tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-60339512008-03-31T12:13:54.267-05:00ANDY PACAndyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01196573545170581548noreply@blogger.comBlogger223125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6033951.post-18897780863287455462008-03-31T12:04:00.002-05:002008-03-31T12:13:56.365-05:00It has been too long ...
Since I last posted.
but here I am again.
The political season is shaping up in Tennessee. Attorney Bob Tuke is challenging U.S. Senator Lamar Alexander. Also running in the Democratic primary is Knox County Clerk Mike Padgett.
Tuke should win. He is a former TN Democratic Party Chair and currently heads-up the Obama effort in Tennessee.
He should win the Andyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01196573545170581548noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6033951.post-41850670325461911972008-02-05T10:37:00.000-06:002008-02-05T10:46:45.734-06:00Yes We Can!
It is Super Tuesday!
Yes We Can change American politics!
Yes We Can elect Barack Obama!
Yes We Can reject the cynicism and desperation of the past and usher in a new era of leadership in the White House.
As I was driving home last night, I saw one of those new digital billboards -- the sign was blue with the word "OBAMA" in white and the Obama campaign symbol at the top.
Andyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01196573545170581548noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6033951.post-3750453873433343832008-01-29T15:45:00.000-06:002008-01-29T16:03:12.241-06:00The Past vs. The Future
Tennessee finds itself in a moment. A chance to break with the past and head toward the future.
There are new members of the State Senate who have replaced leaders of the past -- some of whom were indicted in Tennessee Waltz, others who felt too much pressure from life and resigned.
There is a new Speaker -- a transitional Speaker, not a transformative one. A Andyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01196573545170581548noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6033951.post-58995254921561779792008-01-23T00:19:00.000-06:002008-01-23T00:41:32.694-06:00The Great Need of the Hour
On Sunday, Barack Obama spoke at Ebenezer Baptist Church. He chose as his theme Dr. King's focus on Unity as The Great Need of the Hour.
Obama is fond of saying he's running for President because of what Dr. King called, "the fierce urgency of now."
Now, at this hour, our need is unity.
Obama's campaign is a national one and his message understandably relates to Andyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01196573545170581548noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6033951.post-83276248130260934822008-01-17T09:47:00.000-06:002008-01-17T09:49:11.377-06:00Tennessee Early Voting
Early voting began in Tennessee yesterday. I am proud to say I was among the first Tennesseans to cast a vote for Barack Obama.
Obama has a Nashville office and recently opened an office in Memphis. The Nevada campaign is heating up -- and so is South Carolina. Through both of these contests, Tennesseans will be able to vote early.
Vote early. Vote Obama.Andyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01196573545170581548noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6033951.post-10529299382935381062008-01-09T16:15:00.001-06:002008-01-09T16:18:30.926-06:00We have a race ...
So, after Obama's convincing win in Iowa, Hillary narrowly wins NH.
the race is on. And 2 people are in it.
John Edwards will likely see a steady decline in his support. I would suspect that many of his supporters would vote for Barack Obama.
It's good that we have a race. Voters should thoroughly vet Clinton and Obama and decide who they want. I prefer Obama, of Andyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01196573545170581548noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6033951.post-72599617079719999942008-01-07T14:18:00.000-06:002008-01-07T14:25:18.556-06:00One more day!
Obama is opening up a big lead on Clinton. CNN has it at 10 points, USA Today at 13.
This is incredible. The crowds in NH appear to be incredible. A win in NH will likely lead to wins in Nevada and South Carolina.
Hillary will have a tough time recovering from a second consecutive loss -- especially if it is not close.
BUT -- it is NOT over. People in NH who support OBAMA Andyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01196573545170581548noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6033951.post-22823756816138532102008-01-04T15:36:00.000-06:002008-01-04T15:53:54.325-06:00Excitement in Iowa
So, Obama won Iowa. HUGE victory, 9 points ahead of Hillary.
Watching last night, I couldn't help but feel incredibly emotional.
I know what it's like to work hard for a candidate and watch them win. To have that moment of victory that is the payoff for your efforts. I know what it's like to work for the candidate who people say can't win -- the candidate who is not Andyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01196573545170581548noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6033951.post-3319296899375902482008-01-03T16:37:00.000-06:002008-01-03T16:39:30.896-06:00Today is the DAY!
Caucus!
if you read this and live in Iowa, CAUCUS!! Democrat, Independent, or Republican, CAUCUS!
If you are Freddie or Rick and you're in IOWA, work!! I know it's cold, but get it done!! Freddie, you know I'm behind your guy! Rick, although I don't support your candidate, work for him -- he deserves the support and energy he's generated.
And if you happen to live in IowaAndyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01196573545170581548noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6033951.post-18197983695416023052008-01-02T09:52:00.000-06:002008-01-02T10:07:23.589-06:00Kucinich = Obama?
So, the latest word out of Iowa is that Dennis Kucinich is telling his supporters to support Barack Obama on the second ballot in the Iowa Caucus tomorrow night.
so what?
Well, here's what.
Back in 2004, Kucinich made a deal with John Edwards -- and in precincts where Kucinich was not "viable," his supporters backed Edwards on the second vote. So, in a race that might Andyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01196573545170581548noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6033951.post-75705109401773870072007-12-18T12:45:00.000-06:002007-12-19T10:23:16.338-06:00Help Freddie Raise $$ for Barack
If you want to help raise Barack's fundraising numbers ... if you want to be a part of helping put the campaign over the top ... if you want Barack to continue to do well among Tennessee donors...
GO HERE!
Freddie O'Connell is raising money for Barack Obama as a member of Obama's Grassroots Finance Committee. 16 people have donated over $800 so far. Help Andyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01196573545170581548noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6033951.post-82295447386046103472007-12-17T11:58:00.000-06:002007-12-17T12:22:55.796-06:00Barack Raises $ in Tennessee
The top fundraising Democrat in Tennessee is Barack Obama. He's opening an office in Nashville today -- the first Democrat to do so.
I heard about his TN fundraising status at on NPR this morning.
Then, I went and looked at Open Secrets.
Sure enough, Barack Obama has raised just over $260,000 from Tennesseans.
Not that much, really. But not bad.
Some Andyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01196573545170581548noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6033951.post-84362458239938394262007-12-14T09:47:00.000-06:002007-12-14T09:52:52.817-06:00Who will the Republicans choose?
For a while, it looked like Romney was inevitable. He was way out in front in Iowa, had a solid lead in NH, and was 1st in SC. Three wins in succession and he's the nominee, right? Sure, Giuliani was/is ahead in Florida but after 3 straight Romney wins, the tide might turn, right?
Well, not so fast.
Huckabee is way ahead in Iowa now. Romney may still win Andyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01196573545170581548noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6033951.post-76456866168595308162007-12-12T10:35:00.000-06:002007-12-12T10:37:46.374-06:00White House Press Secretary Dana Perino
Ok, so she may not have all the facts about the Cuban Missile Crisis.
But, the woman is sharp. Well-dressed, beautiful, young, and able to hold her own in a fairly hostile environment.
She's 35, graduate of the University of Southern Colorado -- state school, go! :)
Anyway, I've seen her do several briefings now and I'm impressed. Not sure why she'sAndyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01196573545170581548noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6033951.post-65439362095121226782007-12-10T11:59:00.000-06:002007-12-10T12:04:36.009-06:00So, is Mitch really running scared ...
...Or have the Democrats given up? Apparently, Crit Luallen will not make the race. And Attorney General Greg Stumbo is still "evaluating."
Hmm.
Mitch is polling at 45, it's a year in which Democrats are poised to do well, and NO Democrat wants to take him on? Are you kidding? What about the "fierce urgency of now?"
I guess his $9 million campaign Andyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01196573545170581548noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6033951.post-70291872297116936752007-12-08T11:53:00.000-06:002007-12-08T11:56:20.985-06:00Lamar! Unopposed?
Hmm. It seems like no one is willing to take on Lamar Alexander.
Mike McWherter is not going to do it. Neither is former Democratic Party Chair Bob Tuke.
So, will Lamar! get a free pass?
A guy who has supported Bush on the war since day one? A guy who talks a good game on the environment but has a questionable environmental record?
Sure, he was a two-term Governor andAndyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01196573545170581548noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6033951.post-50984497345785782272007-12-07T14:11:00.000-06:002007-12-07T14:17:17.317-06:00Iowa and Obama!
It started last week. An ABC/Washington Post poll had Obama up by 4 in Iowa. Hillary was running 2nd, Edwards a close third.
Now, a new poll has Obama up 6 in Iowa and Edwards and Hillary tied.
What if Hillary finishes 3rd in Iowa?
Meanwhile, the gap is narrowing in NH, with Obama only 5-6 points behind.
Let's say he wins Iowa. And Hillary finishes 3rd. Suddenly, Andyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01196573545170581548noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6033951.post-70808095212730306022007-12-05T13:31:00.000-06:002007-12-05T13:35:53.680-06:00Ron Lewis has an opponent?
A real opponent? Yep! According to politics1, State Senator David Boswell of Owensboro will run against Ron Lewis in 2008.
The last time Lewis had a serious opponent was in 1996 when Joe Wright (former state Senator) ran against him. Wright ran a fairly miserable campaign and lost badly.
My first real campaign experience was in 1994 when I worked for Dave Andyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01196573545170581548noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6033951.post-18125978288084768062007-12-03T09:48:00.000-06:002007-12-03T09:54:01.808-06:00Mitch is running ... running scared and running hard
I was in Louisville with family for Thanksgiving. It was a nice time except for the few times I noticed Mitch McConnell re-election commercials on TV. Nearly ONE full year before election day 2008.
Mitch is polling below 50% -- bad news for most incumbents. And, Democrats appear to be coalescing around State Auditor Crit Luallen.
So, Andyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01196573545170581548noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6033951.post-87984558499770202852007-11-06T10:06:00.000-06:002007-11-06T10:08:51.734-06:00Election Day!
Kentucky voters today will elect Steve Beshear to replace Ernie Fletcher as Governor. Beshear leads by 15-20 points in every poll taken and despite last-minute gay-bashing attempts by the Fletcher campaign, Beshear should win handily.
the next question for Kentuckians: what do do about Mitch McConnell. He's hovering at 45 -- not a great place for an incumbent. So, which Dem Andyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01196573545170581548noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6033951.post-2477339362153886132007-10-31T12:28:00.000-05:002007-10-31T12:35:39.274-05:00Who won?
Well, the Democrats debated last night.
Again.
Who won?
If you watched the first 30 minutes, you'd probably say Hillary Clinton. She was solid, she responded to attacks from Edwards and Obama, and she stuck to her message.
If you are going for straightforward, consistent, and strong answers through a full 2 hours, Joe Biden's your guy. He was funny, engaging, and right on most Andyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01196573545170581548noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6033951.post-16153018985581463602007-10-30T09:58:00.001-05:002007-10-30T10:01:25.521-05:00Mitch is stuck at 45
yep, new polling shows that no matter who the opponent is, Mitch is stuck at 45%. yes, he's ahead in all the polls -- by between 4 and 11 points -- but the fact that no matter who the opponent is, Mitch is at 45 -- well, that says a lot.
A good, solid Democrat (or even Stumbo) could beat McConnell. Of course, that would be helped by a strong candidate at the top of the Andyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01196573545170581548noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6033951.post-87804949353948569142007-09-25T13:51:00.000-05:002007-09-25T13:55:58.425-05:00Obama -- NOW
Ok, first I want to note that my last post was post #200!
Now, moving on to important business.
I've written a lot about Barack Obama here.
But not officially endorsed him. Well, now I am.
Here's why: He gets it!
He understands that bringing people together will change the system. His campaign has the potential to transcend traditional politics the way Jimmy Carter's did.
Andyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01196573545170581548noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6033951.post-2023531149102279982007-09-13T09:21:00.000-05:002007-09-13T09:27:04.077-05:00How has your life changed since the war?
As I was driving in to work today, I started thinking about the fact that we are going about our lives, day-to-day, and yet there is a war going on.
are we really doing anything different?
I know Rick Malek has talked about his personal training for the army.
I know when I saw my neighbor miss the birth of his youngest son b/c he was in Iraq -- Andyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01196573545170581548noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6033951.post-25506679489406608042007-09-05T11:45:00.001-05:002007-09-05T11:46:36.600-05:00Fred Thompson
Who is excited about this guy?
Is he any more conservative than the highly credible Mike Huckabee -- or the respectable, reliably conservative Sam Brownback?
Can he win?
does he even want the job?
I won't say I want the GOP to choose Thompson -- he may well be formidable. I would like to hear a good rationale for his candidacy.Andyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01196573545170581548noreply@blogger.com