TN Republican Party Chair vote

[Worriedman]

Bill Haslam's pick for the recently vacated post of State Republican Party Chair (Chris Devaney stayed on just long enough to keep Joe Carr from getting it) Ryan Haynes has won the secret ballot.

We can forget about any help on firearms issues from the Liberal/Republican Party for the next 20 years or so...

[TennFire]

There are some in the world of 2nd Amendment advocacy who appreciate the need for engaging the poliicians which to most people includes or may be limited to the governor and the legislature.  Still others realize its also a battle with local politicians such as mayors and council members.  From my experience far to few appreciate the significant of the respective parties' State Executive Committees and the influence (and damage) that those SEC groups can have on who is even allowed to run as a member of the party. 

Protecting our rights is not a spectator sport.  It requires engagement, effort and funding.

[Worriedman]

Now that he (Haynes) has been caught double dipping his campaign fund for excursions that he also charged the State for, he has decided to NOT resign his seat as promised when he ran for State Party Chairman, and will in fact hold both positions so that Haslam can pick a replacement that will not be required to go through a vote to have the seat.

[TennFire]

So, it may be interesting to see if any law enforcement entity decides (or is pushed) to investigate whether the double dipping is any form of crime like filing false reports or fraud.  If it was a private employee, I can almost bet it would be criminal felony charges given the amounts involved.

[Pain103]

 Just like any other politician they get that easy money and milk us for all they can. But double dipping doesn't even come close to the charge of filiing a false report. As far as the fraud I'm sure it would take TBI and the comptroller's office to investigate those. I've seen the comptroller's office go through some governmental books and accounts like a shark if there is something wrong in the money they can find it and forward to the appropriate DA to consider if they would present the case for indictment.

[Jonnin]

libertarians are going to be the party of freedom going forward.  As states open up to pot use (which I do not care about one way or the other, but I would see it more available for at least medical use) the party might even begin to make some headway -- a lot of stigma from their stance on pot is fading away, and they make a heck of a case for small government and freedoms.