This 2007 election is already bloody.
The Contenders:
Clear favorite in both votes and money is former Congressman Bob Clement. Chasing the leader is Vice Mayor Howard Gentry and Councilman Buck Dozier, trying to catch up. Now Councilman-at-large David Briley is about to jump in this race as well.
The Match-up:
So it will be Clement versus three guys from the Nashville Metro Council ... a group that has lower approval ratings than President Bush and Congress, if you can imagine; whose new Courthouse building, not yet completed, is already the source of rumors about cost overruns (link - The Tennessean) and the kind of luxury carpeting and baubles that got the President of UT run off a couple of years ago.
Clement is challenging his opponents with an aggressive plan for a neighborhood advisory council, infrastructure repairs (storm water problems, street repairs, etc), and reducing crime by cracking down on drug dealers and cracking down on gangs.
Clement's opponents don't seem to understand or feel the pain of everyday people on these issues. Gentry was recently quoted that crime is important because we need to worry about artists who might not play at the new Symphony Hall because of their fear of crime. Clement's opponents were described by the Republican Party County Chairman as being soft on crime when Clement called for a crackdown on drugs and gangs to improve the quality of life in a recent mayor's debate. (link - City Paper).
With this sort of matchup, I might return to watching the Titans for some suspense.
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2 comments:
Clement is the odds on favorite. He is the best candidate in this race.
Last month the three announced candidates for the 2007 Davidson County mayoral race debated at the Adventure Science Center. The candidates were asked how they would address the issue of crime. Two of the candidates felt as though more emphasis should be given to “mentoring” at risk youth. No one would argue that those types of programs are necessary and vital, but violent crime has reached epidemic levels in Davidson County.
It was encouraging to hear Candidate and former Congressman Bob Clement state that increased enforcement and arrest were essential to combating crime. While in Congress Mr. Clement served on the foreign affairs committee, and had the opportunity to travel globally. He has seen first hand the connection between public safety and economic prosperity.
To remain a vibrant and prosperous city, Nashville must have a mayor who will commit the necessary resources to ensure public safety and dramatically reduce violent crime. Help is on its way. His name is Bob Clement.
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