June 3, 2006 Quickie "votes" protect sitting incumbent legislators from write-in candidates

Tennessee Governor Phil Bredesen needs to get out the "veto" pen.

Dead people vote in Memphis. Absent Tennessee Representatives vote in Nashville.

The first is illegal. The second is normal in Naifeh-ville.

The first resulted in the voiding of an election (Ophelia Ford in Memphis).

The second resulted in the last-minute passage of a new law dubbed the "Incumbent Protection Bill."

The "Incumbent Protection Bill" raises the bar---nah, let's be honest about it--the "IPB" makes it virtually impossible for a write-in candidate to qualify to run in a general election race against a sitting (incumbent) legislator.

The "IPB" would require a write-in candidate to get 5% of the total registered voters in his/her district instead of the current 5% of the actual primary votes cast in order to qualify for the November general election.

The IPB passed in the Tennessee House with the "votes" of absent legislators.

Only a veto by Governor Bredesen can stop this bill now!

If you think that the Governor should say "No" and veto this bill, call 615-741-2001 and leave your name, city, phone number, and a simple message like "Please veto the incumbent protection bill."

I did.

PS: If you hate message machines, send an e-mail to phil.bredesen@state.tn.us