Re: Roy Exum column on voting for Scottie Mayfield:

In response to Roy Exum, let me offer an example that is less than 24 hours old as an illustration of how Scottie Mayfield has run his campaign. Last night, I attended a candidate reception with the Young Professionals Association here in Chattanooga. These are young people who, like me, will be responsible for paying off the massive national debt our country faces. As has become his signature move in this campaign, Mr. Mayfield committed to attend and then failed to show up.

 
That is just one example of the many confusing acts of indifference along the campaign trail from Mr. Mayfield. Roy, you often say you loath "partisan bickering" so I can't help question how you justify supporting an invisible candidate who is already blaming everything on the "Obama/Pelosi" liberals. As Republicans are doing all over the country, it is the cheapest play in the "blame game” and will do nothing to solve our nation’s problems. If we keep sending the same kind of people to Washington, we will get the same results. Mr. Mayfield is a very nice man, but after watching him closely for months, there is little doubt in my mind that Mr. Mayfield is the same kind of people that have pushed our country to the edge of the cliff.
 
You dismiss me as too young to have been "through the fire yet." This is something I have heard for nearly a year and it is an argument without merit. Our country’s leaders have long complained that young people were not engaged in the political process, yet some immediately dismiss us when we run for public service. We don’t say that to men and women younger than me who have literally been "through the fire" on the front lines defending our nation. Age doesn't make a man and the nerve of young men and women have defended and moved our nation forward for 236 years on the battlefield and in the business arena.
 
While I do not compare myself to these brave Americans in uniform, the framers of our Constitution said clearly that 25-year-olds should serve in Congress. Today, the oldest Congress in history, does not include a person under 30; therefore, the young men and women who serve us in uniform are not adequately represented in the decisions made on their behalf.
 
Lastly, let me give you this important perspective about your choice of candidate. In our country's history, there is no precedent whatsoever of a 62-year-old going to the U.S. House and getting anything done. Let alone a 62-year-old who lacks the confidence to debate his opponents.
 
While Chuck Fleischmann has shown himself to be part of the problem in Washington and the national debt has increased trillions of dollars in his two-year tenure, I give him credit for at least being willing to step up, debate and share his views. Mr. Mayfield cannot say that.
 
Your baseball analogies are interesting. Sending Mr. Mayfield to Congress is the equivalent of signing a 62-year-old baseball player to help the Atlanta Braves down the stretch of the 2012 season. I’m not sure that works out too well.
 
Weston Wamp
Chattanooga

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I have news for young Mr. Weston Wamp.  I saw a 51-year-old Bobo Newsome pitch a doubleheader for the Lookouts many years ago...both shutouts.  That is called the iron-man stunt in baseball. 

Now how do you feel about facing Scottie Mayfield?
 
Charlotte Parton
Lookout Valley

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Funny that you weren't criticizing the "people who got us in this mess" two years ago when your daddy was running for governor after 16 years in Washington. Unlike Massachusetts with the Kennedys, we don't believe in family dynasties here in Tennessee.

Go out and get a job and come back in about 10 years and then try to get to Washington. Or better yet, since you mention your contemporaries in combat in your advertisements, why don't you join the military and make your contribution to the country in that manner.

My name is Doug Jones and I approved this message, don't you?

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His daddy taught him well.

"Son . . . if you ever get on the government teat . . you've got it made for life. I never had a real job before I went to Congress and you don't need to have one either. My subjects even voted me in again after I lied to them about how many terms I'd serve. We'll get you a good PR person and you're on your way."

I'm with Mr Jones - we don't need a family dynasty in Tennessee.

Ronnie "Rock" Land

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What I find interesting is that the responses to Weston Wamp's post are little more than snarky remarks about his age and his father, Zach.  What I don't see is any discourse about what disagreements they have with what Weston has proposed or his positions on the issues.  No, of course not.  It would seem they just want to try and be clever and resort to attacks on Weston's "daddy" and his age.  You'll have to forgive me if I don't find that very clever at all.  In fact, I find it quite lazy. 

If you want criticize, at least do so from an informed position about where you disagree with Weston's plans and ideas.  That is the adult thing to do.  But, if some people want to continue with the status quo of pejorative jibes that's their business.  The rest of us are going to be having a rational discussion of how to get the country out of the mess we're in.  You're welcome to join in when you're done trying to be clever. Oh, for the record, I'm proud of each and every time I voted for Zach Wamp and I will be proud to cast my vote for Weston.

Mike Patty
Chattanooga