He is a moderate Democrat, which in Tennessee means you can gut TennCare for the most vulnerable like Gov. Phil Bredesen did and still go to Jefferson-Jackson Day party fundraisers. You also, with a straight face, can consider yourself a viable vice presidential candidate on a party ticket pushing change. Usually, you do so before an audience of bobblehead notables who only nod in agreement.
Beyond party and political labels, Nashville may actually need an Independent by party identification to run for Congress in 2010. The person will need to have a lot of his or her own money but will financially benefit from not having to run in a primary. The person will need to be somewhat well-known and able to speak passionately and often in public on timely local issues in contrast with Cooper.
The person will need to have well-established contacts and a record of action in the African-American community and be well-thought of by liberals at Vanderbilt University. The person will need to have a record of respect to local Republicans so he or she can attract some of their attention and votes.
In the beginning, such a candidate will probably lose in 2010. But he or she will serve as a threat to the Tennessee Democratic Party in losing what has always been considered a safe congressional seat.
A strong GOP contender like Beth Harwell could secure enough conservative votes with the help of talk radio, while an Independent could siphon just enough support from Cooper to make him vulnerable. If the Democrats are not going to use the seat to push a progressive agenda and oppose programs like 287g, then give it to a Republican who will at least be passionate about his or her agenda. It may take Nashvillians losing their Democratic seat in 2010 to finally field a strong candidate and leader from the donkey side of the political mascots.
Nashvillians are way too comfortable for living in a city where the school district will be taken over by the state, which is akin -- as my old high school geometry teacher would say in reference to my friend and myself -- to the "blind leading the blind". I do not mean offense to the visually disabled, who are among the most brilliant people in any community for the obstacles they must overcome and the sense of learning they cherish.
No matter the analogy, someone needs to push Nashvillians to expect more from their leaders, particularly when it comes to education, protecting TennCare which is tied to the federal Medicaid program and ending punitive public policy like 287g.
That someone is an adequately financed Independent Party candidate running against Jim Cooper in 2010.
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