Something is rotten at The Outpost
Remember that RuCo Young Republicans Social I told you about a few weeks ago? The one that announced a “private preview” at The Outpost Armory?
Well, it was brought to my attention what exactly that “private preview” was. For those who do not know, The Outpost is a restaurant/firearms retail location off Exit 89, just down I-24E from Murfreesboro. It is owned and operated by Ronnie Barrett.
The Outpost really isn’t that exciting of a place. The food in the restaurant isn’t that good. Trust me, I’ve eaten there several times. And I’ve seen the new merchandise. It used to be an old general store, but now it’s stocked with guns. It’s a fairly nice display, but not something that would excite many enough to hold a “private preview.”
So, what was the preview? Sources indicate that the RuCo Young Republicans were joined by Tim Rudd, Christian Hidalgo, Ronnie Barrett, Representative Donna Rowland, and… Senator Jim Tracy. From the details I have heard, it was basically a cheerleading session for Jim, who… as you know, is running for Congress. Not all in attendance were thrilled with a candidate being selected and pushed on them.
What you may not know, though, is that much of the Republican chatter in Rutherford County is that Representative Rowland aspires to take Jim’s whenever-he-decides-to-vacate vacated seat. It would behoove her, then, to corral her base of support (which, for a long time has been the YRs, outside of the County Party proper) and push them in Jim’s direction.
By golly, if Jim couldn’t get Ronnie Barrett a road as Chairman of Transportation, I’m almost certain that a Senator Rowland could!
What’s strange about this meeting (as if the previous details aren’t odd enough) is that two folks were present who (I thought) were working fairly closely with Lou Ann Zelenik.
Talk about bad blood all around.
Whether or not they’re being paid by either campaign is yet to be seen, but I was under the impression that Tim Rudd and Christian Hidalgo were both in the Zelenik camp. Christian worked very closely with Lou Ann in organizing the tea parties. And well… it’s widely known (understood, recognized, or so everyone thought) that Tim was working for Lou Ann, too.
If that’s the case, then why were they cheerleading for Jim Tracy at The Outpost? Why did this event have anything to do with Jim Tracy? And if it had Jim Tracy’s name all over it from the get-go, then why wasn’t it announced as an event with Jim Tracy?
And why the hell is Ronnie wanting Jim Tracy in Congress? Hell, Jim couldn’t get the road extended in front of the factory, even though Barrett gave tons of money to Tracy when he wasn’t even up for re-election (39% of contributions from Barrett went to Tracy from 2004 to 2008. I don’t know if that link will work. If not, contact me.)?
This event just reeks of… I don’t know what. None of it makes sense. Undoubtedly, the race for Tennessee’s 6th District will get interesting, even more so than it already is. There are so many colorful characters involved in the race so far.
But it’s out there now, and that’s the word on the street.
5 comments
I’ve a problem with Jim Tracy taking the 6th.
Maybe because he thinks he’s entitled. There’s a bit much of that in politics I’m afraid.
Lou Ann Zelenick vs. Kerry Roberts…when can we see point-by-point, side-by-side comparisons on the issues? I don’t care about bicycles or tea parties; bad food or meet-and-greets. I want hard data.
It’s the only way to be sure.
serr8d -
I appreciate your comment. I agree that there is a sense of entitlement here, and certain folks are hedging their bets (read: presumptuous) in hopes that Jim wins. Everyone’s motivated by something.
And you’re right: on the issues, the race should be between Lou Ann Zelenik and Kerry Roberts. Both Jim and Diane voted to grow the state budget by $1 billion in a recession. Mae Beavers was the only Republican to vote against the budget, and there’s talk that she’ll get in the race.
Matt,
You are trying to make too much out of this. I hardly think that Jim Tracy being asked to answer a few questions at a YR event makes it a full blown Jim Tracy for Congress election event. Other members were there that already have given their support to other candidates. For whatever reason their candidates did not come to the event. I am told that all the candidates were at another event that night and out of all of them, only Jim choose to come to this meeting afterwards.
It will be a long primary and I am sure that all the candidates will be give ample opportunities to address the YR’s if they would like. Some candidates have already said they would come to meetings and in some cases I have moved the meeting date specifically for them to make it, only to have the candidate in question to forget about the meeting and fail to attend.
The Young Republicans of Rutherford County do not endorse any specific candidate in this race.
I appreciate the clarification, Travis. I’m merely relating the information I was given. I agree that there will be many more events for the YRs to meet with candidates for Congress. The whole scenario just seems odd to me, though.
[...] before Christmas, I reported on an event held by the Rutherford County Young Republicans at The Outpost, a firearms retail location on the [...]
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