In an odd play for the Ed Bryant campaign, Bryant himself has personally invited Bob Corker to attend a "post-debate" (which may or may not still happen) shindig/viewing of the State of the Union Address close to Ed Bryant's hometown in Germantown, TN on 1/31 (link). Bryant maintains that this his invitation should be considered a priority over Congressman Zach Wamp's invitation to personally attend the President's State of the Union Address. I admit that it humbles this blogger to see that comments I made on this blog Friday afternoon were so quickly taken to heart by the Bryant campaign--a TV will in fact be wheeled into a room at the Marriott Courtyard. Outstanding! I understand that the ice machine is located close the room that has been reserved. All kidding aside though, it is troubling that the Bryant campaign continues to put so much emphasis on this single "close to home" debate. Bryant's campaign would want voters to believe that there will be no other opportunities for such a discourse between now and the primary in August? I would offer up that for Bryant, this very well may be his only opportunity to debate. His camp continues to be silent regarding their 4Q fund raising, and his supporters may be getting a bit impatient with his stalling of releasing these numbers. For someone who touts his polling numbers daily and acts as though Corker is not a legitimate candidate in this race, he certainly seems fixated on poor-mouthing Mr. Corker at every turn. One visit to his website and seems obvious that Bryant suffers from a touch of the "Corker-envy." In some way, I suppose one could make the argument that such attention is flattering.
There will be time for debating issues in front of TN voters, but this is obviously not the best time (President's Address) or the place (debate put on by one candidate's propaganda machine) to do it.
Bryant says that it is important to hear our Commander in Chief speak at this once a year event, but his actions tell a different story by seemingly indicating that he has something better to say by debating over the President's address ('We'll get to your comments in a moment, Mr. President, but I have to talk about my endorsement from the left-handed scissors club from Jackson County!').
Rather than attempting to tout his "achievements" as a congressman, Bryant is left only to goat Corker from afar into attending what appears to be a poorly managed and organized debate forum on the 31st, while spreading lies about Corker's stance on abortion and taxes on the campaign trail. This blogger looks forward to a spirited campaign and for the time when we will see in a debate how each of the candidates own up on the issues. I only selfishly hope that Bryant will still be in the running when the opportunity arises. Time will tell.
Rather than attempting to tout his "achievements" as a congressman, Bryant is left only to goat Corker from afar into attending what appears to be a poorly managed and organized debate forum on the 31st, while spreading lies about Corker's stance on abortion and taxes on the campaign trail. This blogger looks forward to a spirited campaign and for the time when we will see in a debate how each of the candidates own up on the issues. I only selfishly hope that Bryant will still be in the running when the opportunity arises. Time will tell.
Day 11; Harold Ford, Jr. Yet to Donate Abramoff Funds...
10 comments:
This coming from the very blog that consistently whines about other candidates and other blogs using attacks. This is the very blog that just last week ran a story headlined: "Republicans United."
Charles: Thank you for taking time from writing/managing Ed Bryant's blog to post here again.
Why so hard on Republican Congressman Zach Wamp in your post yesterday?
Which candidate is the Main Street Journal a "propaganda machine" for?
Insulting conservatives isn't going to help you win any votes for Bob Corker. In fact, your tactics are likely energizing Memphis Republicans not only to not vote for Corker, but to actively work against his campaign.
Knoxcon: Say what?! Say it with me...unofficial blog, unofficial blog...MSJ has an established relationship with both Bryant and Hilleary (as evidenced by their publishing articles authored by them both). You do yourself a disservice if you read into my comments as smearing the MSJ as a conservative publication--I just questioned their ability to organize a debate--they unknowingly scheduled their debate on the same night as the State of the Union Address. C'mon now!
If you are truly interested in seeing TN conservatives not run each other down, I would invite you to visit each of the candidates' official sites to see how they really interact. Get back to me after you have done your homework and let's discuss.
According to the MSJ, they offered all the candidates, including Corker an opportunity to submit an essay for publication, which he declined. Harold Ford, Jr. has even written one. Is the MSJ lying?
Second, the MSJ debate was scheduled long before the State of the Union was announced, and according to a press release I saw yesterday, the candidates will have an opportunity to view the SOU following the debate.
I think the SOU is a convenient excuse after the fact, and your accusations that the MSJ is a "propaganda machine" for Bryant and/or Hilleary is just another excuse to cover for Bob Corker's refusal to debate.
You should stop making excuses for Corker and explain why he's consistently fought for higher taxes, supported abortion on demand and taken campaign contributions from half the liberal Democrats in TN. These are questions Republican primary voters want answers to.
I am not familiar with MSJ but know about State of the Union. It is regretable that there is a conflict but it is easier for the MSJ to change than the President of the United States to change his schedule.
Over the weekend, lady from Atlanta Journal Constitution said that HFJ would win because Tn GOP would nominate the most conservative candidate causing an erosion of support for that candidate. I am of the opinion that Tn GOP will close ranks and Bob Corker will be the victor in August and November.
I am going to have say again that we will have to agree to disagree with knoxcon and charles badger. I have not gone to Hilleary/Bryant sites and made one negative statement about them. We cannot say the same about them. You are not going to change and we are not going to change. While we argue and hassle there is a lot to do that can be positive and helpful. We are going to win because we are the only campaign with a positive agenda and candidate. So continue your negative campaign because you are not hurting Bob but destroying Hilleary/Bryant chances in August and November.
Knoxcon: It seems that you have obvious personal affinities for the MSJ, and that is well and good. But would you please provide evidence beyond some scrap of paper from 12 years ago that Bob Corker is pro-choice? You won't find anything, because he is pro-life. He has privately and publicallly supported pro-life organizations across our great state (AAA Women's Services for one). Where in the world do you get that he is consistently for raising taxes? I would invite you to look at the size and efficiency of Chattanooga's City Government before and after Bob Corker took office. The proof is in the facts Knox, not in supposition.
Mr. Evans, Can you provide evidence that Corker isn't pro-choice? That "scrap of paper" the Knox News Sentinel reported Corker in his own words refusing to admit life begins at conception. Maybe if he participated in the debate he could clarify that statement.
Corker pushed for increases in property taxes and fees to raise funds for his projects as mayor of Chattanooga. Can you cite any instance where Corker actually fought to lower the tax burden on Chattanoogans?
As to the MSJ, I read with interest their response to your charges.
http://www.mainstreetj.com/2006/01/16/29
Can you refute anything they said?
Either they're lying or you're wrong.
Which is it Mr. Evans?
Knox: You are referring to a questionnaire sent out 12 years ago by the KNS. Corker admits himself to a deepening of his own spiritual faith, and deeper understanding of how morally, government has a responsibility to fight to protect life. If you or others choose to call into question Corker's spirituality or faith, I leave that between you and God. Corker is a man of his word, and he says that he is pro-life (always has been), will vote pro-life, and that is all there is to it. Time to let the pro-choice rhetoric go Knox, let it go...
Corker shrank the size of Chattanooga City government by eliminating unneeded, beauracratic redundancy (what can Ed or Van say to that?). When Corker left office, property tax rates were the lowest it’s been since the 1950's. Have you even read up on how Corker creatively used public and private funds to transform the downtown waterfront into a true TN jewel?
I applaud the MSJ for going to great lengths to prove that there was no way they could have known of the SOTUA until mid-December. But the fact remains that they failed to acknowledge their scheduling error until my Friday blog entry. I am humbled that such an esteemed publication would focus so much time and attention to this humble blog.
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