Politics

Lt. Governor Ron Ramsey's campaign responds to release of Bill Haslam's internal poll that shows Haslam in a comfortable lead over Republican rivals Zach Wamp and Ron Ramsey.

Below is a statement from Ramsey Communications Director Rachel Taylor:

The Wamp Campaign wasting no time responding to release of an internal poll commissioned for Bill Haslam.

The survey - conducted June 1 - 3 - shows the Knoxville Mayor with a comfortable lead over his Republican rivals, Zach Wamp and Ron Ramsey.

“Despite going on TV four months ago and spending millions of dollars, Bill Haslam has only managed to rent the attention of some voters but can’t close the sale," said Sam Edelen, Wamp campaign spokesman.

An internal poll commissioned by the Haslam for Governor Campaign shows the Knoxville Mayor enjoying a comfortable lead over his two Republican rivals.

The latest numbers show Bill Haslam leading statewide over Congressman Zach Wamp and Lt Governor Ron Ramsey. 

The poll was conducted between June 1- 3, by Ayres, McHenry and Associates - and shows Haslam with 37 percent, Wamp with 24 percent, Ramsey with 15 percent and Undecided at 24 percent.

KnoxViews blogger Randy Neal wondering aloud about coverage by the Knoxville News Sentinel of Knox County's two mayors. 

Neal points to today's KNS editorial, in which the newspaper defends its reporting of Chief of Staff Mike Arms attending a meeting in Oak Ridge on behalf of a private business.

Neal writes:

The latest Bill Haslam for Governor TV ad is about to make its debut.  Supporters and reporters have been given early previews of the spot that features former WBIR Heartland host Bill Landry's voice.

If you haven't seen it, here it is:

The lone female in Tennessee's Governor's race says she has decided to end her campaign.

On the eve of the filing deadline for governor, Democrat Kim McMillan says she has decided to seek  the office of the Mayor of Clarksville.

In a news release today, McMillan says:

A news release from the Burchett campaign today describes a "growing campaign momentum" for the State Senator.

Burchett was the only announced candidate seeking the Knox County Mayor's office next year until late Tuesday afternoon.

Former Knox County Sheriff Tim Hutchison filed an "Appointment of Treasurer" report with the Knox County Election Commission.  He named C Dewitt Ingram as his treasurer.  This allows Hutchison to begin raising money for the 2010 campaign.

First District Congressman Phil Roe is waiting to hear from the President.

The  Congressman from Johnson City wrote to President Obama in July,  hoping to take up his offer to visit and go over healthcare reform legislation "line-by-line." 

Roe wrote a second letter earlier this month and he says he has yet to hear from anyone at the Whitehouse.

So is Roe grandstanding?  He says no.

I raised this point on the radio the other day with Rich Bailey prior to the President's speech to school kids. "When did it become OK for kids to disrespect the Office of the President?"  For the last several days - I heard all kinds of unkind comments regarding the President and his upcoming speech - from children.

When did they become so partisan?