Regarding Tennessee law: “It’s pretty strong, and there’s absolutely no question that I’ve got to approve the budget. If the budget doesn’t balance, I can bring it into balance. There’s no question I can raise taxes."
This website offers a fascinating map of the United States that charts the month by month transition of red states to blue since the 2004 presidential election. Tennessee, for example, has gone from 14 percent approval for President Bush to a negative 23 percent.
Governor sees GOP lagging in electoral prowess nationwide; cites tight 2012 race in North Carolina as warning to overconfident Tennessee Republicans; Fincher proclaims a GOP version of the social gospel.