September 20, 2008
Today is a sad day, as we have lost a great man.
I was lucky enough to call Johnny Hayes my friend. There are not enough words to describe how great a person Johnny was. Ken Whitehouse does an outstanding job with it though.
Hey Hey. The world will miss you JHH.
September 9, 2008
” We’ve got a lot of people who love him here and who are working hard for him, but I’m not sure this is where I’d advise him to spend his time when you’ve got an Ohio which which is probably the swing state in this election right close by here.” – Phil Bredesen, September 2008
Phil Bredesen is right. I’ve seen polls. Governor Bredesen has seen polls. More importantly, the Obama Campaign has seen polls. Barack has no chance in Tennessee. None. Nada. Zip. Zilch. Zero. McCain is leading by about 19 points or so. It would be irresponsible of him to spend time campaigning here, with such little time left, when he could, when he should be in place like Ohio, Pennsylvania, and other states where the polls show he has a chance at winning.
Should campaigns be poll driven? In one word, YES. In two words, not totally. The bottom line is that it is not that simple. There are things you do early on in a campaign that do not exactly go with the polls. Things like visiting all 95 counties in Tennessee or (attempting) to visit every state in the union. Early on, you have the time and the luxury of doing these things.
And it’s not just for show. If you are going to be representing a state or a country, citizens of every county or state should have the opportunity to see what you are all about. And if you are going to hold office, you should care enough to visit every part of your prospective constituency.
BUT, there comes a time that you have to focus on the finish line, WINNING. You can’t help the people you did, or did not, visit if you don’t win. With two months to go, there is no reason for Barack Obama to set foot in Tennessee, a state where he is down by double digits. At the same time, there is no reason for John McCain to be here either. It’s in the bag, move on, focus on how you win.
September 2, 2008
I really do, I feel sorry for Tucker Bounds. Tucker and I actually went to high school together — not friends, just friendly. His mother was my history teacher, one of my favorite teachers ever. As we like to say in West Tennessee, his family is good people.
Why do I feel sorry for Tucker Bounds? Well, Tucker is John McCain’s spokesperson, and I started feeling sorry for him over the weekend when he was getting pounded with questions about Sarah Palin, the vice presidential pick. Particularly, a CNN commentator was asking him about her experience and whether she really is qualified to step into the job of president from Day One, if need be.
True to his job, Tucker toted the official line. He said that, unlike Barack Obama, she had served in the executive branch of government. When asked if she was ready to command the troops, Tucker cited the fact that she’s commander of the Alaska National Guard — more command experience than either Obama or Joe Biden.
The Alaska National Guard, as opposed to, say, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. (That one makes me do a double take every time I read it.)
By choosing the glaringly inexperienced Palin, McCain has put his staff in the unenviable position of having to defend her. And it seems with Palin, there is something at every turn — experience, family matters, a controversial firing …
When Biden was announced as Barack’s selection for VP, there was the occasional line that he was too much of a Washington insider, but for the most part, it was seen as a good pick, someone who’d bring real strength to the ticket.
And the Palin selection started out looking brilliant — a woman on the ticket as a counterplay to Obama’s history-making nomination. But then, all the shit started flying.
Now, most people, especially the women I know, are questioning McCain’s first “presidential” decision.
Me — I just feel Tucker’s pain. He’s having to spend all his time basically saying, “No, really, she IS a good pick, she DOES have experience. She’s commander-in-chief of the Alaska National Guard, for God’s sake!
I’m serious: Tucker is a smart guy. I’m sure he sees this pick the way most Americans do, but he is also good at his job and will say what NEEDS to be said. It’s just too bad John McCain put him in such a crappy position.
That’s why I feel sorry for Tucker Bounds.
UPDATE: Immediately after posting this, I called my mother and read it to her. She knew the Bounds family as well. I wanted to make sure I was not taking a swipe at Tucker, because that is the last thing on my mind. Her words,
Oh, I know. I watched it this weekend too and I just thought, bless his heart, he is doing the best he can. I just feel sorry for him.
Like any good southern “Momma,” she is always thinking of others.
