TN Tea Party Assoc. endorses Ramsey

[gotigers]

TENNESSEE (July 5, 2010) – An association of twenty Tea Party organizations representing every corner of the state announced today that they are endorsing Lt. Gov. Ron Ramsey for the next Governor of Tennessee.

Edit: link to story: http://blogs.tennessean.com/politics/2010/ron-ramsey-releases-20-tea-party-endorsements/#zoom in Pic2

edit: full email with privat info removed

Tue, July 6, 2010 12:14:55 PM

PRESS RELEASE: TN TP'S ENDORSE RAMSEY FOR GOV.

From:Fayette Tea Party

To: (ME)

"Those who expect to re ap the blessings of freedom must, like men, undergo the fatigue of supporting it."

–– Thomas Paine

(1737-1809)

Click Here To View Platform & Voting Record Comparison of Republican Primary Candidates

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Twenty TN Tea Party Organizations Endorse Ron Ramsey For Governor

TENNESSEE (July 5, 2010) – An association of twenty Tea Party organizations representing every corner of the state announced today that they are endorsing Lt. Gov. Ron Ramsey for the next Governor of Tennessee.

These groups arrived at their decisions following a thorough, three-month vetting process, which included research into the candidates’ backgrounds and voting records, completion of vetting questionnaires, and culminated in a vetting forum near Nashville on June 27th. Republican, Democratic, and Independent candidates were considered for their knowledge, commitment, and record on the U.S. Constitution and Bill of Rights, fiscal responsibility, the role of the State and Federal Governments, and protection of the rights of individuals.

Eric Stamper of Sumner United for Responsible Government coordinated the vetting and endorsement process and said, "We believe the comprehensive and cautious nature of our vetting combined with the endorsement of almost every Tea Party group capable of endorsing will give voters the security to know that Ron Ramsey is the candidate who is most committed to limited and responsible government and has the best record to prove it. Despite what other candidates may claim, this endorsement of Ron Ramsey by twenty of Tennessee’s Tea Party groups and the previous endorsement of approximately fifty individual founders and leaders of liberty groups should confirm once and for all that Ron Ramsey is the ‘tea party candidate’ and enjoys nearly unanimous support among the tea parties.”

Lt. Governor Ramsey said, “I am thrilled to be endorsed by the Tea Party movement in Tennessee. This movement represents the values of Tennesseans who share my love for the state and my desire to focus on controlling our budget, limiting the scope of government and encouraging new business through free markets. My commitment to these principles as Lt. Governor has been clear and when I am elected Governor, I will ensure our state sovereignty and the liberty of the people of Tennessee.”

The groups joining in the endorsement represent approximately 25 counties and more than 20,000 Tea Party participants and include:

Bedford County Tea Party

Big South Fork Tea Party

Cumberland County Tea Party

Fayette County Tea Party

Franklin County Tea Party

Gibson County Patriots

Humphreys County Tea Party

Knoxville Tea Party

Lincoln County Tea Party

The Members of Cross County Patriots

The Memphis TEA Party

Monteagle Tea Party

Moore County Tea Party

Roane County Tea Party

Robertson County Tea Party

Sumner United for Responsible Government

Tea Party Cooperative

Tennessee Tea Party

Tipton County Tea Party

Upper Cumberland Freedom Rally

Teresa Stang, a member of the leadership team for Cross County Patriots, said, “When the Tea Party Movement started in 2009, the emphasis was on an out of control Federal Government, but State Governments do not have to cave in to the Federal Government, courtesy of the 10th Amendment. We view the role of Governor as being highly critical and I personally was excited at the unbiased vetting process that took place among liberty-minded groups statewide. We need a principled governor who is willing to take a stand. Ron Ramsey is the overwhelming choice of the members of Cross County Patriots in Loudon and West Knox Counties because we believe he is such a man.”

Mark A. Skoda, founder of The Memphis TEA Party, stated, “We appreciate that all of the candidates are now paying verbal respect to the Constitution and individual liberty, but the other candidates’ records and responses cause us concern. Bill Haslam has been a member of Mayor Bloomberg’s anti-gun coalition, opposes using the same anti-immigration policies as Arizona, has proposed several areas of government growth, and is difficult to nail down on any particular issue. Zach Wamp voted for TARP, Cash For Clunkers, No Child Left Behind, Real ID national identification system, and is now in his eighth term in Congress after pledging no more than six terms.”

Skoda further commented, “Ron Ramsey, by contrast, tells you exactly where he stands on every issue. He has vastly expanded the ability of Tennesseans to get gun carry permits, stands ready to implement the Arizona illegal immigration law, has sponsored legislation to reduce estate taxes and the Hall tax, and co-sponsored legislation to repeal the constitutionally-questionable Federal healthcare bill. He has received numerous awards for his pro-business and pro-life legislation.“

About the association of Tea Party groups:

The tea party movement is a grassroots phenomenon made up of everyday citizens with little or no previous political experience. These citizens have been moved to action by a sudden acceleration in government spending, government intrusion, and disregard for the Constitution and rule of law. Tennessee has an active Tea Party movement, with more than forty known entities identifying as Tea Parties, promoting adherence to the principles of liberty and limited government embodied by the American Constitution and Declaration of Independence. Each tea party group involved in this endorsement is completely autonomous and decided to endorse according to its own rules and procedures.

# # #

If you would like more information about this topic please call Mark A. Skoda at ########or email at #######.com. Contact information for leaders of individual tea party groups is available upon request by contacting Eric Stamper at ############.org.

Edited July 7, 2010 by gotigers

[eapking]

I'm shocked they didn't endorse Haslam, shocked I tell you!

GO RON!!!!!

[Guest 6.8 AR]

Going to have to talk with the Clarksville Tea Party. Conspicuously absent.

Still need a big name endorsement.

[tnhawk]

I'm shocked they didn't endorse Haslam, shocked I tell you!

GO RON!!!!!

There's some things that money can't buy, as Haslam is finding out.

[Defender]

I hope his momentum continues to increase.

[gotigers]

I hope his momentum continues to increase.

I agree. I figured with Haslim's big money marketing that he would run away with it. He was shooting for name recognition at the booth. But, i think the right of center US is tired of RINOs or weak conservatives. Haslim may be ok with fiscal issues, but he is far from truly conservative. Ramsey, on the other hand, is sticking to his "GUNS" and is catching the eye of many of those that stood on the side lines 2 years ago. I would like to see some polls after the GOA and TN TP endorsements. I imagine Ramsey and Haslim are very close.

I like some of Haslim's ideas, but his participation in Bloombergs gun show sting, pisses me off. Plus i am tired of the highly polished professional politician that says the right thing, but never delivers or plays the "compromise" card. No more compromise. The left takes it and always asks for more.

[DavidD]

..... Plus i am tired of the highly polished professional politician that says the right thing, but never delivers or plays the "compromise" card. No more compromise. The left takes it and always asks for more.

Though I have not made up my mind yet, I too like this about Ramsey.

[JAB]

There's some things that money can't buy, as Haslam is finding out.

Too bad that elections usually don't seem to be one of those things. Maybe it will be different this time around, though.

[Oh Shoot]

Too bad that elections usually don't seem to be one of those things. Maybe it will be different this time around, though.

Most voters aren't really swayed so much by issues over all. Might be one thing that sticks in their craw about a candidate, usually not even something really significant -- it's mostly just a PR battle.

Billy Boy looks good enough, has nice Norman Rockwell family, has all the exposure of 8 years as Knoxville Mayor (where I admit he hasn't screwed up badly enough to bring the city to its knees or anything), his Pilot Oil ties are more of an advertisement than a detriment, and of course he has more money/ads running that anyone else.

I daresay that not 5% of voters in TN see 2A as a significant state polling issue, and I see Haslam winning going away.

I think this whole scenario has played out exactly as Big Jim has meticulously planned.

- OS

Edited July 7, 2010 by OhShoot

[mikegideon]

Most voters aren't really swayed so much by issues over all. Might be one thing that sticks in their craw about a candidate, usually not even something really significant -- it's mostly just a PR battle.

Billy Boy looks good enough, has nice Norman Rockwell family, has all the exposure of 8 years as Knoxville Mayor (where I admit he hasn't screwed up badly enough to bring the city to its knees or anything), his Pilot Oil ties are more of an advertisement than a detriment, and of course he has more money/ads running that anyone else.

I daresay that not 5% of voters in TN see 2A as a significant state polling issue, and I see Haslam winning going away.

I think this whole scenario has played out exactly as Big Jim has meticulously planned.

- OS

He probably can't suck much worse than some of the others.

[Guest FroggyOne2]

i am not crazy about any of them really, though Ramsey is the most viable one of them all.. he is not truly pro job as his web site states. i have learned first hand that he is going to cut 7 of the 22 departments in the state.. nothing said of really cutting fiscal waste by killing the social programs of the Dems.. As far as i have learned.. he will hurt the state employees to save the other stuff.. just like the one we have now.

Also, there are many and i mean many middle management jobs that i have no clue what they are for that are makeing between 4K to 6K a month.. now there is a place to start cutting waste!

Edited July 7, 2010 by FroggyOne2

[macville]

i am not crazy about any of them really, though Ramsey is the most viable one of them all.. he is not truly pro job as his web site states. i have learned first hand that he is going to cut 7 of the 22 departments in the state.. nothing said of really cutting fiscal waste by killing the social programs of the Dems.. As far as i have learned.. he will hurt the state employees to save the other stuff.. just like the one we have now.

Also, there are many and i mean many middle management jobs that i have no clue what they are for that are makeing between 4K to 6K a month.. now there is a place to start cutting waste!

Okay, there are alot of problems with your statements here. First, he is anti job because he wants to cut the size of our state gov? The size of our state gov needs to be cut in almost all departments. The only real social program, that I know of, here in the state is TN Care. That's probably going to get cut sooner than later simply because of a lack of money.

i am not crazy about any of them really, though Ramsey is the most viable one of them all.. he is not truly pro job as his web site states. i have learned first hand that he is going to cut 7 of the 22 departments in the state.. nothing said of really cutting fiscal waste by killing the social programs of the Dems.. As far as i have learned.. he will hurt the state employees to save the other stuff.. just like the one we have now.

Also, there are many and i mean many middle management jobs that i have no clue what they are for that are makeing between 4K to 6K a month.. now there is a place to start cutting waste!

If you have no clue what they are for, then how can you know that we can cut them? Or do you mean that you know they are a waste and should be cut?

Matthew