It's time to think about a Democratic Senate candidate.

As Sara Kyle decides whether to challenge Governor Haslam and his billions in the 2014 Governor's Race (and here's hoping that she DOES), there is more to think about for 2014.

With the announcement that State Rep. Joe Carr of Lascassas has decided to challenge Senator LAMAR! Alexander in the Senate GOP Primary, it raises some questions that Democrats need to think about.  As we have seen in other states, when a moderate Senator such as Alexander is challenged in a GOP Primary and then defeated, it has enabled Democrats to elect a Senator, such as Joe Donnelly in Indiana, and has opened up possibilities for Michelle Nunn (yes, that's Sam's daughter) in Georgia.

Does Joe Carr have a real chance to knock off LAMAR! in the primary? Well, once we start seeing his disclosures and can determine if the Club For Growth and ALEC will put serious funding into Carr's campaign, then that could cause Democrats to rethink whether to field a candidate that can raise money into the race.

If no one else gets in, I will probably vote for Jacob Maurer; he seems to have the right stands on the issues for me, but I harbor no illusions about his ability to beat LAMAR!.  However, what if Carr really gets the wackos out to beat LAMAR! in the Primary?  The Old Guard GOP truly hates the Tea Partiers with a purple passion, and if the last member of the Holy Trinity that built the TNGOP (Baker, Thompson and Alexander) is upended, does anyone else think that their money might go to a Democrat worth voting for?

I think we may know the answer to this question before Christmas.  And, if it looks like Carr will make enough headway to beat LAMAR!, then we need to get someone ready to run.

Given that the type of person that OGGOPs might be willing to support in the event of a Carr upset, there's really only one Democrat who could get the support and funding from those folks:

Jim Cooper.

I know, I know.  No, I am NOT high or drunk or otherwise altered.  Under normal circumstances, I would be calling for him to be primaried from the left.  However, as you may have noticed, these are NOT normal circumstances, and if Joe Carr were to somehow snatch the GOP nomination from LAMAR!, there are a lot of GOP donors who would be pissed off enough to help Cooper.  This may be his best shot.

All of this, of course, comes down to whether the wackos in the TNGOP can knock off the ultimate OGGOP; no one thinks Cooper could take LAMAR! mano-a-mano.  However, if Carr proves to be a more formidable force than anyone believed, Cooper would be ready to send him back to Rutherford County.  It would also mean that a Democrat would win a Senate race for the first time in this state since Al Gore was re-elected in 1990.

All of which means Jim Cooper needs to think about this seriously.  As much as I have been at odds with him, he clearly would be our best choice in the event of a GOP upset.   I would absolutely hold my tongue and keyboard and try not to criticize him, knowing what the alternative could be.

And if we had Kyle and Cooper at the top of our ticket, it sure as hell might encourage Democrats to run for State House and State Senate positions, and that is needed.

Jim Cooper, take this under consideration, if you have not done so already.  If Carr can beat LAMAR!, you could move up and take another Senate seat from the GOP, which would be indeed a good thing.

Sara Kyle is seriously considering a race for Governor!

This is nothing short of spectacular news, giving the state's Democrats a rallying figure at the top of the ticket.

Joey Garrison broke the story at the Tennnessean, referencing the Facebook page I mentioned earlier this morning. While she has much to discuss and think about, we need to be prepared to support her in this run as much as possible.  We need to be there with time, money and whatever needs to be done in order to make this a successful campaign.

With a strong candidate like Sara at the top of the ticket, more candidates will be encouraged to attempt campaigns for the General Assembly and the State Senate, which are desperately needed.  It will be an uphill battle, as Haslam has all the money he will need, with the Koch Brothers and ALEC standing by to give even more.  This is why we have to be prepared with time, money, and organization.

More on this later, but this is terrific news!

Run, Sara, Run!!!!

Well, it seems as though my friends Matt Kuhn and Michael Lipe have started a page on Facebook to encourage the last Democratic statewide-elected official NOT named Bredesen to run for Governor in 2014.  After thinking about this, I LIKE the idea, for more than just the reasons they state.

What, you don't know who they mean?  Let me let them tell you:

Aside from Phil Bredesen, who was the last Tennessee Democrat elected to a statewide office in Tennessee?

Sara Kyle

In 1994, one of the worst years for Democrats in Tennessee, who was the only democrat to win a statewide office?

Sara Kyle

Who was the last woman elected state wide in Tennessee?

Sara Kyle.

Who could start tomorrow with an organization spanning from the tri-cities where she was born, Nashville where she served in state government to Memphis where she is a wife, mother and church member?

Sara Kyle

Who could start raising money next week through national women's groups for public service?

Sara Kyle

Who was perceived as the best campaigner in the last democratic primary for Governor?

Sara Kyle (I'll give you that comes from her husband, Sen Jim Kyle)

Who cares about the people of Tennessee and the consumers she looked out for as the Director of TRA than our current Governor, who seems more interested in giving kickbacks to cronies than working for Tennesseans.

Sara Kyle

Who does Tennessee need to protect working Tennesseans?

Sara Kyle

Please forward this to interested Tennesseans who want Sara Kyle to run for Governor - who stands for all Tennesseans.

Run, Sara, Run

Well, we may well BE in John Jay Hooker territory

The Tri-State Defender endorses Bill Haslam for Governor.

I think I need another martini or three, I'll see you tomorrow.  Sigh........

McWherter Comments on Haslam's Endorsement of Wild West-Style Gun Laws

Bill Haslam Will Work to Legalize Carrying Guns Anywhere

Pledges Support for Total Firearm Deregulation

NASHVILLE – At a meeting of the Tennessee Firearm Association, Knoxville Mayor Bill Haslam told a crowd he would sign a bill legalizing the carrying of firearms in all public areas. After shortly being pressed by members, Bill Haslam committed to signing a bill to allow citizens to carry a concealed firearm without a permit and said, “If the legislature passed it and brought that to me, I said I would sign it.”

Official statement from Mike McWherter
"While I am a strong supporter of second amendment rights, I am shocked at Bill Haslam's lack of common sense and total disregard for public safety. This is irresponsible” said Mike McWherter. “Bill Haslam is willing to put the safety of Tennessee families in jeopardy, this speaks to the core of his character."

I Would Run This Ad Every 5 Minutes On Local News!!!

The best ad yet from Mike McWherter, hat tip to Pith In The Wind.

Yeah, I Know, Where The Hell Have I Been? Well, Here's Where I Am GOING to BE!

Yes, Richard Ransom and the good folks at NewsChannel 3 invited me back to join with Richard, The ol' Watchdog, Mike Matthews, and Andrew Clarksenior of AM600 to tape Informed Sources today, it will be on Sunday night after NewsChannel 3 at 10.

We talked about the Governor's race (or lack thereof), the TN-08 race, and Afghanistan.  Watch it and they might have me back!

On to other subjects...

First, HOLY CRAP, GONERFEST started YESTERDAY?  I gotta get over there..

Back to Politics:

Well, the Gov's race was summed up perfectly today by El Jefe himself, Jeff Woods of the Nashville Scene:

Hacks and Whores Dominate Democrats for Haslam

Ok, James Harvey?  John Farris? REALLY, guys?  I know John Farris has backed away from politics to focus on the family law firm, but didya have to do this?  

James Harvey, you best believe if you EVER try to rub as a Democrat here for any race, this is going to be thrown in your face.  You don't like Mike McWherter? Fine? Endorse Mr. Pilot Oil? You best just shut the hell up, dude, or not plan to run as a Democrat for any office.

Now, no one is surprised if Will Pinkston is on that list but there are folks on this list that I am NOT happy with for being there.  James Kerley?? Ron Redwing? Felix Walker? (and NO ONE had better EVER suggest Felix for any Democratic Party business ever again, I don't care WHO he knows. Enough said.)

Mike McWherter is trailing, but he is NOT John Jay Hooker, people.  Yes, he pissed me off, and yes, I wrote in Mabel in the primary, but THAT'S WHAT A FREAKING PRIMARY IS FOR!  It's time to come together, and I see Democrats lining up at the trough whoring themselves out, all about the Benjamins.

I vote with the donkeys, but I have an elephant-like memory, and this will not be forgotten.

Well, These Are A Start

Mike McWherter has a couple of spots up on the website, and remember, he'll be here tomorrow if you want to meet him. Hat tip to Chas Sisk at the Tennessean.

First up, a spot about support for working people:



Then, a spot on gang problems:

Mike McWherter is Coming to Memphis for an Election Eve Rally

Hot off the wire (or Facebook):

Mike will be in Memphis on Wednesday, August 4th. He will join the Shelby County Democratic Party nominees for a Meet the Candidates Reception / Rally at 5:00 PM at the Hunt Phelan Inn (533 Beale Street - just east of Danny Thomas & next the AFSCME building). Please join us in you are in the Shelby County area!

Basil Marceaux Dot Com has a NEW Video out!

With a doff of the chapeau to Mr. Lance of Chattanooga, we present the latest video of Basil Marceaux Dot Com.



Actually, that idea about making all candidates start with the same amount of money is on target; we just need to overturn Buckley V. Valeo, which started us on the road to ruin by saying that political contributions equated political speech.

Mike McWherter has a commercial out.

Watch it and tell me what you see that's missing, and put it in comments!

New Video from the DGA

Yes, welcome to Video Day at LWC.

Hat Tip to Salon, this is a great video.  Of course, I presume that when they made this that they had no idea that Mike McWherter would be our nominee, but still, their hearts are in the right place:

Looky what somebody sent me!

By the way, these are PARODY videos, so they are PROTECTED SPEECH; don't even think about asking me to take them down,

I want to talk more about this TNDP stuff

Look, I actually LIKE Mike McWherter, despite the idiotic press release sent out earlier today.  He is in a difficult position, and there are those who believe that he is being set up to lose as a sacrificial lamb.

Why else would someone advise him to chase after votes he cannot possibly win?  The teabaggers, birthers and xenophobes who are scared of the swarthy brown people will not vote for Mike, or ANY Democrat, for that matter.

They are of the belief that liberals like us will have to vote for them, because, after all, you wouldn't vote for a Republican, right?  Well, dumbasses, if there is no real difference, why bother to vote in that race at all? As Ross noted at STP, if McWherter has any hope of winning, he has to excite his base this November.

And you and I are the base.  Yes, LIBERALS are the base, you can't win without us, and if you don't give us a fucking reason to vote, we will NOT VOTE in your race.  Seriously.  Mabel will be very easy for me to write in on Election Day, and I wouldn't even think twice.

You people in the TNDP (and all of you Bredesen assholes, ESPECIALLY) seem to forget something: YOU are beholden to US, and not vice versa.  At a time when Democrats need to be EXCITED about something, the people running the show for McWherter and the TNDP seem to be finding new ways to DEPRESS the turnout.

Look, if Mr. Pilot Oil becomes Governor, he'll be the GOP version of Bredesen, except that it will be the wingnuts screaming for 8 years that Haslam has betrayed them, which he will, which could be real fun to watch.  I would still rather have a DEMOCRATIC governor, if Mike will just stay away from the the right-wing bullshit, this could still be salvageable.

Just remember though, you have to come to US, not vice versa.

Unless you like the idea of Governor Haslam.

You broke my heart, Mike McWherter

You broke my heart.

McWherter Alert! McWherter Alert!!!!!!

Late Breaking News!  Mike does listen, folks, he will be here Tuesday at two locations, per the CA:

Democratic candidate Mike McWherter plans to speak at the Benjamin Hooks Library at 11:30, then "work" at Neely's Interstate BBQ at 2265 S. Third in Memphis as part of his "Mike Works!" campaign theme.

I wonder if they will show him how to make the BBQ spaghetti!  :)

If you can't get to Interstate, try to go to the Hooks Library to hear him speak and to give him support, folks!!!

Do you REALLY want this man to be your Governor?

Go to Speak To Power to see why Steve Ross refers to Bill Haslam as Billy The Sheik!

Hey Mike, Why Don't You Come And See Us Down Here?

I am supporting Mike McWherter, because he's a Democrat, even if not as lefty as I'd like.  Also, because the GOP choices are 1) a rich guy who's had everything handed to him, ran one company into the ground and ran another because his daddy owned it, then parlayed that into the Mayorship of Knoxville, 2) a Congressman who had drug problems in the 80s and then became mr. C Street once he got to DC, and 3) our Lt, Governor, who is an auctioneer (in more ways than one, if you follow how he does things for the coal industry).

By the way, before you point out that Mike is the son of this state's legendary Governor, I will point out to you that Mike built and paid for his businesses himself.  Yes, that's right, HIMSELF.  I don't know why the hell he doesn't point it out, because he is a self-made man, far more than the Pilot Oil Guy.

Yes, Mike will carry Shelby County in the fall, but if he is going to win it by the amount he needs to win the state, he needs to come and see us.  Looking back, he was lucky in that the Chism Picnic was not as big as in previous years, but he still needs to come and see us.

Due to a screw-up in his campaign office, he had to miss an event with the Germantown Democrats at the last minute.  They will support him, of course,  but it would be nice for him to show up.  I also think it would be nice if he came down and had someone show him around beautiful downtown Whitehaven.

You see, those of us who are activists have gotten to know him and like him, and have no problem getting behind him. I can see the logic in him waiting until after the TN-09 Congressional race is over, but the average Democratic voter needs to meet him and get excited about him, because turnout will be EVERYTHING in November.

Frankly, this is the only race that will drive turnout here in November, so he needs to get the faithful revved up, because the margin in Shelby County will make the difference as to whether he will be Governor McWherter or just the nice fella who runs a bank and a beer distributorship.

Mike, come and see us, I think you'll like us, and, given half the chance, we'll like you too.

It's Now Official: Kim is OUT, Mike McWherter is The Last Candidate Standing

Here's the official press release received moments ago:



Dear Steffens,

Over the past days and weeks friends have gently (and some not so gently) encouraged me to run for Mayor of Clarksville, my home and Tennessee’s 5^th largest city. My answer was simple, “I love Clarksville, but I’m running for Governor.”

And run I’ve been doing. Since April of 2008, with a notepad in my hand, a dream in my heart, and a commitment to listen to Tennesseans, I’ve visited homes and hospitals, schools and factories, diners and drive-ins . . . well, you get the point, I’ve been to a lot of places. I’ve loved every minute of it.

I’ve often been told that “timing is everything.” Well, I’m not sure timing is everything, but I do know it’s important. I also know that timing rarely consults our calendar – in fact, it often seems to disrupt our careful plans.

From the time of this writing, the 24 hours just behind and the 24 hours immediately ahead have become pivotal. Yesterday at 3 p.m., Clarksville Mayor Johnny Piper announced that he will not seek re-election. Tomorrow at noon is the filing deadline for Governor.

I‘m going to answer the call of my friends; I’m going to run for Mayor of Clarksville.

I hope you’ll understand and though it may be too much to ask, I hope you’ll forgive me if my decision disappoints you. Thank you so very much for your support and the many kindnesses you’ve shown to me. Please call on me if I can help you.

I believe I can make a difference as Mayor of Tennessee’s 5^th largest city.

For our young people, the ones born here, and the thousands that come here to Austin Peay and Fort Campbell and don’t want to leave, I want to help make Clarksville America’s best place to live. Clarksville, we’re on our way, but there’s work to be done and I want to help do it!

I’ll work hard to link our academic resources, our military resources, our natural resources, and our amazing workforce into a 21^st century economic engine.

I’ll concentrate on keeping the jobs we have and growing the jobs we need. I’m proud of our success in recruiting Hemlock Semiconductor, and I’ll continue to use my relationships across the state and across America to tell the tremendous Clarksville story to companies large and small.

And I also know this, behind the headlines of recruitment success lays the heart of long term job growth – existing businesses. As we reach out, we’ll also reach in. I’ll help existing businesses cut through the red tape that can stifle growth and I’ll work hard to connect them to opportunities in every way I possibly can. I know that keeping the good jobs we have takes just as much effort as recruiting the good jobs we need!

At the heart of American’s best place to live are safe neighborhoods. Crime and gang activity literally hold millions of American’s hostage inside their own homes – but we can’t let that be true here in Clarksville, America’s best place to live. I’ll make sure that our first rate law enforcement team leads all of us in a community wide commitment to public safety.

I’ve been working for Tennessee and for Clarksville for a long time. As a public leader, I’ve always taken fairness and openness very seriously, and I promise you that fairness and openness will continue to be at the center of all that I do.

Very Truly Yours,

Kim McMillan

LWC here again: It's now time to get behind Mike McWherter, unless you LIKE the idea of a gazillionaire oilman running our state.

Well, if this is true, it's not like we didn't see it coming!

As first suggested by Post Politics newbie JR Lind earlier this afternoon, and then followed up by Mr. Ross at STP earlier this evening, Lind comes back and just implies it out loud: Kim McMillan may be about to jump out of the Democratic Governor's race and into the Clarksville Mayor's race.

That, of course, would mean an uncontested victory for Mike McWherter in the Democratic race for Governor, allowing him to train his sights on Republicans only.  This, it seems, Mike has already started, according to Nashville Scene reporter Jeff Woods, complete with humorous title provided.

I, of course, had opened my vote up for courting a mere two weeks ago, yet it seems I will only have one candidate from which to choose.  Well, as long as he bashes Pilot Oil Boy as much as possible, I guess I can live with it.