Posted on 07/14/2006 3:51:38 AM PDT by Sybeck1
Memphis Democrat's description of them as 'The Three Stooges'
KNOXVILLE -- Larry, Curly and Moe, they ain't.
Ed, Bob and Van -- Bryant, Corker and Hilleary, respectively -- were deadly serious about staking out their differences during Thursday's televised debate in Knoxville.
The three Republicans running for the U.S. Senate metaphorically poked eyes, slapped faces and cracked skulls during the hour-long forum, but they took exception to the presumptive Democratic nominee's characterization of them as "The Three Stooges."
After listening to a recording of a radio broadcast during which U.S. Rep. Harold Ford Jr. of Memphis said, "The Stooges are funny, but you can't take them seriously," Hilleary responded with a little humor of his own.
"Last time I checked, they were very popular," he said. "It worked out all right for them."
Bryant said Ford, who faces token opposition in the Democratic primary, certainly didn't raise the level of discourse in the race to fill the seat being vacated by retiring Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist.
Corker added that the best way to silence Ford would be to win in November.
GOP voters have to select a nominee first, and each of the candidates spent much of the time highlighting issues that would set him apart from the others.
For Corker, that meant emphasizing his business background. Hilleary maintained his service in the Gulf War gives him a unique perspective on the war in Iraq. Bryant noted that he has the endorsement of Tennessee Right to Life.
Bryant and Hilleary are former congressmen; Corker is a former Chattanooga mayor and state finance commissioner. All three candidates characterize themselves as conservative, and there was no disputing their definition of the term: they say they support a strong national defense, smaller government, lower taxes and antiabortion legislation.
But there are differences.
On the possibility of raising the minimum wage, for example, Hilleary was the only candidate who gave unqualified support for an increase. He said it was part of the country's long-established method of providing a social safety net.
Corker said setting wages was the responsibility of the private sector, while Bryant said he would not support a boost in the minimum wage unless there's a provision that blunts its effect on small businesses.
Bryant said he would oppose an extension of the Voting Rights Act, the landmark civil rights law up for renewal in 2007. Corker and Hilleary would extend the law, but only for five years.
The notion of replacing the federal income tax with a national sales tax -- dubbed the "Fair Tax" proposal by conservatives -- drew varying degrees of support. Bryant endorsed the proposal, while Hilleary said he would support it only if it is accompanied by a constitutional amendment banning an income tax.
"I'm very intrigued by the Fair Tax," Corker said, "but the devil's in the details."
Copyright 2006, commercialappeal.com - Memphis, TN. All Rights Reserved.
Chattanooga Chafee Corker is a RINO on several fronts. Firstly, he was always the favorite "Republican" of the Democrats when he served in the ultra-RINO Sundquist Administration, and was actively courted by them to switch parties and run for statewide office. He demonstrated many liberal inclinations on issues while he was Chattanooga Mayor, be it socially or fiscally, and was also seen to be leaning favorably on Kelo. He also aided and abetted his 'Rat successor's victory for C'nooga Mayor this year. I don't trust anything he says, as he will say and spend whatever it takes to win.
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