Posted on 05/14/2006 5:10:41 AM PDT by libstripper
Van Hilleary, candidate for Tennessee's U.S. Senate seat, on Friday called on "his fellow conservative opponent" Ed Bryant to join him in a "conservative truce." Later in the day, Bryant said he agreed.
Hilleary "emphasized the importance of electing a sincere conservative to the U.S. Senate and of mutually refraining from campaign attacks on fellow conservatives." He said he is "optimistic Bryant will agree.
(Excerpt) Read more at chattanoogan.com ...
When the Tennessee Conservative Union had its annual St. Patrick's Day dinner in Knoxville Corker neither showed up not sent a representative, showing how conservative he really is. Hilleary sent a representative to give a canned speech. Bryant actually showed up and explained why he's the Pubbie most likely to win the general election, a position supported by the most recent Zogby poll that shows him ahead of Ford by a larger margin than either of the other Pubbies.
I think both Bryant and Hilleary are good candidates and either would be a great senator to replace Frist. However, it's insane for the two of them to be splitting the conservative vote in the primary and allowing Corker the fund raising capability to be so heavily out-advertising both of them. It's time for us conservatives to decide on which of them to support. Given the Zogby polls and Bryant's greater willingness to go out and appeal to conservatives, I'm coming to support Bryant. The best idea, nevertheless, is to wait for the day before the primary and vote for the one, Bryant or Hilleary, who's most likely to beat Corker. Of all things, the most important is WE DON'T SPLIT THE CONSERVATIVE VOTE IN THIS PRIMARY AND LET RINO CORKER WIN.
I said it once, I'll say it over and over again. Hilleary has no business being in this contest. Bryant had the nomination hijacked by the Lamar!ites and their big bucks in '02. Hilleary should've been running in a rematch against Pharaoh Phil. Right now I've not even seen any consistent reliable polls (I've only seen ONE primary poll so far, and it looked more like it was commissioned by Hilleary's people).
None of us want Corker to get the nod, but Hilleary damn well knows this is Bryant's baby and he needs to GET OUT. His presence could hand the nomination to Corker, who is the only GOP (RINO) candidate who could conceivably lose to Junior Ford.
Corker can not handle his own mother. He's a mama's boy throught and through.
Who's running for senate.....Corker or his mother?
I agree totally. What Bryant and Hilleary should do is agree to get a "moderate" candidate into the race (and together help fund him if necessary) in order to funnel votes away from Corker. The rats work like that all the time.
There's no denying that Ed Bryant is the best candidate in the race, and that his base in western Tennessee makes him the stronger general election candidate.
At the same time, I would be satisfied if Van Hilleary were to win election to the Senate.
This truce is a positive developement.
I've got to admit, having your mother vouch for you in campaign ads doesn't say a lot for the number of people who are otherwise impressed with your credentials.
Corker's money is mostly his own, not from fund raising. It was my understanding that he is financing his own campaign.
I believe you're right - if Hilleary stays in Corker will take the Republican nomination with his money and likely lose to Ford. If Van gracefully bows out (in time) Bryant can edge Corker and send Junior home to share a box of Kleen-Ex with Aunt Ophelia.
Thought you were just misspellin'.
I couldn't figure out what Hillary Clinton and Bryant Gumble would have to truce about....
I've seen a lot of the Ford and Corker commercials. We've also gotten a few Corker mailings. I haven't seen anything about Hilleary and Bryant.
Story thus far: Harold Ford, Jr. of the all-powerful Memphis Democrat Ford dynasty wants Frist's Senate seat when the surgeon steps down. The Republican nomination is being hard-faught over by Bob Corker, a neocon former mayor of Chattanooga with a big wallet; Van Hilleary, a good conservative with a wide base in East Tennessee and Ed Bryant, another good conservative whose following in the West is on par with Van Hilleary's.
Corker is throwing money around like crazy trying to sell himself as the anti-Ford when his record and actions say otherwise. Despite his efforts most people I talk to aren't buying it...somehow he's gotten ahold of extensive email addresses and has been garnering much ill will through unsolicited spam. If Hilleary had the good sense to alter his path to the upcoming governor's race (where he'd be a lock) Bryant could beat Corker handily.
This has to be resolved soon because Ford is coming on very professionally. Both Barak Obama and Hillary Clinton have lent endorsements and this state is full of robots who pull the lever for Democrats because "that's what they've always done".
Thanks for getting me up-to-speed! You do a great summary!
Van Hilleary has the best poll numbers right now. Either he or Bryant would make a good candidate and Senator. I hope one of them pulls out so that that fake conservative Corker doesn't pull a win with 35% of the vote.
WWTN and the Nashville City Paper ran a poll of likely Republican voters and Van Hilleary was well ahead of both Bryant and Corker. VH had about 34%, Bryant about 23%, and Corker about 19% the rest undecided.
Don't know if you live here but Tennessee's a real nutty state on the political level. Our former Republican governor was a rabid liberal and our current Democrat appears conservative by comparison just by noodling down the middle of the road.
The Democrats have nada for that upcoming race but all the Republicans are focused on becoming Senator. I can think of one former governor who went on to be a great President.
It is much too early for advertisements. The primary isn't for three months. Hilleary and Bryant will spend their money on a blitz closer to the election.
P.S. Ford has a bunch of Hollyweird money fresh so he doesn't mind wasting it.
LOL!! I live in WA State!!! Don't know if you follow our politics...
I will follow your race, though...looks interesting!
Sorry, but rumor has it that socialists are doing their damdest to ruin your beautiful state for everyone trying to earn an honest living. As if California was worth emulating.
There's always Vancouver...
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