The Chattanoogan has a web poll to gauge early voter sentiment on the 2009 mayoral race. At the time of this writing, with nearly 1400 votes, here are the results:
- Rob Healy 45%
- Ron Littlefield 43%
- Joe Lance 9%
- Thomas Smith 4%
It should be noted that these results would not stand up to scientific rigor (since there's little stopping a web-savvy user from voting multiple times), but let's play along for the sake of argument. While it is unsurprising that incumbent Ron Littlefield does not have a majority, Rob Healy's current lead warrants some discussion.
Since winning the right to fight his former boss in the election, Rob Healy has done two things. First, he publicly announced he was considering leaving the race and specifically cited a lack of campaign organization. A few days later, he publicly announced he was staying in the race. Which leads to the question: What exactly do the citizens of Chattanooga know about Mr. Healy that makes him such a compelling candidate?
The lack of organization which caused him to nearly drop out of the race is stunning, given the amount of time and energy that went into securing a place on the ballot. Is the level of support displayed in this early poll due primarily to his status as the most well-known "non-Littlefield" candidate? Only time will tell, but we'll be watching this closely as the campaign season heats up after the holidays.
David Morton on Dec. 22, 2008
FYI, I have been able to vote 4 times from the same computer & browser on this poll with no underhanded efforts on my part.
Robert T. Nash on Dec. 22, 2008
While we're discussing the upcoming Chattanooga mayoral race, has anyone else noted the irony of Lesley Dale - late of WRCB and On Camera face of their in-depth investigation into Marti Rutherford's residency woes - doing the public relations work for purported Ooltewah resident Rob Healy?
David Morton on Dec. 22, 2008
Did you know that Lesley Dale is an exceptionally fabulous anchor/reporter from Chattanooga, TN? True story...
Robert T. Nash on Dec. 22, 2008
Duh...she's a colleague and friend. What do you think "late of WRCB" and "On Camera face" mean in the context of my post above?
BigBrother on Dec. 23, 2008
I would like to see a mayoral race that acutually considered the issues at hand for the City. The top issues as I see are (1) provide operational services to residents in the face of diminishing revenues (2) retention of long-term employees with working skills to provide the services (3) handling the recycling issue in a functional fashion (4) determine if the City should be involved in homeless care, or if it should be left to charitable care (5) identify areas within the City where money is wasted.
These certainly are not all the issues, but they are a few that come to mind. I'm hoping Santa will bring some lively discussion and problem-solving to this race and refrain from the personal assaults and political behavior of the past. Chattanooga desires better than a demise into the political gutter. Let's make these candidates stick to the issues. We'll get a better product.
Robert T. Nash on Dec. 24, 2008
I contend it means there are still people foolish enough to run for local elected political offices they don't meet the residency requirements for...but don't take my word for it:
http://www.google.com/search?q=%22Rob+Healy%22+%2B+423&hl=en&safe=off&pb=r&sa=X&oi=rwp&ct=title
Grambling Man on Dec. 26, 2008
I was intrigued with this article which refutes everything that Mr. Nash is saying. http://www.wdef.com/news/chancellor_rules_in_favor_of_rob_healy_in_mayors_race/11/2008
I really like where it directly quotes the city code. I guess that Mr. Nash must be referencing an old bit of data on the internet, you know how that is.
Robert T. Nash on Dec. 27, 2008
Respectfully suggest you research residency requirements in general and applicable Tennessee state statutes specifically...
What the h*ll on Jan. 1, 2009
Coming from the Chattanoogan, a rah-rah, pro-government cheerleading rag, that poll means the local government is trying to scare their body of supporters into voting to protect their little system of rewards, favors and under-the-table deals. Come on big money!
Robert T. Nash on Jan. 3, 2009
John Wilson is a very accomplished and respected journalist. What's more, he is beholden to no one. While your perception is somewhat understandable, Mr. Healy is NOT the candidate of Big Money, Biz Pigs and/or The Usual Suspects, as they are sitting this one out...
Kevin on Jan. 4, 2009
Although I think Rob will give Littlefield a run for his money, Chattanoogan.com political polls tend to be skewed more often than not. As David Morton said, it allows multiple votes from the same computer. Also, there will be many more people show up to vote that haven't voted online. I personally think Healy's got a chance. And no matter what you think Littlefield's involvement with getting VW was, it will allow him to keep his seat one more term.
ultimate4life on Feb. 1, 2009
I agree that the VW arrival was a boon for the Mayor of Chattanooga. Rob Healy is a solid guy with principles. At least there will be a race. Without him some folks wouldn't even have anything to talk about...
TWengler on Feb. 4, 2009
Littlefield just declined the invitation to participate Drink and Debate - an event created by the Chattanooga Young Professionals Group. Apparently, they offered him multiple dates but he just can't seem to make it work on his schedule.
You'd think that politicians would pay attention to the Under 40 vote after the presidential election.
I suspect this demographic will rise up and vote for Healey en masse after being rejected like this.
Robert T. Nash on Feb. 4, 2009
Where, oh where, are the righteous Chattarati elite when we most need them to righteously rebuke those who would dare to comment on and resurrect aged threads?
davidm. on Feb. 5, 2009
I am always here, basking in my righteousness, yo.
Robert T. Nash on Feb. 5, 2009
CLOSED CIRCUIT TRANSMISSION TO TWENGLER:
While you were talking out your ass I was busy filing Public Information Requests. Remember, Public Records are Public Records. If you - or anyone else who might stumble acorss this - needs me to make sense of what follows, just ask:
From: "Beeland Richard" Save Address | Headers
To :
CC :
Date : Thu, 5 Feb 2009 10:28:07 -0500
Subject : FW: Following up...
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From: Beeland Richard
Sent: Thursday, February 05, 2009 6:12 AM
To: Beeland Richard; 'Tiffanie Campbell'
Cc: 'kate@ypacnow.org'; 'ray@ypacnow.org'
Subject: RE: Following up...
Tiffanie. I just got this off of Chattarati.com. Please advise.
TWengler Says:
February 4th, 2009 at 8:08 pm
Littlefield just declined the invitation to participate Drink and Debate - an event created by the Chattanooga Young Professionals Group. Apparently, they offered him multiple dates but he just can’t seem to make it work on his schedule.
You’d think that politicians would pay attention to the Under 40 vote after the presidential election.
I suspect this demographic will rise up and vote for Healey en masse after being rejected like this.
Richard J. Beeland
beeland_r@mail.chattanooga.gov
City of Chattanooga
Office: 423-425-4219
Cell: 423-290-3470
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
From: Beeland Richard
Sent: Wed 2/4/2009 3:03 PM
To: Beeland Richard; 'Tiffanie Campbell'
Cc: 'kate@ypacnow.org'; 'ray@ypacnow.org'
Subject: RE: Following up...
Tiffanie. I have not heard from anyone about doing a video presentation for the February 17 event as per last weeks email discussion. Please let me know when I can expect to hear from someone. Thanks,
-----Original Message-----
From: Beeland Richard
Sent: Thursday, January 29, 2009 2:15 PM
To: 'Tiffanie Campbell'
Cc: kate@ypacnow.org; ray@ypacnow.org
Subject: RE: Following up...
The Mayor is a supporter of YPAC and it is unfortunate that he will not be able to participate in the event. I would hope that any media inquiries have included the fact that the Mayor will not be participating because he has another event as we have communicated that to you since the invitation.
We will be glad to do a video presentation. I need to discuss the details and know the format. Please have someone call me.
-----Original Message-----
From: Tiffanie Campbell [ mailto:Tiffanie.Campbell@ksap.com]
Sent: Thursday, January 29, 2009 1:17 PM
To: Beeland Richard
Cc: kate@ypacnow.org; ray@ypacnow.org
Subject: RE: Following up...
Richard,
I have not put out any type of information stating that Mayor Littlefield would be there. I am merely providing an opportunity for him to reach an audience that he may not be able to reach through other debates.
YPAC is a 501(c)3 and does not want to come off as biased by any means. Therefore, I understand that he can not be there, but want to provide a chance for atleast some of his materials to be present. Also, I would not want any one of our members or any of the media to think that he chose to not be a part of the debate because he is unsupportive of YPAC when in reality he has been very generous to us. By asking for some type of video with Mayor Littlefield stating he is at a function for the Salvation Army, I am just trying to create a chance for him to show that he cares about YPs but had a very important event to be at.
I apologize for any misunderstanding. We are trying to make this as fair of a debate as possible. And with Mayor Littlefield being such a fan of YPAC, we want to do anything we can to make sure our membership knows of his campaign and what it entails.
Please let me know if you have any questions. Once again, I apologize for any confusion.
Thanks,
Tiffanie
________________________________
From: Beeland Richard [Beeland_r@mail.chattanooga.gov]
Sent: Wednesday, January 28, 2009 2:47 PM
To: Tiffanie Campbell
Cc: Kate West; West, Ray
Subject: RE: Following up...
Tiffanie. We did not agree to participate in the event and communicated that to you when you first contacted us. I would hope that you have already conveyed that to your membership and the media. Please let me know if you have put out information indicating that Mayor Littlefield would participate in this event.
________________________________
From: Tiffanie Campbell [ mailto:Tiffanie.Campbell@ksap.com]
Sent: Wednesday, January 28, 2009 1:14 PM
To: Beeland Richard
Cc: Kate West
Subject: RE: Following up...
Richard,
Thanks for getting back to me. Are you interested in having someone from the campaign there to set-up Mayor Littlefield’s literature/brochures? Would we be able to get a video clip of him addressing the crowd letting them know why he was unable to attend?
Thanks,
Tiffanie
From: Beeland Richard [mailto:Beeland_r@mail.chattanooga.gov ]
Sent: Wednesday, January 28, 2009 1:08 PM
To: Tiffanie Campbell
Cc: West, Ray; Kate West
Subject: RE: Following up...
Tiffanie.
As I explained via our telephone conservation a few weeks ago, Mayor Littlefield has a previously scheduled event on February 17 and will be unable to participate in the Young Professionals Association of Chattanooga Candidates Town Hall meeting.
The Mayor is being honored by the Salvation Army for his chairmanship of their Christmas Red Kettle Fundraiser. He will be speaking at the event as well as receiving an award. The recent campaign resulted in over $360,000 being raised for Salvation Army programs. I do apologize for the conflict but the Mayor is committed to the Salvation Army event.
The Mayor will be participating in the South East Tennessee Political Action Committee Forum on February 9 and I encourage you and all the members of YPAC to attend. Should you have any additional questions or concerns, please let me know.
Richard J. Beeland
________________________________
From: Tiffanie Campbell [ mailto:Tiffanie.Campbell@ksap.com]
Sent: Monday, January 26, 2009 3:51 PM
To: Beeland Richard
Subject: Following up...
Hey Richard,
I am sure you are very busy these days getting ready for elections and early voting around the corner…
I wanted to let you know that we are gaining a very strong turn out for the Feb. 17 debate. We have been contacted by a wide range of local media who say they will be present. I would hate for Mayor Littlefield to be absent from that type of exposure.
Is there a chance of representation from you or someone else on his behalf?
Remember, I did move the start time to 8 p.m. and I can stall for about 15 minutes.
Let me know your thoughts Richard.
Thanks!
Tiffanie Campbell
KSAP, Inc.
Director of Marketing
423.648.5633
TWengler on Feb. 5, 2009
sorry to spark such a long string of email - i heard that Mayor Littlefield won't be able to attend the debate and can't imagine that YPAC would want to invest the time and energy in presenting a mayoral debate without the actual mayor present.
My intention was not to create an uproar - I didn't know many people really read this.
If there is a debate, Mayor Littlefield should be there. This will increase attendance and provide a forum of value.
I apologize for creating such a stir. I support a debate and simply suggest that if there is any way to include Mayor Littlefield, incluing moving the date or time of venue - that would be the ideal solution.
Robert T. Nash on Feb. 5, 2009
No sweat from this end...I believe David Eichenthal would benefit from coming on my show to expalin what The Ochs Center does and why it is should be valued, but he - for reasons known only to himself - persists in keeping me and my listeners at arms length...
stevaker on Feb. 10, 2009
http://common.tycoonresearch.com/assets/image/11092008_snoring2.jpg
ultimate4life on Feb. 11, 2009
ROFL! (rolling on the floor laughing)
I guess that the peanut gallery has spoken. Apparently the mayor if too busy getting kudos to his derriere to participate in the political process.
I know that he's been getting shown up/embarassed by the other two candidates and I guess that he figures that if he shows and makes a buffoon of himself again that it will just reinforce everyone's negative opinion of him.
He is definitely a believer in the old axiom, it is better to say nothing and be thought a fool than to speak and remove all doubt!
Chattanooga Blogging on Feb. 27, 2009
Whare are the numbers on the polls lately? Healy supporters should NOT expect this to be a sure thing. Call your friends, neighbors, and anyone else in Chattanooga. Get 'em to the polls and get 'er done!