So there we were, in a receiving line to fist-bump Tim Burchett before winding our way over to the fried baloney and fixin’s for dinner last Thursday. The man ahead of me wore a red cap: “Make America Great Again.”
He reached Burchett, pulled out his phone for a selfie and asked, “Are you going to support the President’s agenda or pussy-foot around like John McCain?”
Burchett deftly took the man’s phone and shot the selfie. The line pushed on, and Jim Burkins seemed pleased. I, meanwhile, was trying to recall Donald Trump’s agenda.
“Drain the Swamp” and “Build a Wall” lack specifics – as did Barack Obama’s “Hope and Change” and W.’s compassionate conservatism.
Tim Burchett is headed to Congress, I believe, where he will do a great job in both constituent service and legislative initiative. He was a strong, effective state legislator. And I trust Tim to follow his own agenda: common sense, cut the debt and don’t get above your raisin’.
Come and be bona-fided
Knox County Republicans will meet at 6 p.m. today (Oct. 2) at the Hampton Inn, 5411 Pratt Road in Norwood, to hear from state party chair Scott Golden on the new rule to limit candidates on the GOP primary ballot to “bona fide” Republicans – as determined by Scott Golden. The meeting is “mandatory” for all candidates, according to the invitation.
Heretofore, candidates qualified for the ballot with 25 signatures on a petition, then the voters chose the party nominee. Having the state party chair decide who can be on the ballot is a bad idea, promoted by whippersnappers who don’t remember how hard some worked to get statewide parity for the GOP.
The party of Reagan welcomed any and all – that’s how to build a majority. Tonight, we’ll get a look at how to wreck one.
Candidate forum
Early voting starts Oct. 18 for the Nov. 7 city council election, with two candidates from five districts running citywide. All have been invited to speak to the Fountain City Business & Professional Association at 11:45 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 11, at the fellowship hall of Central Baptist Fountain City. This is a rare opportunity to hear the candidates:
- Rebecca Parr vs. Stephanie Welch, District 1;
- Wayne Christensen vs. Andrew Roberto, District 2;
- James Corcoran vs. Seema Singh Perez, District 3;
- Lauren Ryder vs. Harry Tindell, District 4; and
- Gwen McKenzie vs. Jennifer Montgomery, District. 6.
(At-large and fifth district council seats will be filled in 2019.)
Sunday talk shows
We watch them so you don’t have to.
Cortney Piper said it first on Tennessee This Week: Bob Corker may be planning “a larger office run.” There’s only one office higher than U.S. senator. Will Corker “primary” Trump in 2020? That would be interesting.
George Korda had advice for anthem-kneeling pro athletes: Don’t kill your own golden goose.
Lauren Rider and Harry Tindell were guests on Inside Tennessee. They are running citywide to represent the city council district now served by Nick Della Volpe.
Why you? Rider said she’s worked with neighborhood groups and in business for 10 years. “I have relevant experience; am prepared.” Tindell said it’s important to have people on council who see issues differently. “Growth is the key to making it all work.”
The race: Tindell expects a competitive race, even though Rider got 889 votes in the primary to his 488. In fact, Tindell tied with Amelia Parker and got into the general election thanks to a 9-0 vote by the current council. “I was honored and humbled by that vote,” he said. Parker has qualified as a write-in, and Rider said “she has every right to run.”