TN GOV RACE: Bredesen, Hilleary trade shots on records (phil misleads on Van's record)

Outside WREG-TV's downtown studios Sunday afternoon, supporters of gubernatorial candidates Phil Bredesen and Van Hilleary waved placards and shouted at one another.

The first Memphis debate between Democrat Bredesen, the 58-year-old former Nashville mayor, and Republican Hilleary, the 43-year-old congressman from Tennessee's Fourth District, began with civility but soon turned sour as both candidates went on the attack.

The negativity was particularly apparent in the second half of the hourlong debate, which was sponsored by The Commercial Appeal, WREG-TV Channel 3 and MPACT Memphis, a group of young professionals who focus on issues and volunteer opportunities.

It was the last scheduled debate between the two candidates. Early voting starts Oct. 16, and the election is Nov. 5.

In the first half of the debate, the candidates - who are locked in a dead heat, according to polls - responded to questions from panelists Paula Wade from the newspaper, Norman Brewer from Channel 3 and Nicole Lacey from MPACT Memphis. The candidates did not know the questions beforehand, a situation that differed from some earlier debates.

In the second half, the candidates posed questions directly to each other. Those questions often took the form of disparaging statements, allowing the candidates an opportunity to attack each other's records.

While the debate touched on several issues, taxation and the future of TennCare dominated.

An early question referenced Hilleary's apparent reversal on TennCare policy. In recent weeks, Hilleary has backed away from early promises to cut $350 million in state spending from TennCare, then use that money to fund a variety of other programs.

"I think we have lost the opportunity to save any money (this year)," Hilleary said during the debate. In a press conference afterward, he added, "As it is, there are not going to be any savings in TennCare."

Hilleary repeatedly hammered away on the tax issue, citing Bredesen's three property tax increases while mayor. He also called on Bredesen to pledge not to consider an income tax for two terms if elected governor.

"I'll take the income tax off the table," Hilleary said. "Mayor Bredesen won't."

Bredesen repeated that he wouldn't consider an income tax during his first term, but said he wouldn't be "boxed into" anything for a second term.

"I'll say it again: I'm not for an income tax. I don't think it's the right idea," Bredesen said. "If you can give me four years in office as a good businessman, we won't be talking about the income tax."

At one point, Bredesen attacked Hilleary's record in Congress on funding education. Hilleary defended himself, prompting Bredesen to say, "Congressman, you are just plain wrong in that explanation."

A few moments later, Hilleary called some of Bredesen's comments "weasel words."

Hilleary brought up a comment Bredesen made 30 years ago advocating the legalization of marijuana, a comment Bredesen now calls "silly."

Bredesen called himself "mature" and "sensible" twice while indicating that his opponent lacked the necessary business skills to run the state.

Bredesen asked Hilleary why, in 1997, he had voted against an airline ticket tax to pay for runway expansion and improvements at Memphis International Airport. Hilleary responded that he voted against it because it was a tax increase. (NOTE from ME Van said this was a tax increase that had no corresponding tax cut to make it a net zero item)

Hilleary also compared the deal the NBA's Memphis Grizzlies received to the one Bredesen negotiated to land the NFL's Tennessee Titans.

In his closing remarks, Hilleary said, "I am going to be a hands-on governor. I will be in Memphis a lot."

The candidates contrasted in other ways as well. Hilleary arrived in the studio with a black notebook, which he scribbled on during the debate. Bredesen sat at his table empty-handed. When the candidates spoke, Hilleary remained seated, but Bredesen stood nearly every time to give his comments.

"The second half, they wasted a lot of time attacking each other's records (rather) than asking specific questions," said 35-year-old Adrian Winfrey, an MPACT member.

Added fellow MPACT member Rod Merriweather, 30: "I thought both of them were being traditional politicians. They evaded questions. They got into no specifics concerning education, taxes, health care. I wanted some hard answers to some hard questions."

weasel phil kept complaining about W and Cheney coming into TN for Van to raise money..while weasel phil is running AWAY from his big guns..AlGorebatross, shillary, slick, teddy, dashole, gebhard. Which justified him to break Tennessee Campaign contribution law that the DEMWIT controled General Assembly wrote after the last Guv election to keep weasel phil from putting MILLIONS into his own campaigns and buying the elections!

weasel phil is a native New Yorker who went to school with shillary. A vote for weasel phil is a vote for AlGorebatross and shillary.

Van is a native Tennessean

AlGorebatross has lots of time on his hands as the Tennessee demwits especially the demwit weasel word phil bredesen who is running for governor is RUNNING from AlGorebatross as if albore has the black plague!

Come to think of it AlGorebatross has only campaigned for 2 Tennessee canidates. Leftist boby clement who is running against Lamar, and socialist sherry fisher who is running against Heroine anti-income tax warrior Mae Beavers for state Senate.

I wish News Max or World Net Daily would pick this story up.

Bredesen running from Albore

Gore's role minor in state politics Bredesen keeping his distance from ex-vice president

Bill Hobbs debunks weasel phil's lies about Van record on the income tax.

HOBBS

But here is what Hilleary said back in 1992:

Oak Ridger: "I don't support the concept that the state needs an income tax. I would support a study on a flat tax rather than a regressive one. A lowered sales tax would have to be part of it. If there is a real need for more revenue, the people could amend the Constitution, but there is not a real need now for additional revenue."

Morgan County Times: The "people, not the legislature, should decide whether we have a state income tax."

The fact is, Hilleary is opposed to the income tax and believes that no income tax should be created unless the people approve it via voting on a constitutional amendment. Hilleary's comments regarding a study of a flat tax indicate his belief that if the people - not the legislature - chose to create an income tax, it should be a flat tax. He's right on both counts. If the people of Tennessee ever make the mistake of amending their constitution to create an income tax, it should be a flat tax.

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