Blackburn: 'It is the Senate's duty to vote' on Trump's Supreme C...

OPINION

Tennessean readers | The Tennessean

Michael Schwab - USA TODAY NETWORK - Tennessee, Nashville Tennessean

Lacy Atkins / The Tennessean

Editor’s note: The Sept. 25 debate at Cumberland University in Lebanon between U.S. Rep. Marsha Blackburn and former Gov. Phil Bredesen drew several responses from readers, which are published here. Add your voice by sending a letter to letters@tennessean.com. Include your full name, address and phone number for verification.

Blackburn versus Schumer?

The first debate between Phil Bredesen and Marsha Blackburn was a disappointment.

Bredesen's two-terms as governor of Tennessee and mayor of Nashville shows his undisputed qualifications for senator of Tennessee.

Instead of enlightening us with her qualifications, Ms. Blackburn seems confused and seems to be running against Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer.

Carlos Tirres, Nolensville 37135

Bredesen would yield to Democrats

Although I have voted Republican ever since I first voted, I voted for Phil Bredesen for governor twice. I think he was one of the best governors I have seen as a Tennessean.

However, as good a senator as I believe he could be, I will not consider voting for him as our senator.

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The Washington Democrat party is not the Tennessee Democrat party. All you had to do was watch the Senate confirmation hearings for Judge Brett Kavanaugh to get a glimpse of what Democrats will do if they get control of the Senate.

We have seen countless hours of questions by Democrats that had no relevance to his experience, capability, or competence. This is because Democrats have been focused only on stopping his confirmation in their hope of winning the Senate and denying President Trump from appointing any more qualified, competent, constitutionalists to the court.

Phil Bredesen, as a freshman senator would be powerless to oppose any of this.

Another Democrat seat in the Senate could give them a majority to stymie President Trump’s agenda that has brought the lowest unemployment in decades, the reopening of factories and revitalization of industries, fair trade deals for our businesses and farmers, and the security from a strong military, strong border, and strong law enforcement.

Additionally, a Democrat Senate majority would, as they have promised, result in higher taxes, endless investigations, and impeachment proceedings against the president We elected.

Phil Bredesen was a great governor for Tennessee, but as a senator, he would be a disaster for our country because he would give Democrats the control they need to create chaos.

Raymond Henrie, Beech Bluff 38313

Base vote on truth, not lies

While accompanying a Democratic candidate going door-to-door, campaigning for the Tennessee House of Representatives, I heard a man say that he was voting against Phil Bredesen for U.S. Senate “because I learned all I need to know about him from television.”

I have no doubt that he was referring to the attack ads about Bredesen, filled with lies and distortions, and paid for by the Koch brothers’ Americans for Prosperity and other right-wing PACs. Those ads are vicious.

On Tuesday, I attended the debate between Bredesen and Marsha Blackburn in Lebanon, and listened to Marsha’s repeated assertion that Bredesen’s campaign is “bought and paid for” by Chuck Schumer.

So I went to the website “Open Secrets” and checked to see whether Bredesen had received any contributions from Charles Schumer. Surprise! No money from Schumer! Another lie, repeated six times.

But “Open Secrets” contained an interesting report on Marsha Blackburn’s contributions over the course of her political career: between 1991 and 2018, $848,653 from Big Pharma.

During the discussion of the opioid crisis, when Bredesen mentioned the money she had received from the pharmaceutical industry and the connection to her “stealth bill” which curbed the DEA’s ability to enforce drug regulations, she claimed “False.” This is a really big lie.

I hope voters in Tennessee are smart enough to decide that we don’t need another lying Republican in the U.S. Senate and will vote for a decent, honest, reasonable and independent man to be our representative there.

Kathleen Ferris, Murfreesboro 37130

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Marsha Blackburn, Phil Bredesen debate in US Senate race

Show restraint, not intolerance

While watching the Bredeson-Blackburn debate, I was reminded of the statement made by Jared Sanders of Louisiana in 1924. He said, "You cannot fight intolerance with intolerance. You cannot fight the devil with fire. He is an expert in that line.”

The unsubstantiated accusations and questionable claims made by Marsha Blackburn were not responded to with accusations of a similar kind by Bredeson.

The restraint shown by Bredeson tells me that he will be a thoughtful, critical thinker who will listen to anyone that has an idea of substance to offer and carefully research and consider their idea.

I hope that he will be permitted to help us get on a reasonable civil path.

Jean Gsuld-Jaeger, Franklin 37067

Contempt for civility, respect

Okay, I only caught the last 30 minutes of the televised U.S. Senate debate, but one thing stuck out to me: the lack of respect one candidate had for the other.

Former Gov. Phil Bredesen referred to his opponent as “Congressman Blackburn.”

Ms. Blackburn repeatedly referred to her opponent as “Phil.” If she did not want to use his former titles of “mayor” or “governor,” how about using the term “Mr. Bredesen”?

This clearly illustrates the contempt for civility the Republican Party has fed and fostered in recent years. We can do better.

Mary Robinson, Hermitage 37076

A show of contrasts

I watched the Representative Marsha Blackburn and former Governor Phil Bredesen debate Tuesday night on TV.

It was interesting to say the least. I believe Bredesen won the debate. He did so for a number of reasons I think important.

Bredesen:

did not criticize those in the past from either party,

has more experience running things which became evident in the debate (other than running a congressional office, what managerial experience does Blackburn have?),

strikes me as being an independent politician, which I admire in all politicians of both parties (it is easy to be a political hack),

was certainly more relaxed in his responses, and

did not appear to have been coached by those telling Blackburn to use the standard Republican line of blaming Obama, etc.

He was obviously not hypocritical like Blackburn. I found it interesting that Blackburn kept telling him he would be a puppet of Chuck Schumer's and the Democrats when she is already committed to be a "Trumpican."

And, besides being a tool of the drug company lobbyists, I keep trying to learn what she has ever done for the State of Tennessee.

The growth of Tennessee has been due to Bredesen and others, who have worked with both parties which I believe is Bredesen's strength.

James Ahl, Lyles 37098

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September political cartoons from the USA TODAY Network

Who's paying for Trump's travel?

I want someone to tell me that Representative Blackburn is using her own campaign funds to pay for the president’s trip to Tennessee to support her.

I want to hear that all of his campaigning for his own reelection during so much of his time is being paid for by contributions from his supporters.

I want someone to explain why taxpayers money is so cavalierly spent to pay for so many golf weekends at Trumps own golf course.

Is this just another extension of Citizens United, in which “those that have the money make the rules?”

I feel like we’re being conned all the time and duped if we don’t see the con. Tell me I’m wrong and please give me believable evidence.

Margaret Smith, Nashville 37215

Ad makes decision clear

Thanks Phil, for opposing Trump’s wall, and thanks for supporting my healthcare, and thanks for realizing that only the rich get real tax breaks from Republicans.

And thank you, Marsha, for pointing this out. Love the ad.

I’m with Phil. Thanks.