A Tennessee Conservative

John Tanner Calls It a Congressional Career

2009-12-02T10:19:00.000-08:00

I was pleasantly surprised at the news this morning that John Tanner, representative of the TN Eighth Congressional District, has decided not to run for reelection after all. The so-called Blue Dog Democrat would have been burdened with the ObamaCare package that passed the House anyway (even though he managed not to vote for it himself) and with some competition for the first time in 20 years, Tanner decided to call it a congressional career. (He's the second Blue Dog in the past two weeks to chose the retirement path.)

I applaud Mr. Tanner for his wise decision not to seek reelection--although it was ten years too late. I believe strongly in term limits and his stranglehold on the seat is the reason why they are needed.

The Obama Card: Priceless

2009-05-15T21:46:00.000-07:00

Obama AWOL for National Day of Prayer

2009-05-06T06:36:00.000-07:00

Friday is the National Day of Prayer, and the President once again shows that he is the President of the whole United States and not just the liberal wing of the Democrat party.

Yeah, right.

So it's no surprise that Barack Obama will not publicly observe the National Day of Prayer. Oh, he'll sign a proclamation but he won't have anything else to do with it. Instead he'll pray "privately," which is just the kind of example the President of the Unites States should set: Lead in private. (If that's how he chooses to lead, what's with the surprise appearance at the daily press briefing that brought the media to its feet?)

Why should Obama endure a National Day of Prayer when he doesn't even consider the United States to be "a Christian nation"? Isn't he the Liberal Messiah, the agent of Change? Why should we bother praying to God when Obama and the Government will take care of us? That's why he was elected, wasn't it?

When Obama does address a prayer breakfast (as he did on Feb. 9 below), he prefers to speak of faith in negative terms as being something "welded as a tool to divide us from one another."

Today is not the first time Obama has distanced himself from topics of faith and religion; it certainly won't be the last.

Oh, There's No Bias in the Media at All

2009-05-04T08:10:00.000-07:00

The mainstream media treats all Presidents just the same: Carter, Reagan, Bush, Clinton, Bush, Obama. Honest, unbiased journalism, not tainted by their own personal views or influenced by the media outlets they work for. Not a single bit.

Oops...scratch that.

Madame Speaker Exaggerates

2009-02-05T06:32:00.001-08:00

According to the esteemed Madame Speaker, 500 million Americans are losing their jobs every month. Incredibly, no reporter present even questions her about it!

Just one more example that Democrats can and will say anything to perpetuate the gloom and doom factor they have championed.

President Reagan's First Inaugural Address

2009-01-20T13:36:00.001-08:00

Twenty-eight years ago today, President Ronald Reagan delivered his first Inaugural Address. His was a true message of hope and change, ideals that he believed resided within the American people and not simply one man.

Surely There Will Be No Missing "O"'s

2009-01-20T13:05:00.000-08:00

Remember eight years ago today when the outgoing Clinton administration left $15,000 worth of "damage, theft, vandalism, and pranks" to government property on their way out the White House door? Oh, those rascally Democrats.

At the time, Bush spokesman Ari Fleischer played down the Clintonian shenanigans:

"Whether things were done that were perhaps less gracious than should have been, it is not going to be what President Bush focuses on, nor will it be what his staff focuses on. Whatever may have been done, we are going to just put our heads down and look ahead,'' he said.

The bad thing is, many of these jokers will be returning.

But I'm sure President Obama will find all the "O"'s on his keyboards.

Not Without a Hitch

2009-01-20T09:41:00.000-08:00

Not exactly off on the right foot, huh?

UPDATE: In fairness, Chief Justice John Roberts messed up first. The oath should read: "I do solemnly swear that I will faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States..." Roberts said "execute faithfully" instead, which may have caused Obama to stumble on his words.

I wonder if this is the first time the Oath of Office has been flubbed by an incoming President?

The Obama Regime Has Begun

2009-01-20T08:41:00.000-08:00

It's a tough time to be a conservative Republican right now.

All weekend and for the past two days, you can't turn on the television without being inundated with everything Obama. My kids can't even watch Nickelodeon or the Disney Channel without being indoctrinated by the ridiculous worship of the man. The left-minded media can't get enough of him, and if this is any indication of the kind of softball press he will receive, it's going to be a long four years for the 58,343,671 people in this country who didn't vote for him.

It is commendable that our nation--one that critics continue to hammer as racist overall--has elected the first African-American to its highest office. Thus the inauguration of Barack Obama is a significant moment in American history, and he will be justly remembered for it.

But it's sad that so many people are placing all their hopes for a better America on the shoulders one man, one human being. He has changed people's lives. He has given people hope, at least those whose personal emotions depend on which political party occupies the White House. He's being compared to Lincoln and Kennedy without having done a single thing to deserve it. He has given those who voted for him the belief that the "whole nation" is coming together for his coronation...err, inauguration. They are literally worshiping him like the Liberal Messiah!

For the liberals who have lamented and anguished over the past eight years, congratulations. Your nightmare is now over. You can live your lives henceforth free from the man who tormented your liberal minds for so long. Now you know how conservatives felt after eight years of the scandal-ridden and sleazy administration of William Jefferson Clinton, who was one of the top five worst presidents in our nation's history.

But what will happen when the Great Obama fails to live up to your expectations? What if he can't fulfill all the lofty promises he made in the campaign? The bar has been set so high for him, it will be impossible for him to make everyone happy. Four years from now, will you still want to keep that Obama commemorative plate on your mantle?

Bipartisanship...As Long As Democrats are in Control

2009-01-14T19:05:00.000-08:00

"Hopefully we're entering a new bipartisan era. But it's up to the Republicans -- who ought to be happy because they have a Republican speaker -- to decide whether they're going to be petty or not." -- Rep. Henry Fincher (D-Cookeville)

One thing that should be crystal clear from this whole debacle with Rep. Kent Williams' back-stabbing ascendancy to Speaker of the Tennessee House of Representatives is that Democrats cannot be trusted. They will do anything--even vote for a Republican--to keep their power.

You would think after close to 140 years in control of the House, Democrats could be magnanimous and pass the gavel to a new majority, just as power is transferred from one party to the other in other state governments. That for once, Jimmy Naifeh would do something that doesn't benefit Jimmy Naifeh. Oh, but not Tennessee Democrats. Like the stubborn jackass that is their party symbol, they cannot unselfishly relinquish their power. They cannot step aside and allow the majority to run the show for two years. As much as we've heard them preach "Change," "Change," "Change," it doesn't apply when they are in control.

Now Democrats are suddenly advocates of bipartisanship after using so-called political "gamesmanship" to gain the upper hand again. With smiles still on their faces from their sabotaging endeavors, they want Republicans to work with them and their puppet Speaker and just forget about what happened. Let bygones be bygones. We got a Republican after all, didn't we? (Ha ha)

Bipartisanship cannot exist if both sides don't trust each other. As the Jackson Sun points out, Democrats have destroyed whatever chance there was for it by their schemes:

Clearly, Democrats pulled a fast one on the unsuspecting GOP majority. But while they may have gotten what they wanted in the short term - someone of their choice as speaker and favorable committee assignments - they likely have hurt themselves in the long run.
By sabotaging Republican plans, they have destroyed the already tenuous trust that existed between the parties. How does that help them when they have a legislative issue they care about and need Republican help to advance? It doesn't. How does it help manage the serious financial problems facing the state that need bipartisan cooperation? It doesn't.

Because of the arrogance of House Democrats, the chamber will be in gridlock and nothing significant will be accomplished for the next two years. Until Republicans can gain a significant majority in 2010, the people of Tennessee will continue to be susceptible to these back room deals because Democrats will do absolutely anything to stay in power. After 140 years, it is time for this kind of politics to end.

Seeds of Deception

2009-01-13T14:40:00.000-08:00

In his first press conference as House Speaker today, Kent Williams divulged one-sentence tidbits about how this whole corrupt bargain with House Democrats came about:

Q: When did the Democrats first approach you about this?

Williams: The Democrats didn't approach me. I approached them.

Q: And what did you say?

Williams: I told them I'd like to be speaker of the House. It was maybe a couple of days ago, I don't know.

Q: What did the Democrats say to you? OK?

Williams: Evidently.

A man of a great many words, to be sure.

So now we know that Kent was not led astray off the Republican reservation; he went of his own free will. He initiated the deal. The details seem to be a little fuzzy at the moment, but hopefully we'll learn more in the coming days.

Open Letter to Kent Williams

2009-01-13T14:11:00.000-08:00

I couldn't help but let our new House Speaker know what I thought of his treacherous deal with House Democrats, so I emailed him this ditty:

Mr. Williams,
I am not a constituent in your district, but I am a state taxpayer, a voter, and a supporter of the Republican Party.

For the first time since the end of Reconstruction, there is a Republican majority in the House. At least there WAS one before today's session. As a member of the House Republican caucus, you signed a document committing yourself to vote for a Republican candidate for speaker and speaker pro tempore. You were quoted in the Chattanoogan on November 7, 2008 as saying: “I want to state today, unequivocally, that I pledge to vote for a Republican for Speaker of the House. I have every reason to expect that the Republican nominee will be Leader Jason Mumpower. We are grateful that the people of Tennessee have given us the opportunity to lead. We will make them proud.”

http://www.chattanoogan.com/articles/article_138597.asp

Instead of making your constituents proud, you have deceived them. You have done the same to your Republican colleagues. You have made some sort of back room deal with Democrat representatives to gain their trust and their votes to make yourself speaker. While "technically" you may have voted for a Republican for speaker (yourself), you unequivocally broke your signed pledge by voting for a Democrat for Speaker Pro Tempore.

Politics of deception, Mr. Williams, is NOT the kind of so-called "change" we need in the General Assembly. Your action today is no shining example of how a public servant and an elected official should conduct himself or serve those who elected him.

Polite but truthful, I think.

Kent Williams Strikes Corrupt Bargain with House Democrats

2009-01-13T13:25:00.000-08:00

Nothing like a corrupt political bargain to awaken this Tennessee Conservative from his winter slumber...

What should have been a historic day for Tennessee Republicans instead has become one of shock and frustration at the back room wheelings and dealings that Kent Williams made with Democrats in the state House of Representatives to make himself Speaker. The only truthful part of his acceptance was this jewel:

"I'm a Republican but not for much longer because you guys are going to kick me out, probably."

Can you blame them? It's interesting that he had to be protected by the Tennessee Highway Patrol while at the podium and when he was escorted out of the chamber. Looks like you're not a very popular guy right now, Kent.

The clincher was the first thing he did as Speaker: Allow Jimmy Naifeh to preside from his pedestal the rest of the day. Unbelieveable. (I'm sure this was part of the deal too.)

If Kent Williams believes everything will be hunky dory with his Republican colleagues from now on, he's sadly mistaken. Of course, the trouble now is the rogue member of their party is now in control of committee chairmanships and appointments, so they can't be too venomous in their reactions.

So much for that signed unity pledge to support a Republican for the office (which was supposed to be Jason Mumpower, not Williams) or what he told the Chattanoogan back on November 7, 2008:

“I want to state today, unequivocally, that I pledge to vote for a Republican for Speaker of the House. I have every reason to expect that the Republican nominee will be Leader Jason Mumpower. We are grateful that the people of Tennessee have given us the opportunity to lead. We will make them proud.”

Yep, you've sure made the folks back home proud. One more lying politician to add to the bunch.

UPDATE: The nerve of this guy! Here's his response to why he didn't vote for House Republican leader Jason Mumpower: "I think I'd make a better speaker and a better leader."

Taking a Break

2008-11-19T19:16:00.000-08:00

The Election of 2008 is over (at least in states excluding Georgia and Minnesota) and the Liberal Messiah will be inaugurated in only two months and one day. America will see how much "Change" there will be in Washington with the liberals and ex-Clinton cronies in charge. If Obama, Pelosi, and Reid tilt the country toward the left in the next two years, look for some right-sided changes in the next Congressional elections.

The one redeeming outcome of the election was the new Republican majorities in both houses of the Tennessee General Assembly. It will be glorious fun to see Democrat boss Jimmy Naifeh relegated to a common representative's seat on the House floor rather than the lofty pedestal he has occupied the past 17 years. I'm sure he won't find the view quite as nice as he enjoyed before.

With the holidays coming up, I'll be taking a respite from politics for a little while. I'll be working on other writing projects that I've put aside during the campaigns. But when I start getting angry at the politicians and talking back to the radio and television again, I'll be back to vent a little frustration at the left-wing wackos and Obamaniacs making news.

Take care, and remember not to take it all so seriously. :)

Chris Matthews Will "Do Everything" To Help Obama

2008-11-06T12:20:00.001-08:00

Not that there is any doubt which side he's on, but MSNBC's Chris Matthews tells Joe Scarborough he (Matthews) will do everything he can "to make this thing work, this new presidency work."

When Joe pressed him further, Matthews said: "Yes, that's my job. My job is to help this country."

I'm sure this sentiment is shared by all his colleagues in the Liberal Media (such as Keith Olbermann, Katie Couric, Andrea Mitchell, etc.). As it was during the campaign, their job will be to make Obama look good and be his unpaid PR department. They consider it their patriotic duty to build him up and do nothing than casts bad light upon their Messiah.

That's mainstream journalism in America today, folks.

Good Feelings Gone For Some Obama Campaign Workers

2008-11-06T08:56:00.000-08:00

In Indianapolis, all the rhetoric about Hope and Change have been replaced by: "I want my money today!"

Obama campaign workers are up in arms about not being paid for their loyalty to the Liberal Messiah. In a final Election Day push, the campaign hired 375 people to work three-hour shifts. Yesterday they showed up at campaign headquarters expecting to be rewarded not with an historic presidential victory but with pre-paid Visa cards.

"I want my money today!" one agitated worker exclaimed. "It's my money! I want it now!"

A long wait and slow-moving line tested their patience. Because of the size of the crowd, police were called to keep things orderly. Eventually they received their cards, but many complained they were not credited for enough hours worked and they didn't like the hassle of having to file claim forms.

Imagine what they'll do when they find out they won't have their gasoline or mortgage payments paid for either.

Tennessee "A Deeper Shade of Red"

2008-11-04T21:21:00.000-08:00

It looks like the ridiculous press releases and gimmicky cow costumes couldn't keep Tennessee Democrats in control of the General Assembly after all. While the Liberal Messiah's capture of the presidency was disheartening, the blow has been cushioned somewhat by new Republican majorities in the state house and senate this Election Night.

From the state GOP:

Tennessee turned a deeper shade of red Tuesday as Republican victories in state legislative races increased the party’s majority in the state Senate and gave Republicans a majority in the state House for the first time since 1968.
For the first time since Reconstruction, Republicans hold a majority in both houses of the Tennessee General Assembly.

“The election of a Republican majority in the General Assembly is historic in its own right, and even more so given the strong Democratic tide across much of the country,” said Robin Smith, Chairman of the Tennessee Republican Party. “Our victories send a national message that Republican values still resonate with mainstream America. The power of a consistent conservative Republican message - low taxes, small government and respect for life - once again demonstrated its power to attract a majority.”

Republicans held a majority in the state House for two years after the 1968 election, but had not held a majority in the state Senate since Reconstruction until the 2006 election.

“We are indebted to our great volunteers across Tennessee and to the people of Tennessee for this historic achievement,” Smith said.

So long, Jimmy Naifeh! So sorry, Jim Kyle! Your stolen election doesn't mean a thing, Tim Barnes!

Hallelujah!!!

The Charlatan Has Fooled Them All

2008-11-04T20:39:00.001-08:00

The Liberial Messiah has delivered his naive followers to the Promised Land.

The charlatan has convinced the majority of the American electorate that he is the Hope and the Change that they want. They've allowed themselves to be duped, just like they did with Bill Clinton in 1992. You know: the womanizing adulterer, the last Democrat you trusted? Oh, be careful what you wish for.

We'll get a full dose of liberalism with sprinkles of socialism over the next four years. There will be at least two years of Democrat domination in both houses of Congress, during which Pelosi and Reid will try and pass every liberal law and regulation their leftist souls desire. Our military will be crippled through inadequate funding and ashamed of its weak commander-in-chief.

One thing is for sure: Democrats can't use the Republicans as their punching bags anymore. They can't blame them for driving our nation into a recession--or worse--with their socialistic agenda, not when they're no longer in control of the government. President Bush can't be their fall guy anymore.

There will come a time, whether it's two or four years from now, when the same moderate and independent voters will realize they made a terrible mistake in trusting an inexperienced liberal like Obama. They'll be searching for change again--change back to the political right.

But the Republican Party must be ready when it happens. Its supporters will need to take a long, hard look at what direction the party needs to go. Trying to appease everyone obviously didn't work. We must stand for something or risk another defeat in four more years. It needs to reinvigortate its grassroots base, recruit young and enthusiastic candidates, and give American a clear choice over the liberalism of an Obama presidency.

Don't Allow the Stolen Election to Stand!

2008-11-04T06:02:00.001-08:00

Voters in Montgomery, Cheatham, and Houston counties will have an important decision to make today. It's true the presidential election itself is important, but I would argue the one between State Senator Rosalind Kurita and Tim Barnes is important for another reason.

It comes down to what's right and what's wrong.

Is it right for a political party, after deciding to allow the voters to select their nominee, to change the result simply because they don't like who was elected?
Is it right that taxpayers should fund an election that a political party has the power to overturn?

I argue that it is wrong what the Tennessee Democrat Party did to Senator Kurita and the voters of Montgomery, Cheatham, and Houston counties should not tolerate it. If they do it once and get away with it, what is to stop them--or any political party--from doing it again?

The party will argue that they had the right to overturn the primary election citing hearsay voting irregularities that allegedly occurred at polling places. And according to state law, they do have the authority to do it. But it doesn't make it right what they did. The law should be amended that if parties take such action in future primaries, the party should refund the costs of the election to the affected counties. Otherwise why have a taxpayer-funded election in the first place? Nominate candidates in a smoke-filled room they way they used to if the party is unwilling to abide by the will of the voters.

Through moral and ethical eyes, the Tennessee Democrat Party did indeed steal the election that had been won by Senator Kurita, which makes Tim Barnes a very willing accomplice by accepting the nomination in this fashion. "I reject the word 'stolen,'" he recently remarked. But it is what it is, and voters should not stand for the injustice.

Democrats and Republicans should agree that it wasn't right in a democratic election. Please take the extra time to write in KURITA on your ballot.

It's Election Day

2008-11-04T05:36:00.000-08:00

It's Election Day at last!

For the bleeding heart liberals who have wrapped their lives around their Messiah's campaign, it will be a gut-twisting day and evening. Will Hope and Change and all those feel-good phrases they love to spout finally come true? Will their eight years in the wilderness under the oppression of President Bush finally be over?

For the sake of our country, let's all Hope not.

The Hope liberals cling to is total, unchallenged control over the government with Obama, Pelosi, and Reid at the helm to force through their liberal and socialist agendas under the guise of helping the lower and middle classes.

The Change they seek is to, pure and simple, socialism. Call it what it is. Obama wants to bring his radical socialist ideals and use our democratic government as his kiddie science lab. He wants to experiment with all kinds of policies to excessively tax and punish the big, bad corporations that employ thousands and thousands of workers and give the money to those individuals who don't even pay taxes. He even wants to bankrupt the coal industry in America!

Under the conditions that our economy is now experiencing, it's not the time to allow the liberal Democrats free rein in our government. It's not the time to dabble in socialism. It's not the time for inexperience.

American voters cannot allow Obama to be elected. Please vote for John McCain.

Something to Consider for Undecided Voters

2008-11-03T09:35:00.000-08:00

If you're an undecided voter and consider yourself independent in politics, I respectfully ask you to consider this thought:

Both houses of Congress are already under control of the Democrat Party....

With Nancy Pelosi as House speaker...

And Harry Reid as Majority Leader in the Senate.

If Obama is elected, there will be no one to check or restrain the socialist ideals that he holds, including wealth distribution that will take from those who work and give to those who don't. The Democrat-controlled Congress will be a rubber stamp for his liberal agenda.

There will be change in Washington, but it won't be the kind of change our nation needs. It will be a change from right-center to far left in political philosophy. It will mean increased taxes from our paychecks to build and sustain his socialist policies.

If we must have a Democrat-controlled Congress, we should have a Republican in the White House. Don't let the unchecked left-wing liberals control our government.

Please.

No TDP Press Release Sunday

2008-11-02T22:21:00.000-08:00

Day 5 has ended without a ridiculous press release from Gray Sasser and the Tennessee Democrat Party.

Surely there will be something tomorrow; the streak can't last this long. Can it?

Nice Try, Senator Government

2008-11-02T22:11:00.000-08:00

Courtesy of neverfindout.org and Kevin at Hard Reset:

No TDP Press Release Friday

2008-10-31T21:31:00.001-07:00

Day 3 has ended without a ridiculous press release from Gray Sasser and the Tennessee Democrat Party. Hallelujah!

I was very surprised we were not graced with something creative for Halloween.

But we did have the retraction of a political ad under threat of legal action that was sponsored by them.

Did You Ever Have to Make Up Your Mind?

2008-10-31T21:18:00.000-07:00

The threshold of personal wealth in America continues to diminish the more Obama and Biden speak. When will it drop to $100,000?

Maybe after Election Day.

Don't give them the chance, America.