Daily Dose for July 14, 2008

"Support" For Tim Barnes

"Support" For Tim Barnes -- The Nashville City Paper reports that State Sen. Rosalind Kurita is facing some-kind of challenge from Clarksville attorney Tim Barnes after Kurita cast a controversal vote that landed the Republican Lt. Gov. Ron Ramsey with his seat and later backed Republican plans on changes to the Tennessee Plan for electing judges and a GOP-backed lottery plan. Still, the fundraising numbers show Democrats aren't willing to get too far out for Barnes. Among the high-profile donors, Mike McWherter is the only $1,000 contributor. Still, there are impressive names on the list: Former Gov. McWherter ($300 donation), House Speaker Jimmy Naifeh ($200), Senate Democratic Leader Jim Kyle ($250), Nashville Sen. Harper ($125) and Memphis Sen. Beverly Marrero ($100).

Leatherwood Strategy: Memphis Alone -- The Commercial Appeal reports on the political strategy of Tom Leatherwood who seems conviced he can win the GOP 7th Congressional District primary against Marsha Blackburn by just winning Shelby County. Leatherwood recons 70% of the district vote might come from his home county in his off-season election. Leatherwood has gathered an endorsement list that includes some Shelby Co. politicos, but some higher-ups are warning Leatherwood the race might hurt his political future. John Ryder: "It's a marked contrast to the public persona of Tom Leatherwood .. and the private persona of Tom Leatherwood. Tom is what he is. He's a nice guy, but this has not been a nice-guy campaign."

9th District Race on Race -- It's well known that race remains a big issue in the Ninth District Congressional primary race between Nikki Tinker, State Rep. Joe Towns and incumbent Congressman Steve Cohen. In a televised debate, the candidates didn't take long to get to it. Tinker said she never said the race was "about race or religion," a subtle way to bring up the fact that Congressman Cohen is white and Jewish, but quickly added that "her supporters wanted at least one of Tennessee's congressional seats to have minority representation." Cohen responded: "I would like people to judge me on my record and my character, not on the color of my skin." As for the rest of the issues, Tinker couldn't come up with a single vote that Cohen gave that she would have gone the other way.

The Curious Case of Curtis Adams -- In follow-up to last week's news on East Ridge and the controversy generated by its Mayor Curtis Adams, it appears that Adams has resigned his post after protest over a proposed 47c property tax increase. Adams, who is also a longtime member of the County Commission, said the budget situation is now in the hands of Mayor Mike Steele. The move surprised everyone in the city and was apparently shared with no one beforehand. Meanwhile, in his Commissioner role, Adams has taken the opposite path and proposed property tax relief for seniors.

Posted by Adam Groves | Email This |