NASHVILLE — Lt. Gov. Ron Ramsey attacked Republican gubernatorial rival Bill Haslam’s conservative credentials Tuesday, saying, “Tennesseans are smart enough to see through his fluffy commercials and realize he’s not the ‘real deal’ at all.”
The lieutenant governor charged in his news release that Mr. Haslam “counts liberals” such as former Vice President Al Gore and U.S. Rep. Jim Cooper, D-Tenn., as “supporters” and also noted Mr. Haslam has contributed to them in the past.
He also said Mr. Haslam “helped lead one of the country’s most radical gun groups — Bloomberg’s Mayors Against Guns — until 2008 when it became politically expedient to withdraw.”
And on yet another note, Mr. Ramsey, who is state Senate speaker, criticized an “endorsement” of Mr. Haslam by the liberal Knoxville political blog knoxviews.com, saying, “When liberal rags are publicly choosing Mayor Haslam as their best hope for August 5th, alarm bells should be ringing for our state’s conservative voters.”
Haslam spokesman David Smith said “Senator Ramsey doesn’t like our ad because it points out that Mayor Haslam is the only candidate with executive experience. If that wasn’t embarrassing enough for the state senator, giving credence to an obscure liberal blog that is clearly making fun of Republicans represents a new low.”
A tagline on the endorsement said “Elections Government Humor State 2010 elections.”
According to Congressional Quarterly’s MoneyLine, Mr. Haslam contributed $1,000 to Democrat Gore’s 1988 presidential campaign. Democrat Cooper received a $1,000 contribution from Mr. Haslam in 2002, according to CampaignMoney.com.
Asked about assertions that both Democrats back Mr. Haslam, Ramsey spokeswoman Rachel Tayor said via e-mail, “We know he (Haslam) has been on their team ... Haslam has endorsed them. That’s all we meant.”
Mr. Haslam did belong and later resigned in 2009 from New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s group to combat gun crime. Mr. Haslam maintained the group veered away from an original focus on illegal gun use by criminals.
Andy Sher is a Nashville-based staff writer covering Tennessee state government and politics for the Times Free Press. A Washington correspondent from 1999-2005 for the Times Free Press, Andy previously headed up state Capitol coverage for The Chattanooga Times, worked as a state Capitol reporter for The Nashville Banner and was a contributor to The Tennessee Journal, among other publications. Andy worked for 17 years at The Chattanooga Times covering police, health care, county government, ...
His Honor Mayor of Knoxville was warned by other mayors in Tennessee not to joing the NY Yankee Mayor in his quest to control guns, but Mr. Big Oil Haslam and closet liberal said he knew better.... something he nows try to blame on others. So, this is what we want in the Capitol?
Check out how the people of Knoxville feel about Mayor Bill Haslam:
http://www.typchoice.com/ballot_referendums
How many other Tennessee Mayor's have ballot referendums against their most important city plan?
Learn more about the man you think you know:
http://www.wix.com/therealbillhaslam/The-real-bill
Wow, if past support is an indicator of future delivery. Boot Ron Ramsey, formerly known as (Jim) Holcomb Lite, was "a moderate" according to his home county newspapers. Ramsey disparaged conservatives who wouldn't vote for taxes like the BILLION largest tax hike in history Ramsey voted for 8 years ago on July 3, 2002. That one became law but was only one of many votes Ramsey cast for taxes, including two votes for a state income tax. Kingsport Times-News, July 10, 2001, Legislators: Lengthy sessions could spell end to citizen's legislature Ramsey said: "In my opinion, I have moved greatly from saying we don't need an income tax to maybe it would be the best taxing system for Tennessee." House, Senate split on budget plan Ramsey said: "Raising about $300 million is the minimum we could get by on and still have a responsible budget. "I'm sure my conservative buddies would cringe at hearing me say that. But we did create a hole by over-projecting revenues last year and using non-recurring funds, and any business would view this as a deficit that needed to be covered by raising revenue." Kingsport Times-News Jan. 13, 2002 Ramsey said: "I hate to name names, but the conservatives (in the Senate) who are opposed to a tax increase also realize that by law, we have to balance the budget."
Bill Haslam wants to create a world class education system in Tennessee. As a compassionate conservative, Bill Haslam's desire is educational opportunity for every child in Tennessee.
But his record as Mayor of Knoxville reflects otherwise. Bill Haslam opposed giving $500,000 to fund the struggling Knox County school system. The money would have avert the potential of teacher layoffs and loss of educational programs.
At the same time, Haslam gave generous pay raises to his political cronies in city government.
How can we trust Bill Haslam to stand up for Tennessee's children when he denies the children of Knoxville a "world class education."
Bill Haslam, wrong for Tennessee's children.
Or login with:
New Account