Would donating a penny cost him more for processing than it is worth? ;-)

"When the going gets weird, the weird turn pro."
Hunter S. Thompson

I wrote a piece on Leadbetter a couple of months ago, but can't find it.

He is a very formidable opponent for Campfield. He retired from his job in the office of the UT Legal Counsel, and is going door-to-door full-time. He's in his early 60s, but doesn't look it -- he's in great shape, and he takes his wife, kids and grandchildren with him to campaign.

He's a nice guy and an old time conservative -- was an original YAF member at UT, along with Jimmy Duncan, and has lots of friends in the party. He's had an interest in travel, and for years, has arranged small, private tours to out-of-the-way locations like Lake Baikal and the Turkish highlands. He sued UT for sex discrimination a few years back when a woman was promoted over him (it didn't go anywhere).

He will be the first opponent to run against Campfield from the right, and IMO is the first one with a real chance to win, because he has a lot of GOP friends, deep party roots, impeccable right-wing credentials and is a grown-up with a real career and a good-looking family.

The good news is he won't embarrass Knox County like Campfield does. The bad news is, unlike Campfield, who doesn't work well with others and therefore doesn't get much done except for showing his butt, Leadbetter, who is every bit as conservative as Campy, might actually get some of those really awful bills passed.

I say Democrats, Progressives and people who are worried about stuff like abortion rights might prefer to keep Campfield.

Jonathon is extremely young and enthusiastic. He has a focus that would be popular with local Libertarians.

Maybe Stacey needs to get The Brain to look after his finances.

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That's a hell of a choice. One that's stupid and won't accomplish anything for his district but won't make things worse, or one that's smart and will accomplish things but could make things worse. In that case I'll choose stupid, ineffective and embarrassing. It seems that we have our very own useful idiot.

Leadbetter also has a Web site ... (link...)

Look, it was all I could do to give his blog one click. And I had to insult him before I left just to make it worth that much.

I'll donate if he'll promise to leave politics and join a monastery in Bull Head City, AZ.
Other than that, no dice.

I worked for Ron Leadbetter. I wouldn't vote for him, either. He's WAY too conservative for my taste. He also assumes that everyone agrees with him. Having a conversation with him is like having a conversation with a brick wall. He just keeps talking and doesn't listen. Those are not qualities in a public servant that I admire.

Everyone should also be aware that he sued Wade Gilley a few years ago for reverse discrimination on the basis of race and gender, when he did not get a promotion to the General Counsel position at the University of Tennessee. The 6th Circuit Court of Appeals denied his appeal because the University had legitimate reasons for failing to promote him. One of those reasons was that he was not as qualified as Catherine Mizell, who is the current General Counsel for UT. The Court of Appeals' decision makes for interesting reading.

Make up your own minds. I just don't trust this guy.