Is The 2010 Race For Guv A Replay Of The 2006 Senate Race?
from Post Politics: Political News and Views in Tennessee by KleinheiderJonathan Lindberg seems to think so:
Haslam enjoys an advantage that only an unknown candidate with money has, he will be able to define himself. The question in 2006 is the same then in 2010 – will anyone remember the other candidates when the full force of the Haslam ad machine begins?
When it comes to Republican politics, West Tennessee if often forgotten. The major advantage that Shelby County District Attorney Bill Gibbons has though is the same advantage that Ed Bryant had in 2006 – both had West Tennessee all to themselves. Unfortunately, Gibbons does not have the conservative credentials of an Ed Bryant (at this point, the conservative mantel seems to rest on the shoulders of Ramsey). Gibbons though would do well to learn from Bryant, who spent too much of his campaign trying to distance himself from Hilleary, that he forgot at times that his main competitor was Corker.
Make no mistake, Haslam is the competition and Middle Tennessee is the battleground. At this point, Ramsey seems to have the name recognition in Middle Tennessee. However, all four candidates have their sights set on those twenty-or-so counties. It was no coincidence that Gibbons announced his intention to run for Governor not in a newspaper in West Tennessee, but Middle Tennessee.
That is the politics of locality. And so the race begins.
GOP Gubernatorial Primary will fight FOR the “non mushy Middle”
April 7, 2009 by Truman Bean
Filed under Politics
Haslam Heaves forward, while Davis Dismounts
January 30, 2009 by Truman Bean
Filed under General News, Politics
As Haslam consolidates his front dog status in the very early Tennessee Big Dog Contest, Congressman Davis steps out of the challenging pack.
Haslam campaign raises $1.4 million
Haslam, currently Knoxville mayor, said he was “deeply humbled by the outpouring of support” displayed by contributions collected in tonight’s event at The Foundry in World’s Fair Park.
A campaign press release says the $1.4 million is “the largest hometown fundraiser for a statewide candidate in Tennessee history.”
Campaign spokesman Jeremy Harrell said that a “hometown fundraiser” would not include those events that are attended by donors from across the state. Harrell said he did not know the previous record for a “hometown fundraiser.”
Meanwhile, U.S. Rep. Lincoln Davis, D-Pall Mall, said today he has decided against running for the Democratic gubernatorial nomination.
“I have come to the conclusion that I can be of better service to the state that I love by remaining in the U.S. House of Representatives,” Davis said in a statement.
The 4th District congressman said his recent appointment to the House Appropriations Committee was a factor in his decision, providing him “a significant opportunity to practice fiscal responsibility of our nation’s finances and assure the priorities of my rural constituents are heard loud and clear.”
