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From Knoxville's Channel 6 WATE blog...

3 races key to which party controls Tennessee Senate

Posted: Oct 26, 2008 10:21 AM EST

NASHVILLE (AP) - The battle between Republicans and Democrats to control the state Senate has raised the heat in three races crucial to both parties and it's showing in campaign tactics.

Republicans and Democrats each hold 16 seats and the 33rd belongs to an independent. The two parties are trying to hang onto the seats they already have and pick up at least one more in the legislative elections on Nov. 4.

2 of the fiercest battles are for open seats. One is Senate District 26 in West Tennessee, where former longtime Democratic Senate Speaker John Wilder of Mason is retiring, and District 12 on the Cumberland Plateau, where Sen. Tommy Kilby, D-Wartburg, didn't seek re-election.

Fundraising has been vigorous and the candidates in both races went into the final stretch with plenty of money to spend.

Ed Cromer is editor of the Tennessee Journal, a weekly newsletter on state politics. He says Democrats must win those races just to stay even, because if Republicans win even 1 of them, they have a majority.

Best, John Wilder is out of there, no matter which party grabs the seat. Much better if Dolores Gresham (R) gets it of course. Drop in and donate, if you have time.

On the Tennessee House side, well, we really must get rid of "Forever Speaker" Jimmy (Coon Suppers!) Naifeh. Could there be any more entrenched politico than this guy? He's been in State government since 1974. Let's flush this bird!

From Memphis' Commercial Appeal..

Challenger calls Tennessee House Speaker Naifeh 'out of touch'

By Sherri Drake Silence, drake@commercialappeal.com
Sunday, October 12, 2008

Covington farmer Rory Bricco considers his race against Tennessee House Speaker Jimmy Naifeh a "protest to the status quo."

"He's a 34-year incumbent and he's out of touch with his constituency," said Bricco.

The Republican is challenging Naifeh, D-Covington, for his 81st District seat, which represents Haywood and Tipton counties.

Out of touch? I'd say 'in touch with too many smoke-filled backrooms and insider political deals for far too long to allow to stay in power for a single minute longer'.

Hie thee to Rory Bricco's online home and help out.

Remember, all politics is local, and Tennessee State politics acts closer to home. What Obonga does is hurtful, but what these Democrat clowns at the State level do is as much, if not more costly and painful legislative damage.

Let 'em eat possum.