We have a Republican following
Whew! We made it! When I sat down for lunch today at Michael’s cafeteria in Lebanon, I breathed a sigh of satisfaction: Jake and I were in our 95th Tennessee county. We’ve been to ’em all.
We ate lunch with people like those we’ve met all over the state: local Democrats, working people who have high hopes that we can turn things around in this country.
Next stop was the courthouse near Lebanon’s town square, where we met a number of voters. Of particular note: a Tennessee state flag on display with an Iraqi soldier’s armband and a piece of currency bearing the likeness of Saddam Hussein. A Wilson County soldier had taken the flag to Iraq and brought it back, as promised, for a special spot at the courthouse – something the folks of Lebanon must take a lot of pride in.
We also met a delightful young lady as we left the courthouse. We thought she might be a reporter covering our visit, but she told us she was a summer intern from the Republican Party who’d been sent out to Lebanon to hear what we had to say.
She and I talked a little about education, and she told me that her family had left Tennessee and moved to New Jersey in hopes of finding better public schools.
You know, it hurts to hear that. We can do better by our public school families in Tennessee – and for the life of me, I don’t understand why the former education secretary and university president who represents us in the U.S. Senate has not taken steps during his six years in Washington to make schools better.
When I get to the Senate, I will work to see that innovative, practical ideas get the federal funding they need to bring pride back to our public schools. There is nothing more important.
Our last stop in Lebanon was a touching one. Dixie Taylor-Huff invited us to stop by one of her nursing homes, where we talked with many of the dedicated workers. It is heart-rending to see the patients there, especially when you realize that your own loved ones my one day need this level of care. But I drew a lot of comfort as I saw the level of professionalism and dignity that goes into the care of these helpless patients.
I’ll spend the night in Nashville, then go down to Memphis in the morning. I’ll report back tomorrow afternoon…Mike
