Republicans licking their chops over the sudden vacancy in Tennessee's 6th Congressional District may have met their worst nightmare. The Democrats have called in the Marines.
There's a common theme as one Republican event after another goes to the flag-waving, god-fearing, support-the-troops circuit as though the pitiful Democrats -- who used to be a political party in Tennessee -- whither away. You get the feeling only Republicans can be Americans. The GOP rhetoric is such that now, at least in the 6th District, with the announced retirement of Democrat Bart Gordon, it's automatic victory time for the GOP.
But Ben Leming just saluted.
Leming is a Marine. He was a helicopter pilot in Iraq. He's a Democrat. He's just one Democrat. He has to maneuver through a field of Democratic candidates that includes Brett Carter, who has a military background himself and served in Iraq; George Erdel, who considers himself a Tea Party Democrat; and Devora Butler of Rutherford County who is relying on grassroots support, in the Democratic primary.
The big picture says the Democrats have no chance, which is a message that didn't seem to reach Leming, because he has marched straightforward into the race with a "mission first" attitude that signifies a touch of tenacity, which would seem to be an irritating problem for the rest of the field.
Leming has launched one of the most unorthodox campaigns of the current season. First, he had to get permission from the federal government to run. No kidding. He naturally had to wait for his honorable discharge May 1 after almost 15 years in the military to hit the campaign trail. His wife, Sarah, did some of the preliminary campaigning, and the Republicans might want to take note that she's a Marine, too, currently a major in the Marine Corps reserves. And, by the way, she just beat cancer. So the Republicans might want to do some reconnaissance before they claim victory ahead of the actual election.
Leming, of course, does look like a candidate who doesn't recognize the Republican surge on the radar in Tennessee. Almost from the moment Gordon announced he wouldn't seek re-election -- a move almost everyone considered a white flag to a Republican takeover -- there has been an assumption that Yogi Berra got it wrong. It's over. It was over for Gordon. It's over for the Democrats in the district. It's over until further notice.
But the one little item Leming mentioned in a "virtual press conference" on the Internet today that kinda stuck was when he said this:
"I think most of our values here are mostly Democratic values."
And that sort of throws the race into a different light, because for all the assumptions that the Democrats are whistling Dixie if they think they can withstand the new Republican onslaught, it does ring true that generations of people didn't just up and leave, replaced by a slew of people who think differently and act Republican. A lot of the same sort of folks the Democrats always took for granted are still around. They hunt and fish. They work hard. They know the value of a dollar. They go to Sunday School. They're the same people they've always been, value-wise anyway.
So when Leming, born in Tullahoma and raised in Murfreesboro, says his campaign is based on values, and lists honor, courage, compassion and common sense among them, that sounds a lot like what the Democrats have always said.
"I plan to bring common sense values, civility and engagement to solving the challenge facing our nation today," Leming said in his video conference today. "It makes good common sense to close our budget gap. We're borrowing from China and other nations, with no plan for future sustainability.
"Let's be clear about this. The Clinton administration created a budget surplus, and the last administration took no time in cutting taxes for the wealthiest Americans and waging two unfunded wars."
You wanna talk war? Leming will talk war.
"We need more leaders in Washington that understand what it means to go to war," he said. "We need leaders who know how to take care of those currently serving and the veterans coming home.
"I understand. My wife had breast cancer. We have to live with a pre-existing condition for the rest of our lives. We have a home in Camp Lejeune, N.C., where I was stationed, and we can't sell it due to the lagging economy.
"My family is a lot like your family."
So all the talk that would lead you to think the Democrats all packed up and moved to Massachusetts ain't exactly the case. Southern Democrats have always had their own version of "Semper Fi" -- Semper Fidelis, "always faithful" in Marine talk. Except the Democrats didn't call it Semper Fi. They called it Yellow Dog. You didn't stray from your principles. That's the way it was.
So if your opponent is a Marine with a "mission first" attitude, well, that might be a problem for ya.
There's no denying the political winds have changed in Tennessee. Every single objective indicator of voting patterns says Republicans are primed to gain new ground, the 6th District of Tennessee included. Leming, who certainly needs polish in his delivery, needs to understand the political odds in this contest. But if the Lemings are any hint as to how this race might go, the rest of the field might want to keep an old line in mind:
There's really no such thing as an "ex-Marine."
Comments
Is this a news article or a PRESS RELEASE?
This is why folks on both sides of the aisle are tired of the Main-Fringe-Media - they don't know objectivity... just a subcontractor for the Democrat party.
Also, I appreciate Ben's service to our Country... but this hardly any reason to "swear him in" as a congressman.
As far as “Yellow Dog” – Bart claimed to be Yellow too… and because of him we are saddled with a socialist healthcare insurance system that even Greece has been advised to dump because it costs too much.
Oh Yeah, Bart left because he knows his number is up… and make no mistake, Ben is just a letter short of another Bart… Bart recommended Ben to the Naval Academy - so I guess we are getting the Mini-me of Bart Gordon – Ben Lemming
I am still waiting for the definition of his values, his platform, where he stands on the issues…
It one thing to serve your country – it’s another thing to wrap the flag around your new candidate… Even Murtha was a Marine… but a da
but a damn lousy representative.
When you think of Ben... Think of Bart... When you think of Bart... Think of Pelosi... and Harry Reid... so far there has not been a micron of difference...
I love how quickly the GOP tries to tie Ben to the inside Washington crowd. Just shows how scared they are that we are putting up a real fight for Gordon's seat.
They tried it in PA-12 last night and it didn't work. And it's not going to work here.
As for the last comment. The health-care plan is far from a socialist-European health care plan. Stop getting your talking points from Hannity and read the darn thing. It mirrors many of the suggestions made by the GOP in the early 1990's and parallels Mitt's plan. But of course, when your only comments are those copy and pasted from Rush Limbaugh's hate machine, it's hard to come up with original criticism of your own.
It is an interesting phenomenon of recent years that leftists get mad as heck when conservatives stand-up for their country, warts and all, wave the flag with pride and unconditionally stand-up for the military, yet expect any thinking individual that they hold the same values. I can't speak for Ben Leming and I do not dispute his claims and can't thank him enough for his service to our country. But, the thing I can say without hesitation is that his first vote in congress will be for the ultra Leftist-Progressive Nancy Pelosi for Speaker of the House. He will march in lock-step with the leadership's goals of increasing government intrusion into the lives of Americans and taxing those in our country who actually produce something and pays for this country.
That one vote alone, a vote for continuing the direction of this administration is enough to vote against him.
George W. Bush is not a conservative. GWB is a Republican. There is a difference.
I have always heard there are conservative Democrats, but where are they? They would have been the ones to stand against bailouts, big government takeovers and the move to socialism. Did I miss those votes? When push comes to shove, Dems put party over country and are not trying to save their party from the far left socialist radicals. It is now considered Republican or Tea Party to wave an American flag and support our Constitution.
The dems found a man that will sway many. I ask - Ben, how do you defend: Larger Government, Larger Debt, One World Govt, Pro-Choice philosopgy, Redistribution of Wealth, Immigration,Nationalization of financial, auto and healthcare industries, etc? Your parties platform will be the unraveling of America. My mind cannot process your party affiliation. Our radical, left-wing cycle will end. Your service is appreciated.
where does he stand on the issues? Is he pro-choice? Does he support the health care plan?
Wow, Momma4, what a bunch of drivel!
The government grows larger every year as a result of military spending - 2 unnecessary wars. Where were you when G-Dub was running up debt?
Obama's debt is produced by investing into our people and infrastructure.
Pro-choice? If you don't support abortion, don't have one, but don't tell others what their religious/moral beliefs are.
Redistribution of wealth? The Repubs have been doing that for years by taxing the middle class. During the past 30 years, wealth has been redistributed from the middle class to the elite 1 percent.
National health insurance? Single-payer would leave physicians in private practice, but cuts out the middle-man insurance companies that drive up costs. The gov't would only administer claims - not take over. Buy wholesale!
We've seen which party's platform has unraveling of America and it hasn't been the Democratic Party. It's been uninformed teabaggers who can't spell, won't read and buy Fox's drivel hook, line & sink
Um... press release questioning idiot:
It's an OPINION piece written by Mike Morrow. It's not a hard-facts news story.
Maybe if you'd learn how the media works - you know, like the difference between opinion pieces and news - then you wouldn't have to use Sarah Palin's idiotic phrasing (main fringe media... groan...).
Most media is owned by seven companies - almost all of whom primarily donate to Republicans.
Time to get your facts straight.
Got something to say?
Examiner.com is looking for writers, photographers, and videographers to join the fastest growing group of local insiders. If you are interested in growing your online rep apply to be an Examiner today!