Redistricting talk closed to the press
Reporters were turned away this noontide from a presentation on redistricting to the Davidson County Republican Party’s First Tuesday lunch club from “Mr. Inside,” as they called him, John Ryder, Tennessee rep to the Republican National Committee.
Republicans have repeatedly complained that previous redistricting efforts (controlled by Democrats) have left them underrepresented in the state legislature and Congress, and we were eager to hear Ryder give his take on how that situation might be addressed if Republicans run the table this November. But organizer Tim Skow met reporters at the door, saying that club members had been promised the lunch would be off the record.
It seems improbable that Ryder would have blabbed a lot of top-secret Republican Party info to an entire lunch club — even one fully populated by partisans — but something has them getting shy. Certainly the following description of the event is tantalizing:
You want HOT political discussion?
You want to know what we can do “legally” to make the DEMs scream as a result of redistricting?
You want to know what is going on inside of the Republican Party at the National level and what we will likely see nationally between now and Nov 2nd?
You want to meet Tennessee’s “man in the know”?
Then you want to be at 1ST TUESDAY on Sept 7th when JOHN RYDER — our National Republican Committee Man from Tennessee makes his first visit to 1ST TUESDAY !
Redistricting talk closed to the press
Reporters were turned away this noontide from a presentation on redistricting to the Davidson County Republican Party’s First Tuesday lunch club from “Mr. Inside,” as they called him, John Ryder, Tennessee rep to the Republican National Committee.
Republicans have repeatedly complained that previous redistricting efforts (controlled by Democrats) have left them underrepresented in the state legislature and Congress, and we were eager to hear Ryder give his take on how that situation might be addressed if Republicans run the table this November. But organizer Tim Skow met reporters at the door, saying that club members had been promised the lunch would be off the record.
It seems improbable that Ryder would have blabbed a lot of top-secret Republican Party info to an entire lunch club — even one full populated by partisans — but something has them getting shy. Certainly the following description of the event is tantalizing.
You want HOT political discussion?
You want to know what we can do “legally” to make the DEMs scream as a result of redistricting?
You want to know what is going on inside of the Republican Party at the National level and what we will likely see nationally between now and Nov 2nd?
You want to meet Tennessee’s “man in the know”?
Then you want to be at 1ST TUESDAY on Sept 7th when JOHN RYDER — our National Republican Committee Man from Tennessee makes his first visit to 1ST TUESDAY !
Redistricting talk closed to the press
Reporters were turned away this noontide from a presentation on redistricting to the Davidson County Republican Party’s First Tuesday lunch club from “Mr. Inside,” as they called him, John Ryder, Tennessee rep to the Republican National Committee.
Republicans have repeatedly complained that previous redistricting efforts (controlled by Democrats) have left them underrepresented in the state legislature and Congress, and we were eager to hear Ryder give his take on how that situation might be addressed if Republicans run the table this November. But organizer Tim Skow met reporters at the door, saying that club members had been promised the lunch would be off the record.
It seems improbable that Ryder would have blabbed a lot of top-secret Republican Party info to an entire lunch club — even one full populated by partisans — but something has them getting shy. Certainly the following description of the event is tantalizing.
You want HOT political discussion?
You want to know what we can do “legally” to make the DEMs scream as a result of redistricting?
You want to know what is going on inside of the Republican Party at the National level and what we will likely see nationally between now and Nov 2nd?
You want to meet Tennessee’s “man in the know”?
Then you want to be at 1ST TUESDAY on Sept 7th when JOHN RYDER — our National Republican Committee Man from Tennessee makes his first visit to 1ST TUESDAY !
Zelenik explains why she skipped GOP unity tour
Lou Ann Zelenik says in a message to supporters this morning that she skipped the unity tour of the 6th Congressional District because she’d been advised by her attorneys not to appear alongside state Sen. Diane Black while Aegis’ suit against her is pending.
Zelenik also confirms that she’s closed shop in her Murfreesboro headquarters in the message sent out via Facebook.
To those who have never been sued, you are lucky. My attorneys have informed me to not attend the unity tour. I have closed the HQ, and writing thank you notes. If Jim, Gary, Dave, or Kerry had won, I would be with them every step of the way on the unity tour, or whatever they needed my help on. THEY did not sue.
Zelenik’s posting also includes the email she sent to supporters 10 days ago in which she seemingly conceded the race to Black.
Murfreesboro mosque debate gets the “Daily Show” treatment
“The Daily Show” took a look at the Murfreesboro mosque controversy Wednesday night, including an interview with unsuccessful Congressional candidate Ben Leming, a Democrat and U.S. Marine who said Muslims had every right to build there.
| The Daily Show With Jon Stewart | Mon — Thurs 11p / 10c | |||
| Tennessee No Evil | ||||
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Marsha won’t talk to anyone who would be friends with Nancy
Rep. Marsha Blackburn is making a somewhat unusual argument in refusing a request from her Democratic challenger Greg Rabidoux for a debate. Blackburn says a debate isn’t necessary if it’s with anyone who might support House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, according to a statement given to the Leaf-Chronicle.
“Tennesseans know that to stop out of control spending and the exploding debt, we have to fire Nancy Pelosi,” the statement reads. “They aren’t interested in any candidate who would give her one more vote for the speaker’s chair, and neither is Marsha. Instead, Marsha is working as a conservative leader across the state and across the nation to make sure Americans reclaim their government for the next generation.”
Rabidoux responds with a couple of gibes at Blackburn and a renewed challenge.
“First, I appreciate the concern that incumbent Marsha Blackburn has regarding who I will or will not vote for as Speaker of the House when I am elected to Congress. The short answer is I will cast my vote for whomever I felt would help me to do the best job for the people of the 7th district in the great state of Tennessee.Second, it appears clear from her comments that she and I agree that after the votes are counted on November 2nd my party and not Marsha Blackburn’s will retain a majority of seats and consequently, the speakership. If not, why even be concerned about who I may vote for as Speaker?
Third, while Marsha Blackburn is now claiming to know what all Tennesseans want or don’t want, there are a whole lot of Tennesseans tonight asking a simple but profound question, “What is Marsha Blackburn so afraid of?”
Zelenik concedes in 6th district race
Lou Ann Zelenik sent an apparent concession message to supporters Tuesday afternoon, telling them “assuming the vote margin remains the same, I congratulate Diane Black on her victory.” Black also says that she’s asked Black’s husband to end the lawsuit brought by his company over a TV ad aired in the final weeks of the campaign.
The complete message follows:
Dear Friends,
Thank you for the privilege and honor you have given me in my run for Congress to represent you and your family. My hope and prayer, and our commitment to send out of control Washington a clear message, will not end. I am inspired by so many, who have never been involved. Those who made calls, put up signs, went door to door in the heat, gave financially, sat at the polls and those who prayed. I have been humbled, to meet your children, to share the stories of our parents and grandparents, and what they so gallantly fought for, our beloved America. I am blessed and know in my heart, my strength in this campaign has been you. Government is not the source of power, you are.
With county certification nearing completion, and assuming the vote margin remains the same, I congratulate Diane Black on her victory. Sadly with the filing of a lawsuit by Diane’s husband I have a responsibility to answer their claim. We have asked for dismissal, but to no avail and are proceeding with disclosure.
Thank you,
Lou Ann Zelenik
Jim Tracy concedes — for now
State Sen. Jim Tracy conceded the 6th Congressional District primary to Diane Black, but left the door ajar for a challenge if the margin narrows in the final tally.
In a statement released shortly after 1 p.m., Tracy congratulated Black and said it was time to move on:
“We’ve had a tough primary battle, but it is now time to look ahead to November and I encourage all the candidates to get behind our Republican nominee for Congress in the 6th District, Senator Diane Black. If there is something that comes to light during the election certification process, then our campaign will reassess the situation at that time.
Tracy, who finished third in the latest count, said it was “difficult to lose a razor-thin election” in which fewer than 600 votes separated the top three candidates. The state election coordinator is to certify the results of the election Sept. 2.
Complete statement follows:
Tracy Releases Final Statement on Election Results
Murfreesboro, TN – (August 10, 2010)
Conservative businessman and congressional candidate Jim Tracy released this statement today regarding the 6th Congressional District Republican primary election results:
“We’ve had a tough primary battle, but it is now time to look ahead to November and I encourage all the candidates to get behind our Republican nominee for Congress in the 6th District, Senator Diane Black. If there is something that comes to light during the election certification process, then our campaign will reassess the situation at that time. There is a lot at stake in this year’s election for our state and nation, and I am confident that the Tennessee Division of Elections will act in a prompt manner to ensure a swift and accurate certification.”
“This was possibly the closest three-way race in Tennessee history and one of the closest congressional three-way races in American history. Obviously, it is difficult to lose a razor-thin election like this. However, it is imperative that we come together and put our focus on the general election in November. I want to thank all my outstanding supporters, interns, volunteers, and staff. The support we received in this campaign was overwhelming, and we could not have done this without all their hard work, time, financial support, friendship, and their prayers.”
GOP phone calls take aim at Lincoln Davis
The National Republican Congressional Committee, the GOP’s campaign arm for House races, tells us in a presser today that they’re hitting U.S. Rep. Lincoln Davis with targeted phone calls meant to link him to the ethics trial of Ways and Means Committee Chairman Charlie Rangel.
The script, as helpfully provided by the NRCC, urges Davis to return campaign donations from Rangel. Other incumbent Democrats are facing similar tactics.
The complete presser follows:
NRCC Launches Targeted Calls Against Davis Over Tainted Campaign Contributions
Tennessee Dem Refuses to Cut Ties and Part with Dirty Campaign Cash from Embattled Colleague Charlie Rangel
Washington– With senior Democrat Charlie Rangel’s and Maxine Waters’ ethical lapses threatening to overturn the Democrat majority, the National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) is launching targeted calls aimed at holding Lincoln Davis accountable for $15,000 of Rangel’s tainted campaign funds. House Democrats once promised to “drain the swamp” and restore accountability in Washington, but now both Rangel and Waters face a serious trial before the Ethics Committee for numerous alleged violations.
“Lincoln Davis has demonstrated once again that he would rather hold on to thousands in tainted campaign cash from Charlie Rangel than cut ties with the ethically embattled Democrat,” said NRCC Communications Director Ken Spain. “By choosing to stand by Rangel despite the major ethical charges he’s facing, Davis is silently endorsing Washington’s corruption problem. And what’s worse, rather than explaining why Democrats have broken their promise to ‘drain the swamp,’ Davis continues to ‘run for cover’ this summer.”
So far, Davis’ fellow Democrats have coughed up more than $640,000 in dirty campaign cash from Rangel and Waters combined, yet Davis refuses to return all of his donations and even voted three times to keep Rangel in charge of a powerful committee. With the election 84 days away, voters can add Davis’ name to the growing list of out-of-touch Democrats who refuse to promote accountability in Washington.
Transcript:
Hello, I’m calling from the National Republican Congressional Committee with an important message about corruption in Washington.
Congressman Lincoln Davis took $15,000 in campaign cash from Charlie Rangel, who is facing trial with the Ethics Committee for numerous alleged violations, including tax evasion and abusing taxpayer-funded resources.
So far Congressman Davis’ fellow Democrats have returned almost $640,000 in dirty campaign money from Rangel, yet Congressman Davis refuses to return $15,000, and even voted three times to keep Rangel in charge of a powerful committee.
Call him today at 202–225-3121 and tell him it’s time to stop the corruption and return campaign cash from Charlie Rangel.
Paid for by The National Republican Congressional Committee and not authorized by any candidate or candidate’s committee. 202–479-7000.
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