With Labor Day in the rear view mirror we have seen a flurry of campaign ads hit the airwaves all over the state. Democrat Chaz Molder has been relative quiet as he waited in the wings to see who prevailed in the Hatcher-Ogles GOP primary battle in the Fith District. Charlie Hatcher knocked off Ogles, so the Molder/Hatcher fight is on.
Molder has a new ad out that seeks to brand him as a moderate, praying family man unlike the rest of his DSA dominated party.
Although his ad claims that his first steps in Washington will be to take on corruption, his actual first votes will put the radical Democratic leadership that is so far out of step with Tennessee in power. His ad features several of his daughters at the dinner table giving a great family portrait.
But if he does get to Washington, as a member of Congress, will he cross his party and the lone democrat vote against forcing his daughters in the locker rooms and bathrooms with boys? Into the sports competition with boys and men? Is there anything in his record that indicates he has the strength of character, resolve and commitment to vote out of step with every other member of his political party? Will he be a seemingly sole Democrat voice in favor of tax cuts for seniors, overtime workers, and those earning tips?
A more accurate ad would have him seated at table filled with the woke radical colleagues he will put in power with his first vote and with whom he will be aligned: AOC, Hakeem Jeffries, Ilhan Omar, Rashida Talib, James Talarico, Bernie Sanders, Abdul Al-Sayed, etc. etc. If there was actual truth in political advertising, that’s the scene he would show to voters in the fifth congressional district. Don’t expect him to show that unless or until he becomes part of the lockstep Democrat pack in DC. And don’t expect him to bring any of them to campaign for him in Tennessee in the next two months.
PEARSON POLL CLAIMS HE IS WITHIN FOUR POINTS OF TAYLOR IN NINTH DISTRICT.
A Democrat polling firm is distributing a poll claiming that democrat congressional candidate Justin Pearson trails Republican Brent Taylor by only four point headed to the November 3 general election: 48-44%. The details of the poll (registered voters versus likely voters? Crosstabs?) we’re not released so it’s credibility is certainly in question.
Nevertheless, Republicans should be aware that turned out in November is critical. There appears to be an enthusiasm gap between Democrats and Republican in this congressional district and across the state. The numbers in the newly redrawn 5th, 7th and 9th districts definitely favor Republicans; but only if Republican voters turn out.
HATLEY AND PINKSTON JOIN GREEN CALL FOR DEBATE WITH BLACKBURN
Democrat Jerri Green issued a debate challenge to Republican Marsha Blackburn earlier this week. Now, Independents David Hatley and Lauren Pinkston have echoed the call for Blackburn to defend her record and define her agenda.
Hatley pointedly called Blackburn to task. “Tennesseans deserve more than a 30-second TV ad written by a D.C. consulting firm. They deserve to see the person asking for their vote stand on a stage, take real questions, and give real answers, not talking points that have been focus-grouped by out-of-state donors and special interests. I built businesses and made payroll in this state for thirty years. I’m not afraid to defend my record or my plans in front of the people I want to serve. The question is whether Marsha Blackburn is.”
The Blackburn campaign has also begun a desperate smear campaign against Hatley. In a move that belies the campaign’s claim of a huge insurmountable lead in the race, Blackburn campaign team members began directly calling media outlets across the state to peddle “dirt” on Hatley. Campaigns regularly use third parties to engage in distributing negative stories about their opponents. What may indicate some desperation on the Blackburn team is the fact that actual campaign leaders were making the calls themselves.
The Blackburn team also developed and is actively promoting a “hit” website targeting Hatley focused on issues he has previously disclosed and discussed, many of which date decades ago. Again, not the kind of behavior expected from a campaign that has a “inevitable“ path to victory in less than 60 days. The website is paid for directly by the Blackburn campaign and tagged to Glenn Jacobs, her treasurer.
“If Marsha Blackburn has questions about my character, integrity, and business record, then she should have the guts to stand on a stage with me and ask questions to my face,” Hatley points out. “She wants a promotion to Governor without ever having to defend her record in an unscripted setting, in front of the voters she’s asking to hire her. That’s not leadership. That’s a campaign built to avoid accountability.”
Pinkston has emphasized that any meaningful debate will include every candidate who has built grassroots support across the state, and she confirmed that her campaign is working with partners to host a public forum later this fall.
Finally, she once again invited Blackburn and Green (and presumably Hatley) to join a Disagree Better campaign, which invites candidates to compete hard, disagree openly, and treat people with respect and honesty.
As Bruce Barry at Tennessee Lookout has noted, it is highly unlikely that Blackburn will ever participate in any form of forum or debate with her opponents.
Dodging debates may be a good tactical decision for a candidate that seems to have a significant lead, but is it the right policy decision? As Green, Pinkston and Hatley have all pointed out, it is also at direct odds with Blackburn’s previous position on debates, which she has favored in the past for others. Good for thee but not for me, Marsha?
Steve Gill is editor and Publisher of TriStar Daily.
