Last night, I attended the Tennessee ConserVOLiance Blogger Question and Answer Forum with District Attorney General Bill Gibbons as the GOP Gubernatorial Candidate to get to know. There were a little over 20 present for the very informal and relaxing chat that Gibbons seemed quite comfortable and ably suited.

Mr. Tennessee ConserVOLiance, Ken Marrero, a superlative conservative networking machine, began the session at 7 PM and ably orchestrated its conclusion well before 9 PM.

General Gibbons gave his personal and professional bio, his reasons for running, and his campaign goals. Nothing new or exceptionally noteworthy.

The constant theme and comparison that seemed to run throughout his intro and later interaction with the questioners, was highlighting the similarities and politically common roots of his friend, Senator Alexander. At first glance, It seems like a careful and well thought theme in which will surely be played well and often over the next year.

Besides the obvious Alexander similarity, here is a very quick and fast initial take from moi….

Gibbons on Second Amendment Issues.

-Concealed carry in state parks – FOR

-Concealed carry in colleges – AGAINST

-Concealed carry in local parks -Up to Local Authorities

TRUMAN’s TAKE GRADE – B

Gibbons on State Immigration Enforcement Issues

-Expand 287(g) to be enforced by the State Highway Patrol

-Workplace enforcement would just create a bigger government bureaucracy.

T T Grade – B-

Gibbons on Social Issues

- State Marriage Amendment -FOR

- State Abortion Amendment SJR127, -FOR If it passes, he would like to push for….
1) Parental Notification Law

2) 48 Hour Waiting Periods

TT Grade – A

Gibbons on Public Education

- Push for public school choice through scholarships for every student (Restricted to public schools only) A pragmatic limitation bowing to political realities.

TT Grade – A- (Due to the exclusion of private and home school options AND the very difficulty he would have with this plan overcoming teacher’s unions and zoning in TSSAA for High School Sports)

Overall I would probably give General Gibbons a B+ as an initial impression.

Not bad, especially from someone based out of Shelby county.

(-:

A few snippets from other attendees.
Tireless and soon to be MTSU grad Matthew Hurtt notes…

Continue……