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TN TAX BATTLE: Henry (R) says in Knox stop Hilleary (R)'not prepared' to lead state
The Knox News Sentinel ^ | 7/10/02 | Jim Blalloch

Posted on 07/10/2002 6:27:24 AM PDT by GailA

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Van is the Conservative anti-income taxer.

Henry is the RINO tax reformer (READ MORE TAXES ESPECIALLY AN INCOME TAX endorsed by Gov Spendquist and RINO Shelby Co mayor jim rout). Need I say more?

1 posted on 07/10/2002 6:27:24 AM PDT by GailA
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To: GailA
http://www.knoxnews.com/kns/election/article/0,1406,KNS_630_1256837,00.html

Budget, taxes, schools, TennCare dominate questions to Democrats

By Lydia McCoy, News Sentinel staff writer
July 10, 2002

The three Democratic gubernatorial candidates met Tuesday for the first time since the Legislature passed an increase in the sales tax.

Former Nashville mayor Phil Bredesen, Randy Nichols and Charles Smith sat in comfortable easy chairs before about 30 people at the WATE-TV, Channel 6 studios and debated four main issues: the state's budget, job creation, children and education, and health care.

As in previous debates, they disagreed on many of the issues.

The budget was a main concern of the audience and the panelists in light of last week's partial shutdown of state government. Each candidate was confident in his ability to have handled the situation.

Nichols stood his ground in favor of a state income tax and against a state lottery.

"It amazes me that everyone says this is a bad idea," said Nichols, Knox County's district attorney general. "The increase is on our poorest people in the state. We have to do some fundamental reform on how we collect taxes in this state."

Smith, a former Tennessee commissioner of education, agreed. "There is great irony in what happened last week," he said. "There is a trade in balance. Money and people are flowing out, and our lower and middle class are paying more. I want the chance to reform that."

Bredesen said it was important to work with all the individual counties because each has different needs.

The candidates said they oppose school vouchers but support education.

"We have got to show that we are committed to education," Smith said. "And we have to change the philosophy that Nashville knows what's best for the state. We have to build a plan from the grass roots and build up."

Bredesen said, "We have to re-up our commitment and reinvest in our education."

The debate moderator was WATE co-anchor Gene Patterson. WATE co-anchor Lori Tucker, Metro Pulse editor Joe Sullivan, and radio talk show host Hallerin Hilton Hill were panelists.

WATE sponsored the forum, with The Leadership Knoxville and League of Women Voters.

The candidates have previously debated twice. This time, the audience was able to pose questions

Candidates briefly talked about gave their stances on health care, particularly TennCare.

Smith said there is some confusion on who should be served and who qualifies. "People are saying it should've worked or it could've worked and under my adminstration it will work." Nichols said that he's not sure that Tennesseans fully know what it is. "I don't know why" legislators "picked on most helpless to balance our budget," Nichols said.

Bredesen said, "Rules weren't being followed, and I believe I can help."

Lydia McCoy may be reached at 865-342-6336 or mccoyl@knews.com.

2 posted on 07/10/2002 6:32:54 AM PDT by GailA
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To: GailA
http://www.gomemphis.com/mca/politics/article/0,1426,MCA_1496_1256717,00.html

Rochelle's frustration ends run in state Senate

By Richard Locker locker@gomemphis.com
July 10, 2002

NASHVILLE - State Sen. Robert Rochelle, the Senate's speaker pro tem and its chief tax reform advocate, ended his bid for re-election Tuesday after 20 years in the legislature.

Rochelle (D-Lebanon) had suspended his campaign Friday, two days after legislative leaders conceded defeat in trying to pass a state income tax. He said then he needed time to think through whether he wanted to continue in the General Assembly.

After three days of reflection on his Wilson County farm he concluded Tuesday he did not want to serve in a legislative climate that will likely require cuts in state programs and services in the next few years.

"The fact is that I do not want to spend the next four years tearing down what I have spent 20 years helping to build up. Tennessee can be a great state again. That return to greatness will begin when the legislature solves the state's biggest problem: an inadequate and unfair revenue system," Rochelle, 56, said in a statement issued by his office.

"I do not desire to serve the next four years in the Senate. If necessary I will file the appropriate documents to withdraw after the August primary. It is my belief that a write-in campaign for a quality Democratic candidate can be successful," he said in the statement. Rochelle, the lone Democrat on the ballot in his district, was not available for further comment.

As speaker pro tem, Rochelle was the second-ranking official in the Senate behind Speaker John Wilder (D-Somerville).

The timing of the withdrawal could make it easier for Republicans to gain control of the Senate in the November elections. Democrats outnumber Republicans 18-15 and Rochelle was being challenged by state Rep. Mae Beavers (R-Mt. Juliet), an anti-tax legislator who did not vote for any of the tax increases and budget-cutting plans that reached the floor of the House this year.

Rochelle was generally considered to be the front-runner in the race.

Under state election law Rochelle's name will still appear on the Aug. 1 Democratic primary. A write-in candidate would have to receive more votes than Rochelle in order to win the party's nomination and appear opposite Beavers on the Nov. 5 general election ballot, state Election Coordinator Brook Thomp son said.

Tennessee Democratic Party chairman William E. Farmer, who like Rochelle is a Lebanon attorney, said he believes the party will find a write-in candidate and will hold the seat but it will take considerable work.

"Bob Rochelle is a friend of mine and Senator Rochelle will be missed by the people of Tennessee and this area. I'm disappointed but I understand his decision and the pain and suffering his family has endured," Farmer said.

Rochelle and his family received death threats during the long tax reform battle. At some points in the debate income-tax opponents drove past his home honking their horns, as they did at the Capitol.

Rochelle's Senate District 17 includes seven counties just east of Nashville: Wilson, Trousdale, Macon, Smith, DeKalb, Cannon and Clay.

News of Rochelle's withdrawal was greeted with dismay by Senate colleagues.

"Bob Rochelle is by far the most skilled tactician in passing legislation," said Sen. Jim Kyle (D-Memphis). "He played a very hardball game of politics. He played to win. But even among those he played against I think everyone thought he played fair. He will be missed by those who played with him and against him."

When the legislature's monumental struggle over tax reform began in February 1999 Rochelle became an early advocate of an income tax - after opposing it earlier in his career - as a fairer and more adequate way of raising revenue for the state and its programs and services.

Although it was eclipsed this year by a flat-rate income tax plan proposed by House Speaker Jimmy Naifeh, Rochelle had advocated a graduated rate income tax with high exemption levels that would abolish the sales tax on grocery food.

Both plans ultimately failed and the legislature instead increased the state sales tax. Contact Nashville Bureau chief Richard Locker at (615) 255-4923.

3 posted on 07/10/2002 6:41:10 AM PDT by GailA
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To: GailA
GailA, I live in Roane County and know Jim Henry. Let me tell you, I would not let Henry clean out my dog kennels, and that is the God's honest truth! He is a typical RINO politician, and can NOT be trusted. Our only hope in this state is to get Van in there come election day. If we don't, we're sunk next year, as far as the income tax goes anyway.
4 posted on 07/10/2002 6:49:47 AM PDT by disgustedvet
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To: GailA
I live in Nashville and Bredesen by far is running a lot of commercials. I'm afraid he will have a lot of support here.
5 posted on 07/10/2002 7:29:09 AM PDT by vanna516
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To: GailA
"Rochelle was generally considered to be the front-runner in the race."

On WHAT planet ?!? Unless they mean the front runner to be LOSING. Good riddance to my trash state senator, I'll miss you like I miss a raging case of herpes."

6 posted on 07/10/2002 7:43:32 AM PDT by fieldmarshaldj
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To: vanna516
Well at least 40% of us in Nashville who voted against his tax the public and build Bud Adams a stadium detest the man so much that he can write off those folks. Then he has to try to sell the rest of Tennessee on voting for something they detest: A Northeastern, Liberal, Tax-and-Spend, Harvard Commie, Millionaire, Mayor of Nashville. I just don't see that selling in East and West Tennessee.

Historically, no Mayor of Nashville, Memphis, Chattanooga, or Knoxville has ever been elected Governor. There is too much rivalry between the cities to accept the other guy's Mayor. Gail can answer this, but I suspect the Memphis folks, even Democrats, have little desire to be ruled by Nashville's Mayor. The same goes here. Nashvillians do not want to governed by Memphis politicians.

You saw a lot of that in the tax debate among the Democrats. West TN Dems rallying for an income tax while Middle TN Dems floated other taxes. Pharaoh Phil also used Memphis to steal a team that sport fans there wanted for over 20 years. How does that play over there?

Finally, the big guns have yet to enter the race. Even Tommy Burnett was concerned that Bredesen might be running to many ads early on. He might peak out an Van comes charging hard in September and October.

President Bush will be very active in the Tennessee campaigns. If Republicans win, that finishes Al Gore once and for all. It will prove once and for all that those who know him best do not like him or his party. If the Dems pickup offices, you are going to see Big Al out there telling everyone that this proves he has mended fences, Tennessee loves him (they just hated Clinton), and everyone can get behind him and take the White House from Bush. This is going to be a major war in all the Tennessee races.

7 posted on 07/10/2002 8:27:13 AM PDT by JDGreen123
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To: disgustedvet
Good insight. Thanks for the info. I knew that anyone who was Tommy Burnett's roommate at one point was probably as slimy as they come.
8 posted on 07/10/2002 8:28:52 AM PDT by JDGreen123
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To: GailA
Wonder how old Pharaoh Phil is going to pay for all these educational programs without large tax increases? Probably the same way he promised Nashville that we would not have to pay for all of his monuments. He must assume that there are even more succers in the entire State than here in Nashville.

I don't agree with him but at least Nicholls is honest intelling us he wants and income tax. Bredesen simply will NOT ever say NO to an income tax. Try to ask him and watch the slippery double-talk that leaves all doors open for future policies.

9 posted on 07/10/2002 8:34:35 AM PDT by JDGreen123
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To: disgustedvet
right on...Henry is having trouble finding county chairman for his campaign...that should tell him something! No, self respecting TN Conservative wants their name attached to his!
10 posted on 07/10/2002 9:36:03 AM PDT by D. Miles
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To: JDGreen123
Thanks for the input. I am a Tennessee transplant like most of my acquaintances. But I was here for Phil's slight of hand with the Oilers/Titans and no increase in property taxes stunt and I remember it well. However, my fear is that the majority of my friends are more liberal leaning than myself (but still anti income tax) and right now all they can envision is if Bredesen had been elected gov instead of Sunquist 8 years ago. I'm just afraid that he will give the Republican candidate are hard fight.

11 posted on 07/10/2002 9:55:52 AM PDT by vanna516
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To: vanna516
Well I am sure it will be a good contest. For each of your more liberal Nashville friends, Tennesse has plenty of good ol' boys and girls that have very different opinions. Inside I-840 is no indication of what the rest of the State thinks. You have to get out to the small towns and communities to get the real pulse of Tennessee. It is those folks who elected George W. Bush while so many Nashville & Memphis urbanites went for Gore.

I am a native Nashvillian but readily admit that people around here think the whole State revolves around Nashville. The hometown media cheerleaders pump out the propaganda that we have the best businesses, best politicians, best environment, blah blah blah.

Phil Valentine asked the Tennessean why they had not covered the drivers' license scandal and death in Memphis. They told him "We don't do West Tennessee stories." That pretty much sums up the smug Nashville outlook. That stance causes much anger among the other folks in Tennessee.

12 posted on 07/10/2002 10:10:57 AM PDT by JDGreen123
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To: JDGreen123
Shelby Co voters will overwhelmingly vote for Van. henry's endorsement by rout won't carry weight as most of us see rout as a RINO (which along with pushing the grizzlies arena made him un-re-electible that and abandoning the Shelby Forest folks to king willie's annexation rape.)

NOW Memphis voters will overwhelmingly vote for oily phil. Memphis is 60% minority. 10 year olds along with their parents and the dead are bussed into the polls on election day (this is how albore won Shelby Co.) It is common knowledge and ignored. We in the County portion can't out vote Memphis, they out number us by at least 2-1.

There is also another factor playing here with voting in Memphis this election. We have a minority pol hollering racisim after getting his hand caught in the cookie jar. He is exhorting the churches to come to his aid to help defeat the evil GOP whities. I've posted the story, and the link to the original story.WILBURN hollers racisim

13 posted on 07/10/2002 8:28:25 PM PDT by GailA
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To: GailA
Finally, the big guns have yet to enter the race. Even Tommy Burnett was concerned that Bredesen might be running to many ads early on. He might peak out an Van comes charging hard in September and October.

This also applies to lamar, he is running ads all over the place, radio & TV, I've yet to hear one for Bryant on the radio. I watch very little TV, and don't often catch the local news of late. So I can't say for sure if Ed is running ads on TV yet. Not seen any campaign lit on them in the last couple of weeks either.

We also have a good chance to replace joe kent (RINO) with a REAL Ronald Reagan Conservative in Chuck Bates. Who is a trained economist, son of a former banker and former TN legislator Dr. Larry Bates who hosts Unraveling the New World Order on Christian talk radio.

14 posted on 07/10/2002 8:36:05 PM PDT by GailA
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To: JDGreen123
The Comic Appeal doesn't cover much Nashville happenings either. They barely covered the Tax fight. What little they did cover it was just like The Tennessean, The Oak Ridger, The Times Free Press and The Kingsport Times did PRO-IT.
15 posted on 07/10/2002 8:40:49 PM PDT by GailA
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To: JDGreen123
I hear a lot of "I'm voting for Bredesen because he's a good businessman" comments.
16 posted on 07/10/2002 8:41:53 PM PDT by pnz1
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To: pnz1
A fool and his money is soon parted. Great businessman? We loose over $4 million per year on the sports deals he struck. He left our city $900 million in debt. He is a great businessman for me if he takes your money and gives it to me. I don't think you would consider that good business.

A part of me would like to see Pharaoh Phil win so I can sit back and laugh at all the fools who bought his pack of lies. As the taxes go up, the liberal social policies spread, and the income tax resurfaces under Phil the Shill, I don't want to hear any crying.

If the people of this state want a liberal northeastern tax-and-spend Harvard lefty who has supported an income tax, legalization of marijuana, and free needles for heroin addicts, then they deserve the hell that will ensue.

They also of course will pave the way for the re-emergence of Al Gore. President Bush will be here to campaign haevily for Van Hilleary and other Republican candidates. I have personally heard Bredesen on local radio castigate Bush in the worst terms. If the Republicans win in Tennessee, Gore is finished. The Dems will never back him again when he proves that he still cannot win his own state!

If Bredesen and other Dems win, Gore will be out front and center taking credit. It will be "I have mended my fences, Tennessee loves me and all Democrats, let's roll to the White House." I hope your "friends" realize a vote for Bredesen is a vote for Gore. But then, maybe this state is so stupid that it really prefers Big Al and Clintoon to Bush.

17 posted on 07/10/2002 9:35:23 PM PDT by JDGreen123
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To: JDGreen123
I'm not fooled by the "good businessman" myth.
18 posted on 07/10/2002 9:44:09 PM PDT by pnz1
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To: GailA
We have had Bryant ads in Nashville. What I see around here is the common working class folks are all Bryant and the country club, "how is my stock doing?", champaigne and brie types are pro Lamar! Of course those are the same folks that control the local media. A big Lamar! cheerleader was on Teddy Bart's show this morning. I e-mailed them a copy of the "Lamar Alexander's Skeleton Closet" site and the guy went berzerk.

Lamar! has never had to answer these charges in front of voting Tennesseans. He was asked about them in a confirmation hearing for Secretary of Education under Bush Sr. Of course the other politicians were not going to hit Lamar! on any of this since so many of them are guilty of the same dealings. I am also sure Bush Sr. leaned on some folks for their approval of Lamar! Answering these charges before the Tennessee voters after all the mess of "insider trading" and corruption on Wall Street will be much more difficult. Bob Clement has already promised that if it is he and Lamar! for the prize, Clement will hit Lamar! with all of these charges.

19 posted on 07/10/2002 9:46:38 PM PDT by JDGreen123
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To: pnz1
Great! Spread the truth to those folks lest we all suffer for their shortsighted thinking. I am doing so every chance that I get.
20 posted on 07/10/2002 9:49:01 PM PDT by JDGreen123
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