Thursday, March 4, 2010
Pair of Docs are a Paradox in 8th District GOP Race
Posted by Jackson Baker on Thu, Mar 4, 2010 at 9:49 AM
- JB
- GOP physician cand0dates Kirkland and Flinn even gesture similarly.
The main entrée at the regular monthly RWOP luncheon consisted of presentations by two candidates — George Flinn of Memphis and Ron Kirkland of Jackson, both MD’s, both boasting business expertise as well, both trying to supplant farmer and gospel singer Stephen Fincher of Crockett County, the early frontrunner for the Republican nomination in Tennessee’s 8th congressional district.
Both doctors oppose the current health-care plan being offered by President Obama and the congressional Democrats. Both condemned “frivolous” lawsuits as a major cause of high health-care costs.
Both think, as Flinn, who now serves as a Shelby County commissioner, put it, that “we’re on the wrong road, and we’re gong to have to change this road, or all we’ll have left is the change in our pockets.” Both wish, as Kirkland put it, to “heal” America.
Further, both described themselves, in almost identical language, as pro-life, pro-gun, pro-traditional marriage.
Each is going to have a hard time distinguishing himself from the other—since their differences are almost entirely rhetorical and presentational. And, even there, their styles are similar, with each striving for folksiness and punchlines.
Kirkland may have gained a modest edge on the latter score Wednesday with his quip, “Somewhere there’s a Mister Pelosi.” On the other hand, that reference to Nancy Pelosi, the Democrats’ majority leader in the House of Representatives might have been riskily ambivalent before a mainly female audience. A third Republican candidate, long-shot Charlotte Bergman of Memphis, an African-American challenger in the 9th congressional district, clearly resonated with RWOP members on the gender front.
On the financial ledger, Flinn — a patent-holding radiologist who also maintains a broadcast empire — is known to have deep pockets and can literally spend as much as he wants to on the 8th Distract race. But Kirkland is no slouch, either, touting the $365,000 he raised in the first month of his candidacy — a figure roughly comparable to what Fincher had raised last year in his first month of candidacy.
After their formal presentations, and after lunch, Flinn and Kirkland held forth in a Q and A session. (Bergman, whose talking points had been standard-issue conservative, had left after lunch and did not take part.)
Early in his formal remarks, Flinn had jested, “Two doctors will never give you the same opinion.” But the fact was, the opinions and prescriptions offered by the two physician candidates on Wednesday — were reasonably similar. That could change as each develops a treatment plan for the campaign.
Comments (6)
Showing 1-6 of 6
People are looking for a homegrown messenger to send to Washington, a fresh face who will honestly protect and and act in the interest of their constituents. Unfortunately that person we in the 8th district are looking for is not one of the doctor boys . . . it is Stephen Fincher.
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I've never taken Dr Flinn as a "political insider", the exact opposite could be said about his political track record. He's always been very straight forward with me, and seems to be a homegrown messenger, too.
Mr. Baker seems to think the only thing that the RWOP members liked about Charlotte Bermann,( the black female) running in the 9th district is that she is female.
Mr. Baker,if that is what you think, it shows that you are either ignoring the facts or just wanting to pretend she has no more to offer.
This is typical of the (OLD) media and their bias ways...Charlotte is a very sharp cookie, she has lived in the 9th district and has seen the proverity rate get much worse under Mr. Cohen. She has been very active in politics for years. She is what we conservative Republicans are looking for in a candidate. One asset is that she is HONEST. Something that the other party in the 9th district is lacking.
I attended this luncheon too and I must say that Mr Baker is right when he talks about the MAIN ENTREE of the menu. Both doctors gave a passionate and interesting speech.
But the DESSERT was Charlotte Bergmann. This is a black woman who is going to take on Steve Cohen or Mayor Herrenton in the 9th district.
She is running with a conservative agenda in a 65% democratic district and as Mayor Herrenton already stated, this district should have an African American in the congress seat. Charlotte Bergmann is the perfect candidate to revive the spirit of African American people .She will get their votes because she represents the roots of the black people in this area. Pride, a sharp sense of honor, family oriented, hard working ,thirsty for justice and attached to their religious beliefs So far none of Charlotte Bergmann's opponents was able to deliver and everybody in the 9th district is ready for a change.
The 8th District has 3 distinct choices: a young farmer who no one knows anything about and who is already involved in political deal-making, a multi-millionaire Dr. from Memphis who doesn't even live in the district, or a Dr. from Jackson who has lived a lifetime in the district with a history of community service and leadership. I think all 3 have pure motives, but Dr. Kirkland is clearly a proven and trusted commodity when Americans have lost all trust in DC. In my opinion, he stands out against the other two.
I believe Dr. Flinn's primary residence is in River Oaks, which is in District 9. Not sure what basis he is using for his eligibility for District 8, unless he's planning a move to Bartlett.
Also interesting that this forum, involving candidates from Districts 8 and 9, was held at Ridgeway CC, which sits in the gerrymandered District 7.
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