Preach, Brother Ross, PREACH!

My Speak To Power co-blogger Steve Ross calls out his brother and sister Democrats and says the time to regain your faith is NOW and the time for action is NOW.

So, go read him and then get off your butt!  HAVE YOU VOTED YET? I HAVE!

Oh My, Aren't Those Partisan Primaries Just AWFUL? They're So, So PARTISAN!

I first noticed it yesterday on Zack McMillan's outstanding blog, Eye on City Hall.  (Note, Zack, I am GLAD you are back there, it's actually readable again for something other than Wendi or Sports for the first time in a LONG time.)  Zack was suggesting that since partisan primaries in May for County races were low turnout, perhaps they should be eliminated.


Old partisan hack that I am, I responded:

Zack, it rings hollow from a partisan perspective that the GOP, who began the partisan county primaries on their own in 1994 (the SCDP did not start until 1998) now wants to get rid of them.

Now, a more cynical person might think that this had something to do with the fact that much of the GOP base has exited Shelby for Tipton, Fayette and DeSoto Counties, and that it is highly unlikely that they will win more than two offices this August.

However, the REAL problem here is the statewide requirement that the County general elections be held at the same time as the State and Federal primary elections in August. This leads to confusion among even savvy voters.

The REAL answer would be a change at the state level that A) consolidates ALL primaries to August and B) all General Elections for November. This would reduce confusion and allow parties to create serious tickets and build themselves up at the County level.

While they are at it, they could arrange for all the Court Clerkships to be appointed by the judges of the particular jurisdiction and not elected, as there is no reason for them to be elected. Court clerks serve judges and lawyers, and that's who should choose them.

Then, the CA followed it up with an editorial today calling for the abolition of primaries. (Heh, I'm linking to the CA; maybe some day they will link to me!) What they DON'T mention is that the mixture in August of primary and general elections creates utter confusion for even the most savvy voters.

I believe that this may have to be done at a state level with the Constitution, as these are constitutional offices.  With that, you would have all primaries in August and all general elections in November, and it would have the added value of aiding in party-building at the local level.

However, I'm not done yet.

I believe that since we're dabbling with Constitutional change, let's kick it up a notch and make some of our statewide officials ELECTED rather than appointed.  The offices of Secretary of State, Attorney General, State Treasurer, and State Comptroller all should be elected statewide rather than be appointed by the majority party of the TGA.

Yes, GOP Cynics, I thought this would a great idea when WE were in charge, too.


While I'm sure any Democratic leadership in Nashville will need a change of underwear having just read that, the fact remains, the ONLY elected statewide position for a State office is that of Governor.  How is a party supposed to build a bench?

Until a decade ago, we at least had the Public Service Commission.  Then, my Congressman made one of his rare errors while serving as my State Senator by getting a bill passed to change the PSC from elected positions to appointed positions, now to be called the Tennessee Regulatory Authority.  (This is why you don't invite our Congressman to the same soirees as Senator Kyle, but, as Alton Brown would say, that's another show!)

As no Republican had ever been elected to the PSC (wonder why?  :-)) I thought it was wrong-headed, and still do.

You make these changes, as complicated as they may be, and you will increase turnouts in August and in November.  It will hopefully draw REAL distinctions between the parties, so we can focus on such things, as well, ISSUES, and not how cute their families are.  What the hell that has to do with policy-making and governing is beyond me; we're elected leaders and administrators, not Prom King and Queen, dammit.

Ok, that's my thought, what's yours?
 UPDATE: Wintermute makes a solid point here, and I want to share it:

Well, the Court Clerks DO interface with much of the public. They have to pay fines and costs. There are more than a few pro se suits filed in General Sessions Civil. Danny Kail wants to use the Probate Court Clerk's office to educate the public about end-of-life issues.

The organized bar and professional associations probably SHOULD take a more active role leading up to a public vote.

I'd just like the Court Clerks to be accountable to me and my brethren as well as to the public, not just to a majority of 10 Criminal Court Judges, 15 General Sessions Court Judges, 9 Circuit Court Judges, and 3 City Court Judges respectively.

Links to the Democratic Candidates for Governor

You will find them, from top to bottom in order of entrance into the race, at the top of THE ENDLESS BLOGROLL.

For your convenience, they are as follows:

Kim McMillan

Ward Cammack

Roy Herron

Mike McWherter

You may ask, isn't there someone missing here? When he announces, folks, when he announces....

Random thoughts

Photo courtesy of Rick Maynard

Yes, there was such goofiness later in the evening at Bratfest; this is what happens when you mix sausages, beer and good friends. By the way, many thanks to Jackson Baker for the shoutout in his column; we appreciate that you were there.

Now, about other things. One of the things I bemoaned to our beloved Newscoma and Squirrel Queen was that I wasn't writing enough, and that will change as I start using my mornings more carefully. Twitter allows me to provide my snark in short bursts, but it keeps me from blogging, which is not a good thing. Now, onto other matters.

The Archcrone writes about the changing face of the GOP and the state Democrats' struggles to come up with an answer for it, and I want you to read it. THIS, in particular, hit home with me:

Dems, liberals and progressives nationwide should note in the Ronald Brownstein piece that it is the southern arm of the GOP that is defining the party, and should take advantage of that. But, this does not give us any clues on how dems, liberals and progressives in southern states should/could combat the far-right stranglehold in those states.

Here in TN, the democratic party strategy has been to push forth conservative dems, or put dems that have supported regressive republicans in positions of authority (which failed) or as candidates. And quite honestly, that is not working. It may work in counties that are largely conservative that already have a dem in office. When the dem party pits a relatively conservative dem against an incumbent gop (even against someone this extreme) they will, unfortunately, lose, simply because why would a republican or righty independent vote for a conservative dem when they can vote for the gop? Sounds like a pretty simple explanation, don’t you think? But, for some reason, it seems to escape party officials.

The outcome of continually electing conservative dems clearly shows the dysfunction found in the state democratic party itself, when we look specifically at the state of Tennessee. In short, this strategy belies the mission of the national democratic party, overall.

Exactly what we lefty bloggers around the state have been arguing all along: why aren't you giving Tennesseans a choice???

I think that there is a growing disconnect between Democratic elected officials (especially in rural areas) and their constituents, to the point where the people out there have lost any reason to vote for Democrats because they are always on DEFENSE (or just giving up, as on SJR127) and never advancing a Democratic message (when they can come up with one), which hurts Democrats (ESPECIALLY progressives and liberals) overall.

Right now, House Democrats (and CONGRESSIONAL Democrats, because Tanner, Davis and Gordon could well be redistricted out of jobs) are petrified that they will not be able to get back the state House, and have no role in redistricting after the 2010 elections. If that happens, you can say goodbye to Mike Kernell, Jeannie Richardson, Beverly Marrero, etc, because they will be redistricted out of jobs.

While Jim Cooper and Steve Cohen will be safe in a general election, they will become the outliers in a Gooper-controlled state. Since the GOP cares a lot more about firing up their base than governing, 3rd-world status will get to Tennessee very quickly, and we'll soon replace Mississippi in the "Thank God for" statement. Oh, wait, they have Haley Barbour, so maybe not, but still.

I just want to say these things to the House Democratic Caucus before I meet with them next week (if it's still on):

1. Give voters a reason to vote FOR you, not just because the Goopers are crackpots, show DIFFERENCES.

2. While I understand Shelby County is different from anywhere else in the state (hell, different that ANYWHERE, period), don't automatically discount what we have to say.

3. STOP BEING SCARED OF THE LOCAL PREACHERS! They only have as much power as YOU allow them to have; fight back!

4. Most importantly, GO TALK TO YOUR CONSTITUENTS, and NOT just the ones with whom you're comfortable. Newscoma pointed out how local bar owners in Hooterville were never contacted about the guns-in-bars bill, and they are PISSED. (Maddox, get off your ass!)

Ok, that's enough rabble-rousing for today, carry on!

Vibinc produces an epic in three parts that you MUST read

Mr. Ross has taken time out from being the hardest workin' man in show business to write three terrific posts connected to a theme, and I urge you to read them in order:

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

I'm not even going to excerpt them because you just need to read them in order. Together, they're called It's Time For Action, and it helps you understand what is needed to change the horrific direction of the state of Tennessee.

Go read it NOW.

Here's another Ward Cammack video

He talks about unemployment here, some counties are up to 25%. No, I am still neutral, and Cammack is the only one putting these out, that I know of right now. Kim, Roy, Mike, when you do something, send it to me and I will put it up. In the meantime, here we go:

Random thoughts

I went to Speaker Naifeh's Coon Supper last night with Vibinc and the semi-retired Freedonian, where we met up with our beloved Newscoma, who gives us a spot-on report of the evening.

There were lots of folks from Big Shelby, as well as Gubernatorial candidates aplenty (Kim McMillan, Ward Cammack, Roy Herron) and potential candidates (Andy Berke, as well as our own Jim Kyle). I agree that what happens at Coon Supper stays at Coon Supper; let's just say a great time was had by all.

In other news, since Deidre Malone has to vacate her County Commission seat due to term-limiting before she is elected as County Mayor (and I am supporting that effort, more on that later), I can think of no one better to replace her in that seat than my friend Norma Lester. Norma is having a meet and greet at the IBEW, 1870 Madison, from 11AM to 1PM on Saturday (tomorrow), and there will be hot dogs and soft drinks, so come on out and meet Norma if you don't know her. I worked with her on the ExecCom and she is tireless in whatever she does, she will be terrific on the Commission.

Two weeks to the TNDP Summit, (and my vacation) so it's crazy time, nothing but a-holes and elbows between now and then, as the old saying goes. Gotta get ready for work, more later!

It's been busy, and it could get busier

As you may have read over at Vibinc's place, former House Majority Leader and Democratic Gubernatorial candidate Kim McMillan of Clarksville came to Drinking Liberally last night; we hope to have pictures up later. She is friendly, down to earth, and impressed me that she has the personality and skillsets necessary to lead the state. It's still early, but I liked what I heard. go click on her name and check out the website.

Tonight, I attended a reception and then an impromptu gathering afterwards featuring House Speaker Kent Williams (CCR -Elizabethton), House Democratic Leader Gary Odom (D-Nashville), and House Democratic Caucus Chair Mike Turner (D-Old Hickory). Williams impressed me off the bat as being someone who has a understanding of where we are as a state and that now is not the time for silliness, and as someone who will work with anyone, but NOT someone who suffer fools (Hello, Stuntbaby of Germantown) gladly. He is still very much a Republican, but one who knows that we have to get things done in Nashville, because people are suffering.

This is Speaker Williams' first ever visit to Memphis, and we welcome him as he tours the city this weekend.

I also met with SCDP Chair candidate Javier Bailey, I will be talking to him further as several of us in the blogosphere meet all Chair candidates. He understands the problems, we will talk more about solutions later.

Well, there will be more as the weekend goes on, it's time to hit the hay.

Let's get behind Senate Bill 209.

My Senator, Beverly Marrero, and my friend from House 89, Jeanne Richardson, are working together on this bill, which would enable terminally ill patients to use marijuana to ease their pain in their final days.

In certain situations, marijuana is the only thing that will reduce the pain and suffering of these patients, and it is a just and humane thing to do. There is no real justification NOT to support this bill, and I hope that you will call your legislators and ask them to support SB 209/HB 368.

Crazy 2010, Part 2

Well, the 2010 race is getting in our face whether we like it or not.

Former Senator (and long-distance diagnostician) Bill Frist bowed out of the GOP race this weekend, giving some reason that, frankly, I ignored.  The GOP side got downright crazy, with Knoxville Mayor (and Pilot Oil scion) Bill Haslam getting in (and apparently receiving the blessing of the GODFATHER himself, Howard H. Baker, Jr.).

Haslam joins Chattanooga Congressman Zack Wamp and, inexplicably, our own Attorney General, Bill "No Deals" Gibbons, who has no base outside Big Shelby of which I am aware.  Also talking about the race on the Elephant side is Rep. Beth Harwell of NashVegas (former TRP Chair), but apparently NOT Congresswoman Marsha Blackburn of Brentwood.  

Damn, we just can't get rid of her, can we?

On our side of the line, former State Representative Kim McMillan of Clarksville is mulling the race, as is Congressman Lincoln Davis of Pall Mall and State Senator Andy Berke of Chattanooga, whom I had the pleasure of meeting last week.  Add to that the name of former TDP Chair Doug Horne, who seems interested should Davis decide to stay in DC.

Who have we NOT mentioned here?  Hmmm, maybe THIS guy?  While Harold DOES still have a place here (says an unimpeachable source), his heart, to me, is in the NYC and DC areas, where his wife and his job happen to be.  And, about his wife, cutie that she is, how would that play A) in the western sections of Big Shelby and B) in the rural areas of Tennessee?  Come on, while it's something none of us like to talk about, you KNOW it's there.  I think it's ridiculous, but I'm a Damn Dirty Hippie, so what do I know?

I'm just not sure that Harold's political future is in this city, or even this state.  New York?  Now, that's another matter entirely.  His is a face for mass media, which you WON'T find in Tennessee unless you're Faith Hill or Tim McGraw.

Much will shake out over time, as people come to realize that while Haslam has more money that Croesus, no one really knows him west of Knoxville.  Horne has money, but Berke seems to have an idea about where he would take the state, and it's closer to my direction than anyone else whose name has been discussed.

Frankly, if a gubernatorial candidate wants my vote, all she/he has to do is come out in support of A) a graduated income tax combined with B) a drastically lowered (and CAPPED) sales-tax AND the elimination of the local option on sales taxes.  Look, I'm a Cubs fan, why not dream big?  Maybe some day we'll be like all of our bordering states and do something smart to stabilize our revenue in Tennessee.

Then again, we just gave control of the Lege to the Republicans.  Oops.

The GOP race is getting crazy....

I just found out a while ago that A) as expected, former Senator Bill Frist is NOT running for Governor in 2010, and B) that means our AG Bill Gibbons IS running, and Senator Mark Norris of Collierville is considering a run.

OK, let's all take a deep breath here.  Even though Terri Schiavo's long-distance diagnostician is out, let's look at the GOP candidates who are probably in:

1) Gibbons, who happens to hail from the county with THE INCREDIBLE SHRINKING REPUBLICAN PARTY, is not nearly as well-known outside Big Shelby as 2) 7th District Congresswoman Marsha Blackburn or 3) 3rd District Congressman Zach Wamp of Chattanooga.  And NONE of them have the financial wherewithal of 4) Knoxville Mayor Bill Haslam, he of the Pilot Oil Haslams.

Which makes me wonder why 5) Rep. (and former TRP Chair) Beth Harwell (R-Nashville),  6) Lt. Governor Ron Ramsey of Blountville and 7) Mark Norris all think they have a chance.

Seriously, this is going to be about Blackburn's notoriety, Wamp's determination, and Haslam's money.

The good news is that, just as I had hoped, these folks are responding to new-found power about the way one would expect folks who have been out in the wilderness for 140 years.  Now, I suspect that when all is said and done, we'll be down to 3 or 4, and then we can sit back and watch the fun.

The bad news is, who the hell do WE have right now to go against them?  Kim McMillan? Uh-uh.  Lincoln Davis?  Hell, the REPUBLICAN might carry Big Shelby.  Junior?  He may still have a house here (as I was recently informed), but his heart is where his wife is, in the heart of Manhattan.  Our Congressman?  I would take a bullet for him, but I like him where he is just fine.

So, we have to get our house in order PDQ in order to keep this lot out of Curtisswood Lane.  don't worry, we're working on it; just watch this space.  The Cracker is back and ready to rock as I hit the 5-0 on Monday!

If you're a state employee, HEADS UP!

If you have a relative or a friend that is a state employee, you may want to direct them to this site so that they can see and hear the presentation of Finance Commissioner Dave Goetz regarding the state budget. He will be appearing before the House Finance Ways & Means Committee at 9 AM to inform the legislators about the status of the budget and potential buyouts .

Breaking News: Knoxville News-Sentinel reports Janice Holder to become first female Chief Justice

I first saw through Kleinheider, who linked to R. Neal, who gave me the News-Sentinel link.

This is great news, and a well-deserved promotion for Justice Holder, who was selected by her colleagues to succeed retiring Chief Justice William Barker, who will be gone as of September 1. Governor Bredesen will select Barker's replacement on the Court from either East or West Tennessee; the new Justice will be an associate.