Wednesday, September 05, 2007
"Why Nashville Republicans should vote for Bob Clement"
Joltin' Django opened his e-mails this morning to find the following "open letter to Nashville Republicans/Conservatives" from former Davidson County GOP chairman Jon Crisp:
"Why Nashville Republicans should vote for Bob Clement
"I trust that you and your family had a relaxing and enjoyable Labor Day weekend, I know that we did. Today is the beginning of the 'stretch run' to Election Day on September 11th. I wanted to write to each of you, as our city approaches the crossroads concerning its future, as you prepare to cast your vote for either Bob Clement or Karl Dean. I personally chose to support Bob Clement and I wanted you to know the reasons that helped me make my choice. I know I will not convince everyone to support Bob Clement, but I hope to challenge those of you leaning toward Karl Dean to reassess how you will cast your vote.
"First, I have heard the argument that neither candidate is a Republican which is true enough. Does this mean we, as a party, support someone blindly because he holds membership in a prestigious Country Club? Or, has a family that contributed millions to an elite West End prep school? Of course the answer is NO.
"I have heard some say that Karl Dean is the 'new face' in the race, a claim which those with experience in the Metro Courthouse would dispute, due to Karl Dean’s 22 year career as a key insider in the Metro Courthouse. My question to those arguing Karl’s youth as a virtue would be, 'Wwould you still feel the same if we as Republicans, had to deal with Karl Dean and his vast fortune when he pursues the Office of the Governor or the U.S. Senate?' Rest assured, the Tennessee Democratic Party has already tagged Karl Dean as a rising star. Bob Clement has served in a higher office and has demonstrated a strong desire to accomplish many things as our next Mayor. Bob Clement does not need the title of 'Mayor' in order to validate himself nor does he need it as a step to a higher office. Bob Clement can and will make the tough decisions that Karl Dean will not make….he will simply raise your taxes without providing any new solutions. ...
"As a socially conservative Republican I am ... concerned with Karl Dean’s position on 2nd Amendment rights.
"In the New England Law Review, Spring 2000 (34 New Eng. L. Rev. 589), Karl Dean wrote, 'I will happily cast myself as a sort of dyed-in-the-wool liberal from Massachusetts, who went down to Tennessee and remained a believer in gun control and advocated that position—much to the chagrin of some members of my own office as Public Defender. I did not get too far with this idea.'
"I believe this statement gives us a glimpse into the true thoughts of Karl Dean rather than a position he will take in order to obtain your vote at election time.
"Another Dean position that gives me great pause is a position that I believe helps attract illegal immigrants to our community. Karl Dean answered a question on a recent questionnaire, sponsored by a group of Minister’s calling themselves: the 'New Wine Ministers' concerning the recent 'English First' proposal that most Republicans/Conservatives supported. (In fact, several polls of Nashville residents found that majorities ranging from 70% to 85% supported making English the primary language of the Metropolitan Government). In response to the ministers question which read, "Would you reject all English only proposals as Mayor? ... To which Dean wrote: 'I support Mayor Purcell’s veto of English First and as Mayor, I would do the same.'
"How could we expect Karl Dean to be tough on illegal immigration, when he cannot support the initiative proposed by our Metro Council Members who are trying to make Nashville less attractive for illegal immigrants?
"So as you can see, Unlike Bob Clement, Karl Dean is soft on opposing illegal immigration, against gun ownership, soft on criminals, soft on keeping taxes low, and soft on traditional family values.
"Bob Clement has treated Republicans with respect and provided an equal place in his campaign as well as embraced many of the values we hold. As Ronald Reagan once said, 'I didn’t leave the Democratic Party, the Democratic Party left me.' I believe that as Republicans, we have only one choice on September 11th because only one candidate for Mayor has truly addressed our concerns … Bob Clement. Join with me as I vote for:
"BOB CLEMENT FOR MAYOR, September 11, 2007"
"Why Nashville Republicans should vote for Bob Clement
"I trust that you and your family had a relaxing and enjoyable Labor Day weekend, I know that we did. Today is the beginning of the 'stretch run' to Election Day on September 11th. I wanted to write to each of you, as our city approaches the crossroads concerning its future, as you prepare to cast your vote for either Bob Clement or Karl Dean. I personally chose to support Bob Clement and I wanted you to know the reasons that helped me make my choice. I know I will not convince everyone to support Bob Clement, but I hope to challenge those of you leaning toward Karl Dean to reassess how you will cast your vote.
"First, I have heard the argument that neither candidate is a Republican which is true enough. Does this mean we, as a party, support someone blindly because he holds membership in a prestigious Country Club? Or, has a family that contributed millions to an elite West End prep school? Of course the answer is NO.
"I have heard some say that Karl Dean is the 'new face' in the race, a claim which those with experience in the Metro Courthouse would dispute, due to Karl Dean’s 22 year career as a key insider in the Metro Courthouse. My question to those arguing Karl’s youth as a virtue would be, 'Wwould you still feel the same if we as Republicans, had to deal with Karl Dean and his vast fortune when he pursues the Office of the Governor or the U.S. Senate?' Rest assured, the Tennessee Democratic Party has already tagged Karl Dean as a rising star. Bob Clement has served in a higher office and has demonstrated a strong desire to accomplish many things as our next Mayor. Bob Clement does not need the title of 'Mayor' in order to validate himself nor does he need it as a step to a higher office. Bob Clement can and will make the tough decisions that Karl Dean will not make….he will simply raise your taxes without providing any new solutions. ...
"As a socially conservative Republican I am ... concerned with Karl Dean’s position on 2nd Amendment rights.
"In the New England Law Review, Spring 2000 (34 New Eng. L. Rev. 589), Karl Dean wrote, 'I will happily cast myself as a sort of dyed-in-the-wool liberal from Massachusetts, who went down to Tennessee and remained a believer in gun control and advocated that position—much to the chagrin of some members of my own office as Public Defender. I did not get too far with this idea.'
"I believe this statement gives us a glimpse into the true thoughts of Karl Dean rather than a position he will take in order to obtain your vote at election time.
"Another Dean position that gives me great pause is a position that I believe helps attract illegal immigrants to our community. Karl Dean answered a question on a recent questionnaire, sponsored by a group of Minister’s calling themselves: the 'New Wine Ministers' concerning the recent 'English First' proposal that most Republicans/Conservatives supported. (In fact, several polls of Nashville residents found that majorities ranging from 70% to 85% supported making English the primary language of the Metropolitan Government). In response to the ministers question which read, "Would you reject all English only proposals as Mayor? ... To which Dean wrote: 'I support Mayor Purcell’s veto of English First and as Mayor, I would do the same.'
"How could we expect Karl Dean to be tough on illegal immigration, when he cannot support the initiative proposed by our Metro Council Members who are trying to make Nashville less attractive for illegal immigrants?
"So as you can see, Unlike Bob Clement, Karl Dean is soft on opposing illegal immigration, against gun ownership, soft on criminals, soft on keeping taxes low, and soft on traditional family values.
"Bob Clement has treated Republicans with respect and provided an equal place in his campaign as well as embraced many of the values we hold. As Ronald Reagan once said, 'I didn’t leave the Democratic Party, the Democratic Party left me.' I believe that as Republicans, we have only one choice on September 11th because only one candidate for Mayor has truly addressed our concerns … Bob Clement. Join with me as I vote for:
"BOB CLEMENT FOR MAYOR, September 11, 2007"
# posted by Joltin' Django @ Wednesday, September 05, 2007 
