President Obama made an appearance at an invitation-only event in Nashville yesterday. But Republicans stiffed the President. Senators Corker and Alexander weren't there. Democratic Congressman Jim Cooper, whose district includes the city of Nashville, was in attendance along with US Rep. Steve Cohen (D-Memphis). Al Gore was on hand, and even Ashley Judd, who considered a run for Senate in Kentucky but has lived in Tennessee for several years with her family.
The rest of the Tennessee congressional delegation - all Republicans - decided not to attend.
And where was Gov. Bill Haslam?
Steven Hale of the Nashville Scene has a good summary here.
Lots of people were there. But Gov. Bill Haslam wasn't, and nearly 24 hours later, we still can't figure out why.
Oh yes, we know the official reason: he was attending economic development meetings in another state, according to a spokesman. He had planned to meet Obama at the airport, but the president was running late and so the governor had to jet without greeting him on the tarmac.
How do we put this mildly ... uh, Pants on Fire.
More below...
Haslam seems to be immune from a Democratic challenge as he faces re-election in 2014. With a healthy war chest and a supermajority of Republicans in the state legislature (combined with some of the most corporate-friendly, anti-labor campaign finance laws in the country), Bill Haslam also benefits from solid popularity ratings in the state.
But Haslam has recently come under fire for political problems that seem at least as serious as those facing New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie. The difference is that Haslam has the benefit of a weakened state Democratic party in Tennessee, and Haslam has also been able to operate under the cloak of extreme secrecy.
While Gov. Haslam is facing questions in Nashville, his family business has recently been the target of a federal investigationthat led to three guilty pleas from executives on charges of fraud.
With Bill Haslam at the top of the ticket in a state election year, it's understandable that Tea Party groups are joining Democrats in demanding answers.