The Disgruntled Republican in Nashville: 2018-06-24

Friday, June 29, 2018

Randy Boyd's attack ad calls Diane Black weak on immigration.

Randy Boyd has put out a hard-hitting "attack ad" against Diane Black. I guess when one is attacked in a political ad, one has to attack back but I am disappointed. In this recent ad, Boyd criticizes Diane Black for saying "you can't build a wall; that won't work." The statement was made in a 2016 interview. Since then Diane Black has become an advocate of building the wall and states that position on her website. She also has sponsored legislation that would raise funds for the wall along the southern border using crowdfunding.

My own view of building the wall is that it is a dumb idea and "you can't build a wall; that won't work." There may be places where expanding the wall makes sense but to build a wall the full length of the border would accomplish nothing. For one thing, it would take a generation to obtain the right- of-ways necessary to do it. Property cannot be taken without due process and that can be a lengthy process. The cost would be enormous and there is no way to make Mexico pay for it. Even if built, unless it is manned it would be useless. Walls can be climbed over, cut through and tunneled under and torn down. There are much wiser uses of funds to secure the border rather than building a $15 billion wall.

In frustration over the recent failure of "zero tolerance" I recently blogged that I was warming to the idea of building the wall. "Zero tolerance" means prosecuting those who cross the border illegally. The problem with that policy is that children can not be held in confinement with their parents for more than twenty days, and separating parents from their children is unacceptable and there is no way to prosecute an offender within twenty days. So, for any person who crosses the border with a child, we are back to catch and release which means we release offenders from detention while they await immigration hearings with an order to appear for a hearing at some future date. Most never honor the order.

Frustration over the inability to implement zero tolerance does not however, mean building the wall the full length of the border is good idea. Some select corridors could probably benefit from an extended wall, but things like e-verity, improved visa control and changing the law to expedite the process of deportation makes more sense. I would be more pleased with Diane Black if she would have kept to her first position that "you can't build a wall; that won't work."

The other example that Randy Boyd uses against Black in alleging she is weak on immigration is that she once supported giving drivers license to illegal immigrants. This occurred in May 2001when Diane Black was serving in the State legislature. Gov. Phil Bredesen proposed the policy that would allow people without Social Security numbers to obtain driver's licenses. The argument at the time was that they were driving anyway and with drivers license they would at least have to know the rules of the road and if stopped for a traffic violation the traffic law enforcement officer would know who they were. I thought that made sense at the time as did most of those serving in the State legislature. Following the September 2001 terrorist attack on this country, security concerns led to that law being repealed.

I am not going to hold it against Diane Black that in May 2001 she voted to implement what most thought was a good policy at the time. I know that in a thirty second TV ad one cannot really explain policy differences. All you can do is offer quick bummer sticker sound bites. It is easy to simplify and distort an opponents record. Anyone who has served in office any length of time or written things, anyone with a record, can have that record distorted.

I hope Diane Black shows the good graces and dignity not to even hit lower than Randy Boyd. I don't want our Republican nominee to be the person who can play the dirtiest. The contest should not be a contest to see who can win at best besmirching the reputation of their opponents.

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Marsha Blackburn breaks with President Trump over tariffs.

Marsha Blackburn

by Rod Williams - Representative Marsha Blackburn has been one of Trumps staunches supporters. She often appears on national TV defending the President's policies. I was pleased to see her break with Trump over the issue of tariffs.

Yesterday she said President Donald Trump's administration should reconsider broad tariffs to avoid unintended negative consequences on Tennessee's economy and workers. In a letter to Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross she said Tennesseans stand to suffer disproportionate and negative consequences under broad tariffs. She said Tennessee industries, including automotive, agriculture and distilled spirits could be hurt by retaliatory tariffs. The letter was also signed by Republican Reps. Phil Roe, Scott DesJarlais and Chuck Fleischmann.

Senators Bob Corker and Lama Alexander have been outspoken in opposition to Trump's start of a trade way. I am pleased to see Republicans take a stand for common sense. Trump's trade war could have disastrous consequences and lead to a world-wide economic depression. Even if the trade war does not escalate into a world-wide trade war it could still reverse the recent economic gains resulting from the recently passed tax cuts and cause Republicans to be badly beaten in the mid-term elections.

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Thursday, June 28, 2018

Davidson County GOP picnic July 14th

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Senator Bob Corker Discussing Trade and Immigration Policy on Face the Nation

Click here to watch the senator's interview.

Last Sunday, Senator Corker, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, discussed trade and immigration policy in an interview on Face the Nation. Excerpts of the senator's interview follow.

On the need for Congress to reassert its constitutional authority on trade policy by passing bipartisan legislation to require congressional approval of tariffs designated under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962:

The president broadly has used Section 232 of the [Trade Expansion Act of 1962], which is [intended for] national security. It’s absolutely an abuse of his authorities. It’s being used against our European allies, Canada, Mexico, and many other countries… It has successfully united the world against us. There’s not a person at the White House that can articulate why they are doing this other than to create leverage on NAFTA [negotiations]. And I don’t know of a senator that isn’t concerned about the broad use of this. So, the amendment, Margaret, is just to say that if he’s going to use 232, which has never, ever been used in this way, it’s absolutely an abuse of authority, if he’s going to use it, once he completes negotiations on tariffs, he should bring it to Congress. It’s our responsibility, by the way, Margaret. You know, a tariff is a tax on Americans.

On the likelihood of congressional action on trade policy:

I think there’s a jailbreak brewing. I really do. I think people, especially as these tariffs are being put in place against us, these countermeasures, and as people realize that 22,000 companies, 22,000 companies, have asked for exemptions. The White House is only – or the Commerce Department – has only dealt with 98 of those. There’s no basis to deal with them. It’s not unlike what happened on the immigration issue where there was no preparation… So, we’re getting ready to have a similar situation to what happened on the immigration policy, and I’m hoping there will be a jailbreak and that we will move towards passing this legislation.

On family separations at the southern border:

It is not something that appreciates these young children and certainly was done in a ready, fire, aim way, obviously. There was no preparation for it. I can’t imagine any American’s heart not going out to these families, knowing these children are being separated… so I am glad the administration took the steps they took. That’s led to another crisis, if you will, because of the 20-day rule that exists, and so, you know, the administration obviously made a large mistake. I know that some in the White House want to use the immigration issue as a force to activate the base for elections, but obviously the president realized that was a mistake, and now it’s up to us in Congress to work with them to come up with a longer-term solution.

On the likelihood of a legislative solution in Congress to families being separated at the southern border:

I hope that will be the case. I think that the Cruz-Feinstein bill, while I’m not sure every detail has been laid out in it yet, but the fact that you’ve got two people with such ideological differences coming together on this issue does bode for some hope in the Senate.

On the latest CBS News poll finding that 73% of Republicans say those who enter the U.S. should be punished as an example of toughness, while 27% of Republicans say they should be treated well as an example of kindness:

We do need to be a nation of laws. And we need to get this right. And we need to cause legal immigration to be easier than it is… I’ve just never been a part of a group that hated someone for wishing something better for their life. Maybe they have a little different color of their skin and they speak differently. I just have never hated someone who traveled through tough conditions to try to come to a place where they could realize their dreams… We need to enforce our laws, and when people break them, obviously, especially over and over again, there needs to be punishment. But look, again, we’ve got to realize that these people are wanting to live in a place like we live. We’re the most fortunate people on Earth to live in this country.

Rod's Comment: I am in total agreement with Senator Corker on both of these issues and agree with what he said and the tone in which he said it. I think the Trump trade war may be a disaster for our country and undo the Trump recovery. While I do think there is a lot of opportunistic selective outrage on the part of Democrats on the child separation issue, I think the policy implementation that led to children being separated from their parents who crossed the border illegally was a colossal blunder.

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Bill Lee talks about some his most important beliefs in his latest ad.

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District 1 Special Runoff Election Will Determine Council Representative

Election Commission press release - Candidates Judy Cummings and Jonathan Hall will vie in a Special Runoff Election for District 1, following the Special Election in May for the vacancy on the Metropolitan Council. Election Day is Thursday, June 28, 2018.

A Special Election was held for District 1 after former Council member Nick Leonardo was selected by his colleagues to fill the General Sessions judge position, previously held by Angie Blackshear Dalton. Special Election candidates included Sylvester Armor, Ruby Baker, Gwen Brown-Felder, Judy Cummings and Jonathan Hall.

Cummings and Hall – with 27 percent and 34 percent of votes cast, respectively – bested other candidates in the Special Election, but neither received a majority of the votes cast. As a result, the Metropolitan Charter calls for a Runoff Election.
“Voting is an important means for residents to shape their communities,” said Jeff Roberts, Davidson County administrator of elections. “We encourage all registered District 1 voters to participate and cast their ballots for the District 1 Council seat.”

On Election Day, June 28, residents must vote at their assigned polling location, printed on their voter registration card or found via the Polling Place Finder at www.nashville.gov/vote. Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Polling Locations
Precinct	Name	Address
1-1	Joelton First Baptist Church	7140 Whites Creek Pike
1-2	Dentons Chapel United Methodist Church	4550 Dry Fork Road
1-3	Cathedral of Praise Church	4300 Clarksville Pike
1-4	Scottsboro Community Center	5102 Old Hydes Ferry Pike
1-5	Bordeaux Library	4000 Clarksville Pike

All voters must present a Federal or Tennessee state government-issued photo ID, unless an exception applies. Student IDs are not acceptable.

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Williamson Business PAC endorses Mark Green for Congress

Mark Green

Press release, FRANKLIN, Tenn. – The Williamson Business PAC announced its support of Dr. Mark Green for Congress today. Founded in 2016, the PAC conducted interviews with all the candidates running for the vacant 7th district seat, and its board concluded that Dr. Green is the best candidate to be our next congressman.

“Representing the Williamson Business community, our board members endorse Mark due to his strength, fortitude, integrity and compassion. These are all needed qualities in a statesman and well exemplified by Senator Mark Green,” commented Cherie Hammond, chairman of the PAC.

Having run a business based in Brentwood, Dr. Green also based his congressional campaign headquarters in Cool Springs. His campaign is supported by many of the county’s leaders, including Senator Jack Johnson, Williamson County Mayor Rogers Anderson, Franklin Mayor Ken Moore, Fairview Mayor Patti Carroll, Spring Hill Mayor Rick Graham, and Nolensville Mayor Jimmy Alexander.

"I’m honored to receive the Business PAC’s endorsement,” noted Green. “Small businesses are the backbone of the American economy. As I travel the 7th district, I’ve heard from countless business owners that burdensome federal regulations are stifling their growth. Having built a company myself, I will fight every day to get the government out of the way."

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Nashville Federalist Society: Regulatory Reform Down on the Farm (and Beyond)

Join the Nashville Federalist Society Chapter on Friday, June 29 at 11:45AM for a luncheon at Waller Lansden Dortch & Davis, LLP featuring Stephen Vaden, nominated by President Trump to become General Counsel of the Department of Agriculture. Mr. Vaden will discuss the hows, whys, and whens of the Trump Administration's deregulation effort.

For more information follow this link.

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Diane Black ad attacks Bill Lee and Randy Boyd as "too moderate."

Above is another ad from Diane Black that attacks both Bill Lee and Randy Boyd as "too moderate."

I would be more favorably inclined to support Bill Lee if he had not donated money to Megan Barry's campaign for mayor. I think it is fair game to point that out. However, before disqualifying Lee due to this contribution, I think one should ask themselves if they applied the same standard to Donald Trump. Before becoming the Republican nominee for president, Trump had made political campaign contributions to the Obama campaign and to Hillary Clinton, Harry Reid, Chuck Schumer and Edward Kenndy and other Democrats (link).

While I think the criticism of Lee for making a contribution to Megan Barry is fair, I am not impressed by the overall tone of this ad. This does not cross the line but is getting close to mud slinging.

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TN governor race 2018: Diane Black TV ad critical of Randy Boyd

I "cut the cord" about a year ago so I never watch regular over-the-air TV or even cable. I stay informed by watching the local TV stations news on my computer. I don't care for car wrecks, sports news, happy chat, or in depth meteorologist weather reports so I only watch or read the important news from the local TV stations. For entertainment and national news I watch TV on Roku. What I do miss is all of the political ads. I don't miss being bombarded by ad after ad, but I often feel I am less informed by not having TV because I do not know what is influencing other people and I miss out on the nuanced flavor of the campaigns.

I have been leaning toward Diane Black since the start of the race but have not been fired up. I have been persuadable from the first to support one of the other candidates. For one thing, I like all of the candidates. I think we have four excellent candidates for governor and would enthusiastically support whoever of the field wins the nomination. As the race has progressed, Beth Harwell has some what receded in my estimation, not for any position she has taken but she just has simply not generated any enthusiasm on my part. However, that could change between now and the election.

I have been favorably impressed by Bill Lee and Randy Boyd. I am conflicted about an outsider taking the govenor's chair, however. On the one hand, an outsider may shake things up in a positive direction but on the other hand I am not sure we want someone without government experience in the office. Tennessee has been managed so well and making such progress that I guess what I am looking for is a Haslam third term; continuity and continuing the progress we are making. I am not sure this is the time for an outsider. I am pleased with Bill Lee's commitment to criminal justice reform and his character but question if he is the right person to continue the state's projection.

One of the reasons I am occasionally tempted to favor Randy Boyd is because my brother Tim Williams of Knoxville is enthusiastically supporting him. Tim is a successful business man in Knoxville and personally acquainted with Randy Boyd. He is convinced Boyd would make a great governor. I value my brother's opinion.

Below is an ad from Diane Black critical of Randy Boyd. This is what some would call an "attack" ad. I hope the race does not turn dirty. While I generally oppose tax increases, sometimes they are necessary. In 2012, I don't know if Knoxville needed to raise taxes or not. This does not influence me to oppose Randy Boyd. Civic discourse is so uncivil at this time, that vicious attack ads against a candidate might turn me against the attacker rather than the attacked. I hope the campaigns stay positive. This is getting close to being an ad that would make me think less of Diane Black. Here is the ad.

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SEIU makes endorsements in School Board races.

by Rod Williams - The local chapter of SEIU has released their endorsements for the school board races for the August 2nd school board elections. While I would not vote against a candidate solely because they got the SEIU endorsement, if I didn't have sufficient information to otherwise make an informed decision, I would tend to vote against a candidate with that endorsement. An SEIU endorsement is a reason not to support a particular candidate. SEIU will always support the candidate that favors more taxes and more government. Below is the SEIU press release.

SEIU Press Release, June 27, 2018 - Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 205, the labor organization representing support employees working in the Metro Nashville Public Schools, announced the names of candidates the organization will be supporting in the School Board elections to be held on August 2, 2018.

In the race for school board District 2, SEIU Local 205 endorsed Jesse Gentry, a lawyer and advocate for children. “It was clear that Jesse will always put the interests of the children ahead of anything else, and that is what we need in a board member,” said James Brown, a computer network engineer for the district and the union’s chief steward.

In District 6, the union is supporting Tyese Hunter who is running for re-election. “Tyese has been a vocal advocate of greater funding for the school system,” said Recco Seay Sr., an restorative justice assistant and SEIU member. “Mrs. Hunter worked hard to make sure that support staff are treated with the dignity and respect they deserve, and we know she will continue to do that.”

In District 8, SEIU Local 205 endorsed Gini Pupo-Walker, a community organizer and former educator. “Gini has extensive experience in the school system and outside of it and will bring great leadership and professionalism to the board,” said SEIU member Lilldeus Russell, a paraprofessional in MNPS. “She has consistently been an advocate for equity in our schools and we need more voices like that on the board.”

Election Day for the school board races will be on Thursday, August 2. Complete information on early voting dates and voting locations is available from the Davidson County Election Commission at 615-862-8800.