Back in business...

I've been out of state the past few weeks, but we are back in business now.

With the disclosure releases making their way to the public today it will be interesting to see how the various camps spin it.

For Republicans (not just conservatives) the problem I'm seeing is too many fence sitters. Most potential donors are probably waiting until there is an obvious between Ed & Van before giving.

That is understandable. The trouble is, if they wait too much longer, there may not really be a choice. Another couple of quarters with Corker outraising their combined totals will be very difficult to overcome.

I've stated before that I'm a "Van Fan," so it should not come as a surprise that I'm happy Van is ahead of Ed by $80,000 or that it is costing Ed a ton to raise money these days. It should also come as no surprise that I'm a little miffed at Ed's continued use of "puff polls" to garner support. I mean really, how accurate can a poll be if you poll a group you called to the week before? Hardly a random sample. Hardly ethical polling, but pretty standard for the firm apparently -and for the Bryant Campaign. You might recall the same firm showed Jim Henry down by 8% a week before the last gubernatorial primary. You might also recall Jim losing by multiples of that - one of many similar scenarios. Corkers people are hot because their internals apparently show Bob trailing Ed by a much smaller lead (and Van's leading that one). Politics is politics, but if Ed is going to be this sly, he better get better at hiding his tracks.

I have a strong feeling we will be seeing great things from Van this quarter. Rumor has it he is hiring staff and getting into campaign mode which should allow him to use his time more efficiently. Ultimately though, Van is going to have to post big numbers to give us all enough ammo to go tell Ed to quit throwing the race to Corker.

Hey,what about Harry?

With the Dem's fighting amongst themselves to donate cash to Corker, it kinda make you wonder what they have against dear Harry? Ford Jr. has just as conservative a record as Corker and is higher up in the political pecking order. Oddly enough, many former Ford donors are appearing on Corker's disclosures - some are even fundraising for him. The percentage of Bredesen backers on Corker's list is astounding. So, is Harry doomed to be the head prince of Memphis for another decade or two?

This all raises another question.

Corker is not recieved well by grassroots republicans. Those are the people that will be voting in the Republican primary. But, the Dem's seem to love him. Why not follow his heart on over to the other side of the aisle and not have a primary to concern yourself with. Corker's record is certainly not conservative. You could call it moderate I suppose, but you just have to think he would be happier and fit in better on the other side of the aisle.

Ronald Reagan and Corker's GOP cred's

Seems like the Corker Crew are in lockstep this morning. I've been hearing about Ronald Reagan's 11th commandment for hours. Here is what I've got to say about that...

1. You need to quote Regean in context. Go look it up. For most of you Corker folks it will be a good lesson in what it means to be a Republican - I really don't think you know.

Oh, and if you want to quote the 11th Commandment, stop saying Ed Bryant quits when things get tough because he resigned from the Ford case way back when. Same people peddling that one are now donning halo's.

2. If being a Republican was a federal offense (as many on the other side of the aisle would like it to be), there wouldn't be enough evidence to convict Corker. His support base is almost identical to Bredesen's. Dem's and squishy Republican's that hope to benefit personally from a Corker win.

If you really want a glimpse of the dark side, ask your state legislators if Corker tends to be surrounded by Democrat or Republican lobbyists when he is in Nashville.

You just have to wonder what the Dem's hope to win by backing Corker. I can't imagine it being anything Ronald Regean would condone.

How Funny! TeamGOP does it again

For Immediate Release: Contact: Jeff Ward
May 17, 2005 731-589-0285


Bob Corker bought and paid for by Democrats

With serious questions swirling about Republican US Senatorial candidate Bob Corker’s total inability to create support among Tennessee's rank and file Republicans, Bob Corker, again, has turned to his Democrat enablers for help. On May 26th one of the leading Democrats in the state Tennessee will host a $1000 per person fundraiser at his farm to help elect the Democrats’ perceived candidate…Mayor Bob Corker.

Clayton McWhorter is not just an average Democrat; he is one of their most active leaders and fundraisers in Tennessee. Perhaps Clayton McWhorter is best known for the political ruckus he created when as a potential Democrat candidate for Governor in 1994, McWhorter opined that the reason for retardation rates among children in East Tennessee was due in part to “inbreeding.”

The only connection found between Mr. McWhorter and Bob Corker is that they both toyed with the idea, at least for a short time in the 1990’s, of running for Governor as Democrats.

TeamGOP.org was criticized for a press release on February 1, 2005 for questioning why so many individuals in the fundraising arm of Bob Corker's US Senate Campaign are large donors and fundraisers for Democrats, to sums of tens of thousands of dollars. Now Bob Corker can add another prominent Democrat family to his list.

According to state and federal election disclosures, in the last couple of election cycles Clayton McWhorter and his family consisting of his wife, his son Stuart, and his daughter-in-law have given close to $50,000 to Democrats from Al Gore to Phil Bredesen to Speaker of the House Jimmy Naifeh. The McWhorters were particularly generous to Speaker Jimmy Naifeh. To be fair Stuart McWhorter has donated to a hand full of Republicans, but generally after they were already elected.

The Corker camp will insist this kind of Democrat support demonstrates the “broad appeal” of Bob Corker. TeamGOP.org believes that is a load of political manure and should be treated as such. Outside of Mr. Corker’s hometown and a few Republican multi-millionaires, Bob Corker’s Republican support is anemic.

It is long past the time when Bob Corker should stand up and stop hiding behind political rhetoric. If Bob Corker wants to represent the Democrat Party and their values, he should be running in their primary…not the one for Republicans.

The question must be asked, why is Bob Corker running in the Republican Primary?

TeamGOP.org is a Republican grassroots organization based in Tennessee. It is dedicated to electing Republicans at every level of government. TeamGOP.org publishes a weekly E-newsletter, manages its daily Blog and operates the political action committee, TeamGOP PAC. http://www.TeamGOP.org

Kondrake's folks question Ed's "chutzpah"

In an article publised today in Roll Call, Stuart Rothenburg caps off his list of "the silliest, most misleading and overzealous press releases that I receive" with Ed Bryant's numerous releases exclaiming his lead in the Republican Primary based on the Harold Ford Jr. poll. Here are the last few paragraphs:

It’s That Time Again: Mindless Press Releases, 2005 Edition
By Stuart Rothenberg
Roll Call Contributing Writer
May 9, 2005

.......

But as silly as the Nebraska Democratic Party and NRSC releases are, they come nowhere near the gall of a release by Senate hopeful Ed Bryant (R-Tenn.). The April 6 release’s headline, "New Poll Shows Bryant Leading GOP Field," isn’t the problem. It’s the sub-head: "Corker’s Growth in Polls Stalled by Record of Higher Taxes." Corker’s "growth," of course, hasn’t "stalled" because of anything, since nobody is paying enough attention to the Tennessee Senate race or the GOP primary to draw conclusions from early polling.

The "new poll" in the Bryant release is interesting for a number of other reasons. First, it was conducted by a Democratic firm, The Global Strategy Group, for Democratic Senate hopeful Rep. Harold Ford Jr. It’s nice to know that Bryant has enough confidence in a Democratic survey to write a release about it. Second, the survey’s numbers actually contradict the Bryant release proclaiming Corker has "stalled." The Ford poll showed Corker at 15 percent, while two earlier polls (one for Bryant and one for former Congressman Van Hilleary (R-Tenn.), who is also running for the Senate) showed Corker at only 8 percent and 13 percent.

And third, the Bryant release says that the overall poll of 600 likely voters and the sub-sample of 190 Republicans (yes, only 190 Republicans) "each had a margin of +/- 6%." Is it too much to hope that the people writing Bryant’s release might beaware that a poll’s margin of error is based on the size of the sample, and that a sample of 600 and another of 190 can’t possibly have the same margin or error? But my fundamental problem with the release is that it masquerades as a survey analysis, when it is nothing more than propaganda, or rather advocacy. The "analysis" is simply Bryant’s campaign attacking Corker. Attack if you must, even if nobody is watching, but at least have the chutzpah to do it directly and honestly.

.......

That seems to cover it. I wonder if Ed will be mentioning Mort as often as he has been after this gets out.

Party Chair feeling the heat.

Looks like there are more than a few souls in the legislature that aren't all that happy with Chairman Davis turning the State GOP's political machinery into a statewide platform for Bob Corker. Davis has apparently said all candidates will be represented but failed to mention this to all candidates. There is no valid reason for the State Party to get involved in a contested Senate primary. None.

The Party should help the winning candidate defeat the democrat candidate in the general election, but helping Corker by reinforcing his weak areas takes away advantages from Bryant, Hilleary and Harwell. Advantages they have gained from touring the state for years meeting people and shaking hands. Corker couldn't be bothered to help the party until he needed something himself.

So, who is putting the pressure on Bob Davis? I've got a feeling they are well represented on Corkers financial disclosure. This story has legs...

So, what do the bylaws say about replacing a sitting Chairman? Robin Smith seems like a great choice. Somebody wake up the SEC...

State Party Spamming For Corker

Looks like Chairman Davis has finally been beaten into submission by the Corker team. They have been CONVINCED that Ed Bryant, Van Hilleary and Beth Harwell all have some version of the state party email list. I mean convinced in the way Amway folks are convinced you need their soap. It's a little un-nerving.

I don't recall the party ever doing this before. Must have gotten a few calls from the money folks. Nice to know the state party is flexible on these things. They can flex far enough to grab their ankles for the Corker kooks.

Maybe Ed can have his folks demand the state party equalize the money situation too. Word around town is he is finding it harder and harder to raise money. Come on Bob, cut Ed a check to make things fair, he really needs it.

If any of these candidates had the state party email list, I would know because the state party has 4-5 different old addresses for me (including one my mom uses) and hits them all in every mailing. The only other group with such broad access to my email accounts are usually selling "health aids" for men...

Don't know why Chairman Bob would do this, but it just goes to show there is no real need to start from scratch in politics. Just con and bully your way into millions at taxpayer expense then have your rich buddies buy you access to the grassroots of the state.

Nothing quite like good leadership...

Hillary Wins Sullivan County Straw Poll

Hilleary Scores!
Conservative Leader Gets Straw Poll Win in Critical Sullivan County


KINGSPORT - Former Congressman Van Hilleary continued to take the Republican Senate race by storm Saturday night with a big Straw Poll victory at the Sullivan County Reagan Day Memorial Dinner.

This Straw Poll victory, which comes just a little over a month after Hilleary entered the race, is just the latest indication that Hilleary's campaign has already caught up with fellow conservative Ed Bryant's campaign. Bryant has been an announced candidate all winter and spring.
Hilleary previously got a boost on April 15 when federal campaign finance reports showed he's raising money at a pace three times as fast as Bryant is.

"Sullivan County is very important in this primary and I'm gratified that our grass-roots support is still so strong," said Hilleary, who told the dinner crowd that he is running to make sure Tennessee has a sincere conservative as its next U.S. Senator.

Sullivan County is the sixth largest county in the Tennessee Republican primary and the third largest in East Tennessee.

In the final straw poll results, Hilleary nearly doubled the vote of moderate Mayor Bob Corker, who finished a distant third. Beth Harwell, who is just entering the race, finished fourth.
Statewide, Hilleary leads Bryant by 13%, Corker by 23% and Harwell by 29% according to the only published scientific Republican poll. Bryant's camp has been touting a Democrat poll that purported to show him ahead, but that poll's validity has since been discredited because it over-weighted West Tennessee.

Hilleary, who won six tough primary and general elections between 1994 and 2002, is seeking to go back to Washington to continue the conservative leadership he showed as a member of the House. As a representative of Tennessee's Fourth District, Hilleary built a reputation as a straight-talking conservative who fought hard to lower taxes, reduce wasteful spending, and protect innocent life.

In Tennessee, Hilleary stood up to Republicans and Democrats who tried to raise taxes and he worked hard to help elect Republicans to state and local office, campaigning all across the state and taking on Democrats from John Wilder and Jimmy Naifeh on down.


--- This is interesting because this is an area where Ed was supposed to be "unbeatable" (according to his people) and his campaign staff has been working the area for a couple of weeks to build up momentum specifically for this poll, even bragging about it. Maybe Ed should have insisted on using his preferred pollster, Harold Ford Jr. instead of the vote counters Sullivan County GOP used... :)

According to the grapevine, Beth Harwell recieved half of the votes that Bob Corker had despite not yet entering the race, building a campaign team or raising money. I think this should be taken as very positive news for Beth and of grave concern to Corker.

The following is from an email forwarded to me from the Southern Middle Tennessee Men's Club. Great information. I love the fact that Dear Harold beat out Maxine Waters and Barney Frank in the top 5 trip takers list...


Is It Unlawful or Unethical if Everybody Does It

Why would we elect Democrats or Republicans who are unethical?. Why aren’t they replaced? Is it because we may be guilty also and want our pork too? The Democrats have given House Majority Leader Tom DeLay hell over the past few weeks. The House acted in January to change the rules, but an investigation by the Political Money Line and Washington Post surfaced lots of dirt on both sides – Democrats and Republican alike. This article is a summary of the information disclosed.

Based on information disclosed by the Clerk of the House of Representatives and the Secretary of the Senate, Members of Congress have received over $16 million ($16,168,014) during the last five years (from 2000 to winter 2005) traveling around the world at the expense of private organizations. About $8.8 million came from tax-exempt organizations (which are not required to disclose their donors to the public in the IRS Form 990 reports they must file) receive funds from lobbyists.
Data shows that 605 Members of Congress made 5,410 trips. Of these, Democrats took 3,025, Republicans took 2,375, and 10 trips were taken by others.
The following charts depict the number of trips taken and the cost per year; the 5 Member receiving the greatest amount and their Party; and the 5 Members making the most trips and their Party and the amount each spent.

Privately-funded Travel and Amount
Year # Trips Amount
2000 1015 $2,520,117
2001 1292 $3,774,860
2002 770 $2,485,801
2003 1253 $3,859,994
2004 789 $2,650,319
2005 part 286 $870,362

Members Receiving Most Gifts of Travel

Order Congress Member Party Amount
1. Sensenbrenner, James F. Republican $167,960
2. Green, Gene Democrat $165,436
3. Breaux, John B. Democrat $162,496
4. Wexler, Robert Democrat $161,599
5. Hinchley, Maurice Democrat $161,353

Note that after Rep. James Sensenbrenner (R-Wis.), Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, the next four Members benefiting monetarily the most were Democrats. Yet, no Democrat has raised questions about any other Democrat. Their goal is to destroy House Majority Leader Tom DeLay.

Following through, Republican Sensenbrenner received the most gifts of travel (19 trips valued at $167,960). DeLay was 28th on the list (14 trips valued at $94,568). Rep. Harold Ford (D-Tenn.) traveled most (60 trips costing $61,000). Ford's expenses were less because his travels were within the United States.

Members Taking Most Trips

Order Congress Member Party # Trips
1. Breaux, John B. Democrat 61
2. Ford, Harold E. Jr. Democrat 60
3. Biden, Joseph R. Jr. Democrat 56
4. Waters, Maxine Democrat 52
5. Barney, Frank Democrat 51

Relative to the amount of travel, one can readily see that the Democrats took the most trips. Not a single Republican is listed in the top five.

DeLay is touted to be the most effective Majority Leader since the days when Democrats ruled. He has had the skills to resists and thwarts the Democrats' agenda. Since he continues to win re-election, Democrats are trying to take him down using their scandal machine.
DeLay is being excoriated by the Democrats because some of his trips, including one to Russia in 1997, appear to have been paid for at least in part by lobbyists, albeit through a non-profit organization. DeLay has said he had no knowledge of lobbyists funding such trips, which might have violated House ethics rules. Actually, the Democrats appear to be greater violators than DeLay and Republicans and the Democrats should look in the mirrow at all the fingers pointing back at Democrats.

If the Democrats are serious about "exposing" ethically questionable travel, there is plenty of data to investigate. For example:

· 127 + travel reports filed by members listed no destinations.
· 20 reports listed no trip sponsor.
· 106 reports listed no cost figures.
· 51 reports showed no purpose for the travel.
· 4 reports failed to show any travel dates.

Some members, including House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, has rushed to file amended reports after a Washington Post reporter inquired about it. She failed to report a 2004 trip to South Korea. She filed a full disclosure form "a few hours after the newspapers' inquiry" and sent a note to the ethics committee which said, "I did not know I was supposed to file these forms and I apologize for its lateness."

When comparisons with other Members' trips on the same dates for the same purposes are reviewed, one can readily visualize that:

· Representative Sheila Jackson-Lee's $10,667 trip in April 2002 probably was to Botswana.
· Representative Cal Dooley's $6,101 trip in November 2003 probably was to Costa Rica.
· Representative Jeff Flake's $1,520 tip in September 2001 was probably to Cuba.
· Representative Hilda Solis' $1,489 trip in February 2001 was probably to Mexico City.
· Representative Chris John's $2,385 trip in November 2000 was probably to Orlando, FL.
· Senator Conrad Burns' $2,396 trip in January 2002 was probably to Las Vegas, NV.

On 27 April 05, the House Republicans decided to rescind a rules change they has pushed through in January that led to the shutdown of the ethics committee, possibly clearing the way for consideration of charges against DeLay and others. The House Ethics Committee had not been operating because Democrats would not allow it to meet following the rules change that required an ethics complaint be dismissed if the evenly-divided panel deadlocked. With the dirt out on the Democrats, I doubt that the Democrats will proceed with serious ethics investigations.

Most Common Destination and Number of Visits
Order Destination # of Trips
1. USA 4,221
2. Mexico 131
3. Israel 131
4. Not specified 127
5. Italy 100

Organizations Spending Most

1. Aspen Institute $2,897,602
2. Ripon Society $694,042
3. American Israel Education Foundation $580,829
4. Int'l Management and Development Institute $525,406
5. Assn of American Railroads $384,735

Organizations spending the most for congressional travel, according to PoliticalMoneyLine, were the Aspen Institute ($2,897,602) and the Ripon Society ($694,042), both ideologically liberal organizations.

This information is based on an article by Cal Thomas and an investigative report by Political Money Line.