Volunteer TV sat down with Mike McWherter to ask a few a questions about the governor’s rac

Dear Friends,

This is a very exciting week for our campaign.   First, I want to take this opportunity to ask for your vote in Thursday’s Democratic Primary.  If you haven’t already voted, please do so on Thursday!

In the days running up to and following the primary, I will be traveling across this great state to speak to supporters and let voters know I am dedicated to creating jobs for Tennesseans.

I will be stumping from the Mississippi River to the Smoky Mountains letting people know I have the best plan to create and grow good paying jobs. I have listed the campaign events below. Please come out to show your support if you are able!

• August 4th – Memphis – 5:00 p.m. – Shelby County Democrats Rally & Reception – The Inn at Hunt Phelan – 533 Beale Street
  
• August 5th – Nashville - 5:30 p.m. – LP Field Viewing Party & Primary Victory Celebration – Free Parking Available in lots S & H – West Club Area – 1 Titans Way
• August 6th – Chattanooga – 8:15 a.m. – Campaign Kickoff Breakfast – Wally’s Restaurant – 1600 McCallie Ave
• August 6th – Piney Flats – 5:00 p.m. – Campaign Kickoff Rally – Pardner’s Restaurant – 5444 Highway 11 East
  

Governor Bredesen and Congressman Jim Cooper will attend the primary night celebration party at LP Field in Nashville.

“This PR stunt will do nothing to secure our borders or prevent the hiring of undocumented workers.” said Mike McWherter. “These media hungry legislators should focus more on solutions and less on photo-ops.”

Mike made his remarks to WVLT in Knoxville on the decision for Tennessee lawmakers to visit Arizona today.

For background, go here.

Knoxville Mayor Blatantly Lies about his Family’s Role in the Income Tax Debate

Nashville, TN – Mike McWherter, Jackson businessman and candidate for governor, calls Bill Haslam out for lying to the Associated Press about his family’s role in advocating for a state income tax.

Yesterday while discussing his father’s role in the 1999 income tax debate with the Associated Press, Bill Haslam said, “He [Zach Wamp] makes it sound like my dad was out leading the effort, which is not true.”

Jimmy Haslam, Bill Haslam’s father and Pilot Oil’s founder, served as one of four board members for an advocacy group known as Citizens for Fair Taxation. The four member board raised over $1.8 million for a publicity campaign supporting Gov. Don Sundquist’s push for a state income tax.

“Bill Haslam has lied to the people of Tennessee.” said Mike McWherter. “I am frankly disappointed that Bill would purposefully mislead Tennessean’s, this appears to a common theme for his campaign. Tennesseans deserve a Governor who knows the truth when he sees it.”

For months, Bill Haslam, Zach Wamp and Ron Ramsey have been flooding the airwaves with irreverent attacks and showing Tennessee voters their true colors. While Mike McWherter continues to talk about real issues and his plans to put Tennesseans back to work, Bill Haslam, Zach Wamp and Ron Ramsey are spending millions to educate Tennessee voters on why none of the three are suited to lead our state at this critical time.

This week the family feud hit new lows with the national media once again focusing on Tennessee for inane comments made by backward thinking career politicians. The political infighting has also spread into a family dispute within the Haslam family’s oil empire. Below is a brief recap from the latest episodes:

Last Friday, Zach Wamp drew national criticism for his comments that states might “consider separation from this government.” After a few days of backpedaling, Wamp then took a shot at struggling working families saying they need to be “looking for work and not just sitting back waiting” for a job.

At a campaign stop in Chattanooga, Ron Ramsey took a shot at the first amendment saying that freedom of religion might not apply to all religions.

Today, Bill Haslam threw his own family under the bus when trying to explain the price gouging lawsuits against his family-owned Pilot Oil company. Halsam admits he is still on the payroll, but refuses to disclose his financial information so it is unclear what “leadership” role he plays.

While these career politicians continue their politics as usual, Mike will continue to talk about real solutions to grow our economy and put Tennesseans back to work.

Join our efforts to move Tennessee forward. We appreciate your support.

Criticizes Wamp’s Attack on Tennesseans’ Work Ethic

Nashville, TN – Mike McWherter, Jackson businessman and candidate for governor, takes issue with Congressman Zach Wamp’s attack on unemployed Tennesseans.

On Tuesday during a gubernatorial candidate forum with the National Federation of Independent Business, Zach Wamp stated that unemployed Tennesseans should be “looking for work and not just sitting back waiting” while discussing the extension of unemployment benefits.

“As I have travelled to all 95 counties, people tell me over and over again they want to work,” said Mike McWherter. “They need jobs, not lectures and attacks from Congressman Wamp. My goal is simple we have to put Tennesseans back to work, not blame them for being unemployed.”

From Kim Sasser Hayden on Mike’s ad which hit the airwaves across the state today:

“As we move to the general election, we wanted to set the table on Mike’s plan to grow our economy by supporting Tennessee small businesses and working families. As Bill Haslam spends millions of dollars trying to defend his record of raising property taxes, price gouging Tennesseans at the gas pump and hiding his vast oil wealth, Tennessee voters realize he is not the character he has tried to create in his television ads.

“While Haslam, Ramsey and Wamp are trying to appeal to the extreme fringe, Mike McWherter is talking about common sense solutions that will put Tennesseans back to work. It’s unfortunate Tennessee families are being bombarded by the Republican’s dirty laundry every time they turn on the television, we will continue to focus our campaign on the real issues that matter to every Tennessean.”

Grab your friends and join Team McWherter at a rally for Mike prior to Monday night’s statewide Gubernatorial Debate on WSMV-TV at Belmont’s Curb Events Center. Beginning at 5 p.m., on the Curb Event Center’s south lawn (in front of the ticket window), the rally will last until roughly 6:30 or when the candidates have entered the building.

Seating will be limited inside the debate so after the rally and Mike has entered the Curb Event Center you are also invited to join Team McWherter for a free watch party at the Tennessee Democratic Party’s Freedom Room (2nd Floor/223 Rosa Parks Ave.) where complimentary food and drinks will be available. Members of Team McWherter will be on hand Monday night to watch the debate alongside you and discuss the ways Mike will help lead Tennessee as its next Governor.

Tell us if you are coming at our Facebook page.

With Independence Day coming up, Team McWherter would like to take the time to thank all those who fought and died so that we may live freely and without fear. Without them, we would not be here today. Although we can never do enough to repay the debt we owe them, we may honor them by ensuring their sacrifices were not made in vain. Mike began this week with a flourish, attending two Democratic events in Northeast Tennessee last Saturday. He continued to keep his nose to the grindstone with a flurry of events including a fundraiser at Governor Bredesen’s house, television interviews, a blood drive, and Mike Works! events in Middle and East Tennessee.

Mike continued to build support last Saturday with a visit to Northeast Tennessee, where he attended the Northeast Tennessee Democratic Association’s Candidate Forum and afterwards picked up votes at a rally held by the Morgan County Democratic

Mike in Coffee County - Lewis Motor Company

Women.
On Tuesday, Mike headed to News Channel 5’s office in Nashville, where Anchor Pat Nolan interviewed him for an upcoming profile story on Inside Politics. The story will air on Friday at 7:00 p.m., Saturday at 5:00 a.m. & 5:30 p.m., and Sunday at 5:00 a.m. & 12:30 p.m. Tune in to see some great footage of Mike answering tough questions and sharing his vision for Tennessee’s future.
At a fundraiser held by Governor Bredesen, scores of supporters attended and demonstrated their enthusiasm for Mike’s Campaign with a generous outpouring of support.
Continuing his Mike Works! tour, McWherter traveled to Coffee County on Wednesday morning to spend some of his time working for Lewis Motor Company, a locally owned automotive sales and repair shop. As an employee, Mike was tasked with replacing alternators, changing oil, putting tires on rims, and cleaning up the shop.
On Thursday afternoon, Mike traveled to his native Jackson to attend the grand opening of the Madison County Democratic Headquarters in conjunction with the 2010 Democratic Coordinated Campaign. In addition to serving as Mike’s Madison County Campaign Headquarters, it will also be the headquarters for Roy Herron for U.S. House District 8, Lowe Finney for state Senate District 27, and Johnny Shaw for state House District 80.
For the second time this week, Mike rolled up his sleeves and went to work for a locally owned business in Roane County. At the Mike Works! event, McWherter worked at a soda shop in Kingston, Market Street Fountain, where he washed dishes and bussed tables while speaking with customers and employees about their struggles in tough economic times.
Mike has a busy 4th of July Weekend coming up. On Saturday morning he’ll be in Knox County speaking to the Boyd Cloud Saturday Morning Democratic Club. After finishing up there, he’ll make his way over to Farragut for their annual Independence Day Parade. In the afternoon, Mike will travel to Sumner County where he’ll first attend the Hendersonville Independence Day Celebration, afterwards heading to the Gallatin Freedom Fest.

On July 4th, Mike will deliver a speech at the Williamson County Democratic Picnic. Following the event, McWherter will make an appearance in downtown Franklin at the Franklin on the 4th Celebration.