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Venus flytraps caught in shrinking natural habitat
Southern Ledger - October 6, 2008
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Hungary 4 dead, 26 injured in train collision
Southern Ledger - October 6, 2008
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Iraqi lawmaker urges resolution of minority issue
Southern Ledger - October 6, 2008
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Curfew in Indian Kashmir to prevent protest rally
Southern Ledger - October 6, 2008
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Kashmir police threaten to shoot curfew violators
Southern Ledger - October 6, 2008
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Supreme Court to open new term with heavy workload
Southern Ledger - October 6, 2008
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Congress hears Lehman sought millions for execs
Southern Ledger - October 6, 2008
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Designers play it safe as economy sours
Southern Ledger - October 6, 2008
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Jimmy Kimmel returns as American Music Awards host
Southern Ledger - October 6, 2008
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WILL BREDESEN ALTER THE TENNESSEE POLITICAL LANDSCAPE IN 2009?
July 15, 2008 -
July 22, 2008
Despite the looming Presidential free-for-all in November, 2008 is not shaping up to be a particularly explosive political year for Tennessee. John McCain seems to have a comfortable lead in Tennessee and Barack Obama is not expected to spend significant time or money pursuing the state’s eleven electoral votes. Lamar Alexander is a safe bet for re-election to the U.S. Senate despite what may be a dismal election season for Republicans nationally. Although Congressional approval ratings have sunk into the single digits in some polls none of the incumbents in Tennessee are in serious trouble at this point.
Some State House and Senate races may generate some excitement, but by the time the counting of votes is completed it is likely that the Republicans will retain control of the State Senate while the Democrats will remain in a majority in the House. Thus, the 2008 political season will certainly generate a lot of noise in Tennessee but very little real change in the political landscape. 2009, however, could usher in a dramatic turn in political events that would make the NEXT election cycle anything but boring.
Although Tennessee Governor Phil Bredesen continues to receive attention as a prospective running mate for Barack Obama it is unlikely that he will ultimately make the “cut.” The electoral map simply doesn’t weigh out in his favor.
Nevertheless, Capitol Hill insiders say that the Governor is far from fully engaged in the mundane details of governing and seems more than ready to move on to his next challenge. An offer to serve in a key cabinet post in an Obama Administration would almost certainly be tendered, and many believe that Bredesen would readily accept an opportunity to head Treasury, Commerce or Health and Human Services.
The question is whether Bredesen would hesitate in accepting such a position with the knowledge that his resignation would immediately elevate Republican Lt. Governor Ron Ramsey into the Governor’s office with two years remaining in the current term. Some Democrats, however, see that possible scenario as improving their chances of a Democrat Governor emerging from the 2010 election cycle.
Former Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist is seen as a likely Republican candidate, and probably nominee, for Governor in 2010. His ability to raise as much as ten million dollars to fund a campaign, and match that amount from his personal wealth, is a daunting challenge that prospective Republican and Democrat candidates must factor into the equation when considering a race against him.
Republicans like Ramsey, Congresswoman Marsha Blackburn, Congressman Zack Wamp, Shelby County D.A. Bill Gibbons, and others are unlikely to run if Frist gets in. Likewise, Democrats such as Congressman Lincoln Davis, former House Leader Kim McMillan, Harold Ford, Jr. and others may pause before jumping into a race against Frist and his money.
But what if Bredesen exits and Governor Ramsey is running for re-election in 2010? Would Frist challenge the sitting Republican Governor for the nomination? That could certainly shake things up!
Some Democrats see Ramsey as a less formidable foe, but in politics appearances often prove deceiving – particularly when judging one potential opponent as “easier” to beat than another. While the Tennessee political arena may produce some yawns in 2008, decisions made in the first month or so in 2009 could make the next election cycle absolutely breathtaking.
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IS RUSH WORTH $400 MILLION? -
July 7, 2008 -
July 14, 2008
News reports that talk radio giant Rush Limbaugh had inked a new eight year contract with his syndicator, Premier Radio Networks, for a reported $400 million payout immediately produced breathless outrage from some in the media ranks. “Is he worth that,” they asked with derision dripping from their lips. “Is ANYBODY worth that amount of money?” The short answer is “yes.”
Rush (who is among a tiny group of super celebrities who have achieved one name status) is not stealing this money, n... |
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THE VEEPSTAKES BEGINS. -
July 2, 2008 -
July 9, 2008
Barack Obama and John McCain will soon intensify the process of selecting their Vice Presidential nominees. Pundits will earnestly debate the merits of each prospective candidate in exhaustive detail. But ultimately the test that will determine each man’s choice is relatively simple: “Who best helps me win the White House?”
The most important factor in picking a Vice Presidential nominee should be whether or not the person is ready and able to serve as President. In reality the selectio... |
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THE BATTLE OVER GUNS WILL CONTINUE. -
June 26, 2008 -
July 3, 2008
The ink was barely dry on the historic Supreme Court decision in Heller when the anti-gun crowd started a new assault on gun rights. In Heller the Court struck down a 32 year old gun ban in Washington, D.C. and specifically recognized the Second Amendment as an individual right rather than a collective right.
The Court, in a 5-4 decision written by Justice Antonin Scalia, also found a Constitutional right to possess a handgun as a matter of personal self defense: “There are many reason... |
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JUDGES GONE WILD! -
June 19, 2008 -
June 26, 2008
In recent years many black-robed judges have shown themselves to be legislators at heart, as they impose their political ideology and agendas from the bench. Though they apparently lack the willingness, or ability, to win such legislative battles at the ballot box they are able to succeed in both writing the laws AND interpreting them thanks to the weak-kneed acquiescence of the Legislative and Executive branches of government. But having achieved the ability to dictate their will to society at... |
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WILL NEW NASHVILLE CONVENTION CENTER BE NAMED FOR TAXPAYERS? -
June 12, 2008 -
June 19, 2008
The planned new convention center for downtown Nashville is back in the news with the selection of a Maryland-based Clark Construction Group as construction manager. The costs for the project have already risen from a “mere” $455 million when first announced two years ago to what is expected to be an amount in excess of $635 million. The ultimate cost is almost certain to be much higher than that, since public projects seldom come in at the promotional “sticker price.”
In fact, the cost... |
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