Daily Dose for June 30, 2006

Daily Dose

Senate Debate: Round 2 -- The second media-sponsored Senate Republican debate between candidates Ed Bryant, Bob Corker and Van Hilleary was held at the University of Tennessee and sponsored by the Baker Center, WATE, and the MetroPulse. Here's another round-up of coverage:

• Chattanooga Times Free Press
• Chattanoogan
• Knoxville News-Sentinel Overview | Corker on Taxes
• WATE
• Rich Hailey
• Conservatives for Corker
• Blogging for Bryant
• The Van Wagon

Corrected previous omission of Ed Bryant

Bredesen Defends Denying Clemency in Death Penalty Cases -- The Kingsport Times-News reports on Governor Phil Bredesen's defense of denying clemency to two death row inmates executed this week. Bredesen recently denied clemency in two death penalty cases - Sedley Alley, who was put to death earlier in the week and Paul Dennis Reid, whose execution has also been set. When asked if he consults clergy in making a death penalty case decision, Bredesen said: "The answer is yes, but I prefer not to talk about that."

VOLPAC Sends Bryson Endorsement -- Sen. Bill Frist's powerful Political Action Committee, VolPAC, sent out an email missive to its Tennessee list encouraging voters to "step forward for Tennessee and support Jim Bryson for governor.” Frist: “To succeed in November, it is imperative that Jim receive immediate financial support so he can quickly develop a grassroots strategy to energize Tennessee voters, spread his message, and take the other necessary steps to win." Bryson lined up his fundraising team earlier in the week which includes Mike Curb, Jim Haslam, Joe Rodgers, Ted Welch, and Pat Wilson.

President Visits Graceland Today -- President and First Lady Bush along with Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi will visit Graceland, the home of Elvis, today. Graceland has been busy preparing all week for the visit, which will include a tour of the home by Elvis widow Priscella and Lisa Marie Presley. The Commercial Appeal also has directions on how to avoid the Presidential motorcade, which is sure to cause some traffic congestion in Memphis today.

Chattanooga Dems Continue to Splinter Over Local Races -- Hamilton County Democratic Party Chairman Stuart James asked Democratic State Executive Committeewoman Charline Kilpatrick to deny rumors she is supporting Republican Bernie Miller for the District 5 County Commission seat. When Kilpatrick refused James said the move was grounds for expelling her from her leadership position. Kiplatrick's son also said he was resigning from his leadership position in the Hamilton Co. Democratic Party "until such time that more capable leadership can be identified that will benefit the entire Democratic Party and not just the special interest of a select few." James earlier took some criticism for coming out against fellow Democrat Commission candidate Lou Miller.

Posted by Adam Groves | Email This |