In a new video on his Web site this week, Cleveland, Tenn., businessman Art Rhodes, a Republican candidate for Tennessee's 3rd Congressional District, called for "real health care reform."
"Any health care legislation must stress personal responsibility and not government care," he said. "A public option is nothing more than government care, and we only have to look at Medicaid and Medicare to see that the government has not been very successful in running a health care system."
Mr. Rhodes said legislation should allow customers to buy coverage across state lines, shouldn't use federal money for abortions and should encourage health savings accounts.
smith blasts "bailout"
One of Mr. Rhodes' opponents in the GOP primary, former Tennessee Republican Party Chairwoman Robin Smith, issued a news release this week criticizing President Barack Obama's administration for what she called another bailout.
Last week, the U.S. Treasury Department agreed to lift a cap on aid to Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, the two largest sources of mortgage loans in the country.
"It has been clear for nearly a year now that this administration has no regard for the financial hole they are digging for our children," Ms. Smith said. "Committing the American people to unlimited responsibility for the same organizations that contributed to the implosion of the U.S. housing market while rewarding their leadership with these pay packages is irresponsible in the extreme."
twitter updates
Twitter is a social networking tool politicians often use to send updates to supporters. Here's what some state and local officials and candidates were saying this week.
* Bradley County Sheriff Tim Gobble, GOP candidate for Tennessee's 3rd Congressional District, Sunday: "Since 9/11, a number of serious terror events have been thwarted by the govt. Good work. The latest was stopped by a citizen. Good work!"
* Knoxville Mayor Bill Haslam, GOP candidate for Tennessee governor, Tuesday: "Had a great time hunting out in West TN with my son and some friends."