“Stimulus” bills, spending sprees, bailouts, takeovers, card check, government-run health care and trillions of debt most people can’t even fathom. Over the last twelve months, the American people have witnessed an increasing arrogance and cynicism from Washington that one could argue we’ve never seen before. Time after time, this Democrat-controlled Congress and White House have put the will of the people aside in order to pursue a long-awaited liberal agenda to drastically grow the size of government. However, as the arrogance and cynicism from Democrats grows, so does discontent among voters. And here in Tennessee, voters are saying enough is enough.

Democrat Congressmen John Tanner and Bart Gordon saw the writing on the wall in 2010 which is why both have chosen not to seek re-election. Their exit from the congressional stage is proof they are feeling the heat from their constituents who are fed up with the liberal policies being pursued by Democrats. Voter outrage combined with uphill re-election battles left both Representatives with a choice – exit on their own terms or leave it to the voters to show them the door. They chose wisely. Fourth District Democrat Lincoln Davis has announced he will roll the dice next November and run for re-election.

The retirements of Tanner and Gordon have put a national focus on the Volunteer State and the increasing role we will play in the 2010 elections, specifically in the U.S. House of Representatives. A National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) spokesman recently said that “in terms of its size relative to other states, you can make a good case that Tennessee is the epicenter of our effort to take back the House.” In addition to the U.S. House, Republicans are taking aim at an open governor’s seat with four solid GOP candidates already interviewing with Tennesseans for the position. In the State House and State Senate, we’re going to solidify our majority by targeting a number of vulnerable Democrat seats we believe can be put in Republican hands. As we start this new year, please know the TRP will be working hard to attain our goals and elect candidates who uphold our true Republican principles.

2010 is our place in history and I know that you, like me, are looking forward to a successful year here at the Party, across our state and across the country. As we close out 2009, I’d like to take a moment and thank each of you for your continued support. And on behalf of the Tennessee Republican Party, I hope you had a Merry Christmas and we would like to wish you a very Happy New Year.

Sincerely,

Chris Devaney
Chairman
Tennessee Republican Party

TENNESSEE DEMOCRAT RETIREMENTS PUT THE VOLUNTEER STATE CENTER STAGE IN 2010: The month of December brought us retirement announcements from Democrat U.S. Reps. John Tanner and Bart Gordon. These seats are considered heavily in play for Republicans and have launched our state into the spotlight as key during the 2010 election cycle. In addition, the only Democrat left running in the 3rd congressional district resigned his candidacy. Over in the 4th district, Blue Dog Democrat Lincoln Davis has announced he’ll be running for re-election, but is likely to face an uphill battle to hold on to the seat.

From the Tennessee Republican Party:

• Devaney: Congressman Tanner’s Decision Really is No Surprise – Press Release (12/2/09)
• Devaney Statement on the Withdrawal of Brent Benedict from the 3rd Congressional District Race – Press Release (12/10/09)
• Devaney Statement on Democrat Rep. Bart Gordon’s Decision Not to Seek Re-Election – Press Release (12/14/09)

In the News:

• Dickson’s U.S. Congressman Tanner Will Retire – Dickson Herald (12/2/09)
• John Tanner’s Departure Alarms Democrats – Politico (12/3/09)
• Bart Gordon Announces He Will Retire From U.S. House – Tennessean (12/14/09)
• Democrats Lose Fourth Congressman to Retirement – Washington Post (12/15/09)
• Tennessee: 2010 Election Crucible – Politico (12/16/09)
• Gordon’s Exit in 2010 Alters Tennessee Politics – Tennessean (12/18/09)
• Experts Say Tennessee is Key for Republican Efforts Nationwide – Knoxville News Sentinel (12/19/09)

DEMOCRATS MOVE FORWARD WITH GOVERNMENT TAKEOVER OF HEALTH CARE: Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid secured the 60 votes needed to pass the Senate’s version of health reform. Through a number of back door, dead of night deals, Sen. Reid was able to buy the votes he needed. Passage of this bill in the Senate sets the stage for a potentially nasty conference where House and Senate Democrats will attempt to merge the two bills into one. It is likely Republicans will be excluded from the process.

Statements from TN Senators Lamar Alexander and Bob Corker:

• Alexander Says Senate Health Bill “Will Prove to Be an Historic Mistake” – Press Release (12/24/09)
• Corker Votes Against Reid Health Care Bill, Hopes for Bipartisanship in 2010 – Press Release (12/24/09)

In the News:

• Obama Hails 60th Senate Vote for Health Care – Associated Press (12/20/09)
• Health Plans on Collision Course – Politico (12/20/09)
• Pork Greased Reform’s Passage – Politico (12/22/09)
• Senate OKs Health Care Measure, Reaching Milestone – Associated Press (12/24/09)
• Bob Corker Calls Health Care Bill Illegal – Tennessean “In Session” Blog (12/24/09)
• Area GOP Senators Unwavering in Opposition to Health Care Bill – Chattanooga Times Free Press (12/25/09)
• Senate Passes Bill to Overhaul Health Care – New York Times (12/25/09)
• Health Reform Close to Reality – Los Angeles Times (12/25/09)

HOUSE DEMOCRATS COULDN’T ADJOURN FOR THE HOLIDAY WITHOUT SPENDING MORE TAXPAYER DOLLARS: In just one day, House Democrats voted to raise our nation’s debt ceiling $290 billion and following that vote, passed a bill to spend another $154 billion on a so-called “jobs” bill or second “stimulus.” All four TN Republican representatives voted against both measures while all five TN Democrat representatives voted in lock step with Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) to add billions more to our nation’s debt.

From the Tennessee Republican Party:

• Mr. President, Tennesseans Are Still Wondering: Where are the Jobs? – TRP Chairman’s Alert (12/9/09)
• Devaney: Democrats Keep Spending, Taxpayers Keep Paying, & Jobs Are Still Nowhere to Be Found – Press Release (12/16/09)

In the News:

• House Approves $290 Billion Increase in Debt Limit – Washington Post (12/16/09)
• House Approves $154 billion jobs bill – Wall Street Journal (12/17/09)
• House Passes Temporary Measures to End 2009 – Washington Post (12/17/09)

OTHER ITEMS OF NOTE:

• Democrat U.S. House Representative Parker Griffith switched parties and joined the GOP. Read more HERE.
• Tennessee’s unemployment rate fell slightly from 10.5 percent in October 10.3 percent in November. Read more HERE.
• Republican Brian Kelsey was elected on December 1st to serve as State Senator for District 31. Read more HERE.
• Please take a look at your Republican U.S. House and Senate Members’ websites to find out what they’ve been doing on your behalf over the last month.

• Rep. Marsha Blackburn
• Rep. John Duncan
• Rep. Phil Roe
• Rep. Zach Wamp
• Senator Lamar Alexander
• Senator Bob Corker

TRACKING CHAIRMAN DEVANEY:
During the month of December, Chairman Devaney has attended a number of events around the state. Following is a list of events in which Chairman Devaney was involved:

12/4 – Attended Tennessee Republican Party Christmas Reception
12/5 – Attended State Executive Committee Winter Meeting
12/7 – Guest Speaker at the Greene County GOP Meeting
12/9 – Attended Nashville Republican Women’s Luncheon
12/9 – Attended Tennessee Republican House Caucus Fundraiser
12/10 – Guest Speaker at the Sumner County Young Republicans Meeting
12/17 – Spoke to the Center-Right Coalition in Nashville joined by Grover Norquist on conference call