Saturday, June 12, 2010

State Party to Charles Williamson: Remove the ‘Bull’ video

Charles Williamson to State Party: I don’t toe the Party line.

State Republican Party officials have asked House District 51 Republican candidate Charles Williamson to remove his “bull” video. The video which aired on youtube four days ago has already received over 1200 hits. I have reposted the video on this blog and the Davidson County Republican Party has also posted it.

Davidson County Republicans Party Chairman Kathleen Starnes says she likes the video and she had it posted on the DCRP website. "I love it," says Kathleen, "I had it put on the website. I just learned of this controversy but I have no intention of removing it. If this video is controversial, controversy is what we need. It catches people’s attention. "


The video features Charles Williamson, who is a bison rancher, feeding his buffalo and walking and talking in the feed lot. In the spot he says, “My opponent supports the state income tax, and that’s bull.” He says a two or three other things about positions his opponent has taken and after each one says “and that’s bull.” In the last segment of the clip Charles says, “And Tennesseans are tired of this bull” and he stomps a piece of buffalo dung.

The request to pull the ad came from Tennessee Republican Party Political Director Adam Nickas. According to Charles, Nickas expressed concern that the video sent the wrong message and that the Party was fearful that with this add Charles would not be taken seriously.

Charles told Nickas, “I don’t toe the party line” and that he would not be removing the video.

I am awaiting a comment from Nickas and also have requested a comment from State Party Chairman Chris Devaney and State Party Executive Director Gregory Gleaves. I will post their comment when I get a reply.

I love the video. The Party is trying to tell Charles Williamson to change his image and message and to toe the Party line, yet they are not giving him much support in his campaign. And, that’s bull!

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Thursday, June 10, 2010

DEMOCRATS SOLIDIFY SUPPORT OF OBAMACARE, DERAIL HEALTH CARE FREEDOM ACT

NASHVILLE, TN, 6/10/2010, Tennessee Republican Party- Late last night, Democrats successfully killed legislation to protect Tennesseans from Obamacare. The Tennessee Health Freedom Act made it to conference, but during the final vote on the conference report, 39 Democrats voted no and kept the bill from reaching the 50 ayes needed to pass.

"Obviously the majority of Democrats in the State House support Obamacare for Tennesseans," said Tennessee Republican Party Chairman Chris Devaney. "These Democrats seem to believe that a trillion-dollar government-run disaster that damages our economy, harms small businesses, raises taxes, and slashes seniors' Medicare benefits is good policy for our state. They couldn't be more wrong. Democrats have chosen to blatantly disregard Tennesseans' concerns about government-run health care and proved once again how out-of-touch they have become with voters in this state."

Last night's vote took place on a conference report which was the result of merging HB 2622 and SB 2560, both of which were passed earlier in the week by the State House and State Senate. The conference report can be found here.

Democrats voting against the conference report are as follows:
Rep. Armstrong, Rep. Borchert, Rep. Brown, Rep. Camper, Rep. T. Cobb, Rep. Cooper, Rep. Curtiss, Rep. J. DeBerry, Rep. L. DeBerry, Rep. Favors, Rep. Ferguson, Rep. Fincher, Rep. Fitzhugh, Rep. Fraley, Rep. Gilmore, Rep. Hackworth, Rep. Hardaway, Rep. S. Jones, Rep. U. Jones, Rep. Kernell, Rep. Litz, Rep. Maddox, Rep. Moore, Rep. Naifeh, Rep. Odom, Rep. Pitts, Rep. Pruitt, Rep. Richardson, Rep. Shaw, Rep. Shepard, Rep. Sontany, Rep. Stewart, Rep. Tidwell, Rep. Tindell, Rep. Towns, Rep. J. Turner, Rep. M. Turner, Rep. West, Rep. Winningham.

Commentary

The Tennessee Health Freedom Act failed by only six votes. Three of the Democrats who voted against the bill could be replaced by Republicans this November.

Representative Sherri Jones is being challenged by Duane Dominy for State House seat 59. Duane is currently a Metro Councilman representing Council District 28.

Representative Gary Odom is being challenged by Tim Lee for State House seat 55. Gary Odom is a long-time House Democratic leader who engineered the backroom deal that made Republican turn-coat Kent Williams Speaker of the House. A defeat for Gary Odom would be a real cause for celebration.

Representative Mike Turner is being challenged by Bison Rancher and small businessman Charles Williamson for State House seat 51. You may know Mike Turner for having said that he believes those who oppose Obama's policies must be racist.

Representative Ben West is retiring and not seeking reelection. Rep. West's vote against the Tennessee Health Freedom Act is disappointing. West is a respected legislator and generally perceived as the last of the dying breed of conservative Democrats. Whoever wins the Democratic nomination to replace West will be to the left of West in this conservative-leaning district. The Republican nominee for House seat 60 will be Jim Gotto who is currently a metro councilman representing Council District 12. Many believe Jim Gotto is favored to win this seat, however the Democratic machine is expected to pour everything they have into this race to keep this seat in Democratic hands.

We have a unique opportunity to change the make up of the House this year. Elections do matter. Remember this vote on The Tennessee Health Freedom Act this November when it come time for you to cast your vote. If you want to help these good Republican candidates get elected, go to their web site and contribute and sign up to volunteer in their campaign.

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‘God Bless Texas’ and the Texas State Board of Education


Cynthia Dunbar
Cynthia Dunbar

Last night I had the opportunity to hear Cynthia Dunbar, a member of the Texas School Board speak at a campaign rally for Cece Heil. I discovered that Cynthia Dunbar and Cece Heil are sisters. Ms Dunbar spoke for almost an hour. She was eloquent and scholarly. She was not scary at all and she did not have horns and a tail.

Among informed liberals, Dunbar is one of the most hated women in America, somewhere in the ranks of Sarah Palin and Phyllis Schlafly. She has been accused of wanting to keep American school children dumb and has been called a Christian Taliban. There have been death threats on her life. She is controversial because she has led the fight in Texas to insure that history books used in the Texas school system accurately present the Judeo-Christian heritage of America and present a proper understanding of the founding principles of our county and for her advocacy of what should be included in the text of history books. Since Texas is one of the largest purchasers of school text books, the textbooks written to satisfy Texas are often used in the rest of the nation.

Face it; no social studies or history text is free of bias. I just prefer my text books with a little pro-American bias. Not all historical documents can be studied and not all historical figures can be included in a text book. What to include and what to exclude is a value judgment. Whether Cesar Chavez is more important than Newt Gingrich or Jerry Falwell is a matter of opinion. Whether to call America a “Democratic Society” or a “Constitutional Republic” is a matter of values. When should the term “expansion” be used and when should a text use the term “conquest?” When should a text refer to people as “global citizens” instead of “American people?” Someone has to decide. Should our economic system be called “capitalist” or “free enterprise?” Does it matter?

Far from dumbing-down school children, the conservatives on the Texas school board advocated a more challenging curriculum. Some of what you have heard about the Texas text book controversy, Ms Dunbar said is simply not true. Thomas Jefferson is not deleted from the history books, slavery as a cause of the civil war is not glossed over and Senator Joe McCarthy is not praised. The Civil Rights Act of 1957 is not included, however, because the liberal faction on the school board opposed it. The motivation for opposing the inclusion of this act is surmised to be because it was a Republican piece of legislation and liberals wish to maintain the fiction that all civil rights advances occurred because of Democrats.

I myself am in fact a pretty secular guy and a fairly liberal Christian, but I have absolutely no fear that Ms Dunbar wishes to turn America into a theocracy. I was very impressed by her speech. I am pleased that Ms Dunbar is able to influence what is in American text books. I would rather have her on the text book committee rather than any liberal I know.

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Wednesday, June 09, 2010

Joe Kirkpatrick drops out; endorces Ramsey

NASHVILLE, TN, 6/9/2010, Ron Ramsey for Governor – Today, Lt. Governor Ron Ramsey was pleased to welcome the endorsement of former fellow candidate Joe Kirkpatrick in the bid to become the next Republican Governor of the state of Tennessee. After 13 months on the campaign trail, Kirkpatrick today announced both his withdrawal from the gubernatorial race and his endorsement of Lt. Governor Ron Ramsey for Governor.

Ramsey released the following statement:

“I have been pleased to spend many months on the trail getting to know Joe Kirkpatrick and what he stands for. An honorable and steadfast Conservative andidate, he has earned my respect over the many events we’ve had the chance to participate in together during this race.

“I’m glad to have Joe’s support as he makes the decision to step away from the race
today. With passion, he helped guide the gubernatorial discussion back to vitally important constitutional issues, which is precisely where it needs to be. I agree whole-heartedly with Joe’s Conservative view that the next Governor must focus on protecting both personal rights and state sovereignty.

“I’ve always said, and I know Joe agrees, that we must run this state the Tennessee way and not the Washington way. I am the Conservative candidate with the experience and the leadership who can deliver on that promise. Together, we can advance and give DC the boot.”

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Charles Williamson would make a great State Rep. - and that's no bull!

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Tuesday, June 08, 2010

Cece Heil, Republican seeking the 5th Congressional District seat

Cece HeilThe following questionnaire has been submitted to each candidate running in the Republican primary seeking the nomination for Republican candidate for Tennessee's 5th Congressional District. This seat is now held by Democratic Congressman Jim Cooper. Whoever wins the primary on August 5 will most likely face Cooper in November.

Tell me about yourself. Where are you from, what to you do for a living, what is your educational background, your political experience?


I come from a very politically involved family. My father holds a doctorate in education; he is a rancher and a retired state senator. My mother has practiced law for 63 years and is a retired judge. As such, I don’t remember a time that I was not engaged in the political process. I learned at a very young age how important it is to elect solid conservative leaders at every level of government. I followed in my mother’s footsteps and went to law school.


Shortly after graduation my father encouraged me to run for Congress in Missouri. I was the Republican nominee and had 22 counties in my district. After that race, my life took a wonderful detour when I met and married my husband. We have 2 children and we have started and run four small businesses, besides my law practice. My husband is in the band Sonicflood, and we own the band, a record label, a publishing company and a production company. I have practiced law for almost 20 years, with a focus on Federal Legislation and a passion for the Constitution.

Why are you running for this office:


As a small business owner and attorney very active in politics I have had many people ask me to run against Jim Cooper over the years, but it was never the right time. This year is different, as Jim Cooper is obviously very vulnerable and while at Congressman Blackburn’s Women of Distinction luncheon, I actually received a mandate to run from Dana Perino (President Bush’s press secretary). But the main and most compelling reason that I am running is for my children and the future of this Nation. Our Nation is in a desperate situation as the current Administration has a Fascist bent on ruining our Constitutional Republic. I know that I have the education, skill set, knowledge, friendship and support both in the 5th district as well as Washington to get our Nation back on track quickly. I will protect our Constitutional Republic and restore the power back to the people as my loyalty is to my God and my Country.

What do you see as the primary issue is this race?


The primary issue in the primary election is to make sure we elect a candidate who can beat Jim Cooper. We must also make sure that we elect a candidate who is poised to take action immediately once in Washington. We need someone who can personally read the massive bills that are being presented and have the skill and knowledge to craft legislation to protect the people. We can’t afford to elect someone who has good intentions, but will have to hire a 3rd party to read and interpret the legislation for them as well as to craft any response. I am the only candidate who has the education, ability and experience to personally read, understand, and craft the legislation needed to protect the citizens of this Great Nation.

If you are successful in wining the Republican nomination and you are successful in defeating Jim Cooper, when serving in the US Congress what issue will be your primary focus? What will be your priorities?


As Obamacare is the most urgent problem that needs to be addressed, my first priority would be to push for a Concurrent Resolution that states that Obamacare is unconstitutional, therefore it is null and void (Am. Jur.) as such, it will not be recognized or funded and shall further be stricken from the records. The President does not have to sign a Concurrent Resolution, so the law would be immediately stopped. My focus would then turn to reducing taxing and spending dramatically, and thus promote immediate economic growth. I believe that I am the only candidate that already has the conservative connections in Washington to make this a reality.

When I make my decision who I will vote for for this office, not only do I want to vote for someone who has solid conservative values and who I think would make a good Congressman, but I want to vote for someone who I think can beat Jim Cooper. Best person and electability may not necessarily be the same thing. I have heard that it will take anywhere from $500,000 to $2 million dollars to mount a successful campaign. Do you have the support, the time and resources to conduct a wining campaign?


Jim Cooper is a Harvard Law graduate, as I am also an attorney who has actually practiced for almost 20 years, I have no doubt that I can hold my own with Jim Cooper in any forum. Further, since my practice has focused on entertainment, I am uniquely positioned to represent two of Nashville’s top industries (music and religious publishing). I am also thrilled to have the support of Gary Bauer, Jay Sekulow, Mat Staver, Ken Blackwell, Tony Perkins, Cynthia Dunbar, Jennifer O’Neill, Dr. Mark Houston, Lex Luger, Nikita Koloff and many others. As such, my campaign is dedicated and has the ability to raise a substantial amount of money, as well as running a very aggressive grass roots campaign. I am confident that I will beat Jim Cooper.

If one wants to know more about your campaign or contact you how to they do that?


My website is www.ceceforcongress.com where you can find out more about my position on all the issues, links to Facebook and Twitter as well as contact information.

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Another David Hall radio commercial.



I like this better than the Star Wars commercial.

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Monday, June 07, 2010

Cynthia Dunbar in Nashville & the battle for History in Textbooks



Cynthia Dunbar Endorses Cece Heil in 5th Congressional District Race

Nashville, 6/7/2010, CeCe Heil for Congress. The campaign for CeCe For Congress cordially invites you to a discussion, reception and book signing with Cynthia Dunbar. Ms. Dunbar is the author of One Nation Under God (How the Left is Trying to Erase What Made Us Great). She is also an elected member of the Texas State Board of Education (TSBOE) and Assistant Professor at Liberty University School of Law.

If you have watched the battle in Texas regarding our American history in the Texas curriculum, you have definitely seen Cynthia Dunbar. She has been at the forefront of that debate and has been featured on FOX News, CNN and MSNBC with Chris Matthews for her successful work to restore accurate American history into the curriculum set by the board and was a featured speaker at the recent TN Tea Party Convention in Gatlinburg , TN.

Please join Ms. Dunbar to learn more about our American history; the foundations of our Republic; how to keep history being taught in our classrooms; the importance of being engaged in a local level and the responsibility to elect officials who understand and can defend our Constitution.

Wed., June 9th 2010
6:30 pm - 8:00 pm
Studio Berry Hill Studio
Berry Hill
2923 Berry Hill Nashville , TN 37204

Please respond to: campaign@ceceforcongress.com so we can have adequate seating and refreshments available. And please feel free to share with your friends, contacts, post online or anyone you think would be interested in restoring American history in our schools. One Nation Under God will be available for purchase that evening.

Cynthia Dunbar has endorsed CeCe Heil in the 5th Congressional District Republican Primary and is speaking in support of her candidacy.

Directions: http://www.mapquest.com/maps?2a=2923+Berry+Hill+Dr&2c=Nashville&2s=TN&2z=37204-3126&2y=US

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David Hall's Radio Commercial



I have not heard it on the radio yet and not sure where or how often it is playing.

"Illuminating Tennessee with brilliant thoughts, shinning words, eternal truths." Does it work? You will notice it. It stands out. However, it is a little over the top. It sounds like the start of a Star Wars movie. For more on the Hall campaign visit Just Vote Hall.

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Saturday, June 05, 2010

Cece Heil endorsed by Campaign for Working Families

Cece HielCece Heil, candidate for the Republican nomination for the 5th Congressional District, has received the endorsement of Campaign for Working Families. CWF is a non-partisan political action committee (PAC) dedicated to electing pro-family, pro-life and pro-free enterprise candidates to public offices.

CWF was founded by Gary Bauer in 1996 to represent the interests and values of America's traditional families in the political arena. Since then it has raised millions of dollars for conservative pro-family candidates across America.

CWF also produces an annual scorecard where they rate Senators and Congressmen. Incumbent Democratic Congressman Jim Cooper received a dismal 9% score from CWF in the most recent scoring, the next to the lowest of any of Tennessee’s nine congressmen. Cooper did score higher than Memphis’s Cohen, however, who scored a perfect zero. Tennessee Congressmen Roe, Duncan, Wamp, and Blackburn scored perfect 100% ratings in the last scoring.

Gary Bauer, chairman of CWF, has been a long-time political leader of what is sometimes referred to as the “religious right.” He is a former president of the influential Family Research Council.

In making the endorsement of Heil on behalf of CWF, Baur said, “Your tireless leadership in support of pro-family, pro-life and pro-free enterprise polices is greatly valued by CWF and all our members. I’m proud to stand with you in the fight for faith, family and freedom!”

“I am humbled and honored to receive this endorsement,” says Cece Heil. “When serving in Congress I will prove worthy of this vote of confidence.”

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Friday, June 04, 2010

Update: Is Marsha Blackburn Endorsing David Hall?

I may have been a little late in hearing this but I heard a rumor today from one of the candidates seeking the 5th Congressional District Republican nomination that David Hall's campaign had created a robo call and a audio bite posted on the Hall campaign website that appears to be an endorsement from popular 7th District Republican Congressman Marsha Blackburn.

We now know that the Marsha Blackburn endorsement is not an endorsement of Hall's current campaign but is an old endorsement from 2008 when Congressman Blackburn endorsed Hall in a campaign for a different office. Unless Hall has a good explanation, I would have to conclude that this was unethical, deceptive, and stupid.

Blackburn's office responded to an inquiry today with this statement: "The Blackburn campaign has asked Hall to remove the audio that was recorded in 2008 for Hall's State Senate race. Rep. Blackburn is not endorsing a candidate in the TN-05 GOP primary."

David Hall has been asked for a comment and I will post an update when I get it. I would like to here his explanation.

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Hartline brings message, music to campaign kickoff events around the 5th congressional district, June 12-13


NASHVILLE, June 3, 2010, Hartline for Congress – The Hartline for Congress campaign is pleased to announce campaign kickoff events in all three counties in the 5th congression district on the weekend of June 12-13 – events that will feature both the message and great music.

Supporters from all three counties are invited to attend the grand opening of the Hartline for Congress campaign's headquarters in Nashville on Saturday, June 12. Jeff Hartline and his college band, “Natural Sound,” will perform.

The campaign announces the following events:

Cheatham County – Saturday June 12, 9-10:30 a.m. Come out to RiverBluff Park and meet Jeff, hear some great music from "The Willis Clan" and have some coffee and pastries while spending the morning hearing about Jeff's campaign for Tennessee's Fifth District. RiverBluff Park in Ashland City, 175 Old Cumberland, Ashland City, TN, 37015

Davidson County – Saturday, June 12, 4-5:30 p.m. Come to the Grand Opening of Jeff's Campaign Office's for his campaign and meet Jeff as well as many of his campaign staff. There will be live music provided by Jeff's college band, "Natural Sound" and food for all! Hartline for Congress Campaign HQ, 2416 21st Avenue South, Suite 203 & rear parking lot, Nashville, TN 37212

Wilson County – Sunday, June 13, 2-3:30 p.m. Come to Charlie Daniels Park to meet and hear Jeff Hartline, hear some great music and enjoy some ice cream! Charlie Daniels Park in Mt. Juliet, 1038 Charlie Daniels Parkway Mt. Juliet, TN 37122

More news from the Hartline for Congress campaign: http://hartlineforcongress.com/pr.html .

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