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GoogleCandidates in the special election to fill the vacant 62nd District state House of Representative seat continue to fling accusations over who is and isn't interested in a debate.
The campaign of Republican candidate Pat Marsh issued a news release criticizing Democratic candidate Ty Cobb II for his campaign's initial response to the Times-Gazette that he didn't have time for a debate.
"I am disappointed in the Democrat Candidate's response that he does not 'have time' for such an event," Marsh stated in a letter to Constitution Party candidate Chris Brown which was included with the news release. "You and I have had an opportunity to debate during the primary, and I believe that now that we are only weeks away from the general election, we must have a debate with all three candidates present. Anything else would be a disservice to the voters and not achieve the objective."
Cobb's campaign then fired back with a copy of a letter sent to Marsh's campaign.
"I find it disappointing that you would try to score cheap political points through a press release insinuating that I am refusing to debate you. As you are well aware, leaders in both House caucuses are negotiating the best time, place and format for such a debate of the issues," states the letter.
Both campaigns say that they would be willing to include Brown, who complained last week about being excluded.
Governor to visit
Gov. Phil Bredesen is scheduled to attend a rally for Cobb tonight at the Fly Arts Center. The event will take place from 5-6:30 p.m. and is sponsored by the Tennessee House Democratic Caucus.
Brown gets more support
A letter to the editor of the T-G from Tom Kovach, state chairman for America's Independent Party, supports Brown's efforts to be included in any debate.
"The election laws of Tennessee are currently structured in such a way as to suppress both free choice and coalition building," states Kovach. "For example, not only does the state exclude all but the 'Big Two' parties on statewide ballots (except for presidential races, which are governed by Federal rules), but the Tennessee election law also prohibits cross-endorsements!
"Thus, if a candidate represented views that were satisfactory to more than one party, Tennessee would prohibit all but one of those parties from putting that candidate on the ballot. And, under the provisions of the nicknamed 'Incumbent Protection Bill' that the Democrats sponsored, and Gov. Bredesen signed into law, three years ago, it is now twice as difficult for smaller parties to gain a ballot line, because that law doubled the number of petition signatures required. That law was unfair to voters, and was likely un-Constitutional."
The Oct. 13 special election will fill the vacancy caused when Cobb's brother Curt Cobb resigned from the 62nd District seat at the end of June to take a position in the Bedford County court system. Early voting will begin Sept. 23.
Marsh defeated three other Republicans in the party primary last month, while Cobb was unopposed in the Democratic primary. The district includes all of Bedford, part of Lincoln and a small portion of Rutherford counties.
Note: The nature of the Internet makes it impractical for our staff to review every comment. If you feel that a comment is offensive, please
Any endorsement from Tom Kovach is going to be a liability. That's the last thing that Chris Brown needs for his campaign if he expects anyone to take his credibility seriously. If ever you are in the need for entertainment, just do a little research into the whacky adventures of Tom Kovach.
Where is this letter to Brown that they keep refering to? I have asked Mr. Brown and he has not received any such letter. I guess it got lost in the mail???? or did UPS forget to deliver it??? I'm getting really confused in all this. I don't know who is lying anymore, the Republicans or the Democrats. I just know that I feel it's time to back up and re-group. It's time to get our rights back and we are going to have to stick together, as the people, to do this. It's time to vote for the person and the party who supports our Constitution beliefs.
I think that what Mr. Kovach is stating is that it is hard to run as a third party and why it is so hard. The Republicans and Democrats have made it hard for anyone besides themselves to try and better the people of this District, this State and this Country. Since Chris Brown is pushing that he is a part of the Constitution Party, it is bringing attention to bloggers of all Independent party affiliates, to fight for their right to be on the ballot. The Republican Party, at one time, was a third party.
As you are well aware, leaders in both House caucuses are negotiating the best time, place and format for such a debate of the issues," .....
So the two main party candidates can't make their own decisions on the "time, place, and format" of a debate. They have to have the parties tell them when, where or how. I guess we now know who they are representing, the party and not the people.
Mr. Cobb is incorrect: there is no such thing as a cheap political point - they all cost voters a lot of time and money! Refuting a cheap political point can be quite costly for the opposing candidate as well. Why not just give voters straight answers in the first place? Like one to the question of how it benefits citizens to keep a legislative seat "in the family"?.
Well said, sawyers69 and orphan.
Like many nay-sayers -- especially those that hide anonymously behind nicknames -- I noticed that user "TubeSock" is long on emotion, but short on facts.
I wonder to which of my "whacky adventures" he was referring. Was it...
1. Inventing a piece of military field equipment (the Kovach Klip)?
2. Getting a thank-you letter from Gen. Schwarzkopf for the above?
3. Learning to communicate in several languages?
4. Being a founding member of a national political party that, in only four months, became the third-largest party in the United States?
5. Writing two books?
6. Investigating aircraft incidents, political shenanigans, and a Nashville vehicle bombing?
7. Hosting talk-radio programs, the last one of which was carried on 51 stations nationwide?
8. Capturing an Iranian citizen, on American soil, whose activites could have disrupted ongoing negotiations for the release of the US Embassy hostages then being held in Tehran?
9. Working as a wranger on two horse ranches?
10. Jumping out of helicopters from ten thousand feet?
11. Suing the governor of Tennessee to block construction of the $19-million, wasteful party hall nicknamed Bredesen's Bunker?
12. Leading a military counter-terrorist team overseas?
I've had quite a lot more adventures. And, I'm secure enough to let the readers decide which one is or is not "whacky". (By the way, TubeSock, most people spell it "wacky".)
My guess is that what TubeSock REALLY wanted to do is prevent free American citizens from even CONSIDERING the possibility of joining a party other than the "Big Two". That should tell you something about how much both of them fear America's Independent Party.
Perhaps the readers should visit that Web site, and find out just what the Big Two fear.
And, while your at it, feel free to visit my Web site.
Thank you, folks, for your attention.
PS: For reasons unknown, the HTML code did not work to create links.
So, here are those Web site addresses.
America's Independent Party
www.SelfGovernment.US
my Web site
www.TomKovach.US
Thanks, again.
Tom,
By the way most people spell it "wrangler", or in some instances "wanker".
Sounds to me that Tubesock has heard you speak before wasn't impressed by your John Kerry'ish autobiography.
Cobb HAS THE Gov to speak and Marsh has Sen Corker at his well to do shin dig but I bet the average person wont be invited to attend either party... what to do what to do???
Oh Tom, you have no idea what a pleasure it is to actually get to speak with you. I'll try to make this quick, but this time I'll include a few more facts. To begin with, I suppose I'll humor you a little bit.
1. Inventing a piece of military equipment? Tom, they also have a special pouch that will fit on your load bearing vest that holds tobasco sauce. You don't see that guy running around pretending to be Alexander Graham Bell.
2. My grandfather got a letter from both General MacArthur and President Truman after WWII. I personally got a letter from Barack Obama last year asking for a donation. Really, Tom? Really?
3. Languages? I won't argue there, but speaking wingnut doesn't count.
4. How many candidates from your party have successfully run for office, Tom?
5. Writing two books? Tom, in one you claim to have discovered the date of the apocolypse and the return of Jesus Christ. The second? See #6.
6. Tom, I can claim to investigate anything with the help of a magnifying glass, Google, and CSI: Miami.
7. What happened to those heavily syndicated talk shows anyway? Please tell me. I'm dying to know.
8. And where is it documented that you saved hostages by personally capturing an Iranian accomplice? Besides your book, I mean. Where is it? I want citations, Tom.
9. Working as a "wranger"? Oh where in your time as an inventor, holy warrior, author, and being the 5th Beatle did you find the time to be a "wranger"? See below for possible answer.
10. How did that lawsuit end up? Can you e-mail me the court transcripts? I would love to know how it went.
11. Leading a counter terrorism team? You were security forces in the Air Force, Tom. Not exactly a hotbed of action is it? How much combat did you see? How many terrorist plots did you unfoil? Is this where your "distinguished" blue beret comes in? I served in the Marine Corps and I rated to wear a "Blood Stripe" and a mamaluke sword. I don't put that on my resume.
While we're posting your accomplishments, Tom, let's post some more. Weren't you fired from a metro high school for assaulting a teenage boy? You should put that on your website.
Just this January, you were begging for funds to help you pay court costs to keep you out of jail. Why? Because of your infamous lawsuit against the "Bredesen Bunker". Here's the website, since you're all about facts.
http://tomkovach.us/blog/2009/01/help_ke...
Tom, I would like nothing more than another party to spring up and offer some opposition to the Big Two. But I wasn't saying anything about other parties was I? I was saying that an endorsement from you is a liability. Get those facts straight.
And as far as hiding behind anonymity, I would love to continue this debate with you in person. I have seen combat, Tom. I have been to Fallujah. I was a Platoon Sergeant in the Marine Corps. I have two college degrees. I can go on and on. You're not the only one with accomplishments, Tom. You're just the only one who spouts them off constantly to give yourself credibility that you don't have.
Has anyone stopped to think about why a man who brings in Millions a year want a 16,000 dollar a year job? Or why the name must be carried on from the other side? Could it possibly be because they are going to be voting on a re-zoning of the districts in the very near future? And that whomever gets this seat could be the deciding Party to who gets what areas? There's more to this than the people know. Everyone needs to do some researching and see what is really happening. What are these people getting out of this? How many are going to end up owing in the long run, instead of benefiting. I don't know what all is going on, but I've heard bits and pieces and we need to put the pieces together and make sure they are in the right places so the puzzle shows us the right picture. We need someone to represent the people and if we put an Independent in office then that could be the deciding vote to represent the people instead of the two powerful parties that has lost focus on "We the People". How much money do you think the Democrats and Republicans have spent just in postage and how many families could that have helped feed. I'm sure they have spent more than this job even pays in a year, just to retain this office. It's all about power, not the people. It's time that we, as the people of this nation, open our eyes and see the truth of what is happening and going to keep happening as long as we let it. These tea parties are not a bunch of raciest, they are a bunch of people who have gotten mad and want a real change for our people.
Carney sure is bias towards Marsh, nothing against Marsh but the paper should report fairly. I would say the fault in the misunderstanding lays with the paper not reporting properly. The pen is mightier than the sword and the gazette knows this all too well.
sawyers69... Im not real sure how many I received but Im sure my garbage truck guys could tell you.
Well actually not as Im sure they were reeeallly tired of hauling them off.
There certainly is more to whats going on than is being said or reported !
I got three truck loads of crap for Cobb and Marsh telling how they are for the working man but I sure didnt get invited to the party with the Governor last night with Cobb or to Marshs big shin dig with Sen Corker...guess the common folk they are so worried about arnt good enough to mingle with their country club friends.. sure does clear things up!!!
Yes the mailings are a waste, but what about the phone calls? I have received too many from both major parties touting their choice. The one call that really got to me was the sixth call in one day from a major party candidate marketeer. It came in from Virginia at dinner time.
I said she was the sixth caller and I didn't appreciate my dinner hour being interrupted. She then asked what State I resided in. If she didn't what State Legislature the candidate was running why should listen to her. She hung up on me. I know that I will not be voting for the candidate whose caucus hired outsiders to tell me about someone they don't know.
Hey Chris, amalphia's voting for you, because Cobb and Marsh campaign are both guilty of hiring outside callers.
"tomjones" please don't presume to speak for me.
First post didn't seem to upload. Sorry, if this turns out to be a duplicate.
"tomjones" don't presume to speak for me.
I am quite disappointed that I never got a reply from Tom Kovach. I suppose that he is entirely too busy to argue facts with me. Pity. I kind of enjoyed where that conversation was going.
TubeSock,
I got your e-mail (via my Web site), requesting that I continue our "productive" debate.
It seems to me that you are a person with entirely too much time on your hands. Instead of saying what your real point is, you waste your time (and mine) trying to nit-pick at people.
Don't tell the public what you are AGAINST (which, in this case, is obviously me). Instead, tell the public what you are FOR. Take a stand on a point, instead of hurling insults at someone else for taking a stand.
OK, so you were a Marine, and you saw combat. (I've had loaded guns pointed at me at close range, been shot at, been in quite a few fights, and have had people try to run over me with vehicles -- but, I have never "officially" been in combat.) OK, so your accomplishments (in most cases) rank higher than mine. Good for you. Here is my salute. We have now established that you are well-qualified. BUT, that does NOT mean that I am not.
And, everything that I wrote above was true. Period. (And, to answer your question -- yes, I have been involved in foiling terrorist plots.)
As for my lawsuit against the governor, there are 11 million citizens in this state, but only ONE went to court to try to enforce Constitutional limits on an arrogant abuse of governmental power. So, I didn't win. That does NOT make me a "loser". I tried. What did YOU do about Gov. Bredesen's abuse of power? Sit on the sidelines and laugh at the television when you saw my picture? Does that make you a "winner"??
Now, as I understand it, the REAL function of this Comments section is to comment on the STORY, and not on the other commenters. I will not waste my time having some petty "my resume is bigger than your resume" argument (not debate) with you or anyone else ... no matter how many more e-mails you might send me, begging for it.
I am well-qualified to have and express my opinon. You are well-qualified to disagree. BUT, that does NOT qualify you to go on long, juvenile tirades and ad-hominem attacks. Be civil. I have worked with enough Marines to believe that you are capable of doing that.
-------------------
By the way, I did NOT say that I endoresed Chris Brown or any other specific candidate. What I said was that I endorsed his RIGHT to be treated EQUALLY with all of the other candidates.
So, you WASTED a whole lot of ammo on the WRONG target.
End of argument.
Tom,
I don't see it as a waste of ammo. I was merely stating my opinion which you decided to attack. It is simple. You just did not like where the exchange went.
First of all, since you want to play Spelling Police with me. Here is a link for you.
http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionar...
Whacky is a variation of the word wacky. You should have looked into that before attempting to discredit me so quickly.
Second, I don't throw my weight around via my accomplishments. You started that game. I ended it. Once again, your point of view is out the window.
Lastly, Tom, I was commenting on the story. If you will notice in the last section of it, the name Tom Kovach comes up. One would think that that makes you part of the story and fair game for comments.
Maybe I do have too much time on my hands. The thing is, one of us lives in Shelbyville. One of us does not. It seems to me, that my reading and commenting on this story makes much more sense than it does you. After all, you are an author, inventor, soldier, and activist. Where did you find the time?
Also, Tom, I hope that you see the irony in the following statement.
"Now, as I understand it, the REAL function of this Comments section is to comment on the STORY, and not on the other commenters..."
You wrote it, Tom. Now explain to me how this exchange was initiated.