Posted on 07/26/2014 3:23:11 PM PDT by cotton1706
MARYVILLE, Tenn. — Thirty-six years ago, Lamar Alexander walked across the state in his first successful bid for governor, donning his now-iconic red and black plaid shirt.
Now, the 74 year-old senator is making the trek across Tennessee by bus as he faces what could be his toughest GOP race yet.
Known simply as Lamar around these parts, the former governor, U.S. secretary of Education, two-time presidential candidate and now two-term senator, is undoubtedly an institution. But as the Republican Party nationwide and even in Tennessee has changed, there’s a growing voice that the senator hasn’t and needs to go.
Alexander certainly has the heavy edge heading into the August 7 primary, where he faces six opponents. Chief among them is state Rep. Joe Carr, who’s tried to latch onto the Tea Party fervor to oust the incumbent.
Carr has gotten the endorsements of conservative radio icon Laura Ingraham, who hosted a rally for him in Nashville this week, urging a crowd to retire Alexander like an “old sweater.”
He also netted the backing of former 2008 vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin, who wrote that “advocating and voting for amnesty, cash for clunkers, bailouts, raising the debt ceiling, and many controversial Obama administration nominees has marred the incumbent’s record.”
But without significant monetary help from powerful national groups, the challenger’s hopes are unlikely to bring down the muscle Alexander still commands throughout the state.
(Excerpt) Read more at thehill.com ...
OPINION: 74 is too old for the job.
I really wish we (as conservative, tea party types) could get together and present a united challenge to the moderate fossils that populate too many seats. Carr might have a chance as a solo challenger. I doubt that he can win it with a field that large.
There comes a time for even elder statesmen to step back and assume the “emeritus” title. Many experienced former Senators and Congressmen have entered this honorable state, and carry the mantle of wisdom and respect into their twilight years. Lamar Alexander is by no means a young man, but he should have mentored a good and proper successor by this time, or at least inspired some younger ambitious challenger to rise on his or her own merit.
Thad Cochran is a sad example of holding on too long, and trying for one more “last hurrah” type of departure. It is clear that Senator Cochran, who was in office when Nixon was President, has served well beyond his time, and SHOULD have been replaced.
Don’t make the same mistake in Tennessee as was made in Mississippi.
BEAT LAMAR!
The strong conservative republicans in East Tennessee opught to see by now that Lamar is a RINO after his voting record with Obama...
We really don’t need this kind of Senator...
I grew up in East Tennessee and went to school with a couple of Lamar’s cousins...He is a good guy, but not a conservative... We don’t need a “good guy”...We need someone to bring back our country...
Alexander - 74
McCain - 77
Cochran - 76
Hatch - 80
McConnell - 72
Pat Roberts (KS) - 78
Grassley - 80
Shelby - 80
Today’s Republican US Senate.
What has the TN legislature done with its super majority? If nothing, the RINO wins.
I don’t think the TEA Party will kill off red and black checkered shirts.
It’s not just how old the person is, it’s how many years they have been in Congress.
Too many have been there way too long.
Term limits needed now. 12 years? 16 years?
Beat Lamar!
You’ve got it, Lorianne.
The longer one is in Congress, the more corrupt one becomes.
Actually, Cochran was going to retire, but the GOPe begged him to stay once McDaniel announced his intentions of running.
I’m beginning to think the winning strategy for conservatives challengers is to campaign against the Chamber of Commerce...and mean it. Is that happening in this race?
Republicans don’t get it that a only a consensus candidate can win. I don’t think that they ever will.
Maryville ping
Maryville! Maryville! :)
By age 74, if a man’s priorities are not something above being a perpetual congressman, he’s too damn low for the job.
Of the hundreds of members of congress in my lifetime, I can think of only two who actually got better with age— the legendary Jesse Helms of North Carolina and Carl Curtis of Nebraska.
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