Where's Bill Haslam?

[Raoul]

Sorry, but I am dismantling your arguments out of order. Please understand.

Who else would you have him contact?

I am not an apologist for anyone, but just trying to interject a little common sense into the discussion. Tennessee was hit hard by these storms, and across a broad range of communities. You can't possibly expect one person to visit each community that incurred damage.

I acquiesce to your supeior logic. I mistakenly assumed he was the Governor of all the citizens of TN. As for the damage, the hell with that. I'm referring to the dead.

[Garufa]

You guys do know that once the Governor thing is done he will most likely run for Senate. If that idiot Corker can do it then Haslam is guaranteed. He really doesn't have anything else to do.

[Raoul]

You guys do know that once the Governor thing is done he will most likely run for Senate. If that idiot Corker can do it then Haslam is guaranteed. He really doesn't have anything else to do.

That's Senator Idiot. sir.

[Guest mikedwood]

He needs to be way quicker on the draw next time and there maybe a next time during his term, maybe even this season. I read the other day that the weather shift into La Nina is going to make it a rough spring and summer.

The fact he cut a dam ribbon the 29th makes him seem as aloof as a lot of people said he is.

He's going to visit Greene County Monday. Maybe someone will inform him that NE Tennessee had some damage and deaths as well and he can swing by there, or mail a sympathy card.

Wouldn't take long to pop in a view every place that got hit by plane or helicopter. Sending aides to do it just simply doesn't cut it.

It really does appear as if he is trying to work this disaster thing in, but it's not really important enough to interrupt his already full schedule.

[leroy]

....Sorry, but I am dismantling your arguments out of order. Please understand.

Who else would you have him contact?

I am not an apologist for anyone, but just trying to interject a little common sense into the discussion. Tennessee was hit hard by these storms, and across a broad range of communities. You can't possibly expect one person to visit each community that incurred damage.....

Dear quietguy:___________

As usual, i cant mind my business; so please forgive my impertinence before this little discussion gets started. I'm an old man.

Been watching politics nationally and here in tennessee since the 1960's. The problem with government and politics in general is that we all have diverging opinions on what is best from a political standpoint as well as a personal one. Haslam's problem, in my opinion, (...and in the opinions of others....) is his appearance of aloofness and lack of caring. I will grant that we simply are not in a good position to evaluate the "snozz" (...forgive my pet name...) from a fair and objective position, simply because we cant do that until this term(s) in government are over. I will also grant that it may even be a bit unfair to take up these positions and musings, but politics is a blend of both performance and perception.

At first blush, "snozz" seems to be a typical blue nose, know it all old time moneyed republican, who is shy, aloof, and hard to get to know. He seems to be cut in the mold of Howard Baker or Al Gore Sr. (...the old man, not the "inventor of the internet...). He knows what's best for us "primitive, rustic" children and we simply need to trust him to do the right thing. The main problem with that philosophy of governance is that most folks dont like it. The time for paternalistic, elitist governance of the population ended with the great god Roosevelt. People who think for themselves simply resent that type approach.

The second problem seems to be that "snozz" is not outgoing and gregarious enough to naturally sell his positions. He seems so painfully shy that, many times, you simply cant determine what they are.

I've watched the greats in tennessee over the years. The greatest by far was Franklin Goad Clement. He was a delightful speaker and could make folks feel that they could, in fact, trust him and that he was, in fact, working for the good of all tennesseeans. Mike MeWerter's dad, the great Ned Ray McWerter could do the same thing with his homey style (...more than that, he wasn't a communist, thought a democrat...). Haslam simply does not have (...or has not yet displayed...) that ability.

The people of east tennessee are typically republican (....with the exception of the usual socialist enclaves around the universities, and the inner cities...). Once you go east of the Tennessee River, most everything becomes republican territory. All tennessee polititians know this. This causes lots of polititians to either ignore east tennessee (...especially if they are demorat...) or take it for granted (...if they are republican...). Many east tennessee republicans feel they have been slighted (...and they have...). This is not a new thing.

The fact is that most republicans in east tennessee held their collective noses (...especially me...) and voted for the "snozz" in the general election as the "lesser of evils". There is general feeling in the east tennessee territory that Haslam simply bought the election; and i happen to think he did.

In the end, success in politics comes down to a combination of perception plus performance in the areas that most citizens think is appropriate. The "snozz" is busy doing what it would appear that influential friends want done rather than what he probably should be doing. That is not helping his image at all.

I think that another of his shortcommings is that he seems to not think too deeply about issues, but he relies on his staff to "formulate his position" on issues. I (...and lots of other voters...) dont care for this trait either. It can point to a lack of core values. This is, indeed, a harsh pronouncement, but i think it is a valid one. The fact is, that if you dont articulate publically and forcefully what you believe; it breeds speculation and second-guessing as to what you really do (...or dont...) believe. This approach gives the impression that ever move appears to be a calculated political move; not a genuine "what's good for all of the citizens of tennessee" move.

I would gently advise you (...if you are in a position to do so...) to give the "snozz" a brief summary of this little epistle; he could use an "executive briefing" on these issues. If you are not in a position to deliver this "executive briefing"; i would request that you think about them a bit, and ease up on us east tennessee republicans (...and libertarians...) that didn't really want to vote for Haslam for the reasons outlined above; but did so anyway to keep a socialist out of the governor's mansion in Tennessee. That was a very important service done for all the people of all of Tennessee.

How's that?

libertarian leroy

Edited May 1, 2011 by leroy

[tnhawk]

...Why hasn't our esteemed governor come to NE TN where we had multiple fatalities? All talk and no action and once again the hillbillies of the State of Franklin are ignored....

You can count on the governor making an appearance shortly before time for the next election.

[quietguy]

I would gently advise you (...if you are in a position to do so...) to give the "snozz" a brief summary of this little epistle; he could use an "executive briefing" on these issues. If you are not in a position to deliver this "executive briefing"; i would request that you think about them a bit, and ease up on us east tennessee republicans (...and libertarians...) that didn't really want to vote for Haslam for the reasons outlined above; but did so anyway to keep a socialist out of the governor's mansion in Tennessee. That was a very important service done for all the people of all of Tennessee.

I have never met the man, but do know a couple people in his administration.

His primary job in this instance was to formally request federal assistance, and that was done as quickly as the necessary information was gathered. Did everything go as expeditiously and smoothly as possible? Probably not. With the amount of damage statewide, and the still lingering threat of significant flooding throughout the state, specifically along the Mississippi, everyone appears to be stretched thin.

I also don't disagree with most of your analysis of the "snozz" (got a chuckle out of that one), and feel similarly in many respects. I don't know what the man's future political ambitions are, and you may very well be correct.

I just feel that having a delegation going around to survey storm damage distracts from the efforts of those involved in response. It might make a few people feel better, but a lot of people can be helped in the time it takes to coordinate and plan something like that. All too often, those trips are made to grandstand in front of the media.

Edited May 1, 2011 by quietguy

[gregintenn]

Seriously, you all didn't expect Haslam to be a self serving prick? Really?

[Links2k]

Seriously, you all didn't expect Haslam to be a self serving prick? Really?

[leroy]

quietguy:_________

RE: This

...I just feel that having a delegation going around to survey storm damage distracts from the efforts of those involved in response. It might make a few people feel better, but a lot of people can be helped in the time it takes to coordinate and plan something like that. All too often, those trips are made to grandstand in front of the media. ...

I fully agree. By the way, once ya think about the "snozz" thing a bit (...and study the profile a bit...); you simply cant (...at least i cant, anyway...) get back to calling him "Bill" or governor. I just cant help it.

Greg: RE: this

...Seriously, you all didn't expect Haslam to be a self serving prick? Really? ...

Classic definition of a polititian. What can i say?

Keep up the good work.

leroy

Edited May 1, 2011 by leroy

[Mike.357]

did any Pilot stations get fubared?

[Raoul]

So that you know, I just received a reply from the governor's staff about his abscense in Greene County.

May2, 2011

DearMichael,

Thankyou for writing Governor Haslam. The Governor is visiting Greene Countytoday, Monday, May 02, 2011.

GovernorHaslam will be in Greeneville to receive a Tennessee Emergency ManagementAgency briefing, and will walk the damaged site, visiting with local residentsin the area.

Again,thank you for writing. Our thoughts and prayers are certainly with thepeople of Northeast Tennessee as well as all areas damaged by the storms.

Kindestregards,

Jeremy

[Raoul]

My only thought about this is there's no mention of the dead. Is it possible these folks are so insulated they don't know anyone died in the storm?

[Guest db99wj]

My only thought about this is there's no mention of the dead. Is it possible these folks are so insulated they don't know anyone died in the storm?

I'm not sure if you would be happy even if he went to every funeral.

[Raoul]

I'm not sure if you would be happy even if he went to every funeral.

At this point probably not.

[Daniel]

At request of OP.