[cva66snipe]

Jake ran both in 78 and 82 actually. He lost to Alexander in 1982. He lost in large because most of East Tennessee by November knew what was fixing to happen. It didn't take a rocket scientist to see the vacant investments in Knoxville and Knox County. In 1978 most of Tennessee had no clue who Butcher was. I'm old enough to remember when the Butcher's were two brothers in Union County who ran an oil business then later owned City and County bank. Pappy ran an old country store. But they were born poor.

Someone was backing Jake politically. Quite possibly the same ones who brought Clinton up through the ranks. Jake had the charm CH had the shrewdness. The 1982 Worlds Fair left a bitter taste in many peoples mouth. From persons who had converted carports into apartments to rent out to people who were forced out of apartments they had long rented. Knoxville as a whole didn't want that fair. Blanton, the Mayor, and the Butchers and friends however did.

[fieldmarshaldj]

Mayor Tyree was the Democrat nominee in ‘82, not Butcher. Butcher didn’t run in 1982 (if he did, he never made it to the primary). Tyree’s main opponent was Gov. Frank Clement’s sister and Bob Clement’s aunt, State Sen. Anna Belle Clement O’Brien, whom Tyree edged 50-40%.

1982 Dem primary candidates:
http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=28526

Interestingly, I rechecked and noticed Butcher did run in the 1974 Dem primary, and trailed ex-Congressman Blanton by only 2.5% (Blanton won only a paltry 22.7%, and of course, absent runoffs... moonbats and criminals have quite the opportunity). Had Butcher been the nominee that year, it’s quite likely he would’ve won the general, indeed.

It’s frightening to realize that the Dem party in this state has had a near-permanent criminal class every inch as bad as Arkansas or Louisiana running this state, or coming achingly close to running it. Reminds me of why I became a Republican in the first place, solely in reaction to their permanent corruption.