Vote Today

Tuesday, November 07, 2006
Vote Category: News and Politics
Vote today, if you haven't already.

Big time election in the Tennessee US Senator race: Bob Corker (R) (49%) vs. Harold Ford Jr. (D) (46%).

From the Wall Street Journal: "With the resignation of Bill Frist, the GOP is hoping Bob Corker can snag this seat. Although Corker leads over the Democrats' Harold Ford in all of the most recent polls, his average margin is only six percentage points, making this race too close to call."

I believe that Corker will win, and he is who I am voting for (even though two weeks ago, 10/26, Harold Ford Jr. literally gave me a big old bear hug).

Why should you vote either way in this election? Here are some of the commonly cited reasons pro and con on each candidate (these are not necessarily my views):
For Harold Ford Jr.: He's smart, a well presented handsome man (slick according to Republicans), well educated and has years of experience in DC. He is moderate (more conservative than most Democrats) on social issues and a fiscal liberal.
For Bob Corker: He's a Tennessee businessman who has been the very successful mayor of Chattanooga for years and is conservative on social and fiscal policy. He's not a dyed in the wool politician.

Against Harold Ford Jr.: He is the more liberal of the two candidates, he is from a family that is at the head of the Memphis political machine and that has often been seen as corrupt and thuggish. He failed the bar exam after graduating from a prestigious law school. He has not had a "real" job except in politics.
Against Bob Corker: He is the more conservative of the two candidates, and he is rich ($200 million), and is portrayed as looking out for the interests of the wealthy. There were some snafus early on in his time as mayor of Chattanooga. He is portrayed as being too close to oil interests (his campaign manager is the CEO of a gasoline retailer).