Today is a very important day in the history of Memphis. For those voting in the Democratic primary, it is a chance to send one of the best Congressmen we have ever had back to Washington for another two years. Steve Cohen has proved he can navigate the halls of Congress successfully while representing ALL the people in his district.
As for his opponent, Willie Herenton must be given credit for being a self-made man, rising from teacher to principal to school superintendent to mayor. I also have to give him credit for accomplishing a lot in his first three terms as mayor, redeveloping Downtown and reinventing the city’s public housing. However, in his last six years as mayor something seemed to change in the man. He seemed interested only in serving himself and his cronies, and making a public spectacle at every opportunity. Although he’s had success in the executive branch, there’s absolutely no evidence he would do well in the legislative branch, where he’d not be the center of attention, but merely one voice in 435. He’s run a race-based campaign in an era when we are beginning to put race behind us. It’s time to send Willie into permanent retirement.*
If you’re a Republican, you have an important primary too – the one for governor. Zach Wamp’s statements about unemployment benefits lead me to believe he sees the worst in people. Ron Ramsey’s statements about Islam make me wonder if he should be in a padded room rather than the lieutenant governor’s office. I may not agree with Bill Haslam on all the issues, but I have yet to see evidence that he is anything other than a man of public service. If I were voting in that primary I’d be voting for Haslam.
I’m off work today, so my agenda will be to hit the polls first and foremost. After that, I plan to visit the MIFA Store at 910 Vance – I never have gotten to see it because its hours conflict with my work hours. Then I’ll make a stop at the Corkscrew to buy some wine. After all the errands have been run, you can probably guess what my next stop will be.
* Or, more likely, temporary retirement, until he decides to run against Mayor Wharton for his old job, and makes a fool of himself once again.