Lisa Robbins makes a good point in this week’s Nashville Scene, the annual Best of Nashville issue, under the entry “Best Political Tragicomedy: Li’l Bob and The Blog Ranters:”

Take heed, future candidates. Send a memo to supporters: “If you wouldn’t shout it on a street corner holding one of my signs, don’t post it online!” It’s sad to watch a candidate flame out at the end of a long career playing the criminal-loving-tax-crazy-liberal-from-Massachusetts card. But the mangy dogs barking taunts in the background? You gotta laugh at that.

How much of a difference, either way, did the Clement commenters make in the overall election? Probably not that much, but judging from the generally representative vitriol that Robbins quoted in her piece, they can’t have helped Bob’s cause.

This raises interesting questions: How much can a candidate rein-in this kind of activity online? How long until one candidate resorts to having anonymous posters slamming himself or herself online, to make it appear that his opponent is the one slinging the digital dirt? [H/t to Sean for steering me to this week's Scene.]

The City Paper reports on its own polling this week indicating that Nashville’s mayoral race is headed toward a photo finish. Pat Nolan, omnipresent throughout the months of forums that have showcased all of the candidates, shared his thoughts for the story:

“All the campaigns have been very careful for weeks to not be claiming victory and to say that this was a race that as best they could tell was indeed a dead heat, too close to call and within the margin for error. Now, obviously, each side would have said they had the slight advantage — which I think is possible even within what you’ve got …” Nolan said, adding, however, that the campaigns have indicated an undecided vote larger than 6 percent.

Because the CP poll queried likely voters for the runoff election, it is amazing to me that six weeks after the general election, there are still undecided voters who expect to cast a ballot today or next Tuesday. The race has–largely accurately–been described as dull by many observers, but the runoff campaign has featured more drama (such as it has been) than at any other time since all of the candidates declared. The two candidates seem to me to be very different, and each have their diverse flaws. How is it that people who pay attention, at least nominally, to local politics still don’t know who they want to be mayor?

This endorsement is certainly good news for Karl Dean, but how much will it help?

Twenty-seven African-American ministers endorsed Karl Dean for mayor of Nashville at an event today. The preachers put their support behind Dean, a former Metro law director and Davidson County public defender, during a reception at Harper’s restaurant on Jefferson Street. State Sen. Thelma Harper, whose husband runs the restaurant, also attended the event, as did retired Tennessee Supreme Court Justice A.A. Birch Jr., who recently made a TV ad endorsing Dean.

What percentage of African-American voters will turn out now that Howard Gentry is not on the ballot? Will it decrease, as some expect, or will these voters return to the polls to make informed choices in the runoff? Among a population where churches matter as community organizations even more than they do among society at large, how much of an impact will this support for Dean make?

As Sean and others have observed, as many as 100 local African-American ministers had previously endorsed Gentry. Do the other ministers plan to make endorsements, or did they decline to endorse Dean? Twenty-seven is a significant number, but I’m still wondering exactly how significant.

I don’t blame anyone who’s bought a lottery ticket recently for being upset about the glitch that kept many participants from winning. When you think about it, though, is that really all that different from usual? Regular lottery customer Robert Johnson was referring to the recent error, but he could just as easily have been describing lotteries in general:

“That’s a whole lot of money. A lot of people lost a lot of money.”

I’m not opposed to lotteries on ethical grounds, but I do think they contribute to reduced wealth for many low-income families and individuals. Each adult citizen has the right to determine how to use the money they earn, but a disproportionate number of people who are struggling to make ends meet spend significant percentages of their money on lotteries each month. In the long run, I believe this adds up to a lot of poorer non-winners and a tiny fraction of lucky ones. Isn’t that how a lottery is supposed to work?

Why would Vanderbilt baseball coach Tim Corbin, who has lifted the ‘Dores from bottom-feeders to national prominence in only a few seasons on the job, want to abandon his emerging powerhouse to relaunch a University of Oregon program that last fielded a team in 1981?

Corbin’s bio doesn’t include any references to West Coast connections that would make Oregon an appealing destination for personal reasons. Neither does his Wikipedia entry.

Is it buy low, sell high? The Oregonian newspaper presents a strong case: “Kilkenny and other Oregon officials recently traveled to Nashville, Tenn., to interview Tim Corbin, whose Vanderbilt Commodores team was ranked No. 1 in the nation for much of last season. Corbin, 46, is considered one of the leading candidates for the Ducks’ job, if not the top choice. He is one of the hottest commodities in college baseball coaching. After leading the Commodores to a 54-13 record and to the top of the national rankings — on a team that featured David Price, the college player of the year and No. 1 overall draft pick — Corbin was named Southeastern Conference coach of the year. Before hiring Corbin, Vanderbilt had not made the SEC tournament in a decade.”

Is he looking for an even bigger challenge? If so, maybe Oregon is appealing: “Whoever takes the job will have to overcome a slow start in terms of scholarships. In spring 2009, the Ducks will begin competing with about four to five scholarships. The plan calls for them to build to the full limit — 11.7 scholarships — within four years. ‘I think for any coach that will be a major, major concern,’ Serrano said. ‘Even 11.7 scholarships is tough to manage when rosters reach 30 players. It will be tough to field a competitive team with five scholarships.’ The Irvine program started with 11.7 scholarships; it took six years for the Anteaters to finish second in the Big West Conference and qualify for the College World Series. The challenge in the Pacific-10 Conference, where baseball is the most competitive men’s sport, will be greater.’”

On top of those obstacles, UO allegedly attempted to lure away the coach of Oregon State, its biggest rival and, oh yeah, the two-time defending NCAA champs. (Pat Casey declined, though everyone in Oregon is arguing about whether an offer was really made.)

Maybe Brett Hait with the City Paper is right that VU president Gordon Gee’s departure is making Corbin think twice. Whether Hait is right or wrong, he’s asking the right question: “[C]an Vanderbilt keep Corbin around and maintain the dramatic rise of the baseball program? VU held on to Corbin when Auburn came calling in 2004 and again in 2006 when LSU tried to pry him away.” I’ll be shaking my head in disbelief if Corbin departs Nashville for Oregon after turning down two established SEC programs, but Vanderbilt sure needs to do everything else that it hasn’t already done to try to keep him around.

One of those earlier scoops has melted: I have to say that I’m relieved after reading this from Liberadio and this updated item from the City Paper, and Briley’s camp has confirmed it with their own news release, too. Here’s the gist:

Just minutes ago, former mayoral candidate David Briley confirmed that after spending “considerable time talking with both Bob and Karl about their visions for the city, especially as it relates to the environment and sustainability,” he has decided “not to formally endorse either candidate in the race.”

Briley also declared his willingness to help either candidate, if asked, with “issues that are important to the city.” He also felt certain that with or without his endorsement his supporters would choose whichever candidate they felt would move the city of Nashville forward.

I have not kept it a secret that I don’t think Bob Clement is the best candidate to serve as mayor, and I’ve been saying that for nearly a year. I’d have liked to see Briley endorse Dean, but until a little while ago I had expected him to remain ambiguous about his support the way he just did.

Chalk this one up to the rumor mill and, ultimately, to much ado about nothing. See all the trouble that some quick-typing journalists and bloggers can get into when someone hangs out in East Nashville with a political opponent?

In revealing the remaining undisclosed members of the prospective local ownership group for the Nashville Predators, The City Paper is doing its best Baskin-Robbins impersonation today with its second major scoop of the hour:

A source close to the Nashville ownership group has revealed the five previously unnamed members of the local group wanting to buy the Predators hockey team. The five are Chris Cigarran of Healthways; Tom Cigarran of Healthways; Joel Dobberpuhl, an investment manager in Franklin; De Thompson V of Thompson Machinery; and John Thompson of Thompson Machinery. They join David Freeman of 36 Venture Capital LLC., who is the leader of the group, Herb Fritch of HeatlhSprings and William “Boots” Del Biaggio of San Jose, Calif.

If you haven’t figured it out yet, Nashville has more than its share of major players these days. I’ve heard of all of these investors, save Dobberpuhl, but I had not heard any of them mentioned as possible members of the ownership group.

Feeling clueless about who that “source” is? Take a wild guess, but base it on this last line from the paper’s story: “The City Paper is owned by wholly owned subsidiary of Thompson Machinery.” Considering that the ownership group has taken several weeks to develop, I’m honestly amazed that the news of the Thompsons’ involvement hadn’t leaked out prior to now. Is a scoop still a scoop if the boss tips you off? (Yes.)

It does make me wonder how long the paper had to hold on to the news, but regardless, I’m plenty happy to know. All of you gentlemen have my sincere thanks and my earnest support in seeking the Preds. You have done tremendous work so far that can only benefit our city. THANK YOU!

The City Paper is reporting that David Briley is about to endorse Bob Clement for mayor. As the first (and possibly only) candidate to endorse either Clement or opponent Karl Dean, this will likely prompt plenty of speculation about how this development affects the campaign.

At-Large Councilman David Briley may be making an endorsement in the Nashville mayoral race later today. Bob Clement’s mayoral campaign issued a press release Saturday saying Clement and former mayoral hopeful Briley, who landed fifth in the Aug. 2 general mayoral election, spent about two hours campaigning together this weekend at East Nashville’s Tomato Art Fest. Briley, when asked this morning if he is leaning toward endorsing Clement, responded simply, “I’m going to issue a press release later today, and I’ll just let that speak for itself.”

I can think of a few questions right off of the bat:

• Will this signal a shift in momentum back in Clement’s favor?
• Both Briley and Dean have maintained throughout the campaign that they are friends. Exactly how nasty did things get behind the scenes between them for Briley to endorse Clement?
• At the West Nashville Presidents Council forum and other events, Briley took repeated shots at Clement for his policies and for borrowing elements of Clement’s “green mayor” platform. Briley did not do the same for the most part with Dean, so what has changed for Briley to make this endorsement?
• How will Briley’s supporters react to this endorsement? Are they likely to embrace the endorsement and vote for Clement?
• How will the public react, given that Briley was last among the five major candidates in the general election? How much weight will this endorsement carry?
• What has Briley earned (if anything), in terms of promised support for future initiatives or even a position within a possible Clement administration, in exchange for making this endorsement?
• Is this a purely political calculation by Briley, or in his heart of hearts does he think Clement will do a better job as mayor than Dean will?
• Will this endorsement have any consequences for Briley with the electorate?

This is perhaps a surprising, if not entirely unforeshadowed, development in the campaign, one that is sure to generate more questions than answers. If nothing else, it means this probably won’t be a quiet week leading up to next Monday’s runoff debate.

I heard 104.5 The Zone’s George Plaster share an inspiring story today about what the New York Sun has called the “uncommon tenacity” of Preds fans. According to Plaster, a local business recently purchased season tickets in the wake of many customers asking whether or not the company had Preds seats. Many of these customers, upon hearing that the company did not have tickets, turned around and took their business elsewhere. 

Plaster also noted that some fans have complained that they are waiting or declining to purchase tickets because they don’t see local businesses stepping up. According to George, now those businesses are. This is great news for Nashville and for the Preds.

As reported by Ken Whitehouse, prospective Predators owner David Freeman understands why the Preds matter for our city, even for people who have no love for hockey:

While not a huge hockey fan yet, [Freeman] is a fan of Nashville and he clearly understands from a broader view what the team has meant for the city. “My motivation with this is that it is something that needs to happen for continued development in Nashville,” he said.

Then-Mayor Phil Bredesen wasn’t a huge hockey fan either but knew what bringing a professional sports team here had the potential of doing for the city. The Predators came in as the city’s first professional sports team and it helped reinvigorate downtown and also added a selling feature for economic developers trying to recruit companies here and companies trying to recruit employees. The arrival of the Tennessee Titans added to that.

In my opinion, we all need to be Nashville “fans.” Losing a major entertainment attraction and a source of civic pride such as the Preds would be a devastating loss for the community. I don’t have much interest in auto racing, but I would welcome a Sprint Cup race here in a heartbeat because it would be a huge feather in Nashville’s cap. I’ve visited the Grand Ole’ Opry all of one time when I was in kindergarten, but who could imagine this town without Porter Waggoner? Many have tried, and despite his atrocious wardrobe, he and the Opry are a significant share of what makes Nashville a great and growing place to live. Let’s keep it that way, from Porter to the Preds and everywhere in between.

After a low voter turnout and what many have characterized as a dull mayoral race, Nashvillians were treated to an amazingly close finish and indications of a potentially nasty runoff election to come, at least from one candidate. The stories of the night, in my opinion, were the emergence of “Angry Bob” and the excellent campaign run, despite a narrow defeat, by Howard Gentry.

Other local bloggers have already pointed out what also seemed apparent to me: The one old-school career politician in the race, Bob Clement, quickly going on the offensive against opponent Karl Dean. On the one hand, it is certainly interesting to see a clearer distinction between the candidates emerging after so many bland forums this summer, but at the same time, is this kind of politicking where we want Nashville to go under the next administration? In my opinion, absolutely not, and I have confidence that the electorate will feel the same way come mid-September. I thought Sean Braisted’s remarks were right on the mark:

It’s quite amazing to see Desperate Bob, minutes after finding out he didn’t win the top spot, go so negative, so quickly…

Now, Bob may not like all the legal mumbo jumbo that caused Dean’s legal department to come to the conclusion that it did, and he can certainly lobby the State to change the laws, but lil’ Bob’s pandering on the issue is just indicative of the administration he will run. Not one based on reason or logic, but on saying whatever the hell he thinks will get him the most votes. Do we really want to move away from the steady leadership of Purcell and Bredesen to the populist pandering of Bob Clement? I sure as hell hope not.

S-Town Mike observed much the same:

That was one angry Bob Clement giving his speech tonight after finishing a close second (24%)–which seems akin to finishing last for a popular former U.S. Representative from one of Tennessee’s renowned political families having a hugely financed campaign–to Karl Dean (24%). I’m not sure whether he was just following a handler’s advice to be more passionate, but “Angry Bob” embraced the anti-immigration mantle and said something to the effect that Nashville should claim its “Manifest Destiny.” Was he saying that Nashvillians have some kind of divine right to expand and acquire new territories? Should Texans (or maybe just Belle Meadeans) worry?

Despite what promises to be an intriguing runoff, I agree with Clint Brewer that Gentry’s strong showing that had him ever-so-close to the runoff spoke volumes about his campaign:

Perhaps the story of the evening was a losing candidate - Gentry. He conceded early in the evening despite coming within only a handful of votes  of overtaking Clement. Clearly, Gentry was a lot stronger than either of the two winning campaigns in phase one or the majority of the local press thought. Imagine if he had only been better funded what could have happened. Given his showing with literally a fraction of the resources of Clement and Dean, given an equal campaign coffer Gentry might have gotten into the mid 30% range. Hopefully, he will be back.

I sure hope so, too, and I’m convinced that Nashville would have been better off with a Dean-Gentry runoff. Instead of what would likely have been a civil and engaging debate about where Nashville is headed and how we as a city can keep heading in the right direction, it looks like we may be treated–or tortured–with Angry Bob and his familiar, tired refrain against a reasonable and practical approach from Karl Dean. If nothing else, I expect that the stark contrast between these two candidates and their operating models will be hard to miss, and I trust that Nashvillians will have the wisdom to make the best choice for the city.

Speaking of the Signature Tower, I have to disagree with City Paper reporter William Williams that even the building’s name is impressive:

Make no mistake: Signature Tower will command attention, given its sleek design, sheer height, dramatic 200-plus-foot spire, and location in the epicenter of downtown. Heck, even the name “Signature Tower” is attention-grabbing, as Giarratana could not have nailed a more direct moniker for his behemoth building other than had he opted for “One of the 50 Tallest Skyscrapers on the Planet.”

I think the tower could be a great addition for the city, but in my mind the name is sugar-free-vanilla bland. Signature Tower sounds almost generic to me. It might as well translate as “impressive structure” or “tall building.”