Knoxville Mayor and Republican Tennessee gubernatorial candidate Bill Haslam took aim at national issues this week in a news release responding to the election of U.S. Sen.-elect Scott Brown, R-Mass.
“The current health care legislation is a symptom of the larger problem,” Mr. Haslam said. “Washington needs to listen to the people. We’re tired of the spending, and we’re tired of Washington sending us the bill for their bad ideas.”
Mr. Haslam asked President Barack Obama to halt the current health care legislation, which he called a “huge unfunded mandate” on Tennessee.
3rd district, two forums
Candidates for the congressional seat long held by U.S. Rep. Zach Wamp, R-Tenn., will participate in the first of two forums of the campaign next week.
On Wednesday at 11 a.m., candidates will gather at Chattanooga State Community College’s Humanities Auditorium to answer questions from students. Then, on Saturday, the Chattanooga Tea Party and Campaign for Liberty are hosting a 2 p.m. forum at Woodland Baptist Church on Standifer Gap Road.
Following the Saturday forum, attendees will get a chance to talk to the candidates for an hour regarding their positions.
So far, the candidates agreeing to participate in the forum are all Republicans. Two independents are running for the seat, but no Democrats officially have announced their candidacy.
wamp heads to alabama
Rep. Wamp, who is stepping down from his congressional seat to run for Tennessee governor, is headed to Huntsville, Ala., Monday for a fundraiser with that state’s Republican Gov. Bob Riley.
Also appearing at the fundraiser will be U.S. Reps. Parker Griffith and Robert Aderholt, both Alabama Republicans. Former U.S. Rep. Bud Cramer, D-Ala., is scheduled to attend as well.
The cost to attend the reception is $500 per person or $1,000 per couple.
isakson touts tarp vote
In a Thursday news release, U.S. Sen. Johnny Isakson, R-Ga., played up the fact that he cast a vote to end the $700 billion Troubled Asset Relief Program that Congress put in place in October 2008.
“It is time for the federal government to stop using the Troubled Asset Relief Program as a slush fund to spend whenever and wherever the White House sees fit,” he said. “Ending TARP is absolutely essential to decreasing the federal debt and reducing the need to increase the debt limit.”
The attempt to scrap the program, which required 60 votes to pass, failed 53-45.
Sen. Isakson was one of 74 senators who initially voted for the TARP program in 2008, under the Bush administration.
alexander: GOP goes step-by-step
In remarks on the Senate floor Thursday, U.S. Sen. Lamar Alexander, R-Tenn., laid out what his party stands for: step-by-step health reform.
“It is time to declare that the era of the 1,000-page bill or the 2,000-page bill or the 2,700-page bill is over,” he said. “A wiser approach would be to set a clear goal, such as reducing health care costs, take a few steps in that direction, and then a few more, so that we can start solving our country’s problems in a way that re-earns the trust of the American people.”
twitter updates
Twitter is a social networking tool politicians often use to send updates to supporters. Here’s what some local and state candidates and officials were saying this week.
* Bradley County Sheriff Tim Gobble, GOP candidate for Tennessee’s 3rd Congressional District, Sunday: “It is the role of the United States to help people who suffer major disasters like the earthquake in Haiti.”
* Former Tennessee Republican Party Chairwoman Robin Smith, candidate for Tennessee’s 3rd Congressional District, Monday: “Honor MLKjr who stood strong in challenge & controversy, not just in comfort & convenience like so many today.”
* Former state Rep. Kim McMillan, D-Clarksville, candidate for Tennessee governor, Monday: “I am so excited & proud to be walking in the MLK March in Nashville.”
* Art Rhodes, GOP candidate for Tennessee’s 3rd Congressional District, Tuesday: “Thirty days ago, thirty points behind. Today a win! Congratulations to Sen.-elect Scott Brown. Expect more surprises on Aug. 5 in Tenn.”