VOLuntarilyConservative

I will post more on the event later, but here are the results of the straw poll in Hawkins County last night.

U.S. Senate

1st - Ed Bryant - 131 (44%)

2nd - Bob Corker - 100 (33%)

3rd - Van Hilleary - 68 (23%)

U.S. House, 1st District

1st - David Davis - 87

2nd - Richard Venable - 71

3rd - Vance Cheek - 32

4th (tie) - Dr. Phil Roe - 30

4th (tie) - Richard Roberts - 30

Governor

1st - Jim Bryson - 221 (87%)

2nd - Mark Albertini - 33 (13%)

From all indications, the poll was run fairly (although a bit disjunct, with some votes being collected some 10-15 minutes before others), and there were no apparent attempts at vote stacking or bussing in of voters. I will have more later after church.

For the past several weeks, many political pundits (and undoubtedly the U.S. Senate and 1st District candidates) have been asking the powers that be in Hawkins County if a straw poll would take place tonight. I know that I was interested because Hawkins County is the only East Tennessee county with a Lincoln Day on April 29th, and straw polls tend to bring out the bigger crowds. To my knowledge, everyone was told that there would be no straw poll.

Being a former resident of Surgoinsville (WAY back in the days leading up to and including kindergarten), I had entertained the idea of heading up that way. About mid-week, I decided that I would go anyway, as it is a beautiful drive along 11W and all U.S. Senate candidates, 1st District candidates, and candidate for governor Jim Bryson are slated to attend.

Yesterday, I received a call stating that it had been announced (presumably yesterday) that there would indeed be a straw poll at the Hawkins County Lincoln Day. Not only that, but apparently one of the campaigns had purchased all of the remaining tickets days ago. The VOLConWife and I are going on the gracious invitations of locals who donated their own tickets to us, and we are fortunate to have those.

I'm not saying that there is a fix in the works here to get one candidate a much-needed straw poll win. I don't know that at all and am only going on what I have been told. I will let you know what I observe after tonight and let you decide.

Since I was on vacation on April 19th, I didn't have a proper post celebrating the one-year anniversary of VOLuntarilyConservative. To the tens of thousands of readers who have visited this site, I certainly hope that you have enjoyed it as much or more than I have.

I certainly have relished in my life as a blogger. I love writing - more than the law, for sure - and I love politics. That is what makes VOLuntarilyConservative my catharsis. I'm glad that so many of you have chosen to join me for the ride. It's pretty humbling to introduce yourself to people at the Southern Republican Leadership Conference, Lincoln Day Dinner, or a meeting with UT's College Republicans and have complete strangers quote back to you parts of a blog post that you wrote months earlier. Such things just blow me away. Seriously.

The VOLConWife is urging me to write a book loosely based on excerpts from VOLuntarilyConservative. Perhaps I will have the time for such an endeavor in the future. I doubt it would be up to the level of Nancy French's soon-to-be-released work, or of Robert McCain's Donkey Cons, but there might be a time when such a project comes to fruition. In the meantime, thank you for your continued support, and keep your voice heard in the political arena.

Since I have taken a beating for primary endorsements, I will repeat the following reasoning for doing so:

Many pundits on the Republican side are lax to make endorsements in primaries because it makes good political sense to stay neutral until the general election. That being said and admitting that to be true, it will be the policy of this site to endorse candidates at all stages of the election process because it is as important that we choose the right candidate in the primary as in the general election.

Below is a list of candidates that are officially being endorsed by VOLuntarilyConservative. Some of the races are not included because there is simply no preference at this time or because there is no anticipated opposition. That does not mean that an endorsement will not be made in the future after more information is gathered. In fact, if you are a candidate for office and would like to be endorsed for office, I certainly encourage you to contact this site and plead your case. (As a federal judge once told me, lawyers often don't get what they want because they fail to ask for it. That is also the case here.)

These endorsements are directly related to the May elections, for which early voting ended on Thursday, April 27th. Term-limited candidates have not been endorsed, as it is the belief that they could not serve even if they receive the greatest number of votes. The decisions as to which candidate to endorse were made based on personal knowledge, website content (blog, campaign sites, and otherwise), and responses to questionnaires, including the Knoxville News-Sentinel's Voter Guide.

So, without further adieu, VOLuntarilyConservative endorses the following candidates for office:


Knox County Commissioner, 9th District, Seat B - David Kiger
District Attorney General, 4th Judicial District - Joe Baker
Knox County Clerk - Kelvin Moxley

A few words about these candidates, if you will indulge me. I really had a hard time with the 9th District endorsement after incumbent Paul Pinkston dropped the dime on Kiger's financial woes. However, it was Kiger's honesty, acceptance of responsibility, and loyalty to his employees that erased any questions about him. Yesterday evening, the VOLConWife and I went to vote at our South Knoxville polling place and were pleased to find Mr. Kiger campaigning there (100 feet from the door, of course). I was able to talk to him at length about the elections, and I have no problem in endorsing him after doing so.

In addition, the DA's race in Sevier, Cocke, Grainger, and Jefferson Counties between Joe Baker and Jim Dunn has been hard fought, as well. I met both men at the Grainger County Lincoln Day Dinner, and I was amazed at the contrasts between them. One is younger, one older. One went to Georgetown University, the other to Nashville Law School. One was a Air Force JAG officer, the other a police officer. Both men have really strong qualities, for sure. It just depends on what you are looking for in a candidate, though. In Joe Baker's composition, I see a great deal of Rob Huddleston's composition - not too old (yet), several fascinating career stops, a fantastic education. Not endorsing Joe Baker would be a great deal like not endorsing myself.

Candidates who have previously picked up endorsements from VOLuntarilyConservative include the following:

Knox County Mayor - Steve Hall
Circuit Court Judge - Judge Bill Swann
Chancellor, Division Three - Mike Moyers
Criminal Court Judge, Division Two - Judge Ray L. Jenkins
General Sessions Court Judge, Division Four - Andrew Jackson, IV
Circuit Court Clerk - Cathy Quist
Criminal & Fourth Circuit Court Clerk - Martha Philips
Register of Deeds - Steve Hall
Knox County Commissioner, 3rd District, Seat A - Tony Norman
Knox County Commissioner, 4th District, Seat A - Mike Alford
Knox County Commissioner, 5th District, Seat B - Kyle Phillips
Knox County Commissioner, 6th District, Seat B - Greg "Lumpy" Lambert
Knox County Commissioner, 7th District, Seat A - R. Larry Smith
Knox County Commissioner, 8th District, Seat A - Phil Ballard
Knox County Commissioner, 8th District, Seat B - Gary Sellers

Regular readers will notice some changes to the blogroll. These include the restoration of Bill Hobbs to the active line-up, the deactivation of South End Grounds, and the addition of Terry Frank, The Bryson for Governor Blog, and the Main Street Journal. These changes have been a long time comin', and I am relieved that I finally got around to making them happen.

My apologies for the light blogging this week. I have been in court every day thus far (Friday might be the exception to the week's rule), and work has certainly eaten into my leisure time activities.

Of course, that isn't much of an excuse. Michael Silence had a double bypass and continued to blog right through it. After that, anything I have to offer seems rather weak.

I know it's a bit late in the day, but Knox County readers will be interested to know that Ed Bryant will be speaking on the UT campus this afternoon. He is slated to give an address at 5:00 P.M. in the University Center. I have been swamped, but I am holding out that I might be able to attend.

Life has been a bit hectic since returning from South Carolina (undoubtedly the worst thing about a vacation is the mess you come back to), but hopefully things will settle down in a few days.

I should be thankful. At least no one is trying to kill me - like what happened to Steve Hall, candidate for Knox County Mayor.

Here's the odd thing - when it was first rumored that Steve was going to challenge Mike Ragsdale, some of the political vets of Knox County told me that they wouldn't be surprised if something like this happened. I dismissed it at the time as a bit outlandish. It certainly doesn't seem so now.

A week of vacation has certainly done some good, but I have to admit that I keep taking occasional looks back at the headlines (via blogs, of course) in Tennessee. Looks like the state will be in much the same shape when I return, although perhaps with one less Ophelia and several more repugnant Knox County Commissioners trying like crazy to keep their hold on power.

Back to the golf course...

Too many fools
Lost on the highway
What could we do today
that we can't do tonight?

Pull off the road
Roll down the windows
Lie back and doze
to the song of the wind in the pines.

Too many fools
Crammed into that city
What could we do in a crowd
that we can't do at home?

Damn I feel young
My, you look pretty
What have we ever done worth doing
we can't do alone?

It's always springtime
In the Low Country sunshine
They sunbathe away every cold winter day
just like the Fourth of July.

I'm driving my new bride
from here to the ocean
Imbibing the sweet life
from Eden to goshen.
Gathering souvenirs. Hallelujah.

These lines are from "Gathering Souvenirs," a song by The Floating Men. The group is out of Nashville, but songwriter/lead vocalist Jeff Holmes is from Enoree, South Carolina. I always play this song on my way to the Low Country of South Carolina, which is where I am headed today to recharge my batteries.

So, if posting seems a bit slow over the next few days, well, that's all part of the plan...

What happens when the Baptists get pushed out of leadership at Belmont?

Apparently, free speech is stifled and Bill Hobbs - a Tennessee blogging legend - is shown the door.

Mike Kopp better be glad that I am going on vacation...

MORE: Michael Silence has more reaction.

Vorticity provides a great reason as to why conservatives need to pound the pavement for their candidates in the upcoming state elections.

John Norris Brown is not happy with Mitt Romney.

Mark Rose has more than a few thoughts on shoddy journalism from the media (mainstream and pajama).

Mark also has a post on the Bryson for Governor Blog on how the Supreme Court's Kelo decision will hurt the Democrats on several levels this November.

Terry Frank has word of a new write-in candidate of whom all Knox County Republicans should take notice.

Yesterday, I endorsed David Oatney for the Knox County Commission in District 2, Seat A. Nearly 12 hours later, Oatney dropped out of the race.

Perhaps others who have sought by endorsement should take this as a warning?

Many pundits on the Republican side are lax to make endorsements in primaries because it makes good political sense to stay neutral until the general election. That being said and admitting that to be true, it will be the policy of this site to endorse candidates at all stages of the election process because it is as important that we choose the right candidate in the primary as in the general election.

Below is a list of candidates that are officially being endorsed by VOLuntarilyConservative. Some of the races are not included because there is simply no preference at this time or because there is no anticipated opposition. That does not mean that an endorsement will not be made in the future after more information is gathered. In fact, if you are a candidate for office and would like to be endorsed for office, I certainly encourage you to contact this site and plead your case. (As a federal judge once told me, lawyers often don't get what they want because they fail to ask for it. That is also the case here.)

These endorsements are directly related to the May elections, for which early voting starts on Wednesday, April 12th. Term-limited candidates have not been endorsed, as it is the belief that they could not serve even if they receive the greatest number of votes. The decisions as to which candidate to endorse were made based on personal knowledge, website content (blog, campaign sites, and otherwise), and responses to questionnaires, including the Knoxville News-Sentinel's Voter Guide.

So, without further adieu, VOLuntarilyConservative endorses the following candidates for office:

Knox County Mayor - Steve Hall
Circuit Court Judge - Judge Bill Swann
Chancellor, Division Three - Mike Moyers
Criminal Court Judge, Division Two - Judge Ray L. Jenkins
General Sessions Court Judge, Division Four - Andrew Jackson, IV
Circuit Court Clerk - Cathy Quist
Criminal & Fourth Circuit Court Clerk - Martha Philips
Register of Deeds - Steve Hall
Knox County Commissioner, 2nd District, Seat A - David Oatney
Knox County Commissioner, 3rd District, Seat A - Tony Norman
Knox County Commissioner, 4th District, Seat A - Mike Alford
Knox County Commissioner, 5th District, Seat B - Kyle Phillips
Knox County Commissioner, 6th District, Seat B - Greg "Lumpy" Lambert
Knox County Commissioner, 7th District, Seat A - R. Larry Smith
Knox County Commissioner, 8th District, Seat A - Phil Ballard
Knox County Commissioner, 8th District, Seat B - Gary Sellers

Tennessee State Representative David Davis picked up the key endorsement of Tennessee Right To Life on Tuesday in the race for the U.S. House of Representatives in Tennessee's 1st District.

All conservatives covet such an endorsement, and David undoubtedly is appreciative of such backing at this early stage of the race.

As I have posted here over the past week, I have been ill for a while. However, something that hasn't helped my overall demeanor has been the treachery of certain Republicans in the effort to secure our borders, enforce our immigration laws, and save our country. Unfortunately, many of the Senate Republicans have failed on a monumental level to do as they said they would do as recently as the Southern Republican Leadership Conference. (Specifically, I am pointing fingers at Senator Bill Frist, Senator Sam Brownback, and Senator John McCain, who said they weren't in favor of decriminalizing illegal immigrants a month ago but have since changed their tune. Senator George Allen seems to have stayed the course, but he is the exception rather than the rule.)

I have heard the justification for decriminalizing illegal behavior from conservatives (John Norris Brown) and libertarians (Glen Dean) alike. They tout the need to be pragmatic in an effort of winning this large voting block (which, as Rush Limbaugh has pointed out numerous times, will work for the Republicans much like the civil rights movement did - with us doing the heavy lifting and the Democrats taking all of the credit). They tout the amount of work that would have to go into the project of arresting all of the criminals. They tout the potential harm that could come to the nation's economy.

However, they don't talk about the rule of law. The fact is that the behavior these people have chosen to undertake is illegal. There isn't a gray area here. Are there a lot of law breakers out there? Sure. (However, like Rush, I question how in Hades a number like 12 million was calculated, even if it has been seemingly accepted as the number of illegal aliens in the United States by the media and everyone else.) Will they continue to waive the Mexican flag and protest? Undoubtedly. That doesn't change anything.

Let's change the crime. I imagine that there are millions of pedophiles in America. If they started rallying and protesting across the country to have their criminal behavior forgiven, cited their taxpayer status, decried that the have a great economic impact if they are all locked up, and pointed out that it would be a difficult if not impossible task to round them all up, would the same group of Republicans and Democrats rally to their cause?

This has everything to do with the rule of law. It also has ancillary effects on our national security, our social programs, our economy, and - ultimately - our way of life. As conservatives, this also has to do with our principles. I hope that we aren't about "selling out" for votes, but I might be left disappointed in the next few weeks.

This issue isn't going to go away. It is building in momentum, possibly becoming one of those issues that can sway voters one way or the other. It must be addressed, but the amnesty program supported by McCain, Frist, and others isn't the way to go.

I have several blog posts in the oven, but work is getting in the way of completing them. Until they are completed, take a gander at what AlphaPatriot had to say about this weekend's GOP debate in the 8th Congressional District.

While I am not quite ready to make an endorsement (although many of those are coming in the next few days), I agree with AlphaPatriot that unless Rory Bricco can convince me otherwise, John Farmer deserves the support of Tennessee conservatives against the Democrat John Tanner. That being said, I met Mr. Bricco and his wife at the SRLC in Memphis, and they seemed like wonderful people. Unfortunately, I know less about Bricco, and that's not a good thing when facing a firmly entrenched incumbent.

I have been informed that TeamGOP has been disallowing the comments of Donna Locke of Tennesseans for Immigration Control and Reform.

Perhaps the group has been taken over by John McCain and his pro-amnesty forces in the U.S. Senate. Perhaps there is a technical glitch that is not allowing Ms. Locke to comment. Perhaps this is the way TeamGOP rolls.

No matter what the cause, the result surely isn't a desired one in the marketplace of ideas.

If the pending hazardous weather doesn't destroy Knoxville tonight, all readers are invited to stop by our tailgate tomorrow at UT's Orange & White game. Ed Bryant supporters are especially welcome, and if we all wish hard enough, great things may happen, such as:

1) Ed Bryant may make an appearance,
2) UT's offense might show some signs of life, and
3) the DiamondVols may put a whoopin' on the Bayou Bengals from LSU!

If rain isn't a factor, we plan to be in Lot 30 between TBA (the basketball arena, for those playing at home) and Neyland Stadium. If it is raining in the morning when I am setting up, then we will be in garage G10 next to TBA.

Hope to see you there, and GO VOLS!

David Oatney, a Knoxville blogger, has registered as a write-in candidate for the County Commission here in Knox County. Given the chaos that is surrounding the local elections this year, there is sure to be a record number of write-in candidacies. David, after much prayer and consultation with his family, has decided that he would give it a go in the 2nd district, which, alas, means that I will not have the pleasure of voting for him. (I am currently in the 9th district of Knox County, which is another district that is in a state of flux due to a term-limited incumbent.)

Congratulations to David and all of the other conservatives who are giving of themselves in the name of public service this election cycle!

Last Wednesday, I watched the ETSU Buc Baseball Team cruise into Knoxville and outplay the nationally-ranked UT DiamondVols. At the time, I said that it wouldn't surprise me if ETSU swept the DiamondVols because UT is overrated this year while ETSU is much better than people expect (although getting swept this past weekend by Belmont didn't help their quest for respect).

Well, the Bucs made me look good, completing the season sweep of the Vols in Johnson City Wednesday night. It was the first time that ETSU has swept a season series from UT in baseball since I was 2 years old.

Both teams are chocked with Tennesseans (UT has 16, ETSU has 15), and I am unquestionably a fan of both teams. Of course, the underdog in me remembers all of the losses that UT (led by Todd Helton) dealt the Bucs in the 1990s, so I have been a bit partial to the boys from Johnson City in this rivalry.

Regarding the DiamondVols, I am a bit wary of No. 29 LSU coming to town this weekend, but that is due more to LSU's traditional strength and not this year's team, which was swept by No. 1 South Carolina last week. UT really needs to take this series, because the momentum is going against the team right now.

From the AP:

"Asked if they would rather see Couric in her longtime role as "Today" host or as the first woman to anchor a network weekday evening newscast on her own, 49 percent favored the morning and 29 percent said evening, according to a poll conducted this week by The Associated Press and TV Guide."

Meanwhile, 100% of VOLuntarilyConservatives surveyed said that Couric is short-changing herself with CBS and needs to sign a deal where her views would be rightfully appreciated - Air America.

My apologies for being MIA over the past few days. It seems that the virus that debilitated the VOLConWife for nearly 3 weeks has now ensnared another. In fact, I am so loopy due to my medication that this is all I will post right now for fear of having someone misinterpret my midnight ramblings.

God willing, more to come later on, including a book review of "Donkey Cons," which I finished Monday...

Last night, I heard Representative Cynthia McKinney, who is subject to an arrest warrant by the Capitol Hill Police for assaulting an officer, playing the "race card" in her defense. What a load of manure. As Donkey Cons points out, McKinney has been speaking out against American interests and then playing the "race card" if someone dares oppose her for over a decade.

As for the alleged incident, I have no sympathy for McKinney. Having worked on The Hill Post-9/11/2001, I am convinced that they have one of the most difficult jobs in all of D.C. They basically guard tourist attractions that must be open to all (in an orderly fashion) which - by the way - also double as prime terrorist targets. McKinney reportedly didn't have her Member's pin on that day, so it doesn't surprise me at all that she was asked to stop. As for the "race card," can you imagine the stink that would have been caused if Bill Frist had acted the way that she allegedly did? Forget arrest - they'd want him drawn-and-quartered and impeached - in that order.

Now for some good news out of Nebraska. On Thursday, the Nebraska Legislature passed a "shall issue" right-to-carry for its citizens. Here is the NRA's release on the exciting turn of events:

NEBRASKA APPROVES "SHALL-ISSUE" RIGHT-TO-CARRY; GOVERNOR HEINEMAN PLEDGES SIGNATURE

On March 30, the Nebraska legislature gave final approval to a measure granting law-abiding Nebraska citizens the right to carry a firearm for personal protection. Legislative Bill 454 now heads to Governor Dave Heineman's (R) desk, where he is expected to sign it into law. Last week, legislators in Kansas overrode Governor Sebelius' veto of the Right-to-Carry measure in that state.

"NRA has worked patiently and diligently with the state legislature for more than a decade to bring Right-to-Carry to Nebraska, and I want to thank Governor Heineman and the bill's chief sponsor, Senator Jeanne Combs (R-32-Milligan), for their steadfast support. Their involvement was instrumental in the passage of this pro-Second Amendment legislation for all law-abiding citizens in their great state," NRA-ILA Executive Director Chris W. Cox declared.

LB 454 met with overwhelming, bi-partisan support as Nebraska senators voted 33-12 in favor of the measure. The bill allows law-abiding Nebraskans who undergo a background check to apply for a permit to carry a concealed firearm for self-protection.

When the Nebraska legislation becomes law, Wisconsin and Illinois will be the only states to categorically deny citizens the Right-to-Carry a concealed firearm for personal protection.

"On behalf of all NRA members in Nebraska, I want to thank all the legislators who voted for LB 454," concluded Cox. "And as always, we appreciate the commitment and participation of our members in Nebraska for encouraging their legislators to pass Right-to-Carry."