A BRIEF OVERVIEW OF WHERE HE STANDS ON ISSUES IMPORTANT TO TENNESSEANS

As election day draws closer, Democrat gubernatorial candidate Mike McWherter is having to be a bit more forthcoming about where he stands on issues important to Tennesseans. Not surprisingly, the more he speaks, the more he demonstrates how out-of-touch he is with voters in the Volunteer State. A brief sampling of some of McWherter’s latest issue statements follow:

PRO – ABORTION:

• “The lone major Democrat in the race said he sees ‘no need’ to amend the constitution on the abortion issue. ‘While I am personally opposed to abortions, I believe that such decisions should ultimately be resolved by a woman and her doctor,’ Democrat Mike McWherter said.” ( “Hopefuls offer views on abortion, adoption by same-sex couples,” Chattanooga Times-Free Press, 4/11/10)

HANDS-OFF ON IMMIGRATION:

• “‘I really think the immigration issue is a federal issue, and what we need is a much better federal policy to protect our borders,’ said Mike McWherter. ‘It’s got to be solved on a federal level.’” (”Gov. Calls Bill Honoring Ariz. Meaningless,” WSMV-TV, 6/8/10)

WON’T FIGHT OBAMACARE:

• "McWherter called the health care overhaul signed by Democratic President Barack Obama last week ‘the law of the land,’ and criticized Republicans for urging the state to join a lawsuit seeking to block the law… ‘[T]his should not be an issue that we politically grandstand about, [said McWherter]‘” (”Democrat Mike McWherter gives $1M to his Tennessee gubernatorial bid,” Associated Press, 5/30/10)

• “The Democratic nominee, Jackson businessman Mike McWherter, didn’t call for a fight against federal health care reform… McWherter said he would be following current Gov. Phil Bredesen’s advice on the issue. ‘This is his area of expertise,’ McWherter said of Bredesen, a former health maintenance organization operator. ‘I’m going to rely very heavily on his judgment and thought process in that regard… I’m going to work with our congressional delegation to make sure we improve this legislation and make it something that will help … McWherter’s response was greeted with boos and calls to ‘repeal it,’…" (”Gubernatorial candidates discuss health care at Northeast State forum,” Kingsport Times-News, 6/14/10)

ADVOCATED A BUDGET CONTAINING JOB-KILLING SMALL BUSINESS TAX HIKES:

• “Ramsey used the occasion to criticize Bredesen yet again for proposing to lift the sales-tax cap on items over $3,200, a step Bredesen says would bring in $85 million… ‘I think Governor Bredesen has done a tremendous job in presenting this budget,’ McWherter said. ‘Ron may not agree with me. But he (Bredesen) has done a great job.’” (”McWherter, Ramsey Focus on Bredesen in Forum,” Tennessee Report, 4/30/10)

READ MORE:

• McWherter Bombshell: Dem Gubernatorial Candidate Has No Intention of Fighting Obamacare If He Becomes Governor (6/15/10)
• Mcwherter Says Immigration Policy Should Be Left to Federal Government, States Shouldn’t Be Involved (6/10/10)
• McWherter Masquerades As Small Business Advocate, But Supported Bredesen Budget With Business Tax Hikes (6/9/10)
• Mike Who? Another Prediction Gives McWherter Slim Chance in Gubernatorial Bid (6/4/10)