not only will Diane Black not debate Jim Hawkins, apparently she's afraid to admit that Hawkins is running against her.

Is it any surprise Diane Black doesn't want to debate him?

Apparently things are heating up in the Sumner County races. Threatened by intelligent challengers who speak in full sentences about matters of substance rather than in talking point sound bites, both Diane Black and Debra Maggart have abruptly resigned from the League of Women Voters.

Shelley Ames, co-president of the Hendersonville league, contends that the group remains a nonpartisan political organization that encourages active participation in government. While the league doesn't endorse specific candidates or parties, Ames acknowledged that the organization does oppose particular pieces of legislation supported by Black and Maggart.

The legislators disagree with the league's opposition to: establishing a taxpayer bill of rights; requiring voter photo identification at the ballot box; and new language in the state constitution declaring, "Nothing in this Constitution secures or protects a right to abortion or requires the funding of an abortion."

Because there's nothing more critical to women voters than

1) bogus platitudes about "taxpayer's rights" in a state supported by the highly regressive sales tax, including a tax on food;

2) making the ballot box less accessible to voters, for example elderly nuns and

3) insuring that the government takes care of those weighty medical decisions so a little magnolia blossom need not trouble her mind with those big questions.

Well I'm sure they can find a nice discussion group at the Ivory and Tusk club. Or perhaps they're just chicken?

On Saturday, April 12 the Sumner County Dems will hold a breakfast meeting at The Lunchbox on Long Hollow Pike in Gallatin, Tn. A homestyle Southern breakfast will begin at 8:30 a.m. Come and meet the State Rep. Mike McDonald and what will soon be the rest of the Sumner County Democratic Caucus - Andy Allman, Candidate for House 45 (currently occupied by Debra Maggart,) Ken Wilkinson, Candidate for House 57 (currently occupied by Susan Lynn) and Jim Hawkins, a Candidate for Senate 18 (currently occupied by Diane Black)

We have a great slate of candidates and a great opportunity this year to take these seats back. Questions? email stillblue@sumnerdems.org
We'd still be blue without you, but it will be more fun if you join us!

The Sumner County Democratic Women will hold their monthly meeting on April 5 at 9:30 a.m. at Shoney's in Hendersonville at the corner of Main Street and Indian lake. Come and learn about the shape of things to come in Sumner County and beyond, including the candidates for the 18th Senate and 45th House districts. Jim Hawkins, candidate for the 18th Senate District and Vicki Harwell of the Tennessee Federation of Democratic Women will be the featured speakers.