So far, the most serious challenge to U.S. Rep. Chuck Fleischmann’s re-election chances has come via Weston Wamp, the 24-year-old son of former Congressman Zach Wamp. Although the younger Wamp was able to make a splash with his December fundraiser, some have peered into his relatively shallow pool of experience and come away with questions about his readiness.
So when the ostensibly affable president of Mayfield Dairy, a brand more cherished than Moon Pies and more ubiquitous than payday loan centers, suddenly announced his intent to consider running for the post, the conventional wisdom stood in as much need for calibration as a warm chocolate chip cookie begs to be dunked into a glass of cold … well, you know.
If you want an indicator of just how much a Scottie Mayfield candidacy may shake up the GOP primary, look no further than across the proverbial aisle at the Hamilton County Democrats, who gathered Thursday night to introduce their own candidates.
As party officials and would-be politicians took the podium, of course they lambasted Fleischmann, as he is the incumbent target; but they also paid Mayfield, who has only said that he is thinking about running, a number of left-handed compliments.
Like all the other Republican challengers to date, Mayfield avoided the appearance of butting heads with his potential opponent. Not about Chuck? Sure, we get the story line. Being a congressman is a lifelong dream, made possible by a comfortable lifestyle and a diminishing demand for being hands-on in the milking shed, as it were.
In another way, though, it is exactly about Chuck. If the freshman had a stronger grip on local party organizations or abundant cachet with the electorate, if he showed that he could snappily amass a formidable army of cash supporters and volunteers, then those looking to try their hand at serving in Congress would likely relegate their wishes to daydreams about the grass on the other side of the fence.
Chances are, if one runs for an office where the seat is occupied, either he has soured on the incumbent’s performance, or he or she is taking advantage of a perceived vulnerability to serve a self-interest, or both. Since Mayfield has no political background, it is difficult to gauge how much he’d seek to contrast himself with Fleischmann on the issues or critique his voting record.
There’s a side issue outside the candidates’ whims and machinations. Almost as soon as Mayfield’s announcement appeared, comments popped up on social media sites to the tune of “yeah, I’d vote for him.” In no case was the sentiment accompanied by anything resembling a reason why. In pure numerical terms, no reason is ever needed. Every vote counts, regardless what decision process is used to determine one’s choice. But it is disheartening to see these assertions made without having heard anything about how a candidate would vote.
Before we get too excited, let’s remember that Fleischmann stands a very good chance of being re-elected, provided there is no scandal. That said, were Mayfield to make it official, the threat assessment in the Fleischmann camp may well go from watchful to worried, and Weston Wamp may reconsider his odds of winning.
Joe Lance shares his opinions on civic matters and politics from an impassioned but nonpartisan perspective. You are invited to follow both of his Twitter accounts (@tnticket or @joelance) or email him at tnticket@gmail.com. The opinions expressed in this editorial belong solely to the author, not Nooga.com or its employees.
