U.S. Senate schedules Sharp vote
Decision on Middle Tennessee district judge expected May 2
Apr 15, 2011 11:01 AM
Sources: Shakeup in Mayor's office
High-profile position in Dean administration to change hands -- UPDATED: Mayor's office confirms changes
Aug 26, 2009 10:27 AM
Lawsuit targets local enviro-cleanup firm
Ex-workers and applicants claim company used H-2B visa program, expanded in last hours of Bush administration, to defraud migrants and deprive citizens of jobs
Aug 10, 2009 3:37 PM
One Shot: Remembering Jack Kemp
Although I had certainly been interested in at least one presidential election previously, 1992 was the year I became politically aware. One of the moments that sticks out in the election year was late in the fall, probably October, I went on down to the local Bush campaign headquarters to volunteer. I wasn't all that keen on the President but I became very engaged in the election. I followed the Perot movement closely -- until the billionaire embarrassed his supporters (my view at the time) and dropped out. After that, I guess I figured I'd finish up supporting the candidate who I most identified with at the time. Anyway, this particular day sticks out because Jack Kemp was scheduled to come to town with the President and we volunteers where supposed to make preparations. One of our tasks, one I will never forget, was to make signs. They gave us posterboard and markers and other such accessories and told us to get to work. You see, the signs were to appear amateur and homemade. And they were in a fashion, I suppose, but they were not for us to hold, not all of them anyway. They were to be handed out to those who would show up at the rally -- to make them look like more animated supporters. Here I was a sixteen year-old interested in getting involved in the process of politics and I am struck in the face with the reality that all those rallies I'd seen on television were carefully staged events. What I always had assumed were the signs of genuinely enthused supporters I learned instead were, at least in this case, the work of a few volunteers. A rather rude awakening at the time. I admired Jack Kemp back then. He seemed like a different kind of Republican and I knew that I was looking for something different. And on that day in the fall of 1992, he and the President gave reasonably good speeches (at least they seemed so at the time) but I couldn't shake the fact that no matter how good, decent or inspiring the politician the process was somehow rotten to the core. Turned out I knew far less than the half of it. Another thing about 1992 and Jack Kemp that has gotten lost in many of the remembrances of him was that it was strongly rumored that Kemp had given seriously consideration to challenging President Bush in the primaries that year. Kemp, of course, was driving force behind much of the Reagan economic program but his campaign for President had failed to catch fire in 1988 and thus Bush, not he, claimed the mantle of Reagan and the Presidency. By 1992, it was clear to everyone that Bush was not Reagan's heir and was a pretender to the throne. However, he was an incumbent and, as such, no "legitimate" potential candidate would risk their political career taking on the incumbent President of his own party, no matter what taxes he had raised or what legacy he had betrayed. Of course, those "illegitimate" candidates that year, first Pat Buchanan and then Ross Perot, proved just how vulnerable the President was from the Right and the Center. The country wanted change in 1992. Had Kemp summoned the courage to take down the President in the primaries he could have been that change. There would have been no opportunity, no vacuum on the center-right for for a Ross Perot to exploit and the second-tier Democratic candidate Bill Clinton would have been faced not with a failed president of a tired generation but someone closer to his own generation. Jack Kemp, had he had the intestinal fortitude to take on the President, would have had an even shot at victory as a cabinet secretary and former congressman where Pat Buchanan did not. Jack Kemp had the opportunity to be President but he didn't take it. He flinched. He failed to grab the brass ring. That is the lesson of Jack Kemp that the eulogizers ignore. In politics, it is very easy to put things off, to tell yourself that there will be other moments and other opportunities. As much admiration Jack Kemp apparently had for Barack Obama, it is clear that they are very different people. Barack Obama in 2006 was a very green senator and young man. He had plenty of time to grow and attain big things but he saw that his moment was now. As imposing as Hillary Clinton would be in the primary, if the country was ever going to elect a progressive black Democrat it was going to be after eight years of George W. Bush. It had to be now. Kemp had a similar moment in 1992 and he chose a different path. He chose to delay his moment until it was too late. That is what I remember about Jack Kemp above all else. SEE ALSO: Hunter Baker takes us back The President pays his respects Bruce Bartlett eulogizes his former boss Matt Yglesias NY Times Obit Buffalo News The Associated Press Quin Hillyer Matt Lewis gives his thanks Glen Dean Matt Hurtt John Gizzi Bill Bennett Kemp the bomb thrower May 4, 2009 10:15 PM
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A Healer Among Men
Bill Frist on the legacy of George W. Bush:A legacy of President George W. Bush will be that he saved 10 million lives around the world. His critics ignore it, but name another president about whom one can say that with such certainty. It is what historians will say a decade from now looking back. Not bad for a president who leaves office with the lowest approval rating in recent memory. The bottom line is: George Bush is a healer.SEE ALSO: Bruce Barry
Jan 16, 2009 9:59 AM
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Democrats try the 'boogeyman' tactic to scare up votes
Tennessee Dems invoke unpopular former governor in state races
Oct 28, 2008 2:20 PM
Cooper calls surge a success, discusses Afghanistan escalation
Nashville's congressman returns from trip to Afghanistan and Pakistan
Sep 9, 2008 11:14 AM
The Comb Is Finer Than It Used To Be
Say Uncle is not worried yet but is a bit concerned about the growing number of gaffes made by Barack Obama:Dude, as a politician, the memory must match the tape. Period. It’s a good thing you didn’t misspell potato(e) or your career would be over. I can’t decide if I really care so much about these gaffes. I mean, they guy campaigns like 20 hours a day and has been doing it a while. He could be tired. If there’s something more to it than that, I might be worried since, you know, if he wins he’ll be the guy with the button.Is Obama really any more gaffe prone or Bush any more inarticulate than leaders in our past or are there just simply a lot more eyeballs on these politicians every move more hours in a day. Most people, if filmed 19 to 20 hours a day, are gonna say something stupid or inarticulate eventually, yes?
May 28, 2008 12:06 PM
News Analysis: Why Obama should scare the hell out of Republicans
The Illinois Senator's run would radically change the dynamics of an important campaign component
May 9, 2008 7:41 AM
