Who's Afraid of the Big Bad Walter Williams?

« Heat is turned up in Mayoral campaign | Main | Who Is Behind This Civic Forum Blog »

February 03, 2005

Who's Afraid of the Big Bad Walter Williams?

Former Chattanooga City Judge Walter Williams is so upset with Mayor Bob Corker over some local business dealings that he has threatened to use the forces of e-mail to try and derail Mr. Corker's 2006 US Senate campaign. Read all about it in the Chattanoogan.com. He also wants Corker to appear with him in a public debate over the issue.

Perhaps it is just me, but I would tend to think that if Bob Corker is going to publicly debate anyone any time soon, the other debaters would be some other candidates in the 2006 Senate race. I do look forward to that happening, but I don't expect Walter Williams to be in the lineup, since, as far as I know, he is not running for Senate.

I understand that when an elected official is engaged in wrongdoing, citizens must stand up and oppose that official according to the magnitude of the offense. In this case, however, a) no wrongdoing has been established, b) the position being opposed is not the currently held one but one being sought, and c) a better outcome usually results when, instead of campaigning bitterly against one of the contenders, a person either offers himself or another as a viable alternative to that candidate. Walter Williams should consider these items.

Besides, is his statewide influence great enough to sway a significant group of voters against Corker? Remember, the first round that Corker must get through is one where all the Republicans are voting (the 2006 primary). I imagine that more than a few Chattanooga Democrats may vote in the GOP primary to support their well-liked Mayor, but I doubt that very many would do so in order to try and sabotage him.

Let your private grievances, stern and real as they may be, remain between you and your foe; and if you do have information that would indicate that Bob Corker would not make an effective Senator from Tennessee, say so by pointing to whom you would rather see in the position, not just by decrying Corker.

Share and Enjoy: These icons link to social bookmarking sites where readers can share and discover new web pages.