Yes, They Can! But Only If All the Republicans Die First!

Michael Silence on the race for the 1st Congressional District seat:

Four seasoned political observers who blog, Randy Neal, Joe Powell, Joe Lance and A.C. Kleinheider, kick around whether a Democrat can take that seat. I’ll offer my snap analysis: When pigs fly.

(Head over to No Silence Here for the links.)

Of course, I’m no seasoned political observer. I’m unseasoned… or seasoned in the wrong areas… or perhaps I’m not seasoned at all – petulantly pickled might be better description, but for what it’s worth, I agree with Michael.  Don’t get me wrong. I do think the area is changing, but it’s changing at about the same rate as the climate. Therefore, I don’t expect see any significant breaks in district voting patterns – at least not over the next five years or so.

Two reasons: (1) the Republicans have all the money and (2) political party is a family tradition.

I know it sounds crazy but it’s true. People in this district pass down their “Conservative Republicanism” like its heirloom silver. Some, who have inherited the party, embrace the values with which they grew up. Others have no clue what the Republican party stood for, how it’s changed or what it means nowadays – but they cling to it nonetheless. It belongs to them as much as their family name or their Grandpappy’s pocketwatch. For the most part admitting to this crowd, you prefer a Democratic candidate is akin to wearing a Mexican Flag shirt and singing “Big Ole Butt” to the preacher’s wife at the Baptist Homecoming.

It’s not gonna make you popular.

These are your straight ticket voters. They might cast a vote for a Democrat seeking a local office, but as far back as I can remember, there have been only two notable exceptions to Hawkins County’s down-the-line for state and federal office rule — Ken Givens, because we love him, and Ned McWherter, because Jimmy Quillen said so.

Next, there are the Republicans-for-Appearance. These folks inherited the party as well, but they stay for status and position. It’s a commonly held belief in the 1st that everyone who’s anyone is Republican: so if you want access, an ear, support, power, title, money or things done — you must be Republican too. To some extent, this is true BUT the problem is should the Democrats ever get a foothold, you’ll see a good portion of these folks flip sides in a New York minute.

Then, you have the largest bloc of district voters – I call them the weather-watchers. They don’t know the candidates or the issues. If they do seek information, they aren’t picky about the source. They never read between the lines, look for motives or follow-ups. These voters are not unintelligent: they’re just busy. They have jobs, children, bills and work to do. They catch the weather, read the headlines — and tend to vote for who they know. If they don’t know anyone: they’ll vote Republican by default.  These voters are extremely susceptible to smear campaigns – and this is where the money comes in. If you can afford a high profile campaign, goodies, wave and kiss the babies, swing a radio spot, TV commercial or newspaper ad – and you can claim your opponent was born with an extra toe and monkey tail – they’ll fall right into the hip pocket without knowing they’ve been purchased or played.

Finally, you have the x voters. They’re disillusioned. They’re unhappy. They’re sick of the partisanship, the constant over-analyzing, the media. They find both parties equally repugnant – but have been most recently embarrassed by the actions of the TN GOP. In fact, some may even think to themselves if Bill Hobbs sticks his foot it in one more time, just one more, they’re gonna go a viral kinda blue.

(I mean – I’m just guessing this is how they think.)

So yeah, I think with some strong recruiting in this district — and providing all the Republicans die, go broke or continue to make asses of themselves on a regular basis– a Democrat could win over the next two decades. Of course, the victory would be short lived since the locals would spit, sputter, blame the entire mess on the “Yankee Transplants” coming down here messing things up… reorganize and take it back during the next cycle.

 

Blowback from the Tennessee’s 4th Senate District

Go read Kleinheider to find out why blogger David Oatney translated a less-than-20-word statement on a mailer sent out by Senator Mike Williams into a 171-word rant, which puts quite a few words in the Senator’s mouth.

And I’ve got to tell you, it is one thing to point out issues with your elected official.  Perhaps you don’t like his viewpoints or policies. He voted for something you oppose. You think his manner of dress is inappropriate and your guy is better for the job.  However, it’s quite another thing to launch a full-scale rock-throwing attack while your candidate is sitting in his own glass house.

You know, when the GOP first started grasping at straws here and twisting truth: I had faith that the Tennessee Republican Party would figure out these tactics weren’t working locally. In fact, they were starting to backfire.  Faulk would realize this and rein in his supporters.  Nope.  Not so much – because apparently whatever Republicans lack in common sense, they make up for in sheer collective hatefulness – and this bothers me.  I’ve always been told when something is bothering you, you should talk about it.

So, let’s talk about it.

Putting words in the mouth of Senator Mike Williams, David Oatney says:

“Far worse than that, however, is the fact that I promised my constituents that I would never take PAC money, but now that is nearly all the money I am taking since you all are angry with me and won’t give me any of yours.”

The fact is Mr. Oatney, we didn’t give Mike Faulk money either. A paltry 12% of his contributions actually came from within the district because we’re poor as church mice here.

I’m also chagrined the Republican Party would make Williams’ 1996 promise not to accept PAC money an issue.   Mike Faulk accepted special interest money too. What was it over $25,000 or so? Of course, much of this is from the Tennessee Conservative PAC, which is primarily funded by the Gregory family of King Pharmaceuticals – but that’s neither here nor there. So, your entire point is Faulk is better just because he took money from PACs without promising he would not?

Or maybe this is an attempt to confuse the voters so as to divert their attention from Faulk’s finances. Hello? Have you looked at the smaller donations and “best effort” bullshit peppered throughout Faulk’s campaign reports.  $1,000 from Advance American Cash Advance Centers in South Carolina with maybe 14 or so “Borrow a Belt so We Can Take Your Pants Later” centers located in this region, $500 bucks from the Brundage Management (Thomas Brundage and Andrew Morrison) in Texas – who push the SunLoan Corportations in TN. $1,000 from Charles Johnson in Florida, dba Community Loans of America… you know, the parent company of Tennessee Title Loans. How about Allan Jones, CEO of Jones Management – which handles “Loan by Phone” and “Check in Cash” companies?

Let’s also not ponder overmuch on the 1,000 smackaroos from Thomas Beasley,  the same Republican bigwig Beasley who founded the Corrections Corporation of America? How about Steve Kirkham? Surely, you’ve heard of Steve of Rocky Top Market, TOMA board, Idleaire? No? What about a $1000 from Randle Richardson, the man in charge of Community Education Partners, a for-profit alternative schools which is currently being sued by the ACLU in Altanta and was previously accused of buying off school-board members in Houston?  Oh, and we wouldn’t want to mention the small $1000 contribution from Ed Street? I assume that would be Edward H. Street Jr. out of Johnson City, and the $1900 total from the Thomas C. Jessee – the attorney who coincidentally represented Street’s Johnson City outfit when the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (“HUD”) sued him. Oh, and the $2000 from Justin Wilson, former Commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) and policy advisor to Sundquist?

These are only the larger amounts of money. The truth is, Mr. Oatney, there’s more “connections” on Faulk’s campaign report than there are cousins in a backwoods hillbilly trailer park. So, do we really want to go here?

You know, there’s nothing wrong with these folks contributing to candidates who have similar political views, but let’s stop trying to create the illusion that Faulk’s money came from regular joe donors and around the way folks.  The fact is Mike Faulk is headed to Nashville to represent his party just as much or more so than his people. His support has little or nothing to do with this district and everything to do with slapping his ass in a Senate seat so the Republicans have the majority.  I’ve got nothing against the party pulling funds statewide to make this power play, but ya’ll should have enough respect for the area voters to call it what it is.  And it may do you well to remember while those folks can toss money at your man, they won’t be the ones voting come election time.

The TN GOP may also want to note the constant attacks and general viciousness aren’t going over well in this area.  In fact, many of us, who live here, are beginning to see why Williams left the party.

He’s David Oatney and Mike Faulk approved his message.

I’m Angie: and nobody approved mine.

Gentlemen Start Your Engines

Meeting the filing deadline by the skin of his teeth or hair on his chinny-chin-chin… er, mustache, State Senator Mike Williams (I-4) has announced his intention to seek re-election. WBIR has the story, which I found via katie @ Knox talks.

Williams, a part-time Dale Earnhardt impersonator, will be running against Church Hill attorney/favored Republican candidate Mike Faulk.

Faulk, who officially announced his candidacy last week at the Hawkins County Lincoln Day Dinner has also re-announced his candidacy for the 2,049,435,095th time via a private YouTube video.

AC Kleinheider (welcome back) and Bill Hobbs have links.

I’d post the video here, but I’m unable to view at the moment. I assume Faulk’s people will eventually make the video public… or they won’t, which means they’re probably talking trash about the Democrats or copying speeches from Hillary and don’t want Gray Sasser to find out.

Either way, Bill Hobbs says the video is nicely done, and if Bill says so, well then… eh, nevermind.  As long as Faulk isn’t dressed like the fat Elvis and doesn’t have Dueling Banjos playing in the background, how bad could it be?

I can’t wait to see how effective Williams’ covert pre-politickin’ pity stunt was…  or what direction he will go from here. The whole “those Big Bad Republicans were sooo mean to me” act can only get him so far.  Eventually, he’ll have to start talking issues.

I also wonder where he’ll raise funds for the campaign, as based on Faulk’s campaign finance reports, I think he has all the money.

Anyway, with two candidates revving up to run, the race should be quite interesting (in a reality television sort of way.)  I definitely foresee a few fistfights at the local spit-n-sit haunts.

I’ll have to remember to take my camera… and maybe a bell.

This Bears Repeating…

Betty Bean’s column in the Halls Shopper News predicts Senator Mike Williams may not be interested in racing to win his 4th district seat:

Williams, the Maynardville Republican who declared himself an Independent a year ago, is not seeking re-election. He has until April 3 to officially make up his mind, and he’s not quite making the announcement yet, but a conversation with him last week in his Nashville office made it clear that he’s had enough, at least for now.

“It’s been like a roller-coaster ride,” he said. “There are days when I want to run, and there are days when I see the system for what it really is. The system doesn’t smile on those who buck it.”

Williams, whose legislative office is decorated in a NASCAR theme and who often wears a Dale Earnhardt jacket in the Legislative Plaza, began to run afoul of party brass in 2004, when Republicans gained control of the Senate by a one-seat margin.[…]

Last March 14, he declared himself an Independent.
What drove him to that?

“The combination of seeing people in elected office say one thing publicly and get to Nashville and act 100 percent opposite,”’ Williams said. “I caught heat for voting for last year’s budget. Not one Republican voted for it in our area, but my school systems got badly needed extra money. I voted for the cigarette tax, too, and it funded a regional trauma center here in East Tennessee. These are life and death realities, and I voted the best interests of my people – not my party.”

Williams feels that he was singled out for punishment because he is from a rural area and more vulnerable to outside pressure than legislators from urban counties.

“They culled me from the herd and used me as a whipping post. They never reached out to me at all.”

This treatment started early, and Williams says that former GOP party chair Bob Davis attempted to discourage him from running in the first place, but had to acquiesce when the preferred candidate backed out of running.

“A few weeks later, I’m looking across the table at him knowing he didn’t want me there,”’ Williams said.

“This is my 18th year here, and I just believe in doing what’s best for my district. I fought a Republican governor (Don Sundquist) on the income tax, and I was seen as a rebel.

“Sundquist has already endorsed Mike Faulk (a trial lawyer from Church Hill who has been running for the 4th District Senatorial seat for two years). From every indication I can see, I can win – I just don’t know if I want to.

I was raised by wonderful parents who taught me right from wrong, and to never think you’re better than anyone else. I guess the fact that I don’t let people put strings on me is my biggest problem. I’ve got no regrets.”’

Just yesterday, the Steel Magnolia  gave me the what’s for after I poked fun @ Senator Mike Williams for impersonating Dale and playing in the parking garage (which I still think is southern comedy at its finest.)Folks, I’ll be honest. Getting called out on your blog by the town’s most highly respected Steel Magnolia is sorta like having your Mama snatch you up by your shirt collar and drag you off toward the woodshed. You know you’re in big trouble… and you might even deserve it.

She reminded me that Williams has brought boatloads of money into Hawkins County over the years and points out he’s precious and adored. She also blames the polarized-nature of politics for the tidal wave on the verge of knocking Williams from his seat.

After all, it’s no secret this district is a Republican stronghold or that the GOP has wanted rid of Mike for years. Whereas he calls himself a Rebel: they call him a loose cannon. Unfortunately, prior to `07, their hands were tied.  Turning on their own would have made folks suspect they also eat their young. However, when Williams pulled his infamous “You Ain’t the Boss of Me GOP” move and parted ways with the party, three very significant things happened: (1) he lost a huge block of party-line voters, (2) he lost GOP money and (3) he placed a huge proverbial neon “Kick Me” sign on his back.

With politics being such as they are, Williams became fair game. Consequently, anything Mike Williams does, which can be called into question, will be. If he asks the special interest groups for money, you will know. If the Dems contribute to his campaign, you will know. If he consorts with the “enemy,” says something stupid, votes the wrong way, buys name brand toilet paper for the office instead of generic or picks his nose in the parking lot, you will know.

Both parties use these targeted attacks for a reason – because they work. Voters base their decisions on what information is out there. In fact, if you’ve been reading this blog over the past year, you’d know – many already have. And while Williams has done any number of benign and comedic things to make matters worse, the one thing he has not done is reach out to his voters. Whether by personal appearance, via the press, a website, a letter, email, skywriting or some other form of communication: Williams hasn’t talked about where he stands on various issues. He hasn’t told us what this new Independent Mike Williams stands for or what values he has.  He hasn’t told us much at all. Maybe he assumes we should already know: but voters do not work this way.

We’re forgetful, fickle, tight-fisted and easily lured away by Republicans with guns.

So, yeah, I call it in favor of Faulk. Not just because Williams had been sufficiently knocked down but because he never bothered to come back up swinging.

 

David Davis: Man of His Word

Rep. David Davis is a man of his word.

Back in February, Davis told a gathering of constituents he would call upon federal and state immigration and Homeland Security agents to meet with local police in early March to work out a plan.

According to the Times-News Davis hosted the meeting in Morristown last Friday. In attendance at his round-table discussion were officials from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and representatives from local law enforcement agencies.

During the meeting, Davis stated: “There are more illegals in Hamblen County than anywhere else in the world, not just Tennessee or America. A person who came here illegally 20 years ago started an employment agency. He had billboards south of the (Mexican) border saying ‘If you want to make it in America, come to Morristown, Tenn.’ Now there are generations of people putting a burden on the education system, health system and corrections system. People here aren’t racist, but they are concerned about the rule of law.”

Joe Powell has already pointed out Davis may not have been entirely truthful about the numbers he offered.

Not surprising. Since Davis announced his decision to seek re-election, exaggerated statements and misleading numbers seem to be the norm as he crusades through the District, discussing the economy, evil Democrats, immigration and the SAVE Act, which he co-sponsored back in November.  Adding insult to injury, he has, on occasion, used Scripture to support his views.

(Granted I am no theologian, but I’ve read the Bible. I am fairly certain there’s nothing in there about deporting Mexicans, buying goods manufactured in the USA or how the Democrats are at fault for painful prices at the pump – or how they’re probably to blame for those excruciatingly annoying Additech machines at all Murphy’s and Kroger’s gas stations too.)

You are not, however, likely to hear him echo his November 2007 statement – in which he favored providing a path to citizenship for illegal immigrants already in the country rather than deporting them. Quite frankly, I disapprove.  Davis is exploiting the fears of area voters to gain their support: and I cannot, for the life of me, understand why he feels the need to do this.

Republican Meet & Greet

The Hawkins County Republican Party will host a Republican “Meet the Candidates” gathering at the Hawkins County Courthouse upstairs courtroom on Thursday, January 24, 2008, at 6:00 PM. This will give the candidates an opportunity to introduce themselves to constituents and say a few words about why they are seeking office. The members of the Hawkins County Republican Party are invited, as well as members of the community and press. Please bring your family and friends and plan to attend this informal function that will help kick start this exciting campaign season.

Handshakes and Hobnobbin’ – Too Little, Too Late

Voters of the 4th District:

Some of you might be interested in this post from Bill Hobbs:

State Sen. Micheal Williams, the ex-Republican-turned-Independent, is running for re-election in the solidly Republican 4th district, reports the subscription-only Tennessee Journal. According to the TJ, Williams sent a reelection fund-raising letter to lobbyists this week declaring that he’s in a fight with “right-wing extremists” and needs his “true friends” to stick with him. His true friends are … special interest lobbyists.

Hobbs also has a copy of Mike Williams‘ 1996 Campaign Ad, which declares: “Mike Williams does NOT take money from special interests. Never has. Never will.”

I am not shocked by the Senator’s new-found fondness for anyone willing to toss money his way. As Daddy says: beggars can’t be choosers.

Over the past year, Williams has lost a great deal of Republican support in his district.  Consequently, he would be hard pressed to walk away from here with a 10% off coupon for the NASCAR store.

Since campaigns need money and Williams will need a well-funded campaign to keep his head above water: what choice does he have? Political survival, in this case, requires that he abandon previous promises.

What I find disturbing is that Mike Williams would have folks believe this uphill battle he faces is largely attributable to the “right-wing extremists” whom are all out to get him. (Funny lil’ jab since it has me picturing Missus Cecil, the local GOP lady with a Bible in one hand and an Uzi in the other.)  Certainly, the 4th district has its share of party-line votin’ wingnuts. Most of `em dropped Williams as soon as he dropped the (R) after his name. But many others (regular ol’ nuts such as myself) didn’t care if Senator Williams defected. We weren’t offended. Some outright admired the move.

Even then, as Mike is a well-liked guy and has done some good things in Nashville, he could have gathered the support necessary to retain his seat.  All he had to do was show-up, make an effort – explain.  The simple act would’ve gone a long way toward convincing voters that Williams hadn’t completely lost touch.

It hasn’t happened.

Meanwhile, his opponent Republican Mike Faulk has been getting a lot of face-time with the voters. In fact, the local joke is: five people can’t convene in a public place without Mike Faulk showing up to stump.

I don’t agree with Faulk on all the issues. I didn’t expect I would. Faulk is Republican. I’m a borderline liberalish conservapromoderate-type something-or-another. Okay, I’m a walking political oxymoron – so let’s not go there.  The point is I know where Mike Faulk stands. I know this because I’ve had an opportunity to talk with him. He listened, and he explained his views. I assured him that some of `em were wrong. Then, Ol’ Bob, Bill, Emma Sue and Average Joe had the chance to bend his ear too.

It’s an effort Williams hasn’t made in awhile.

Now, in politics, isn’t taking the message to the people somewhat important? (Of course, in all fairness, he could be too busy battling imaginary foes of the right-wing extremist type to bother with us. I mean, for petesakes, the man’s at War! What do we expect?)

So there you have it – Williams has clearly chosen to place the blame for his political pickle on the Republican party without shouldering his share. In my opinion, this will be the flaw which sends him home to Maynardville – because the truth is Senator Williams is battling something far more volatile than right-wing extremists. He’s facing  Abandoned Constituents.

Come November, if local voters turn their backs on Mike Williams, it will be ONLY because he turned his back on us. (Well… that and the fact that we are a six county wide network of secret operatives for Pat Buchanan’s right-wing extremist army, and unseating Williams is a crucial part of our master plan to take over the world one state at a time. But keep that to yourself. Okay?)

Farm Subsidies – Safety Net or Rip-Off?

Between the years 1995 and 2005, there were 1,671 agricultural subsidy recipients in Rogersville. These individuals received a total of approximately $3,884,869.00. (For a complete listing of recipients, go to Environmental Working Group’s Farm Subsidy database.)

Some local farmers receiving funds between the years of 1995 and 2005 were:

Bobby Hurd – $ 370,387.18
JB Richards – $ 202,678.89
Roger Stewart – $ 176,223.46
Ted Cope – $ 163,341.36
William S Davidson Jr– $65,169.14
J.D. Myers – $ 65,021.24
Vicki S Jeffers – $10,663.01.
Bruce Hurley – $ 11,580.37
Fodell Webb – $ 7,752.45
Chili Sanders – $ 5,076.73
Ken Givens – $ 4,893.16
J. Carmel Maddox – $ 3,475.37

A few Hawkins County farmers receiving subsidies between 2003-2005 were: Murle Webb (totaling $15,937) Randall Collier (totaling $5,066) and Lawrence Gray (totaling $3,288.)

As you may have noticed many operational farms, which serve as a primary source of income (such as the Davidson Family Farm, the Couch family operations and Myers Pumpkin Patch) received a moderate amount of federal funding in comparison to owners of large tracts of mostly unused land.

Essentially, those with more land profit from subsidies – whether they farm it or not.

The truth is small independent operations/producers are not benefiting from the current system. According to the Heritage Foundation, commercial farmers with an average annual income of $200,000 receive the majority of US farm subsidies. And according to many experts, this trend tends to inflate land prices and production costs, driving out small family-owned farms and encouraging consolidation.

Of course, proponents say subsidies continue to be necessary. They enable domestic (ag) operations to compete with the foreign imports. This leaves the US less vulnerable to trade pressure. Another argument is that subsidies stimulate overproduction and drive down the cost of food. This reduction in cost, which is financed by taxpayers, benefits families below the poverty level. (These families pay less in income tax and spend more on food.)

It is a convoluted redistribution of wealth. It is also ineffective, which is why many are calling for reform.

In June when Citizens Against Government Waste released their Report Card on Farm Bill “Reform” Proposals CAGW President Tom Schatz said:

“The nation’s agriculture policies have been a monstrous financial burden to taxpayers for decades. Congress failed miserably to terminate the bloated subsidy programs in 2002, which provides perverse incentives, repudiates basic free-market principles, and is one of most egregious examples of corporate welfare in our history.”

Few Americans, particularly those in rural areas, are opposed to weaving some type of safety net for domestic crop producers. We understand that farming is an harsh and “inconsistent” industry. Revenues can vary drastically from year to year as production/yield depends on factors (such as weather) beyond our control – and annual profit margin depends on market price, which is influenced by international crop yield.

However, most of us would also tell you the current system isn’t working. It has turned into a intricate web of inefficient, unbalanced bureaucracy (Then again, is there any other kind?)

Often, subsidy payments are made with no restrictions. Recipients are under no obligation to grow the crop being subsidized. They can switch to a different crop or raise cattle or even grow a stand of timber and still get the government payments.

Many of the subsidies are distributed to people who do not farm. According to the Washington Post, the federal government has paid at least $1.3 billion in subsidies since 2000 to individuals who do no farming at all while another report on farm subsidy programs found that the U.S. Agriculture Department paid $1.1 billion to 173,000 dead people. (Payments to estates are allowed, if heirs or personal representatives are still farming- however, the “Government Accountability Office says agriculture officials haven’t been very aggressive in determining whether the farming ended with the deaths of the original recipients.”) Even when agricultural land is developed into housing subdivisons, payments continue and homeowners collect subsidies on their backyards.

This year, President Bush asked Congress to direct the subsidies to the smaller, family farmers – but according to the CAGW, Congress has failed. Amid a great deal of controvery, Congressman Jeff Flake of Arizona and Congressman Ron Kind of Wisconsin offered an amendment to the Farm Bill, implementing an income limit to make sure no subsidies go to farmers with a yearly income over $250,000. The amendment was intended to gradually reduce direct payments and reform the bloated crop insurance program. The measure failed by a vote of 309 to 117.

For the final version of the House bill – head here. The Farm bill is scheduled to hit the Senate floor sometime in September.

So – what do you think Hawkins County? Should these subsidies be limited to operational farms? Should there be restrictions or requirements attached to the funds? Is this an effective safety net for local farmers or a rip-off benefiting larger operations and landowners?