TN House District 62: The pictures don't seem to add up

In yesterday's column we discussed the Tennessee House District 62special election and the developing problem that Democratic nominee Ty Cobb seems to have balancing work and his obligations as a candidate. Cobb's apparent excuse for why he couldn't attend a scheduled public forum on Monday evening was that he had to work that night. Cobb works as a driver for UPS, and yes, UPS drivers often understandably have extremely difficult schedules. Such a schedule would prevent anyone else but a candidate who is running on their family name from campaigning very effectively for the Tennessee House of Representatives.

It does seem rather puzzling, however, that Cobb, presumably a union man and "good Democrat" couldn't get time off to participate in a public meeting where he would be engaging with potential constituents in a race that should be his to win because of name recognition alone. As we pointed out previously, it is in fact a kind of standing rule of political campaigning that when you know you are well in the lead, as Cobb appears to have been up to the present time, you avoid setting up any debates because debates always weaken the leader even if he or she performs well. A public question-and-answer session, however, is a bit different because it looks like you are playing dodge 'em with the voters, especially in the Cobb-Marsh State House race where the incumbent's brother should welcome any public contact as something that would strengthen his already well-established position. If a public forum has previously been scheduled, to not show for anything except a previous political commitment or a family emergency is not considered acceptable-and if a candidate can't show for those reasons, they should send a campaign representative to stand in their place (this writer has performed that service for candidates in the past who could not show at a public forum because of legitimate political obligations).

Ty Cobb didn't show up to the scheduled forum and didn't send someone to stand in for him, but that's life, we're told, because had to work. We should have no problem with an honest day's work, but apparently Ty Cobb isn't too busy to appear at the Bedford County Courthouse in the middle of the work day Wednesday. These pictures were provided by a source who wishes to remain anonymous.

This photograph was taken at the Bedford County Courthouse around 3pm Wednesday. There is Ty Cobb's truck in all of its campaign glory. That appears to be Ty Cobb's legs and feet on the other side of the truck.

Here is a closeup of the truck and Ty Cobb near it.

Here is Ty Cobb walking toward the courthouse at approximately 3:15pm yesterday.

Perhaps Cobb was at the courthouse on campaign business, perhaps on other business, but obviously he wsn't working on Wednesday. Anyone who has ever received a UPS package knows very well that UPS certainly runs on Wednesday afternoons. Hence, this begs the very legitimate question as to why Ty Cobb was able to be roaming about the Bedford County Courthouse yesterday afternoon when UPS was running, but was unable to get Monday night off to attend a candidates' forum. The pictures just don't add up.

Perhaps Cobb is afraid to answer voters' questions because it might reveal to them that the only thing he is running on isn't his ideas, but his last name.