She's Baaaaack

Our old friend "Chrystal" from The View From Here has returned from a two month hiatus to heighten the level of anonymous political discourse in the 2006 U.S. Senate race. Hopefully this time around she can refrain from referring to her fellow TN Republicans as kooks, zealots, sycophants and clowns on Van Hilleary's behalf.

In her latest posting, "Chrystal" attempts to discredit new polling that shows Ed Bryant with a double digit lead over Hilleary in the Republican primary to replace Sen. Bill Frist. "Chrystal" writes: "I'm a little miffed at Ed's continued use of "puff polls" to garner support."

Funny, the Hilleary campaign didn't think Bryant's pollster, Ethridge & Associates did "puff polls" in 2002. From The Commercial Appeal 10/31/02: A poll by The Commercial Appeal and WREG-TV in Memphis showed Van Hilleary pulling ahead of Phil Bredesen by 2 points - 41% to 39%. The Memphis news organizations used Ethridge & Associates of Cordova, Tenn., to conduct their survey. "The Hilleary campaign said the Memphis poll proved their man was the candidate with the momentum needed to win on Nov. 5."

More: Even the Bredesen campaign agreed Ethridge does accurate polling, "'Look, the Ethridge polls are usually pretty good ones,' said Bredesen campaign manager Dave Cooley."

Oops!

Legitimate career pollsters like Ethridge & Associates don't risk their careers on funny business. Besides, if we're going to start discounting the accuracy of polls commissioned by candidates, then we better throw out the six month old poll the Hilleary camp continues touting. That only leaves us with the Global Strategy Group poll commissioned by the Ford campaign and reported on in the Chattanooga Times Free Press, which also shows Bryant in the mid-thirties. Hilleary and the Corker campaign obviously have their own internal polls too. Why aren't they releasing them?

I'm not quite sure what to make of "Chrystal's" return, but it's nice to have her back in the fray. I look forward to more of her unique and courageous insights on the Republican primary for U.S. Senate.

A Good Week For Bryant

Matthew White writes at South End Grounds: It's been a good week for U.S. Senate candidate Ed Bryant. An internal poll showed him with a big lead over his rivals in the Republican primary and fundraising disclosures show strong results for the just completed quarter. Bob Corker has continued his prodigious fundraising, much of it from Democrats, and much will be made about his cash advantage. However, Bryant needs only to raise the money necessary to get his message out and he's off to a very good start.

I think Van Hilleary is in this race because he feels it is his last, best chance to win statewide. I disagree with that assessment. But this much is certain; if he loses soundly in 2006, he will be finished politically. Sadly, it looks like he's in position to lose big. I think it would be a shame for our party if Van was no longer in our stable of candidates. If he gets out of this race now, he lives to fight another day. I'd love to see Van run for the 6th Congressional seat or give the Governor's race another try. He's a great asset for our party and I would hate to see that change.

Ditto Matt.

Some Things to Consider

With all the talk this week about Tennessee conservatives needing to rally behind one candidate in the Republican primary for U.S. Senate, here are some things to consider:

1. Ed Bryant has outraised Van Hilleary in each individual quarter.

2. Ed Bryant has outraised Van Hilleary cumulatively.

3. Ed Bryant has more than $100,000 more for the Republican primary than Van Hilleary has (assuming every penny Van raised this quarter is for the primary, then he has $592K for the primary while Ed has $742K).

4. Ed Bryant is beating Van Hilleary 2 to 1 in the latest polls despite Hilleary's higher name ID.

New Chattanooga Mayor Puts Forth "No New Taxes" Budget Despite Revenue Problems Inherited from Corker

From the Chattanooga Times Free Press 7/13: Newly-elected Chattanooga Mayor Ron Littlefield introduced his first "no new taxes" budget this week. In contrast, former Mayor and '06 U.S. Senate candidate Bob Corker's first budget, presented in 2001, included a 48-cent property tax increase.

The Mayor's new budget provides some hints that the scenario in Chattanooga may not be quite as rosy as Bob Corker would have you believe in his Senate stump speech. In fact, Corker's non-profit, the Chattanooga Neighborhood Initiative (CNE) is having it's funding reduced by 25 percent because, according to the new Mayor's office, "the agency has strayed from its original mission of providing low-income housing." CNE is "into providing market-rate housing, which is not their original objective," stated Mayor Littlefield's chief of staff, Dan Johnson.

On the "21st Century" riverfront development project, so often touted by Corker, increased maintenance costs for "new amenities" put in during Corker's term has the new Mayor concerned about "a whole lot of investment [in the waterfront] that is vulnerable."

Following Corker's term, revenues in Chattanooga are not rising as quickly as expenses. According to the new Mayor, the biggest challenge the city "faces is maintaining our programs when revenues are advancing at such a slow pace."

One explanation for Chattanooga's revenue difficulties might come from the fact that under Bob Corker's leadership the city was ranked in the bottom 20 percent of cities in the U.S. as place for businesses and business careers. Income growth for Chattanooga workers over the past five years has averaged 1.6 percent a year, compared with a national annual growth in income of 2.3 percent.

Bryant raises a total of $742,721; Leads in New Poll

BRENTWOOD, TN – Former federal prosecutor and Congressman Ed Bryant today announced that his 2nd quarter campaign disclosure reports filed with the Federal Election Commission (FEC) show he raised $327,811.70 bringing his total raised to $742,721. Bryant also reported having $596,947.28 cash-on-hand.

Moreover, 95% ($707, 207) of the total Bryant’s raised can be spent in the Republican primary. And, 84%, or $622,793, of Bryant’s total raised comes from 2,199 Tennesseans.

In comparison to the other conservative in the race, 2002 gubernatorial nominee Van Hilleary – in the first quarter of reporting -- raised only $283,195 (70%) that – by law – can be spent in the Republican primary. And, only 53% ($215,795) of Hilleary’s 1st quarter itemized contributions came from only 136 Tennesseans.

Van Hilleary’s Primary v. General Election Money
1st Quarter, 2005
Primary $283,195 (70%)
General Election $121,550 (30%)

2nd Quarter, 2005
Primary $?? (??%)
General Election $? (?%)

Hilleary’s Total Primary v. General Money
Primary $?? (??%)
General Election $? (?%)

The momentum behind Bryant’s campaign continues to build. A new, statewide poll, conducted by Tennessee-based Ethridge & Associates on July 11-12, surveyed 500 likely Republican primary voters across Tennessee and has a margin of error of +/- 4.4%. In the survey, Bryant enjoyed an 18 percentage point lead in the 4-way primary, a 33 point lead over former Chattanooga Mayor Bob Corker in a 2-way match up, and a 29 point lead in a 3-way contest against Corker and former GOP Chair Beth Harwell.

GOP U.S. Senate Primary – 4-way
Ed Bryant 34.2%
Van Hilleary 16.4%
Bob Corker 6.4%
Beth Harwell 2.4%

Previously, the Chattanooga Times Free Press reported that a March 22-24 poll, conducted by Global Strategy Group partner Harrison Hickman for Harold Ford Jr., “shows former U.S. Rep. Ed Bryant leading Republican contenders with 35 percent, followed by former U.S. Rep. Van Hilleary with 26 percent and Mr. [Bob] Corker with 15 percent.”

Ethridge & Associates President Steve Ethridge, who in 1994 conducted the first poll showing then 18-year incumbent U.S. Senator Jim Sasser vulnerable to defeat, has served as Bryant’s pollster for more than a decade.

The FEC’s 2nd quarter report must be postmarked by July 15, 2005 and covers activity from April 1-June 30, 2005.

Bryant Outraises Hilleary in 2Q Fundraising

From Hotline 7/15: '02 GOV nominee/ex-Rep. Van Hilleary (R) announced he had raised $309K in the 2ndQ, leaving him nearly $675K CoH. Hilleary: "Tennessee Republicans want a conservative senator who has the courage to stick to his convictions and the experience to get things done" (release, 7/15).

'02 candidate/ex-Rep. Ed Bryant (R) announced he raised $328K in the 2ndQ, leaving him nearly $597K CoH. The Bryant camp notes 95% of their contributions can be spent in the primary, compared to 70% of Hilleary's 1stQ take (release, 7/15).

New polling data released 7/14 shows Ed Bryant with a double digit lead over failed '02 GOP gubernatorial candidate Van Hilleary in the Republican primary for U.S. Senate.

More TN-06 Speculation

Rob Huddleston addresses rumors circulating about Van Hilleary leaving the '06 U.S. Senate race to run against U.S. Rep. Bart Gordon (D TN-06): "I have often wondered why the GOP hasn't targeted Gordon in the increasingly Republican 6th. He hasn't faced real opposition since 1996, and that was a rematch of the fight with Steve Gill. Given Gordon's 0% rating on immigration issues by the Federation for Immigration Reform and the resonance that issue has recently shown with Tennesseans, I imagine that Gordon would be fairly vulnerable against a name candidate with a conservative record and decent fundraising capabilities."

I think Huddleston is right. New polling data released today shows Ed Bryant with a double digit lead over Hilleary in the Republican primary for U.S. Senate. Conservatives continue to rally behind Bryant's U.S. Senate candidacy. Gordon is vulnerable and Hilleary can preserve his political career and future statewide ambitions by running for Congress again.

According to the FEC, Gordon has just under $270,000 cash on hand. Hilleary already has a sizeable early advantage in funding since he can transfer money raised for his U.S. Senate campaign over for a House race, something he can't do if he were to decide to run for Governor again.

More at South End Grounds.

Where Will Fred Park His Red Truck?

Frank Cagle speculates in Knoxville's Metro Pulse 7/14 that former U.S. Sen. Fred Thompson may end up parking his red pickup truck at the governor's mansion. However, TeamGOP is pushing to get a reserved parking spot for Thompson outside the U.S. Supreme Court.

Will Corker Support Frist on Private Property Rights?

The Knoxville News Sentinel 7/14 reports Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist says passing legislation that will "reassure the American people that their property is truly their property and cannot be taken away" is a "high priority" for the U.S. Senate. Is it a high priority for '06 Senate candidate Bob Corker though?

Has the Quail Been Flushed?

New blogger, Conservatore dall'est comments on Ed Bryant's double digit lead in the latest polling for the '06 Republican U.S. Senate primary: "If Mr. Bryant's lead continues to grow or even simply hold over the Dog Days, then perhaps all of our friends running or considering a run for the Senate should shift their focus from the Primary to the General Election. Let no one forget the plain, basic and simple goal of Republicans, right-minded Independent's and like-minded Reagan Democrats should be to keep Senator Frist's seat on the Republican side of the aisle."

Run Van Run...for Congress!

The "Pinchhitter" at South End Grounds writes about the ongoing rumors and speculation that Van Hilleary will leave the '06 U.S. Senate race to run against U.S. Rep. Bart Gordon for the Sixth District congressional seat. The PH asks: "Why would Van run for another congressional seat? Quite simply, he can win this race. More importantly, right now there is a good bit of animosity directed towards Van for his entry into the Senate race. Many feel that he is being selfish, putting his own interests ahead of those of the party, and the constituents."

I agree with the PH's assessment. New polling data released today shows Ed Bryant to have a double digit lead in the Republican primary to replace Senator Frist. Conservatives, many of whom are confused as to why Hilleary isn't running for governor again, are rallying behind Bryant's campaign.

For whatever reason, Hilleary determined he didn't want to face Governor Bredesen in a rematch of '02. After intitially leading in a Feb. '05 poll by the Anderson Group, Hilleary's U.S. Senate campaign seems to be floundering. If Hilleary were to run against Gordon in the Sixth, he could win and as the PH says, "be a viable candidate for whichever race he chooses down the road." I am sure Ed Bryant would endorse his candidacy.

Bryant Has Double-Digit Lead In New U.S. Senate Poll

BRENTWOOD, TN – A new, statewide poll shows former federal prosecutor and Congressman Ed Bryant with a double-digit lead over his nearest competitor in the 4-way Republican primary to succeed Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, who’s announced he will not seek re-election. In the same survey, 2002 Republican gubernatorial nominee Van Hilleary was the preferred candidate for Governor among the three Republicans most often mentioned as potential candidates.

“It’s early, but this poll echoes what conservatives across Tennessee have been telling me: we must unite behind a solid, proven conservative who will defeat Bob Corker and the millions of dollars he’s going to spend to try and hide his record of higher taxes and support for abortion rights,” Bryant said.

The poll, conducted by Tennessee-based Ethridge & Associateson July 11-12, surveyed 500 likely Republican primary voters across Tennessee and has a margin of error of ± 4.4%. In the survey, Bryant enjoyed an 18 percentage point lead in the 4-way primary, a 33 point lead over former Chattanooga Mayor Bob Corker in a 2-way match up, and a 29 point lead in a 3-way contest against Corker and former GOP Chair Beth Harwell.

For Republicans encouraged by Governor Phil Bredesen’s recently reported dip in popularity, 2002 Republican gubernatorial nominee Van Hilleary – in a 3-way gubernatorial primary -- led both Corker and Harwell with 31% of the vote.

GOP U.S. Senate Primary – 4-way
Ed Bryant 34%
Van Hilleary 16%
Bob Corker 6%
Beth Harwell 2%

GOP Gubernatorial Primary
Van Hilleary 31%
Bob Corker 8%
Beth Harwell 3%

GOP U.S. Senate Primary – 3-way
Ed Bryant 38%
Bob Corker 9%
Beth Harwell 5%

GOP U.S. Senate Primary – 2-way
Ed Bryant 43%
Bob Corker 10%

Previously, the Chattanooga Times Free Press reported that a March 22-24 poll, conducted by Global Strategy Group partner Harrison Hickman for Harold Ford Jr., “shows former U.S. Rep. Ed Bryant leading Republican contenders with 35 percent, followed by former U.S. Rep. Van Hilleary with 26 percent and Mr. [Bob] Corker with 15 percent.”

Ethridge & Associates President Steve Ethridge, who in 1994 conducted the first poll showing then 18-year incumbent U.S. Senator Jim Sasser vulnerable to defeat, has served as Bryant’s pollster for more than a decade.

To: Ed Bryant for U.S. Senate
From: Steven C. Ethridge, M.A.
President and Chief Manager
Ethridge & Associates, L.L.C.

Date: July 14, 2005

Re: Poll Summary

This memo contains the results of a scientific statewide telephone poll of 500 randomly selected Republican Primary voters in Tennessee who are likely to vote in the August, 2006 Republican Primary for the U.S. Senate. Interviews were completed on the evenings of July 11th and 12th, 2005. Results of this sample are reliable within +/- 4.4 percentage points with 95% confidence. Key conclusions and supporting findings are summarized below.

Key Conclusions

1. Ed Bryant is the clear leader in the field of potential Republican Primary candidates for the U.S. Senate. In a four-way race between Ed Bryant, Bob Corker, Beth Harwell and Van Hilleary, Bryant captures more of the vote, 34%, than all three of the other potential candidates combined, at 24%! Moreover, Bryant’s vote, at 34%, is more than twice as strong (2.1 times) as the next highest competitor, Hilleary, who captured only 16% of the vote. Bob Corker and Beth Harwell trail very distantly behind, with only 6% and 2% respectively.

2. Van Hilleary is the preferred Republican candidate for Governor. In a three-way trial heat ballot between Van Hilleary, Bob Corker and Beth Harwell (who are the most often mentioned potential Republican candidates for Governor), Hilleary captures 31% to Corker’s 8% and Harwell’s 3%.

3. In the event that Van Hilleary were to run for Governor, Bryant leads Corker and Harwell in a three-way match-up. In this race, Bryant has a 29 point lead, with 38%, over Corker, with 9% and Harwell at 5%.

4. In a two way race, Bryant has a greater lead. In a race between Bryant and Corker, Bryant has a 33 point lead, with 43% to Corker’s 10%.

Implications

Likely Republican Primary voters in Tennessee’s 2006 race for the U.S. Senate see Ed Bryant as the clear and obvious choice to represent them in the Senate. Republican Primary voters do not see any of theother three potential candidates being nearly as viable for this race. Van Hilleary is seen as being a better candidate for Governor than for Senate; thus, he would have a better chance of winning the Republican Primary for Governor than for Senate.

Corker's Still Not Talking

One of Bill Hobbs' readers provides some insight into why '06 U.S. Senate candidate and former Chattanooga Mayor Bob Corker refuses to make a public statement regarding the recent Kelo decision by the U.S. Supreme Court.

Hot Rumor

I don't normally post unattributable rumors, but I have it from more than one source that Van Hilleary will be dropping out of the '06 U.S. Senate race to run against U.S. Rep. Bart Gordon (D) for the Sixth District congressional seat. More to come.

More Fred Thompson Supreme Court Buzz

Roger Abramson writes in the Nashville Scene 7/13: "back in 2000, George W. Bush appointed a guy named Dick Cheney to help him sift through hundreds of possible vice presidential nominees. After all was said and done, Bush just decided to hell with it and picked Cheney himself. Hmmm. You know something? For all the helping out we Tennesseans do for them people in Washington, it's been 40 years since a Tennessean's been appointed to the Supreme Court."

One other interesting tidbit: President Bush said Wednesday that he would consider nominating a woman or someone with no experience as a judge to replace retiring Justice Sandra Day O’Connor. (hat tip: Michael Silence)

Ford Jr. Refers to U.S. Troops as "Oil Cops"... Again!

From the Carroll County News-Leader 7/13: "It [reducing dependence on imported oil] will reduce the likelihood of U.S. soldiers having to serve as oil cops in the Middle East," said U.S. Rep. Harold Ford Jr.

This isn't the first time Ford has referred to U.S. troops serving in Iraq as "oil cops." For someone who supported the war in Iraq, Ford has become quite the critic lately. I know of someone who might disagree with his assessment.

Thompson Floated for U.S. Supreme Court Vacancy

From the Tennessean 7/13: "Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., said he had recommended former Sen. Fred Thompson of Tennessee for nomination in a conversation with Deputy White House Chief of Staff Karl Rove, Knight Ridder News Service reported."

Just remember where you heard it first.

Bredesen Approval Rating Falls Below 50%

According to Survey USA, Governor Phil Bredesen's overall approval rating is down from 53% in June to 48% in July. There's an old rule of thumb that anytime an incumbent is polling under 50%, he's in trouble. Republicans have yet to field a challenger. Our '02 gubernatorial nominee is running for U.S. Senate. Who will take on Bredesen in '06?

Should Someone Drop Out?

TeamGOP thinks either Ed Bryant or Van Hilleary needs to drop out of the '06 Republican primary for U.S. Senate or Bob Corker (RINO) will be able to "buy" a victory. Conventional wisdom would certainly dictate that having one conservative to coalesce behind would be better than having two conservatives in the race against one moderate with superior funding. However, that's not the hand TN conservatives have been dealt.

Many conservatives were disappointed that Van Hilleary opted to run for U.S. Senate in '06 instead of facing off against Gov. Bredesen again in a rematch of the '02 gubernatorial election. Many conservatives wish Hilleary was running for governor again, but he's got every right to be in the U.S. Senate race if he wants to be. I think Ed Bryant happens to be better qualified to be a U.S. Senator, and in my opinion -- more electable than Hilleary.

I can certainly understand the frustration of conservatives who see the growing campaign war chest of the moderate Corker and worry. Let's remember this primary is a battle of ideas though, not fundraising. If the candidate with the most money always won, Tom Daschle would still be the senior Senator from South Dakota -- and we'd probably be calling multi-millionaire Steve Forbes President.

Corker's scheme when he started raising money for the '06 election cycle before the '04 election was to keep other contenders out of the race. He failed. Ed Bryant, Beth Harwell and Van Hilleary all stood up and said -- "no, we're not going to let someone who doesn't hold dear the conservative values of Tennessee Republicans get a free pass to our party's nomination for U.S. Senate."

Whether one or ten conservative Republicans entered the race against Corker, we were always going to be underfunded against the well-heeled moderates in our party. But keep in mind, Corker will need more money than Bryant and/or Hilleary just to introduce himself to voters. Those of us who pay close attention to politics know about Corker, but the vast majority of Republican primary voters outside Chattanooga have NEVER heard of Bob Corker. Not only will Corker have to introduce himself to voters, he's got to gain their trust. No small task when conservatives will be putting their fair share of resources into letting voters know the REAL Bob Corker.

Don't fret! We can have a three or four-way race and still get a conservative Republican nominee. Both Bryant and Hilleary have so far proven they're capable of raising the funds necessary to be competitive. We'll know more in the coming days when all the candidate's FEC disclosures for the second quarter are made public. Neither has to outraise Corker to win though.

What is dangerous to the conservative movement in Tennessee is if we start setting subjective standards for success or drop-dead dates where candidates must have reached a certain fundraising goal or be polling at a certain level to be considered viable. Campaigns can be won and lost in the final weeks. Pushing candidates out of a race early is a tactic that will only engender bad feelings within our party. Bryant and Hilleary are both keenly aware that for either to be successful in the general election, they'll need their conservative supporters to be united.

In Tennessee, we Republicans are victims of our own success. It's a good thing that we have so many quality candidates willing to step up to the plate and run for higher office. Each of them should be respected for their willingness to serve. If one candidate or another drops out of the U.S. Senate race, it should be a decision that candidate and his or her supporters make. There's no shame in leaving the race if it becomes evident a candidate isn't going to be competitive. It's quite another thing for outside interests to try and push a candidate out because they don't want him or her in the race.

Much has been made about the conservative turf war going on between "Bryant people" and "Hilleary people." Has it already gone too far? I don't know. To me, that's just part of politics and at this early point only insiders are paying attention anyway. This blog has certainly taken some shots at Hilleary for his '02 gubernatorial loss and his decision to run for Senate in '06. However, I certainly don't hold any animosity toward him or his supporters. Both Ed Bryant and Van Hilleary have supporters who feel strongly about their candidacies, and those supporters are going to do what they can to convince people why they're man is better than the other. That's a good thing. The sky is not falling!

If conservatives are going to rally behind one candidate in the Republican primary, it should be a true grassroots movement, not something artificial. If it happens, it will be evident. If it happens, the candidate should be Ed Bryant!!!

Ford Jr. Responds on Kelo -- Will We Hear From Corker?

After lots of pressure, '06 U.S. Senate candidate Harold Ford Jr. has responded to Bill Hobbs' six questions about the U.S. Supreme Court's Kelo decision over two weeks after they were submitted to his campaign. Initially, Ford Jr. endorsed the Kelo decision on 6/27. Since then he has modified his position. The only candidate for U.S. Senate in Tennessee who still hasn't made his position on Kelo known is former Chattanooga Mayor Bob Corker (RINO). Why?

UPDATE: Hobbs points out that actions speak louder than words. Corker's silence speaks volumes.

Ford Jr. Apologists Hit the Blogosphere

The godfather of conservative TN bloggers, Bill Hobbs, has been hammering away at '06 U.S. Senate candidate Harold Ford Jr. for his endorsement of the U.S. Supreme Court's wrongheaded decision in Kelo v. New London. Ford first endorsed the court's decision on Teddy Bart's Roundtable 6/27, saying it was "a positive." Since then he's backpedaled on his praise of Kelo.

When Hobb's noted yesterday that stalwart liberals, like U.S. Rep. John Conyers (D-MI), viewed the Kelo decision as a civil rights issue and backed a bill to bar federal funds from being used to make improvements on any lands seized for private development -- a bill that Ford voted against -- Ford took notice.

A whole bevy of Ford supporters took to the comments section of Hobb's blog with such impassioned defenses of their candidate like, "Harold Ford Jr. is a great champion of human rights and freedom for everyone. You can't name someone who has a better record than his for fighting discrimination against his fellow man or woman." Heartwarming. Did these guys all get the same talking points or what??

South Knox Bubba Considering Kurita?

South Knox Bubba defends '06 U.S. Senate candidate Rosalind Kurita from editorial characterizations of her as a legislative lightweight. An endorsement from SKB only makes sense.... after all Kurita says she's a "Bubba" too!

Ford Jr. Courts MoveOn.org for Campaign Cash

'06 U.S. Senate candidate Harold Ford Jr. says he has no problems with MoveOn.org, the liberal grassroots organization most notorious for posting a political ad comparing President Bush to Adolf Hitler. In fact, he wants their help in raising money for his campaign.

From Roll Call 7/11: Rep. Harold Ford Jr. (D-Tenn.), who’s running for the Senate in a conservative state by positioning himself as a centrist, said he has no problem if MoveOn wants to help him raise cash.

“MoveOn.org hasn’t placed one road-side bomb in Iraq,” Ford said. “Nor did MoveOn.org fail to plan an exit strategy.”

While the group hasn’t yet helped him, Ford said [presidential adviser Karl] Rove’s attacks on MoveOn smacked of “childish instinct.” (Ford "childishly" referred to U.S. troops in Iraq as "oil cops" in a recent speech)

In a speech to the New York Conservative Party, Rove said, "liberals saw the savagery of the 9/11 attacks and wanted to prepare indictments and offer therapy and understanding for our attackers." While Rove was widely criticized by Democrats for his comments, it's true that immediately after 9/11, a MoveOn.Org petition urged “Moderation And Restraint” and the use of “International Judicial Institutions” to bring the terrorists to justice.

By attacking Rove and President Bush's strategy in Iraq, Harold Ford Jr., who has called both for higher troop levels and for pulling troops out of Iraq within the past few weeks, is trying to earn brownie points with the anti-war liberals at Moveon.org. At the rate he's burning through his funds, he's going need their campaign cash.

Like '06 U.S. Senate candidate Bob Corker (RINO), who has taken campaign cash from big labor, if Harold Ford Jr. takes money from a group like MoveOn.org, he's going to have to answer to Tennesseans for the company he keeps.

UPDATE: Matt Drudge reveals inside a MoveOn.org Supreme Court house party over the weekend in Alexandria, VA being covered by the Washington Post. From the organizer's e-mail to attendees: “We don't want to come across as leftist, liberal activists. We want to come across as we are - regular folks who are finally saying enough is enough to the extremists; that we're not falling for their extremist rhetoric anymore and we're finally going to expend the effort necessary to get our country back.” Party-goers were also admonished not to wear their "Bush is a Liar" t-shirts.

Hmmmm, liberals trying to come across as reasonable and moderate....... sounds a lot like Harold Ford Jr.'s campaign strategy.

Thompson Buzz and Another '06 Gubernatorial Straw Poll

The Tennessean 7/10 reports on the buzz surrounding a possible '06 gubernatorial bid by former U.S. Sen. Fred Thompson. Potential Republican '06 gubernatorial candidate, State Rep. Beth Harwell, perhaps taking a lead from B4B, suggests President Bush "take a look" at putting Thompson on the Supreme Court. Harwell recently won the first ever multi-blog straw poll of potential Republican candidates for Governor in 2006 by a landslide. However, the straw poll didn't include Sen. Thompson as a possible candidate.

Not to worry though. The good folks at the Lebanon Democrat are hosting their own straw poll of potential Republican gubernatorial candidates. The list includes Thompson, Harwell, State Sen. Majority Leader Ron Ramsey, State Sen. Mae Beavers, talk radio's Steve Gill and failed '02 candidate Van Hilleary, who is instead running for U.S. Senate in '06.

Kudos to the Lebanon Democrat for joining us in our quest for a credible Republican candidate to face Governor Bredesen in 2006!

Ford Jr. Flip Flops

A mere two weeks after '06 U.S. Senate candidate Harold Ford Jr. endorsed the U.S. Supreme Court's decision in Kelo v. New London, which allows local governments to seize private property for economic development purposes, he is starting to backtrack on the position he originally staked out.

The Chattanooga Times Free Press 7/8 published a blistering editorial on Ford Jr.'s position and on 7/10 he responded with his own op-ed on Kelo stating, "Let me be clear: I support the rights of homeowners and business owners." To support this conclusion, Ford Jr. points to his support for a non-binding resolution expressing "disapproval" of the court's decision. Yet, when he had the chance to support an amendment to actually keep federal dollars from being used for projects where private property is to be used for private development, Ford Jr. voted NO.

Bill Hobbs has all the details.

Three weeks ago, Harold Ford Jr. became the first statewide candidate of the '06 cycle to hit the airwaves. In his ad, Ford Jr. calls on both parties to seek an exit strategy in Iraq. The point of the ad is clear, President Bush should set a timetable for returning U.S. troops home. However, in a Commercial Appeal op-ed 7/5, Ford Jr. says "we need more troops" in Iraq. Which is it?

Harold Ford Jr.'s reasoning on the Kelo decision and the war in Iraq is straight out of the John Kerry "I voted for it, before I voted against it" playbook. Ford Jr. has proven he is unable or unwilling to provide straight-forward answers about his record.

Ed Bryant: From the Road Again...

Cyndi and I continue to enjoy the many pleasures of meeting with Tennesseans across the state and appreciate their continued support of my campaign platform based on the conservative and traditional values on which our nation and our state were founded.

Over the Fourth of July weekend, Cyndi and I visited many of you and participated in celebrations in Smithville, Jonesborough, Knoxville, Farragut, and Rogersville. Independence Day gives us all reason to reflect on the values our country was founded on and the sacrifices so many have made to protect those liberties in the course of 200 years of history.

Those same values of family, faith, and freedom were also on display a few weeks earlier at the Tennessee Republican Party’s annual Statesmen’s Dinner on June 18th.

Senator John Thune of South Dakota was the keynote speaker for this year’s Statesmen’s Dinner. I was proud to serve with John in the U.S. House of Representatives and was thrilled when he was elected to the United States Senate last year. His historic victory over sitting Senate Democratic Leader Tom Daschle has been described by the Tennessee Republican Party as the “political version of David and Goliath.” It becomes clearer every day that Americans will not stand for obstructionist liberals in Congress.

I am encouraged by the warm embraces by Tennesseans as I work to earn the Republican nomination in the upcoming race to replace Senator Bill Frist. Tennesseans across the state are telling me that now, more than ever, we need unapologetic conservative leaders with traditional values and the conviction to stand up for good government. I share these views and am ready to have the honor of serving in the Senate.

Senator Thune’s message that night was right on target. When contemplating a run as an underdog against a strong and well-financed incumbent, he looked to prayer with his family. His calling led him in the right direction, and I believe the people will continue sending more conservatives to the United States Senate.

Cyndi and I express our heartfelt gratitude to all the folks who took the time to visit us before, during, and after the dinner. We were honored to be joined for dinner by spokesman and grassroots activist for Tennessee Tax Revolt, Ben Cunningham and his wife Helen along with Janice Bowling, two-time Republican nominee for Tennessee’s 4th Congressional District and District Director to former 4th District Congressman Van Hilleary, and our good friends and conservative champions William and Lisa Morgan.

I work each and every day to help others gain a better understanding of who I am and why I believe I am the conservative candidate with the experience to defeat the Democrat candidate in this election. At a reception that Cyndi and I hosted following the dinner, I attempted to share with visitors the story of my life and family and what is driving me to run for this seat.

We appreciated the hundreds of people who took time to stop by the reception, and were thrilled to have more time to visit on a personal level. Special thanks to the conservative “bloggers” Bill Hobbs, Jay Bush, and Rob Huddleston who each took the time to stop by and later wrote about the evening on their websites. These new conservative voices are championing our Republican beliefs on-line and have earned a wide readership statewide.

It was also great seeing some of my former colleagues, former staff members, and good friends from the House like Congressman Bill Jenkins and my successor in the 7th Congressional District, Congressman Marsha Blackburn, who continues to make her constituents and colleagues proud.

Again, many thanks to all of those who visited with us at the Statesmen’s Dinner, over the Fourth of July weekend, and at all our events in between. We continue to be blessed by the remarkable people we are meeting each day, along with the many calls, e-mails, and letters we are receiving. I will continue to keep you posted on the happenings on the campaign trail. Until then, best wishes.

Ed Bryant

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Bryant Statement on Terrorist Attacks in London

BRENTWOOD, TN – Republican candidate for U.S. Senate Ed Bryant, a former federal prosecutor and four-term Congressman, released the following statement in regards to the recent terrorist bombings in London:

“The victims of yesterday’s bombings and their families are in our hearts and our prayers. These vicious attacks on innocents can never be justified, and those responsible must be held accountable for their acts of terror. Britain has been a strong ally, and the strikes in London only underscore the threat to our country and our values from radical terrorist groups.

“These attacks are a sad and tragic reminder of the challenges we must face to make our country secure from terror. Next week, the U.S. Senate begins consideration of the appropriations bill to fund our homeland security programs. Our nation’s security should always come before partisan politics. It is vital that we meet the terrorist threat at home and abroad not just with all necessary funding and the right policies, but also with strong bipartisan leadership and national resolve.”