Where is Bredesen?

[Mr Switters]

Lots of folks in East Tenn are EXTREMELY disappointed with Bredesen's OBVIOUS lack of support for the Kerry ticket. I know he's been involved with some fund raising in the Nashville area for Kerry, but not ONE public statement has been made in endorsement or support for our guys? What gives Phil? Are you that big of a (pardon my French) PUSSY?

Please correct me if I'm wrong, I don't follow Bredesen too closely, but I imagine that if he was out actively campaigning, endorsing, and supporting the Kerry/Edwards ticket then we'd be hearing bout it in the news, in the papers, on the net, ect.

Is Phil worried that he'll give up his popular support and all his political capital if he endorses Kerry and campaigns publicly? Well I got news for ya Phil, the DEMOCRATS that got you elected are VERY unhappy with you right now over this and you are probably hurting yourself more by "keeping silent" during this election.

[redstateblues]

1. I'm a big Bredesen supporter and I'm disappointed also

He has endorsed Kerry. I believe he spoke before Max Cleland at the Jackson Day event.However, he's not much of a speaker and without any campaign appearances to speak of in TN by Kerry or Edwards I'm not sure how much attention he would get. The K/E 04 campaign has been nearly non existent in Democratic leaning Middle TN, except for the Music Row Democrats- who produced their own TV ad.

[Mr Switters]

2. There's been a lack of attention

From both sides, because I don't think anybody believes Tenn to be a "swing" state (boy will they be surprised). I think this is good for us because it's kept the big Bush money and ads out of the state.

BUT, even with that said. Bredesen IS the leader of the PARTY in Tenn, so you would think that even if there are no K/E events in the state that Gov. Bredesen would still be getting out and making appearances on their behalf at party functions, not just one or two "diners" that none of us can afford to attend.

We could REALLY use his leadership and help in East Tenn. There are a lot of folks over this way that really respect the fact that he's pretty much fixed the state budget mess, and they recognize him to be a levelheaded leader and most of these fence riding independents would definitely consider and weigh public support by Bredesen for Kerry VERY heavily in their voting decision. He's a popular Gov. and we could REALLY use some of that popularity in traditionally conservative (especially rural) parts of the state.

I'd like to see us all Email him and try and show how much his public support means to the Party's efforts in the state:

[e-mail]

It might make a difference.

[MemphisTiger]

3. I think he doesn't want to look like he's close to what some

around here call a LIBERAL. He has a tough situation, some might even say it's hard work, to try to be re-elected in a state that is fairly republican. I think he doesn't want to tie himself with a candidate that may lose. (WON'T HAPPEN) Maybe he's just a pessimist.

[Mr Switters]

4. Sent an email to Bredesen's office, his staff's reply was....

PATHETIC! CANNED! UNIMPRESSIVE! COP OUT!

My original email to his office and his staffer's reply are as follows:

Gov. Bredesen,

East Tennessee democrats are wondering why there has been an obvious
lack of public support on your behalf for the Kerry/Edwards ticket? We
are fighting extremely hard and working very long hours to get the
good work done this election year and your silence isn't helping our
efforts.

Are you worried that you will loose your popular support and political
capital by endorsing OUR candidate (and obviously the best choice) for
president this election year? Your silence in this matter is angering
a lot of your Democratic base in this part of the state.

We'd LOVE to have you on board. Your public support of OUR candidate
would make the job we are doing that much easier! The people of
Tennessee appreciate your logical and level headed leadership, your
willingness to make the tough decisions and stick with them. Your
leadership has earned you massive support and respect in this state.
Supporting the Kerry/Edwards ticket will not make that support and
respect vanish, if anything it will solidify your position as a great
leader in times of great struggle!

Thanks for your time and attention.

Bob H.
Knoxville, TN

His staff's reply:

Dear Friend:

Governor Bredesen received your e-mail regarding his support for
Senator John Kerry during his bid for President of the United
States. He asked that I respond to your concerns.

The Governor is very excited and optimistic about Senator
Kerry's bid for President. As Democrats, we are eager and
supportive of the Senator during his campaign travels to
Tennessee and look forward to the many upcoming visits.

The Governor stated at the Democratic National Convention that
he is confident that Tennessee is not a clean Republican sweep
for the President and feels that if Senator Kerry and Senator
Edwards spend time in Tennessee that we could see an upset
come November 2nd. With that said, we are encouraging voters
all across the state to actively take part in joining with the Kerry
Campaign to make a change in our country and our state.

We appreciate you taking the time to write and expressing your
concerns about the presidential election. Please feel free to
contact our office in the future with other matters of
importance to you.
Warmest regards,
Phil Bredesen

Can you say EVASIVE and CANNED?!?!?

First off, they know DAMN WELL that neither campaign has made it a priority to have the principles campaigning or making appearances in the state.

"As Democrats, we are eager and supportive of the Senator during his campaign travels to Tennessee and look forward to the many upcoming visits."

Come on! Give me a break, they know he's not coming, or even planning to come to "many upcoming visits." That's just a cop out, saying that we'll only come out and show our support and actually TALK about our endorsement of Kerry IF HE COMES to the state. BULL! When the principles don't come to the state, it's left to the job of the party leader (aka Phil) and other prominent Democrat surrogates (like Harold Ford Jr, ect).

"Tennessee is not a clean Republican sweep
for the President and feels that if Senator Kerry and Senator
Edwards spend time in Tennessee that we could see an upset
come November 2nd."

This is a total COP OUT for him. Basically saying "IF they spend time in Tennessee then we can see an upset." They are trying to absolve themselves of any responsibilty for TENN going Bush becaus "Kerry/Edwards disn't spend time here." It's YOUR job Phil, not theirs to make the case in the state when they have decided not to spend their valuable time here!!!

God, I'm SO disgusted with Bredesen! Does anyone else out there working hard, long hours on the K/E campaign share my frustrations?

[sweetladybug]

5. I just emailed him and asked him to come out and help Kerry/Edwards

[Mr Switters]

6. Thanks for emailing, but...

Thanks for emailing! I'm sure that his office getting emails like this MAY make him come out with a public statement or show some sort of support in these last 8 days. Chances are you'll get the same stock reply that I did. I can't tell you how disappointed I am with him and his staff for so obviously taking a back seat this election.

[NashVegas]

7. Sitting on his 72% Approval Rating

that's where he is.

[Mr Switters]

8. I'm not the only one that's pissed

about his backseat attitude to this election. This feeling is shared by many of the organizers and volunteers within the local Knox County Kerry Campaign. He's going to have some serious 'splainin to do when this is all said and done. It'll be hard for me to cast my vote for him next time around, and there are many hard core Democrats in this area that share my feelings.

[tnlefty]

9. I'm frustrated by this, too, but I did see an article in the local paper

last week and Gov. Bredesen is out canvassing for candidates because he's afraid that we are going to lose the majority in the General Assembly. He's on some billboards with local candidates who are running for rep. seats.

Don't get me wrong, I'd like to see him more active for K/E, but trying to help candidates in the state is also important.

[SharonAnn]

10. Yes, if we lose the Senate majority we lose all this:

Lietenant governorship
Secretary of State
Comptroller of the Treasury
State Treasurer
And related Authorities, Boards, Commission, and Councils

That includes ALL Election Administrators across the state and the Election Board in each county would switch to Republican majority instead of Democratic majority. We'd never see anything close to a fair election again in this state.

So, disappointing though it is, I understand his emphasis on maintaining the majority. Especially since losing two seats would give the GOP the majortiy.