Posted on 03/30/2002 11:39:41 AM PST by GailA
GOP legislator asks Alexander to quit race
By Tom Humphrey, News-Sentinel Nashville bureau March 30, 2002
Republican state Sen. Mike Williams of Maynardville said he stayed out of a 1994 congressional primary at the urging of Lamar Alexander, and now he is urging Alexander to stay out of the U.S. Senate primary.
Perhaps not surprisingly, Alexander does not plan to honor the request, a spokesman said.
In a letter to Alexander, Williams said "you asked me not to run in the interest of party unity" when Williams was considering a 1994 race for the Republican nomination in the 4th Congressional District.
"You sincerely believed as an elder statesman in our party that a contested primary between Van Hilleary and me at that time in that particular race would be very divisive to the party," Williams wrote. "You also noted that it would waste limited financial resources that would best be saved for November."
In his letter Williams said he put aside his ego and his goal in the interest of the greater good of the party and Alexander's advice "was good."
Williams wrote that while Alexander has had "a very long and illustrious career," he has "not been on a ballot in Tennessee for 20 years."
"At this time, in the interest of party unity, I am respectfully asking you to step aside from consideration of the U.S. Senate seat so that millions of dollars will not be wasted in a primary race. Your withdrawal will keep the party united and focused on victory 2002 in November," Williams wrote.
Kevin Phillips, spokesman for the Alexander campaign, said after talking with the candidate that the former governor "does not recall" asking Williams to step aside in 1994.
As for Alexander stepping aside, Phillips said he "absolutely" would not.
"We thank Mike for his opinion," Phillips said, "but respectfully couldn't disagree more. The question is not whose turn it is. The questions are who is best prepared to serve in the Senate, to strengthen the country, to help President Bush win the war and hold the seat for Republicans. The answer is clearly Lamar Alexander."
Former Vice President Al Gore has written a fund-raising letter for the national Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee declaring that donations will go to keeping a Democratic majority in the Senate as a "bulwark against right-wing extremism."
"Democratic senators are committed to helping families caught up in the current economic downturn, while Republicans continue to make tax breaks for the wealthy and big corporations their top priority," Gore wrote.
Gore also criticizes Republicans on environmental issues, for resisting as "too expensive" prescription drug coverage for seniors and for being "more interested in paying back their campaign contributions than representing the American people."
The state Senate has now used 81 of the 90 "legislative days" allotted by the Tennessee Constitution for the 102nd General Assembly. The House has used 80.
That would normally mean the two chambers are close to adjournment, but that's not necessarily so with the continuing stalemate on taxes and a state budget.
Both chambers have adopted a schedule that calls for just one official "legislative day" each week. A "legislative day" occurs when the full House and Senate meet in floor sessions. Days devoted to committee meetings don't count as such a day, although they do count for the $114 daily expense allowance paid to lawmakers.
If the lawmakers pass the constitution's 90-day limit for "legislative days," they can continue to meet, but their $114 daily allowance is shut off.
Tom Humphrey may be reached at 615-242-7782 or humphrey@edge.net
Alexander's got more name recognition than Bryant does, nationally. Is that not the case in Tennessee?
Remember, the objective's to beat the Democrats, not quibble over internecine battles.
If he was the only Republican who could beat Harold Ford (or whoever's running as a Democrat), absolutely.
That Sinkspur is what has bought us the mess we now have. Sundquist is the RINO of RINO's. A governor so pathetic that the DEMs loved his so much they ran a party joke against him. Why? Because they could count on Sundquist to fight for their agenda of Socialized Medicine, expanded government with higher taxes, and against the GOP agenda of LOWER TAXES AND RESPONSIBLE GOVERNMENT. Now do you still call Sundquist a good deal? My dog could beat him in the GOP primaries that is how much he is hated in this state.
With FReepers like you, it's no wonder we can never find candidates who don't stab us in the back at every turn (Jeffords, Lott, McCain, etc.). Go lurk elsewhere, you rude poster.
If conservatives can't be free to choose representatives who share our priorities and views, then why the heck are we even bothering with the voting booth at all? Do you think that whoever the GOP leadership crown as 'the favorite' should just be directly coronated? No, thanks, our forerfathers thought of a better system, and I'm glad animal172 has the brains and initiative to be selective in his voting choices. I think it would be more appropriate and more intelligent if you would both share some reasons for and against voting for Lamar, rather than the gut reactions we're getting so far. Any info for those of us who don't know Lamar Alexander from Hedy Lamarr? (All I know is that he's run for higher office before)
Many in the GOP last governor election did just that. They voted for a DEM Republican are you happy now? His name was Sundquist. Sundquist and Lamar same policies same problems understand now? Or do you have to ask the RNC & White House for permission to understand? There is more to it than the blessed beloved sacred party. There is more to voting than party there is an item called platform and principle. Twits like you is what keeps the GOP Clogged UP with Industrial Strenght RINO and offers little hope ever for political change of direction.
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