Where’s Barack?
Where's Barack? -- Despite a superior grassroots organization in TN, Presidential candidate Barack Obama is taking some flack for neglecting our state. It is possible that he has already conceded the state to Hillary Clinton, whose campaign has visted TN's two prominent historically black colleges - TSU and Fisk. While Obama initially purchased a large TV buy in the Nashville and Memphis media markets, he has pulled that buy, leaving Clinton as the only Democrat on the air. A recently released Public Policy Polling survey has Clinton leading Obama 43 percent to 32 percent, which may signal Obama's concession of to the state to Clinton. Clinton needs to win a Southern state to show her viability and Obama may be weak in TN because of the small number of black voters when compared to other Southern states. Bob Tuke, Obama's TN coordinator says he is still trying to get the candidate in for a Memphis event, but nothing has been finalized.
Another Year, Another Attempt to Soften Ethics Legislation -- It's been two years since the Legislature passed extensive ethics reform in the wake of Operation TN Waltz. But two years under the new rules haven't stopped lawmakers from complaining - or filing legislation to weaken the laws. State Rep. Curry Todd is planning a bill that would allow lobbyists to spend up to $1,000 per legislator during the session, with a $75 cap on each meal. Reps. Randy Rinks and Ulysses Jones say the current rules stifle constituent contact. Dick Williams, a representative of Common Cause, says the group is open to changing the legislation to allow some money spend lobbying - and that disclosure requirements might make up for the outright ban. But Tennessee Ethics Commission Chair Bruce Androphy says he's worried about the paperwork for his office under additional disclosure requirements.
Dean to the Rescue -- Nashville Mayor Karl Dean has been called in to the rescue. In the wake of a break in to the Metro Election Commission and the theft of confidential voter information, Nashville Mayor Karl Dean has hired a computer security expert to examine Metro's vulnerability to computer security breaches. Mayor Dean has also been called into the clean up the mess at Metro schools - the school board has asked Dean to help find a replacement for ousted Board Director Pedro Garcia, despite state law which says the board has sole authority in finding a school board director.
Chattanooga Wants Legislature to Tighten Residency Requirements -- Members of the Chattanooga City Council will reportedly ask the TN General Assembly to stiffen penalties for elected officials who violate residency requirements. Under the proposed tweaks in state law, petition signers would be required to declare “under penalty of perjury” that the candidate is qualified to seek office. Some in the Council criticized the approach, saying voters sign qualifying petitions all the time without reviewing them. More here.
Local Races -- In Knoxville, the KNS profiles candidates submitting their financial disclosures and the money race. Putting the exclamation mark on turnout - election workers said 21,446 people, not including those who are using mail-in ballots, have cast ballots during early voting. In Memphis, voters will be selecting General Sessions Court clerk and property assessor.
