Joe Carr’s “Shock & Awe” Fundraising Quarter (TN-4)

    In February, I introduced many of you to Rep. Joe Carr, a Tennessee legislator exploring a congressional bid against incumbent Scott Desjarlais (TN-4).  In that same post, I explained why Desjarlais is a deeply flawed Republican and needs to be shown the door. I also viewed Rep. Carr as a rising GOP star for his extraordinary ability to articulate conservatism, leadership in advancing the conservative | Read More »

    Tennessee Representative Joe Carr– A Rising GOP Star

    Keep your eye on Joe Carr, a rising GOP star and tea party favorite in the Tennessee House who is exploring a congressional campaign for Tennessee’s 4th district. The seat is currently held by Scott Desjarlais, an ethically challenged Republican, who encouraged his ex-wife to have multiple abortions and mislead voters in the last election to cover up his past. RedState contributor Daniel Horowitz presented a strong | Read More »

    At the Precipice: Will Tennessee Lead on Universal School Choice?

    I recently read an article entitled, “Vouchers could keep kids out of crowded schools” in my local newspaper. The author made some excellent points, particularly that vouchers would not reduce funding for public schools and that parents of poor students should have the option of attending a private school versus an overcrowded public school. I agree with his reasoning, and I believe that parents should | Read More »

    Dispatch from the Ohio Front

    Just over a week ago, I along with fifty other Tennesseans boarded a charter bus and began a five hour trek to the front lines of the 2012 fight for the Presidency. We arrived in southwestern Ohio at roughly 10 PM EST that Friday night. Upon our arrival to our hotel, we received our room assignments and initial instructions. Then we bedded down for the | Read More »

    Remembering Tampa

    Our Tampa odyssey began early the Saturday morning preceding the convention. We arrived in Tampa around lunch time, and the airport was abuzz with arriving delegates and greeters from Tampa, including a barber shop quartet which serenaded arriving visitors. My wife and I grabbed the keys to our rental car and headed west to Safety Harbor, a small Tampa suburb where the Tennessee delegation would | Read More »

    Ryan Would Be a Solid Veep Choice for Romney

    Liberal Michael Tomasky, over at The Daily Beast, appears to be hyperventilating at the prospect that Romney will tap Paul Ryan as his Veep. So wouldn’t you agree that Ryan earning such high contempt and derision marks from Tomasky and fellow leftists means he should automatically merit serious consideration for the Veepstakes? I say, “Move to the front of the line, good fellow!” No one grasps | Read More »

    Romney’s Best Bet is Rubio–Not Portman–for the Veepstakes

    Pajamas Media is reporting that Mitt Romney will choose Sen. Rob Portman as his veep, according to GOP insiders. A Portman pick would likely trigger (at best) an unenthusiastic conservative response, or (at worst) a conservative backlash to the Romney candidacy. Portman simply would not bring enough conservative credentials to the GOP ticket. Here’s why: To his credit, Portman earns favorable ratings from Club for Growth, American | Read More »

    Three Keys to a Romney Victory in November

    Mitt Romney was not my first choice for President. Frankly, he didn’t make my top three. I was initially enthusiastic about Tim Pawlenty. Later, I volunteered in Iowa and South Carolina for Gov. Perry. Lastly, I campaigned in Tennessee for Rick Santorum. Now it appears inevitable that Gov. Romney will be our nominee. (No offense to my Newt friends, but he’s batting 2-31 out of | Read More »

    An Open Letter to Rick Santorum

    First of all, congratulations on winning Iowa. Better late than never, right? Iowa is the new Florida. I attended the debate in North Charleston Thursday night an undecided conservative voter. I arrived in South Carolina the previous night ready to campaign for Gov. Rick Perry, who at the time, was still the best and most principled conservative in the race. With Perry’s withdrawal earlier in | Read More »

    Rick Perry the Phoenix Candidate?

    A week ago, I made it pretty clear why I believe Gov. Rick Perry is the best choice for conservatives in this election. Now I’ll go a step further. I think he is the only Republican contender who can defeat Obama. Obama will run rings around former Gov. Mitt Romney on Romneycare and his pathetic 47th place finish in job creation as governor of Massachusetts. | Read More »

    Inside the Perry Strike Force

    Just wanted to give RedStaters a brief report from the Perry Strike Force. As a point of reference, I volunteered in a 72 hour campaign  for President Bush in Florida in 2004. In other words, this isn’t my first rodeo in this kind of effort. Volunteers have been pouring in over the last few days. I arrived in Des Moines Friday night, and following a | Read More »

    Dear Iowa

    Dear Iowa, As I write this letter, I’m sitting in the Nashville, Tennessee airport preparing to come visit you. I just kissed my beautiful wife of 7 years and 2 small children goodbye. I won’t get to spend the next few days or celebrate the New Year with them this year.  I’m OK with that, because I have some things I need to tell you | Read More »

    Thoughts on the Virginia Ballot Fiasco [Updated]

    UPDATE: The Perry campaign is taking legal action to appear on the Virginia ballot arguing the current process involves both onerous and unconstitutional requirements. Curiously, Newt has neither filed a lawsuit or hinted at possible legal action to my knowledge. Full disclosure: I am a Rick Perry delegate representing the state of Tennessee. Here are some musings on the Virginia ballot mess for what they’re worth. | Read More »

    Rick Perry in the Arena

    “It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is | Read More »

    Rove’s Latest Beltway Nonsense: Perry Shouldn’t be a Cowboy

    Is it just me or has Karl Rove completely gone Washington? Rove’s latest attack on Gov. Rick Perry for being too cowboy is ridiculous. Perry rightly sharply criticized Ben Bernanke’s failed monetary policies. This recent episode is indicative of Rove’s deteriorating intellectual capacity due to his Beltway Bubble illness. Alas, Politico’s embed link appears to be jacked up, along with most of their political analysis. | Read More »

    Rubio for Minority Leader

    It’s time for McConnell to step down as Minority Leader. His capitulation to President Obama yesterday makes it clear he is no longer the right person to lead Republicans in the Senate. Conservatives and Tea Partiers need to start calling for his resignation. Who should replace him? I propose Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL). He is leading the conservative movement in the Senate and could be the | Read More »