Battle in the 'Boro: Gordon Puts Life on the Line to Save Career

The latest from the health-care battlefield: Afraid of Tea Party bullies, Congressman Jim Cooper has canceled a Nashville school speech: "I was worried that students and parents might be alarmed by possible disruptions of the opening day of school." In Memphis, Sen. Bob Corker shook hands with protesters seeking health care reform. We don't think any of them were armed. "I don't think you want 100 senators, like me, in 60 days to revamp the medical system," Corker said. That's a good point, we have to admit. Congrssman Zach Wamp launched his "Vision 20/20" tour of state. In Knoxville, he advised members of Congress to take their medicine in town hall meetings. Easy for him to say:

"I would say they are doing that at their own risk and their own peril because I think if you duck it, no matter whether you are voting for or against it, if you duck it, they might just duck you next year."

Congressman Bart Gordon figured this out for himself. Called out as a cowardly twit by his hometown newspaper, he has announced he'll stand up to the mobs in three town hall meetings. In a further attempt to prove his manhood, he'll also go one-on-one with teabaggers all day long in his office before the town halls. He's taking on all comers. Bring it! We're talking about a steel-cage death match to the finish. This guy must really like it in Washington.

"If you want to speak to Bart about an issue whether it is veterans' issues, health care, Social Security, whatever, he's going to be doing face to face meetings, come in talk to him tell him what's on your mind... one-on-one."

This decision has earned Gordon a

from the Daily News Journal. But after kicking sand in Gordon's face and turning him into a tiger, the newspaper suddenly seems to be worrying about the little guy's safety.

"This is a great opportunity for people of the 6th Congressional District to come together and put the spirit of democracy on display in Middle Tennessee," the newspaper says optimistically. "It's also a chance to stay above the fray and show the nation that civil and responsible debate can be held on the key issues this country is facing without the event deteriorating into shouting, finger-pointing and even violence."