Monday, September 28, 2009
Politics / Woods Is Maynard Thinking About Challenging Cooper?
Posted by Jeff Woods on Mon, Sep 28, 2009 at 8:28 PM
Comments (26)
Showing 1-26 of 26
Don't think Maynard is that confused or frustrated but who knows? Hope not. Nashville needs him where he is. All politics of change are local.
like
dislike
Maynard is too smart to let someone talk him into doing something this stupid. He's also too ambitious. He knows running against Cooper would end his political career.
Really, Woods? You don't think Maynard would be able to put together a coalition of black voters, white liberal voters, and union members which, in a primary with virtually no crossover voting, could take the nomination from Cooper?
I think there's a lot of toadying going on. And the comparison to Chip is weak. Nashville is a far different place than it was in the early 90s. There's no figure like Gore around, a guy who could single-handedly ruin a career. Yes, there's a lame duck Bredesen, but he's the only statewide Democrat standing, and couldn't being down Chip.
There's a long way to go, and maybe Cooper will quit acting like the smartest kid in the school. But Maynard would have some money and an active and motivated base.
Thanks so much for starting your drumbeat for the impossibility of anything happening-- so far in advance. It reminds us what this paper is, who it's for, and who it belittles--with amazing consistency.
But there's always something unique, special and redeeming about "moderate conservatives". Always.
Before I get my undies all twisted up about Woods' post I need to remember that not too long ago Woods' told us all that the hubub over Mark Sanford's dissappearing act was all much ado about nothing. A mountain was being made out of a molehill. Could it be that what Woods is now calling a molehill could turn into a mountain?
Check out A.C. Kleinheider's thoughts on a potential primary challenge to Cooper
http://politics.nashvillepost.com/
Is it any wonder that the Nashville Scene and the Nashville Post have become 1? These guys are beating the same drum and they're beating it hard. Does any else remember when the Scene used to be considered Nashville's Alt Weekly?
Until a viable candidate to Cooper steps forward the safe bet is that Cooper will not face a serious primary challenge. Yet that the extent of dissatisfaction with Cooper is significant for an incumbent in a safe district. If a viable challenger does come forward it would be one of the hottest political story in the state and get play nationally. To the extent that the local punditry are downplaying the story, the question is Why? What interests are being served by protecting Cooper?
What an unjust attack and an unconfirmed suspicion. Do you not have anyone else to write about?
Why is that any African-American leader or any leader period that fights for the poor is attacked? I am tired of seeing articles like these about Maynard. He is great and is doing great things for those of us who needs him. And we wonder, why Nashville is not progressing. Fear.
Why is it when there's an African American leader that fights for the poor they are attacked? I am tired of seeing articles like these against the black leadership in Nashville. Maynard works hard for those that need him. AND, we wonder why Nashville isn't progressing. Fear.
While it may be entirely accurate, what we have is Woods' interpretation of his conversation with Maynard. How about some exact quotes of the questions Woods asked and Maynard's answers? Maybe even audio of the conversation, if it was recorded. Then readers could decide for themselves whether or not Maynard is being "really cagey". I'd rather read the exact conversation rather than the reporter's summary of the conversation.
Marvin,
I asked Maynard whether he was thinking about challenging Cooper. He replied, “There are no thoughts right now on my mind to run for Congress.” I asked whether he would rule it out, and he replied, "No comment." We discussed how this would sound when I wrote about it and he still wouldn't comment. So there you go. It seemed pretty cagey to me.
How does "no comment" translate into Maynard is considering Cooper's seat? Most people would agree that "There are no thoughts right now on mind to run for Congress" clearly says he is not thinking about running for Congress. I just wish the Scene would do stories that had more substance especially for the voter that is looking for information with validity. With everything that is going on in politics and in Nashville...This is all that the Scene can come up with.
Did you people not read the story on The City Paper? I don't see this as an attack on Maynard. It's an analysis of the situation.
Thanks, Woods. Sounds cagey to me also.
The info you just posted - particularly about you two discussing how this would sound when you wrote it - is more interesting and informative than what's in the original post.
Maynard would lose this primary for the same reason that Gayle Ray and John Arriola did. Cooper has significantly more ability to fund a campaign.
When was the last time an incumbent congressman in Tennessee lost a primary?
Of course it could just be that like most Councilmen at large, Jerry likes hearing his name mentioned as a potential candidate for higher office. Even if he doesn't plan to run now, he might think its good to have people thinking about him in that office one day.
Really...I am confused. Did Maynard call Woods? From the previous post, Woods presented the question to Maynard. AND Maynard replied, "There are no thoughts right now on my mind to run for Congress" It's not cagey. It's just not the response Woods wanted so he made up his own headliner. Great way to get us talking about it though.
Though I don't really agree with what BlackNashville is saying here, he/she brings up an interesting point as to who called who. I assume Woods called Maynard, which brings up the question of why. How did Woods hear that Maynard maybe had an idea to run?
Maybe it's not even important, I don't know. But it would be interesting to know what started this ball rolling.
And Mr. Maynard, if you're out there, maybe you'd like to weigh in with some additional comments.
Maynard would lose this primary for the same reason that Gayle Ray and John Arriola did. Cooper has significantly more ability to fund a campaign.
Yeah, but neither Ray nor Arriola had an ActBlue bankroll. I think that's sort of the whole idea here. Accountability Now is co-funding the challenge.
I would love to see Maynard run. Cooper acts like he is God's gift to public policy and I am sick of his act. Nearly every Democrat I know feels the same way. That said, I think he would be more ripe for a challenge in a Presidential year, since turnout will be lower. Turnout for a contested primary for governor should be high and many people will simply vote for Cooper because they know the name. I bet less than 10% of the voters in this city could name all 5 at-large council members. There just isn't much name recognition with that position.
Run, Jerry, Run! He can run in a way that will not hurt his career. If he wins, obviously great for him (and for the voters of the 5th district). If he loses, but the campaign is conducted on the issues (why has Cooper opposed extending the GI bill? why has Cooper blocked health care reform?) and Cooper's lack of service to many parts of our community (Cooper takes black support for granted, takes most support east of the Cumberland for granted, and is out of touch with the changing demographics in his district outside of West End and Belle Meade).
Plus, Maynard is not some wild-eyed liberal. He is a solid Democrat who probably will take positions that the majority of voters in the district want.
If Maynard runs a campaign criticizing Cooper on the issues and on being out of touch with many of his constituents, and still loses respectfully, Maynard is the front runner when Cooper finally retires.
Fuck Jim Cooper. If Maynard were to run, I would definitely vote for him. Then again, I'd vote for any Democrat against Cooper; that is to say, a REAL Democrat. Woods, instead of pointing out the futility of the scenario, what are our choices? Can we get Cooper to support term limits?
