Thu
Sep 14 2006
02:18 pm
Yes, Virginia, there are other candidates
By: R. Neal

With all the focus on the major party candidates for Governor and U.S. Senate, it's easy to forget that there are actually other candidates on the ballot for these offices. In fact, there are five others running for Senate, and six others running for Governor (all running as Independents).

In the Governor's race:

  • George Banks: (No website could be located.)
  • David Gatchell: This is the guy who changed his name to "None of the Above" but the state won't let him list it that way on the ballot. If elected, he pledges to resign and call for a new election (not necessarily in that order).
  • Marivuana Stout Leinoff: (No website could be located, but she may have been the former proprietor of the Marivuana Hempalot store.)
  • Charles E. Smith: (No website could be located.)
  • Howard M. Switzer: The Green Party candidate says "The principles that guide my political views are Care for the Earth, Care for People, and Return the Surplus." His website lays out mostly thoughtful, progressive views on the issues. He may be the closest thing to what used to be called a Democrat in this race.
  • Carl "Twofeathers" Whitaker: A perennial candidate, Whitaker says on his website that he is an "independent conservative" and that the important issues are illegal immigration, education, ethics, TennCare reform, and no more taxes. He does not say where he stands on these issues, but they are important. He has some impressive looking conservative endorsements.

    In the U.S. Senate race:

  • Ed Choate: He is running so that "no court will force us to accept into our churches, schools or seminars, teachers and other workers that do not agree with our morals standards and believes." He is also for immediate DNA cataloging and fingerprinting of all illegal immigrants and massive military deployment along our borders. He is concerned that the anti-gay marriage amendment isn't clear enough on the meaning of one "man" and one "woman", and wants to make sure "that the definition of a woman is that of a female gender physically born as a female person and the definition of a man, is that of a male gender physically born as a male person." He says that "marriage should not be a privilege of the transgender, homosexual, transvestite etc." and that "We need to stop rewarding bad behavior." This is a very entertaining website.
  • David Gatchell: Yes, the same David "None of the Above" Gatchell. See above.
  • Emory "Bo" Heyward: He is a patriot. He is against "diversity" and "tolerance". He has a long, heartfelt, introspective narrative on why he is running. I didn't get much past the diversity and tolerance part, but I gather he is a "conservative without a party" and that he is for God and guns, and he is against homosexual marriage, abortion, and especially the ACLU. He has a health care proposal that is so innovative I am unable to understand it. His website is not quite as entertaining as Ed Choate's website, because Bo accidentally makes a little sense here and there.
  • Gary Keplinger: (No website can be located, but there is a Project Vote Smart page for him. It appears he is male.)
  • Christopher Joseph Lugo: The Green Party candidate says that he is the only candidate who "stands for peace" and that he wants "an end to this illegal, immoral and unjust war in Iraq that has claimed the lives of over two thousand Americans and has cost us hundreds of billions of dollars." He also says he is "truly interested in the needs of the poor, the elderly, women and children, working people, immigrants, gays and lesbians, and the environment." Another candidate espousing what used to be Democratic Party principles.

    Conclusion:

    If your conscience won't let you vote for any of the major party candidates because there isn't a dime's worth (ok, maybe 15 cents' worth) of difference between them, you have other options whether you are liberal or conservative or just plain ornery. So nobody has any excuse for not voting.

    • Topics:
    lovable liberal's picture

    Harold Ford, Jr., will

    Submitted by lovable liberal on Thu, 2006/09/14 - 5:47pm.

    ... vote to make Harry Reid or another Democrat Majority Leader, and that's worth a damn sight more than a dime!  I sure hope he will.

    And if that's not good for someone's liberal conscience, they must have slept through the past five years.

    Liberty and justice for all.

    R. Neal's picture

    And if that's not good for

    Submitted by R. Neal on Thu, 2006/09/14 - 8:15pm.

    And if that's not good for someone's liberal conscience, they must have slept through the past five years.

    I should have added, conservaatives who think Corker is too moderate or even liberal (and he IS -- check out his record!) should vote for Bo Heyward or Ed Choate. If for no other reason than just to send a message. That's the smart play.

    Socialist With A Gold Card's picture

    Heyward?

    Submitted by Socialist With ... on Thu, 2006/09/14 - 8:36pm.

    Bubba, how could you possibly support that goober Heyward (even though he is a patriot)? Choate is the man, plain and simple. He realizes that the most compelling issue facing our society is the definition of "male" and "female." Choate has his finger on the pulse of the winds blowing in our direction. Or something.

    Choate is also willing to stand up for "our morals standards and believes." Heyward remains suspiciously silent on the issue.

    If there were any justice in this cold cruel world, Choate would get at least 50% of the conservative vote in Tennessee. No contest.

    --Socialist With A Gold Card

    "I'm a socialist with a gold card. I firmly believe we need a revolution; I'm just concerned that I won't be able to get good moisturizer afterwards." --Brett Butler

     

    Up Goose Creek's picture

    Team Sport

    Submitted by Up Goose Creek on Thu, 2006/09/14 - 8:39pm.

    LL makes a good point. Senating is a team sport and that's why I'm voting for Ford. If it weren't a close race I might consider someone else but the stakes are too high.

    "Harry Reid or another Democrat Majority Leader"

    I just wanted to read that again.

    _______________________________

    -- Populist with a platinum card

    joe public's picture

    Lugo and Switzer are both Green

    Submitted by joe public (not verified) on Thu, 2006/09/14 - 6:06pm.

    Great post: thanks for helping me remind voters that there are options other than the main four.

    I did want to point out that the Green Party of Tennessee nominated both Chris Lugo and Howard Switzer, though (as I'm sure you know) both will be listed as Independents on the two-party-only Tennessee ballot.

    R. Neal's picture

    That's true. I thought I had

    Submitted by R. Neal on Thu, 2006/09/14 - 6:28pm.

    That's true. I thought I had seen a 'G' next to Lugo's name somewhere official, but I checked, and you are correct.

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