Democratic candidates take on GOP

Though they're all competing for the same nomination, three of the five Democratic candidates for governor had more to say about the Republican Party on Tuesday evening than they did about each other.

"The worst thing that could happen to Tennessee would be to let the Republicans take over," said former state Rep. Kim McMillan, D-Clarksville.

Ms. McMillan, Nashville businessman Ward Cammack and state Sen. Roy Herron, D-Dresden, spoke at a Greater Chattanooga Democratic Women's Club dinner at the local International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Hall. Mike McWherter and state Sen. Jim Kyle, D-Memphis, did not attend the dinner.

Chris Devaney, chairman of the Tennessee Republican Party, accused Democrats of using "scare tactics to get people to vote for them." He said the four Republican gubernatorial candidates -- U.S. Rep. Zach Wamp, R-Tenn.; Lt. Gov. Ron Ramsey, R-Blountville; Knoxville Mayor Bill Haslam and Shelby County District Attorney Bill Gibbons -- are putting out "a positive message."

Sen. Herron told the Chattanooga crowd of about 100 that Nashville is "more partisan than it's ever been. Either of these candidates (Ms. McMillan and Mr. Cammack) would be a heck of a lot better than anybody you'd get in the Republican party," he said.

Ms. McMillan accused Republicans of focusing on guns rather than health care and education. Sen. Herron argued for veterans care and health care funding.

Mr. Cammack called the 2010 election a "multi-generational consideration" and urged voters to select a Democratic governor, though he mostly spoke about the economy, green energy and high-speed rail.