I Voted

I believe you either vote on the first day of early vote or the last day of early vote. So, today in the rain I went to Downtown West early vote center in Knoxville, TN and my personal paparazzi Dan Andrews was there. First, before I could get in my friend Ron Isenberg was there and we caught up on what is going on since our last conversation.

I went into the early vote center went through the paperwork and then proceeded to do the deed.

And then it was over, with a thumbs up a bunch of Republicans got votes, along with Brian Hornback, candidate for Republican State Executive Committeeman District 6 and Zach Wamp, Republican candidate for Governor got a vote.

All is well, we now wait for the results. To quote, English Biologist and Politician John Lubbock "When we have done our best, we should wait the results in peace."

Tom Humphrey of News Sentinel Details Haslam Income Tax

This afternoon, Moderately Marvelous detailed here the connection to Haslam and the income tax from back in 1999. Later today, Tom Humphrey blogged here about the Moderately Marvelous blog post and expanded it by included his July 26, 1999 article that reported the history of the income tax struggle, additionally it identified Jim Haslam (bill's dad) and the Honorary Campaign Chairman Howard H. Baker, Jr. as organizers of two separate tax reform groups, which were assisting Sundquist in his efforts to impose an income tax on the citizens of Tennessee's heads.

Jackson, TN Blogger Releases Proof of Haslam Income Tax Position

Here Moderately Marvelous finds proof that refutes Bill Haslam's statement that his Dad was not behind the income tax proposal. The truth hurts.

Knox County's New Direction is Refreshing

This from today's News Sentinel details how State Senator Tim Burchett, who on Thursday evening will become Knox County Mayor Elect Tim Burchett will throw the doors wide open on the Chamber and everyone and every organization that receives county taxpayer dollars. That my friends is a lot of good news this morning.

At First......

When I first heard this, this morning I thought what a publicity stunt. Now as a believer, I am thinking, man Anne Rice might have known what she was doing after all or maybe NOT. Time will tell...

McWherter Weighs In On Haslam and States The Obvious

Moderately Marvelous is on the Mike McWherter comment to Mr. Negative Republican. You know which one that is, Mr. Price Gouger. Read it here.

Haslam and His Income Tax Support Backers

Moderately Marvelous the west end to Brian's Blog the east end of Tennessee blog book ends has a great post on Haslam and his income tax support backers. Read it here and weep if you have to.

The New Direction Tim Burchett Talks About Begins Next Thursday

State Senator Tim Burchett's campaign theme has been A New Direction. Some people thought it was just a catchy phrase. But NO it begins Thursday August 5, 2010 at 7:00 p.m. It begins at Powell Auction with refreshments and live entertainment by Jim Clayton and also The Chillbillies. The Knox County Republican Party has already announced that they will be at the Crowne Plaza. It is expected that the Bill Haslam campaign will be at the Knoxville Convention Center or Cherokee Country Club. Although no official announcement by the Haslam campaign has been released yet.

Here is to Tim Burchett for breaking free from the past and setting The New Direction. If I am in town, I will be with Tim.

Scripps Alleges Rip-off of News Stories, Scripps Rips Stories Off Of Blogs

Jack McElroy blogs here alleging that David Oatney ripped-off a recent story, here is Oatney's response. Well, Jack McElroy you need to go look at your fellow E.W. Scripps reporter Sandra Clark's Shopper story concerning me on July 19, 2010 and see that in her story she ripped-off 90% of the story from right here at Brian's Blog. Oatney's other blog is here

Rusty is Back. Join Rusty & I in Backing and Voting for Zach Wamp

Another Reason Why I Back Zach

Robin Smith for Congress

Kenny Chesney's New Project Releases in September

Details here.

Broyles Campaigning on Federal Property.

Commissioner Amy Broyles and several of her supporters campaigned on Federal government property, a violation of use of federal property. Check out the coverage here from the Metro Pulse, an E.W. Scripps owned weekly publication.

Sign Me Up With The Governor Christie's of the World

I get tired of hearing how I make people mad. How I am combative, New Jersey Governor Christie was asked a similar question. He answered it as only I wished I had. So, sign me up for the Governor Christie's of the world.

I Took The Road Less Traveled by Most Until NOW

Over three years ago I decided to support Third District Congressman Zach Wamp for Governor, if he would run. After Senate Majority Leader Dr. Bill Frist announced he would NOT be a candidate for Governor. Zach was the first to announce. The Mayor of the city in my home county had only been sworn back into a second four year term about 13 months before he announced for Governor.

I have witnessed the Zach Wamp campaign and had some volunteer part in it for all 19 months. When we are together and when Zach has met members of my family, he speaks value for me into my family members.

As I have been attacked personally and in social media venues, I have let it go because I have been active for 28 years as a VOLUNTEER in the grassroots Republican politics. There is one friendship that has been severed and will likely not be salvaged, that is sad. But I defend Zach, Kim, Weston and Coty as if they are my family because they have become part of my extended family. I have created so many friendships because of this campaign. Friendships that stretch from Mountain City to Jackson. For some reason, I haven't picked up new friends west of Jackson, that's odd.

As a former elected official in Knox County, as a former Knox County Republican Party Chairman, I coulda taken the road that all the traffic traveled. I could have endorsed Bill, but I couldn't and wouldn't. I coulda sat quietly by while this Governor's race got into full swing. I didn't. It ain't my style. I chose my road, I feel good about our team. This is a campaign that in 28 years, I will look back and say "that is the one" That is the one campaign where I believed in my candidate and he believed in me. This campaign for me is the same as the first campaign that got a 16 year old kid up off the couch in 1982 and put him out putting up signs and distributing bumper stickers. That man in 1982 was Robin Beard, running for the U.S. Senate against Jim Sasser. I didn't get to know Robin Beard, I was just another kid in the crowd.

As for this campaign, I know Zach, Kim, Weston, Coty, Bonnie, Rick Tucker, Brad, Adria and Holland, Justin, Linda, Brad, Darrell and Deb, Jenci, Christy, Tracy, Big Poppa, Anthony, Susie and Kevin, Lisa and Dave, Diane, John and Christy, Ken and Nancy, Elaine, Bubba. There are a couple of young guys, Dale and Raleigh. Of course my three kids along with Andy and Ryan. These are new family members. I know that I have left some people off and it wasn't intentional, so I apologize now. This is not just another political campaign, it has been a life journey, it has been the dance that Garth Brooks sang about. There are 10 days left before the polls close at 8 p.m. EST on Thursday August 5, 2010, it is a life journey and I can't wait to take these friendships to the next step.

So, to conclude this blog post, I could have taken the road most traveled in Knoxville and Knox County. But I sure am glad that I didn't.

Ed Shouse Is a Good One

Tonight at Knox County Commission meeting, Union County Superintendent Wayne Goforth spoke about how Union County is building an elementary school for less than $6.0 million dollars. Ed Shouse asked at the end how is it that Union County receives 70% of it's budget dollars from the State of Tennessee while Knox County only receives less than a third of it's dollars from the State of Tennessee. It was dismissed as that is BEP money. I would like to see the Commission dig deeper on that issue. Knox County has more special education and special needs students than a rural district. The State is not living up to it's committment.

The Campaign Continues

I am a Republican Independent. I have voted Republican in every primary election since I registered to vote one day after I turned 18. I have NEVER missed an election. If you want someone that is Independent, I ask for your vote. I will work to bring every Republican and Conservative to the table.

Newt Speaks for Me

Here is a good story from today's Tennessean. Newt Gingrich, the 1994 architect of the Republican Revolution is saying that the mood in 2010 is similar. Newt is a guy that folks like me, a Republican Independent can work with. Newt is not the kind of establishment guy that believes everyone has to drink the same kool-aid and that because you are a Republican that you should sit quietly until the establishment grants you permission to speak. Former Democrat Ronald Reagan said not to speak "PERSONALLY" against a fellow Republican . I have been a Newt fan before 1994. Here is a pre-1994 bumper sticker that I still have

Tom Ingram and I Can Find Something To Agree On in the GOP Governors Race

This story from today's Tennessean, I have discovered something that Tom Ingram and I can agree on. It is the last line of the last Tom Ingram quote near the end of story. Tom said, "When it comes to managing a budget, Bill's in a league of his own." Now, Tom's definition and mine may differ. Because I see that when Bill was at Sak's Direct his budgeting acumen wasn't very good because the business didn't fare so well. Then with Bill's first City of Knoxville budget in 2003, he raised taxes on every city taxpayer. So, I agree Bill is in a league of his own.

So, as my friend Senator Lamar Alexander and Tom Ingram's old boss quotes Alex Haley, "find the good and praise it." I did that in finding a quote that Tom and I can agree on and praising it.