Am I wrong to think this is a hopeful sign....

Pam Strickland

"We are what we pretend to be, so we must be careful about what we pretend to be." ~Kurt Vonnegut

It's certainly a hopeful sign for Dem turnout in the August primary (county general). Good news all around.

The "late start" is the least of it. I'll be interested to see how he overcomes a few distinct shortcomings:

1) He's not well known outside of news junkie and political circles. Ask your typical "man-in-the-street" and you'll get a blank stare. Bob Who-ke?

2) Certainly, he has more of a following in Middle TN rather than statewide.

3) Comparing résumés, he's never held a public office. TNDP chair might as well be a patronage position. Vietnam Veteran and attorney don't quite have the same caché when it comes to considering experience, either. How is this overcome?

4) Insiders have been so much as told to flee from this race. Why's Bredesen not trying to talk him out of it?

5) Is this going to be a targeted race? Can we count on DSCC support for Tuke's campaign?

And honestly, and at a more personal level, I'm pretty much down with party loyalty but this move puzzles me. Is "sacrificial lamb" the best way to build up our bench? As with the GOP - did Jim Bryson's campaign do any favors for Jim Bryson or for the GOP?

I guess what I'm saying is that I really need some convincing here. Call me cynical, but I don't see how this works out into a win.

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