Politics

How high will gas go? It's a question everyone is asking. Many wonder if the federal government can and should step in to do something about it.

That's one of many questions Gene Patterson has for this week's first guest, Rep. Jimmy Duncan (R-2nd Dist.)

Later, 6 News political analyst George Korda and Ackermann Public Relations executive Mike Cohen share thoughts on some of the events in the news this week.

Knox County's ethics committee was back in session earlier this week. Under its current authority, the committee is empowered to only make recommendations to either the county law director or the district attorney general about possible ethical breeches by county employees. But coming up on May 22, committee members will meet to discuss increasing their power.

Joining Gene Patterson to talk about that are committee members Kim Waller and county commissioner Mike Hammond.

Then, Gene has a conversation with political columnist and radio host Frank Cagle, and political analyst Cortney Piper, who has a new job since she last appeared on Tennessee This Week.

In The Final Word, Gene is joined by the co-chairs of this year's "Go Red for Women" Day, Mary Horton and Nicole Keeton. The American Heart Association' annual event is to be held this year on May 16 at noon. It's at the downtown Knoxville Marriott. Tickets are $40. Call 212-6500 to order tickets.

A bombshell dropped late this week as news of the resignation of Cynthia Finch began to filter out of the City-County Building.

This week's program begins with a recap of Finch's resignation and some of the controversies surrounding her job as Knox County's community services director.

Then Brad Hill, a member of the Knox Charter Petition Committee, discusses some amendments being proposed for the charter. They include changes in the structure of the county executive branch, county commission, conflicts of interest in government offices. More information about the committee can be found at knoxcharterpetition.com.

Later, State Rep. Harry Brook (R - Knoxville) discusses a number of initiatives before the General Assembly, including one that would a change in the state constitution to create an elected lieutenant governor. (More news about the state legislature can be found here.)

Last week, Phil Ballard, a county commissioner who is the Republican nominee for property assessor, appeared on Tennessee This Week. This week, his opponent in the August election, Democrat Andrew Graybeal, is our guest.

It was a record-setting Super Tuesday in Knox County, as more than 95,000 votes were cast in the presidential primary and more than a dozen local races.

The major story of the day was the tidal wave of voters who turned out and voted against many of the candidates who had ties to the Sunshine Law controversies.

This week, Gene Patterson talks to two winners in the primary election and gets their thoughts about their victories.

First up is Bill Lockett, who defeated incumbent John Owings for the job of county law director. Mr. Lockett easily out polled Owings in the Republican primary, and because there is no opposition for the August general election, Lockett will be sworn into office in September.

Then Gene is joined by Phil Ballard, a county commissioner who is the Republican nominee for property assessor. He'll face Andrew Graybeal in the August general election. In the primary, Mr. Ballard defeated former trustee Mike Lowe.

To wrap up the discussion on the primary, Gene talks with 6 News political analyst George Korda.

Super Duper Tuesday is the day when voters in 23 states head to the polls.

In Knox County there is much more at stake that day than just the national political picture. After a year of turmoil, Knox County voters will have a lot to say about their picks for 12 vacant seats in Knox County government.

Joining Gene Patterson to talk about the primary in the first segment are Don Daugherty, chairman of the Knox County Democratic Party, and Cory Johns, vice chairman of the Knox County Republican Party.

Later, Knox County Election Coordinator Greg Mackay talks about the voting process and the large turnout that is expected.

And in the final segment, 6 News political analyst George Korda has some thoughts about the mood of voters and how that will be reflected in the voting on Tuesday.

Gene Patterson begins this week's program with a conversation with presidential hopeful Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-New York). He spoke with her via satellite on Thursday, prior to the South Carolina primary. Then he's joined by 6 News political analyst George Korda and the Tennessee Conservative Union's Lloyd Daugherty for look at presidential politics.

In the final segment, Diane Spining and Nicole Keeton from the American Heart Association talk about the Go Red for Women luncheon on May 16 at the Downtown Marriott and the National Wear Red Day on Feb. 1.

Through the first two days of early voting in the February primary, more than 2,400 people had cast ballots. Knox County Election Coordinator Greg Mackay predicts a record turnout on February 5. He believes at least 70,000 citizens will vote - and about 50 percent of them will vote early.

In the first segment of this week's program, 6 News political analyst George Korda joins Gene Patterson to talk about what's driving voters to turn out at the polls.

Then, Gene talks to Dr. James Humes, a former speech writer for five president and the author of a number of books, including "The Wit and Wisdom of Ronald Reagan." He was in town recently to speak at the East Tennessee Historical Society.

At the young age of 19 Trent Sanders started his own company to focus on getting young people involved in politics. He is Gene's final guest of this week's program.

We are now just a few weeks away from February 5, which has been dubbed Super Duper Tuesday. That's the day voters from across Tennessee and 19 other states will go to the polls to make their choice for president.

In Knox County, the presidential primary is just one decision voters will make. They'll also be selecting party nominees for county commission and four county-wide offices. Because this is a primary, voters can't vote for president in one party and then switch over to vote for a local office in another party.

We'll talk more about the local races in the next few weeks, but this week our guests are here to talk presidential politics. Joining Gene Patterson are Metropulse columnist Frank Cagle, Billy Stair, who is a former chief of staff for Gov. Ned McWherter and currently serves as communications director at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, and Lloyd Daughtery, head of the Tennessee Conservative Union.

It is the new year and that means a new session of the Tennessee General Assembly is just around the corner. In fact, lawmakers will be convening in Nashville on Tuesday, Jan. 8.

Joining Gene Patterson to take a look at the state legislative session are Sen. Tim Burchett, Rep. Harry Tindell and Rep. Bill Dunn.

Then for the Final Word, 6 News political analyst George Korda shares his thoughts on several topics, including former Tennessee senator Fred Thompson's showing in Iowa.

There's been a lot of conversation in recent weeks about the search for a new school superintendent in Knox County. A search firm has been hired by the school school board. The firm, Ray and Associates, is one of the largest executive search firms in the country, with more than 30 years experience. The board will receive a report on December 17 as it finalizes plans for the placement of ads and other issues regarding the search.

One group that has been very vocal, saying the next superintendent should be a person who can elevate the system from a good school system to a great one, has been the Knoxville Area Chamber Partnership. Joining Gene Patterson in this week's first two segments is the head of the partnership, Mike Edwards.

Edwards also discusses other local issues that affect the recruitment of new businesses to the Knoxville area.

Political pundit and potential county commission candidate Lloyd Daugherty appears in the final segment. He is a former radio host and head of the Tennessee Conservative Union. Last week he picked up a petition to run for county commission.