2010-04-20 LAGGING MCWHERTER FUNDRAISING ISN'T LACK OF TRYING, IT'S LACK OF GIVING
NASHVILLE, TN - Democrat Gubernatorial Candidate Mike McWherter made headlines earlier this week when the Associated Press reported he was only able to raise $103,000 in the first quarter of the year. When asked about his lagging numbers, a McWherter campaign spokesman responded that McWherter hasn't made fundraising a priority.
"This is a poor attempt to explain really bad fundraising numbers," said Tennessee Republican Party Executive Director Gregory Gleaves. "It is laughable the McWherter campaign would imply that fundraising isn't a priority - especially considering the substantial numbers our Republican candidates have been reporting. Mike McWherter's meager fundraising isn't from his lack of trying; it is attributed to Tennesseans' lack of confidence in his ability to effectively govern our state."
Following is part of a Q&A session with a McWherter spokesman reported by the Nashville Scene in which he was asked about the campaign's lagging fundraising numbers.
Q: So he hasn't been raising money because he hasn't been trying?
Kopp: He always spends time every day making some calls, but quite honestly there hasn't been a huge intense effort in the last couple months to do it, and it's frankly because the Democratic field has been pretty thin and it just got really thin. We've been watching what the Democrats in the field have been doing and their fundraising wasn't getting off the ground, so we didn't feel the pressure to focus all our attention on raising money. When everyone sort of dropped out, the idea was to get all this retail politicking out of the way. ...
Q: Are you sure you want to stick to this story because this sounds like some pretty seriously ridiculous spin?
Kopp: It sounds like ridiculous spin?
Q: You're telling me that he's not trying to raise money?
Kopp: I didn't say he wasn't trying to raise money. I said it hasn't been the primary focus the last few months.
2009-09-29 An overview of the Lawrence County Republican Party
The Lawrence County Republican Party’s mission is to provide the citizens of Lawrence County with quality candidates for local office. We also want to make a difference in State and Federal elections whenever possible, helping to influence the course of our government through sound principles.
The local Republican party believes in an honest, open government, with open records accessible by the citizens. The people have a right to know, and should never be denied access to local records and to the officials they elect. Making public meetings more interactive with citizen input is also critical to a more productive government.
While we operate at a local level, we believe in defending our Constitution.
We believe in moral conservatism. The more morally upright the candidate, the better he or she will be able to serve the citizens and maintain the level of openness and honesty the people deserve.
Financial conservatism is key to a sound government. Making a budget and then sticking to it, like working-class folks, will help the government to operate more smoothly and efficiently, while restoring confidence in the government by the people.
Smaller government is a focus of the Republican Party. Less intrusion by the government into our lives means a better relationship between the government and the people it represents.
2009-09-29 Rep. Kelsey To Introduce Health Care Choice Act
From The Chattanoogan
September 22, 2009
Representative Brian Kelsey announced on Tuesday that he will introduce the Health Care Choice Act in an effort to lower health insurance costs and provide choice to Tennesseans. The legislation would allow Tennesseans to purchase health insurance plans from companies in other states, a practice that is currently prohibited.
"Americans want and deserve health care reform but not the government-run health care that is being discussed in Washington. This legislation is health care reform at the state level that will lower heath insurance costs and provide more choices to Tennesseans," he said.
The Health Care Choice Act will expand the number of health care plans available for purchase from 127 in Tennessee to potentially more than 5,000 plans nationwide.
"The goal is to lower costs by offering more choices," said Rep. Kelsey. "With this legislation, Tennesseans will have more access to affordable health care insurance."
Co-sponsor Rep. Joey Hensley, MD, the only physician in the General Assembly, said, "It's important that people have the option to be able to purchase affordable insurance plans without the limitations of individual state mandates. As a physician I have seen first hand the problems people have obtaining reasonably priced insurance and this would expand the pool from which people have to choose insurance plans. Competition in the market place will lower prices and increase the quality of their choices.”
At least five other states have introduced similar legislation, including New Jersey, Colorado, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, and Washington. A bill introduced on the federal level aims to allow states to enter into an interstate compact to sell health insurance over state lines. The Washington Post recently reported that Tennessee’s own Senator Bob Corker is pursuing legislation on the federal level to allow a new insurance exchange, allowing companies to compete across state lines nationwide.
Co-sponsor Rep. Bob Ramsey, a dentist, added, "My constituents are disappointed and frustrated with Washington's current discussions on healthcare reform. I feel compelled to examine and offer a more efficient and rational solution. I am proud to join my House colleagues in this alternative endeavor."
"It's time for state legislatures to weigh in on this national debate and take a stand against government-run health care," said Rep. Kelsey. "I look forward to having this discussion with my colleagues, so that we can work together to make health insurance more affordable for more Tennesseans," he said.
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