Kurita drops out of Senate race|Democrat can't compete with Ford for funds

[Freddie Stubbs]

By Richard Locker
Contact
April 13, 2006

NASHVILLE -- Citing the challenge of raising "an enormous amount" of money for a statewide campaign, state Sen. Rosalind Kurita ended her candidacy for the U.S. Senate Wednesday, leaving Rep. Harold Ford Jr. the lone major Democrat in the race.

Kurita, D-Clarksville, wouldn't say whether she'll endorse Ford. "I haven't really thought about that yet. Right now, my commitment and my focus is on today."

She announced her decision surrounded by 11 somber campaign workers at her Nashville headquarters, where leaflets saying "Flip 'The Bandwagon' Over" were still taped to doors and walls -- an apparent reference to her uphill battle against Ford. She campaigned hard but was unable to close in on his big fund-raising advantage, much of it from out of state.

By Dec. 31, Ford had raised more than $3 million to Kurita's $500,000. He had about $1.8 million in his campaign fund to her $250,000, although she did raise $120,000 in the first quarter of 2006.

more: http://www.commercialappeal.com/mca/politics/article/0,1426,MCA_1496_4617086,00.html

[acmejack]

1. Corporations have deep pockets.

Money talks, and the golden rule definitely applies.

The bad news is that corporate donors always demand a return on their investment.

[Freddie Stubbs]

4. Corporations and labor unions are prohibited by law

from donating to the campaigns of candidates for federal office.

[AndyA]

2. Another reason why we must get private money out of election campaigns

As it is now, the best person for the job sometimes doesn't stand a chance. Whoever has the most money wins, and that is so very wrong. That's not Democracy at all.

All campaigns should be given the same amount of money, and then I predict we'd see some really great people start running for these jobs. Out with the old, in with the new. New ideas - new people - a new outlook. That's what we need today.

I don't know anything about Kurita or Ford, but I think it's a shame that we lose good people because they can't come up with enough money to fight the big corporate financed campaigns. This is a big part of what's wrong in America today, where corporations have all the power and the people have to put up with what is forced on them.

We've got to have honest elections, then we've got to get corporate money out of the campaigns.

[w4rma]

5. Then only candidates who own, or help big media, will win elections (nt)

[WhiteTara]

6. Bring back the Fairness Doctrine and

the knowledge these are OUR airwaves. Require all networks and stations to afford all candidates a forum. I remember these things from my earlier life. Ratings were down for political debate, so changes were made for better ratings.

[Freddie Stubbs]

8. The fairness doctrine did not cover paid political advertisements, nor

did it cover cable TV.

[Freddie Stubbs]

7. The person with the most money does not always win

Howard Dean had a huge fundraising advantage during the primaries two years ago. Look where it got him.

[Flirtus]

3. has she endorsed Ford or not?

from the chattanoogan.com:

Bob Tuke, chairman of the Tennessee Democratic Party, said, "I'm sure the people of District 22 are pleased to learn today that Rosalind Kurita will continue to serve them as their state senator. She is, after all, a tireless advocate for her constituents. I'm sure she will continue as one of the most respected and effective legislators in Nashville.

"I would like to express my thanks to Sen. Kurita for running such a positive and hard-fought campaign for the U.S. Senate. Tennessee Democrats admire her as a professional woman, as a mother, as a nurse, and as a state senator. We are lucky to have a person of such high caliber in our party.

"The Tennessee Democratic Party - including Sen. Kurita and her supporters - is now united behind the candidacy of Harold Ford Jr. for the U.S. Senate. We look forward this fall to defeating whichever failed candidate comes out of the cat fight that the Republican primary has become."


http://www.chattanoogan.com/articles/article_83648.asp

We all think she's a great candidate and hope she's gearing up for Lamar's seat in 2008!