

Any long time follower of Tennessee politics will know that "a stable source of income" is Democratic code for a state income tax. Bill Hobbs has more.