In the last week, Corker has finally unleashed commercials criticizing Ford’s economic voting record …. voting for tax breaks, etc..

Finally, ISSUES.  I am alarmed at the campaign that we have seen.  Who inspired or orchestrated the “Harold Ford plays with Playmates and then goes to church ad?”  As a committed Republican, this looks “cheap”.  I am glad that we have finally – at this stage in the game – tucked “momma” away.  She was there in the primaries, and I thought she was gone.  But, somehow, she found her way back.  Hopefully, she is gone for good.  No offense to Corker’s mother.  She seems to be a very charming lady.  But, are you the voter going to say “wow, Bob Corker has a really great mom.  I want that guy to be my senator!”  The answer is “NO”. 

I guess it goes back to the fact that Tennessee politicians have always had gimmicks.  All the way back to Al Gore, Sr., Tennessee politicians have had great gimmicks.  Al Sr. campaigned with a fiddle.  Estes Kefauver had a “coon skin hat”.  (long story on that one)  Lamar had the plaid shirt.  Fred had a truck.  Actually, that was the “last great gimmick”. 

Ever since then it has been a struggle to find a great gimmick.  Bill Frist’s American flag ties just never really caught fire.  I would rate the ties as a bad gimmick.  Bredesen — well, he is just not “Tennessee” enough to come up with a really good Tennessee gimmick. 

And, since Fred, I just feel that all Tennessee politicians have been struggling to find that supreme gimmick that would make you say “wow, I just really like that blah-blah that Congressman blah-blah is driving, holding, throwing, or shooting … I am voting for him.” 

And, I think that “momma” is just the most recent gimmick to hit the scene.  Whether she proves to be a good gimmick remains to be seen.  The test as to whether a gimmick is good consists of a few questions: 

• Did the candidate win?  This is sort’ve important.  Because, if you don’t win, I would say that the purpose of the gimmick has been completely circumvented.
• Does the gimmick transcend geographic boundaries?  For example, Lamar tried to yank his plaid shirt out of retirement in this closet and use it in the 1996 campaign.  But, the folks of NYC don’t have the same keen fashion sense that the folks of Bucksnort have.  Ergo, the plaid shirt just wasn’t a big hit.  And, with media and video as accessible as it is today, you don’t want to appear on “You Tube” with a coon skin hat.  It does nothing for you or the image of Tennesseeans, in general.  Trust me, we don’t need any help with our image.  Please, no more coon skin hats, future Tennessee politicos.
• Can you carry the gimmick to a subsequent campaign?  Think about Fred’s red truck?  Unless the truck breaks down, you can keep on driving it to campaign stops.  In Tennessee, particularly, rural Tennessee, red trucks are NEVER going out of style.  The true mark of a great gimmick.

So, Mr. Corker, it is too late in this campaign season to find that “great gimmick”.  Maybe, I am wrong.  But, I don’t think that momma is it.

And, attacks on Harold Ford going to a Playmate party …. well, I am not sure that is a good strategy either.  It might resonate with some on the religious right.  But, I have a very close pal and a VERY devoted Republican who told me, “he goes to Playmate parties … sweet!!!!  Well, that just makes me want to vote for him even more.”

Campaigns have to be about issues and they have to be about the pocket books of each American.  People – and Tennesseans – want to know how they are going to be impacted by a candidate.  Ford has done a fairly effective job of refuting Corker, I think, on immigration.  Yes, I think Corker has done a good job of leaving some doubts for voters.  But, for the most part, Ford has done well.

Corker really needs to focus the last few weeks of this race on economic issues, taxes, spending.  These are the bread and butter issues for Republicans.  This is where we shine.  Mr. Corker, tuck momma to bed for a few weeks and let’s get a W.