Politics

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?

Earlier today we reported that the President would not be attending the rededication ceremonies in September for the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.  Our story was based on information given to us by a Park official.

Right after our report this:

Tennessee Democratic Party Chairman Chip Forrester responds to Lt Gov. Ron Ramsey's criticism of Lamar Alexander's decision to vote in favor of Supreme Court Nominee Sonia Sotomayor. Forrester says the criticism is a "bad move for a gubernatorial candidate."

"The lieutenant governor is obviously pandering to his extreme far right base, which may be foolish in the long run," Forrester said.

Lt Governor Ron Ramsey - candidate for Governor in the Republican Primary - weighs in on the nomination of Judge Sonia Sotomayor for the United State Supreme Court:

"While Judge Sonia Sotomayor has a very compelling life story and has accomplished a great deal, Tennesseans should strongly encourage their U.S. Senators to vote “no” on her elevation to the U.S. Supreme Court. 

Senator Bob Corker makes up his mind on Supreme Court nominee, Sonia Sotomayor. 

Congratulations to Greg Mackay, who held on to his job as Knox County's Election Coordinator  today.

Mackay - who is a Democrat - won the post despite a majority of Republicans on Knox County's Election Commission.

The vote broke down along partisan lines - 3 to 2 - with Republican Paul Crilly crossing the aisle and casting the deciding vote for Mackay.

Crilly's vote will be seen by some Republicans as a betrayal.  There were a number of solid candidates for the job, with R's on their resumes.

TVA Inspector General Richard Moore says a preliminary report on the Roane County Ash Spill should be out in the next week or so.

Moore - speaking on Tennessee This Week - says TVA will have an opportunity to respond to the Inspector General's review before a final report is submitted.

The I. G. also talked about the procurement card scandal uncovered by his office.   He says TVA administrators are taking appropriate actions to make sure it doesn't happen again.

-- It was a who's who of Republicans at tonight's Lincoln Day Dinner.  And why not, not one but all four of the major GOP candidates for governor were on the program.

Bill Gibbons, Bill Haslam, Ron Ramsey and Zach Wamp each had 7 minutes to make their appeal to the gathered crowd.

I asked newly elected Knox County GOP chairman  Ray Jenkins who was responsible for letting the candidates know when their time was up - he said Judge Dale Workman had that duty.