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Daily Dose for July 21, 2006
Daily Dose
Albertini Arrested After GOP Rally -- GOP Gubernatorial candidate Mark Albertini was arrested last night following a rally in the Halls community near Knoxville. Albertini who has campaigned harder than expected against State Sen. Jim Bryson for the GOP bid for Governor. Albertini was arrested following the event for public intoxication. More from the Tennessean.
Bredesen Leads in UT Poll -- Governor Phil Bredesen will sail to easy reelection according to the results of a survey conducted by the University of Tennessee. Bredesen came in with 49% of the vote in a matchup against Bryson's 8%, with 30% undecided and 13% favoring another candidate. The poll of 501 registered voters has a margin of error of ±4.1%. Bryson spokesman Lance Frizell seemed happy with the results: "Anytime you get an incumbent with that kind of money under 50 percent, people are searching for alternatives. Those numbers will look decidedly different in September and October."
Short Trial Set on Ophelia Ford's Seat -- A nonjury trial in Ophelia Ford's challenge to her ouster from the state Senate has been set for Oct. 23 in federal court. The trial before U.S. Dist. Court Judge Bernice Donald is expected to last two days to resolve the issue of whether or not Ford was unfairly ousted from her seat following an investigation by the Tennessee State Senate in which several votes for her were thrown out because voters residencies could not be verified. Ford filed a federal suit claiming discrimination in the thrown out votes. Election officials verified, however, that at least three votes in the Senate election were forged, including two in the names of dead voters. Ford could be reelected to the seat in November despite the judicial action.
Rep. Gerald McCormick Sends Letter Defending Corker to GOP Caucus -- Rep. Gerald McCormick, in a letter to House Republican Caucus members, has decried the nasty GOP primary race and defended candidate Bob Corker. Rep. McCormick said the Republican discord is working to the advantage of Democratic candidate Harold Ford Jr. McCormick: "I hope everyone will get behind our nominee on August 3rd. If Van or Ed pulls it out I will be for them 100% in public and private. If Bob wins I know he will be able to count on all of you to do the same."
Davis Comments on Divorce, Adultry Still Creating Stir -- Congressman Lincoln Davis' remarks - that a marriage amendment, if it were going to be added to the constitution under the auspices of protecting marriage should also protect against divorce or adultry - have created a stir with questions of Davis' seriousness. Davis contends the statement was rhetoric, but liberal groups are saying if Davis was sarcastically bemoaning a federal marriage amendment he should have voted against it.
Justices Reponses to Fowler Questions Light -- The response to a survey of Tennessee Supreme Court and appellate justices sent out by outgoing State Sen. David Fowler under the banner of his new job as head of a pro-family organization, received tepid responses. Tennessee’s sitting appellate judges collectively have declined to complete a questionnaire. However some jurists, such as Supreme Court Chief Justice William "Mickey" Barker of Hamilton County, worked into their letters specific references to how they have handled certain cases. Fowler: "It was disappointing that on questions that were clearly answerable they chose not to."
Gallatin Dem Stronghold -- The Gallatin Observer says that the city continues to be a Democratic stronghold based on fundraising reports of Gallatin ZIP codes. Residents of Gallatin have put $14,963 in coffers for the Democratic Party of Tennessee, the top recipient for state and federal politics in the 37066 ZIP code, while contributing $3,200 to the Republican Party of Tennessee, this election cycle. Gallatin donors have given Harold Ford, Jr. more funds than any other federal politician for the 2006 campaign season. Ford raised $11,200 from Gallatin residents.
Crutchfield Trial Set -- State Sen. Ward Crutchfield, who has maintained his innocence will face a federal judge beginning February 5 of next year in his Operation Tennessee Waltz trail. Fellow Waltzer John Ford's trial will begin in October of this year.
