ATTENTION!! There's a Democratic candidate for the 1st TN district...

[GaYellowDawg]

Check the candidate out.

http://www.robrussellforcongress.com /

Give him your support!! I'm not a member of his campaign and can't vote for him - I'm a resident of Georgia - but I've known him for a long time and he would be a great, great representative for Tennessee. He could definitely capture a significant portion of the youth vote. The 1st hasn't sent a Democrat to the White House since the Civil War, but perhaps that can change this year! It's not unusual for Republicans to run unopposed here, but Rob is all grassroots - just the kind of candidate who might stand a chance instead of a big-money candidate!

If there are any of you with East Tennessee connections, see what you can do to support him. If any of you are East Tennessee residents, there's finally a candidate who will represent you the way you deserve.

I put this up on the Tennessee state forum, but wanted to put it up here as well for you Tennesseans who don't check the state forum.

[Fireweed247]

1. Do you know what he plans to do about ending the Iraq war?

I can't find anything about it on his site.
www.peacecandidates.com

[cynatnite]

4. Around here any dem has to tread carefully when it comes to the Iraq war...

Being labeled anti-war is pretty much a death sentence for campaigns. This is an extremely red area. This guy has a hell of a fight ahead of him. Davis is a real POS and needs to be voted out of office.

[Fireweed247]

5. Only the backwash support Bush's stupid ass war

even in Red areas. He has very low approval ratings. WE need people willing to stand up for what is right no matter what.

[cynatnite]

6. You're missing the point...

In this area where I live, it is very strong repuke and very conservative. Those are the demographics that Rob Russell has to deal with. Any Dem that's going to run for office in this area has to walk a very fine line if they want a shot at winning.

Rob Russell has to hit Davis where he's weakest on. That's the economy, children's health care and other domestic issues. He can't even use George Bush against him because bush still has decent approval ratings here.

When it comes to politics here being right won't win elections.

[Fireweed247]

8. Our candidates should have integrity

They should be willing to stand up for what is right. If they hide from the truth now, we cannot trust them in Congress.

I understand what you are saying but I don't agree. Many MANY conservatives know this war is complete bullshit. The idiots that do not see it do not need to be catered to. I think we should stop pretending there is any support for this war. Most intelligent people know that the economy is a direct result of Bush's war. I think we should start giving the people in the Red states more credit.

[cynatnite]

9. Well, if this was Chicago or even Knoxville, I would agree...

but it's not.

The fact of the matter is that there is still a lot of support for the war here as well as for bush. They may be idiots for their support, but they are still the majority. There is no pretending here. I can point you to half of my neighbors who support bush and the war. A few of them still have their bush stickers. A lot of folks think he's a freakin' rock star.

Any Dem candidate who understands the politics of this area knows that in order to win they have to avoid discussion of the war.

All the integrity in the world and being right doesn't mean a lot if the candidate loses.

[GaYellowDawg]

16. This man has integrity.

He is definitely a man who can be trusted in Congress. If you don't agree with the previous poster, then you obviously don't know much about East Tennessee. And no one's hiding from the truth, either; presidential primaries aside, it's early in the campaign and Rob has plenty of time to elucidate his views. What would be stupid would be to give Davis the opportunity to wrap himself in the flag and make the election a single-issue campaign early on. But since you sound like a single-issue voter, why not just fill out the form on his website and ask him?

On edit: In fact, here's a link.

http://www.robrussellforcongress.com/contact_rob

[Fireweed247]

17. Hey, I hope you are right

I just wish more candidates would use their run to expose the truth about this illegal immoral war.

I am kicking and recommending because I think electing a new congress is the most important issue for us to focus on, so thank you for caring!

[Fireweed247]

18. dupe

oops

[nashville_brook]

13. very conservative yes. but...not unreasonable...at least since Quillen's reign.

rob is a real east tennessean. he speaks the language. his family is fairly well connected. he's got some pretty decent roots in the music scene thru the down home etc.

you know, maybe he won't win, but he'd be a damn good statesman if he did. that's my bottom line. he's a REAL HONEST, and TRUE person.

[GaYellowDawg]

7. Exactly.

Why not ask Rob directly through his website? I can guarantee you he's paying attention to every question and comment that comes in.

[Jane Austin]

2. Seems like there are enough colleges in NE Tennessee

to make it possible for a Democrat to win - someday.

[nashville_brook]

12. i used to run to run an alternative newspaper up there based on the college demo -- you are correct

the people are there. and it's not just the colleges, it's the people period if they get fired up. he could totally win this.

[cynatnite]

3. That's my district!

Thanks for the heads up!

[nashville_brook]

11. that's my "home." went to ETSU for waaaaaaaaaay too many years. the Down Home was my second home.

wow. rob russell played with my ex's jump swing band called The Groovemasters.

[nashville_brook]

10. omfg -- that's a friend of mine!! he's a pretty great songwriter too!!

i'm in orlando now and haven't talked to Johnson city people in a long time -- but shit, that's cool as hell.

i LOVE his picture.

[Individualist]

14. Anyone would be better than David Davis

:puke:

Russell will get my vote.

[nashville_brook]

15. here's an article from the Johnson City Press on his bid

http://www.johnsoncitypress.com/Detail.php?Cat=LOCALNEWS&ID=62018

Local entertainer plans Democratic bid for Davis seat


(snip)

Russell said he will be delivering an optimistic message — one he thinks will resonate with most voters looking for a change in their representation in Washington.

“A message that basically says we’ve been caught in a trap,” Russell said. “We’re always hearing what America can’t do ... we can’t have a fair tax system, we can’t get away from our dependence on foreign oil.”

He said his message is clear.

“East Tennessee needs a representative that will vote in its best interest — one that takes into account that most families here are middle-class, hard-working people,” Russell said.

“David Davis has consistently voted the party line during his time in Washington and some of the decisions he has made —voting against the children’s health insurance program, voting against repealing tax cuts for oil companies and voting against increasing the minimum wage — are things that go against the beliefs of middle, working-class East Tennesseans.”

Russell said he believes more should be done to provide for things such as better education and health care for children.

“We can be a generation that passes on a burden to our children,” he said. “And I just don’t want to do that.”

[GaYellowDawg]

19. kicked for your information. nm

nm