by David Moon
posted July 27, 2005
Some might think it too early to talk about the upcoming 2006 U.S. Senate Race, yet the Republican contenders already collect money in heaps. As of 30 June, Federal Election Commission Financial Reports show former Chattanooga Mayor Bob Corker with a substantial lead by dint of $3.4 million collected. Former U.S. Representatives Ed Bryant and Van Hilleary trail with $742,700 and $713,500 respectively. Candidates have their own internal polling telling a different story, but polls at this point don’t really tell much.
Last week, I attempted an internet search, including candidate websites, to ascertain where these candidates stood on the issues. My thought was: There has to be a reason for this kind of money to be flying around so early in the game? Little was found except for Bill Hobbs.com a Nashville political blog. Mr. Hobb’s site asked the candidates one question concerning Kelo vs. New London, the recent property rights decision wrongly rendered by the Supreme Court. We, the average voter, deserve the benefit of public introspection by these candidates before deciding so early who to support.
Before tearing into a bunch of sticky questions, some background on the candidates is in order. Locally, we all know who Bob Corker is. What surprises, at least by the amount of money collected, is how many others know Mr. Corker too.
As information on this candidate’s stance on the issues is skimpy, I attribute a great amount of his popularity to years of networking, plus a personal relationship with the White House. Mr. Corker once made a point of telling me over coffee how he and his daughter enjoyed a quiet dinner with the President at the White House. I’m not the only one to hear this tale to be sure. Mr. Coker, in his only other statewide effort, failed to catch Bill Frist during the 1994 Republican Senate Primary.
Mr. Bryant is also well known in Republican circles. He voted on the House Judiciary Committee to impeach then-President Clinton. Mr. Bryant further became one of the House Councilors, who pressed the Impeachment Articles in the Senate. When Mr. Bryant says he’s a conservative, I take him at his word. In his last outing for U.S. Senate, Mr. Bryant was decisively beaten by Lamar Alexander.
Phil Bredesen defeated Van Hilleary in a closely fought 2002 Governor’s race. However, this was first defeat for a Republican statewide since Sara Kyle won a seat on the old Public Service Commission in 1994. Mr. Hilleary claims to be a strong conservative with National Defense credentials. My only experience with this candidate was in Knoxville, when he was still a U.S. Representative, where he addressed a business meeting. Mr. Hilleary was indeed on top of defense issues that evening. As with Mr. Bryant, Mr. Hilleary’s conservative bones are not in dispute.
What voters have to consider in the money race is the current situation of two conservatives, Messrs. Bryant and Hilleary, chasing a moderate, Mr. Corker - who puts out press releases saying he’s a conservative. The only recourse for the voter to pull apart the winner from the pack is to ask salient questions of the candidates. Why not try some here?
1) Where do you stand on reforming Social Security, a major domestic issue for President Bush? Is it your position that ensuring Social Security’s solvency is an immediate problem? Are you for private accounts in some form? Do you back the President’s plan?
2) How do you as a United States Senator address the current-account trade imbalance with China? Do you back the Bush administration on quotas for Chinese textiles and the need to revalue the Yuan (China’s Currency)?
3) Illegal immigration is a fast growing concern in Tennessee and America. How will you work to address this situation? Do you back Mr. Bush’s Guest Worker Program?
4) Mr. Bush proposes an exception to the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty for India in order to improve both U.S. direct ties with the subcontinent, as well as serve as a geo-political counterbalance to China. How would you vote as a United States Senator on the administration’s proposal?
5) What is your Federal tax policy?
6) What experience and educational attributes separate you from the other candidates in your approach to these issues?
Many important issues remain for discussion, but this sampling of domestic and international questions is a reasonable starting point.
Speaking of starting, State Representative Beth Harwell, the former two-term Tennessee Republican Party Chair, has queried many Tennesseans about joining this race. An announcement, possibly in late August, from Ms. Harwell could well change the dynamic.
One thing is for certain: Money is not everything. Ron Littlefield won the Mayor’s race in Chattanooga against a 3-to-1 disadvantage in money, so there’s always hope for the candidate that can energize the base. I believe the GOP base in the Volunteer State closely identifies with President Bush. The candidate most closely carrying Mr. Bush’s standard in word and deed will gain a considerable share of the primary vote.
Until such a time Ms. Harwell might enter the race, we have three confirmed candidates chasing our dollars with questions to answer.
David Moon
TNcolmoon2@aol.com
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Great writing and very thought provoking! You know that all of the candidates will answer those questions in time. My guess is Bryant, Hilleary, and Corker will answer them to the satisfaction of the overwhelming numbers of Republicans.
In my opinion, what is more important in this race is the character and practical experience of the candidates. Van Hilleary and Ed Bryant’s contributions to the betterment of society have been the employment of several paralegals and administrative staff while working their way up the ladder for many years as career politicians. Bob Corker has built a multi-million dollar real estate, construction, and development business that has created jobs for hundreds (if not thousands) of people, created opportunity for other companies to grow, expanded the economy, and contributed to the financial well being of many people along the way. He proved himself as an excellent Mayor for four years. What is more conservative than an entrepreneur creating jobs and building the economy?
The real question Tennesseans should be asking is do we want a career politician for our next Senator whose resume is stacked with political trophies enhanced by marketing professionals to appear meaningful . . . or do we want to elect a person who has built companies, created jobs, successfully lead one of this state’s great cities, and has the executive and creative abilities to accomplish great things in Washington DC for Tennessee and the United States?
I’ll be voting for Bob Corker.
Bob Linehart
Signal Mountain
blinehart@comcast.net
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