Bill Haslam delivers an animated acceptance speech.
I don’t know why I was worried, but I was. I guess it’s because I’ve seen the electorate do so many wrong-headed things (as they did in at least one case in Knox County last night — but that’s not my story here).
A group of us braved literally blinding rain storms and — after stops at several Pilots on I-40 — made it from Knoxville to downtown Nashville in time for a great dinner and an even greater evening celebrating Knoxville Mayor Bill Haslam’s victory in the Republican primary for Tennessee governor.
It was fun. But the battle is not over. Even as I write this on Friday morning, Haslam and his campaign team are meeting to discuss strategy for winning the general election in November.
But I don’t want to think about that now. Here are scenes from last night.
The setting was the downtown Hilton on Second Avenue. After check-in, we gathered in Mickey Mallonee’s room to fortify ourselves for the evening ahead.
From left, Gay Lyons, Mickey Mallonee and Bill Lyons
Although the hotel furnished perfectly lovely wine glasses, we chose to drink from paper cups left over from Bill Haslam’s first run for mayor of Knoxville. We figured they worked last time we used them, so they might work again!
Not only are the cups lucky, they are a Moxley Carmichael design!
Well, they needed a little update.
New design courtesy of Gay Lyons!
Dinner was at Margot, a cute little 80-seat restaurant in East Nashville. Our young friend Hannah Parker selected it and we unanimously recommend it.
From left, the manager of the restaurant, Gay Lyons, Hannah Parker, Alan Carmichael, Mickey Mallonee, and Bill Lyons
We were just finishing dinner when our mobile devices told us the early voting returns were coming in. We rushed back to the Hilton and into the McKissick Room, which had been reserved for a reception for members of Haslam’s finance committee as well as people who had “maxed out” on their campaign contribution limit.
Noted Republican fundraiser Ted Welch, right, poses with Fred Marcum of Sen. Howard Baker's office, and Colleen Welch
We were happy to see former Knoxvillians Leigh Hendry and Bo Roberts at the event for maxed out donors!
Eddie Mannis, left, Rhonda and Bill Rice
From left, Bob Talbott, Culver and Linda Schmid, and Rob Talbott
John Turley, left, and Mike Edwards at the reception
We barely had gotten our first free — except for the campaign contribution! — drink when Jim Haslam, the candidate’s father, announced to the assemblage that the Associated Press had called the race for Bill Haslam! Yay!
Jim Haslam delivers the great news!
Then it was on to the hotel ballroom.
An awesome band, whose name I'll post here when I find it, kept everyone entertained by playing rock-and-roll hits from the '70s while we waited for the candidate.
Two folks broke out into dance in front of the stage. I called it a Haslam mosh pit. My friend Gay had a better description: “Republicans gone wild!”
Republicans gone wild!
We knew the time was near when Bill Haslam’s brother, Jimmy, arrived.
Jimmy Haslam, president and CEO of Pilot Flying J
Adorable Hannah Parker
Finally! Bill Haslam and his family take the stage.
Crissy Haslam. This woman is a saint!
Haslam says his opponents graciously conceded in phone calls. Hmm.
And, before we knew it, it was time for the after party! We mingled in the lobby before heading down to the hotel bar, The Sportsgrille.
From left, Alan Carmichael, Tony Thompson (a fun guy!) and Bill Lyons
Tom and Cindy Ingram
Mark Cate, left, and Raja Jubran
Bill and Amy Nolan. Bill, a former state representative who is now a lobbyist, said this was the first Republican primary he's ever voted in!
Knoxville City Councilman Nick Pavlis poses with Carlyn Grieve, the daughter of City Councilman Duane Grieve and a Moxley Carmichael intern (until last Friday).
Carlyn with her boyfriend, Conner Ingram
Happy trio: from left, Gay Lyons, Cathy Chesney and Mickey Mallonee
Bill Haslam aide Janet McGaha, right, and her daughter, Morgan
Cocke County Mayor Iliff McMahan and his wife, Marcie. McMahan said he was thrilled that Haslam took every precinct in Cocke County!
Whew!
I love this part: “Haslam says his opponents graciously conceded in phone calls. Hmm.”
Hmm, indeed. I think Mr. Haslam was being gracious, which is why I’m so happy he won the primary!
Wow! I’m impressed. We’ve just now made it to Crossville and here’s the Blue Streak already popping up on the IPad. Awesome recap of last night’s events. Yay for Bill!
Pingback:Tweets that mention Blue Streak » Yes, yes, yes! -- Topsy.com
Can’t imagine Zack Wamp being gracious about much of anything. Although I’m a yellow dog Democrat, I’m delighted Bill Haslam won the primary! Go Haslam!
Here’s to hoping Haslam tacks back to the political center after his long flirtations with the tea party and the “Guns Everywhere” lunatic fringe.
Thanks for the great recap for those of us who couldn’t be there. Plan to make the trip to Nashville in Nov and Jan!
What a great night in history and we had you to record it for posterity. Hope we get to do this again in November. Thanks.
“Republicans Gone Wild” might just be the caption of the year. Thanks Mox & Gay!
What a great night indeed! Thanks to Cynthia for providing such a well-rounded account of the evening (and for publishing so quickly)!
I do have one question: What is the cutoff for calling someone a “young friend?” Just want to be sure that know exactly when I can celebrate crossing the tipping point.
Hannah–there’s no cut-off. You’ll always be our young (just ’cause you’re younger) friend. “Adorable” may have an expiration date, but I doubt you’re anywhere close to it.
Hannah: Gay is right. Until you catch up with us age-wise, you’ll be our young friend! (Makes me want to find some old folks to hang with so I can be their young friend!) Thanks to all who made trip to Nashville! It will be hard for us to top, but we’ll try to in November. Everybody up for it?
I am definitely ready for the November sojourn and yet another great celebration.
Definitely count us in again! We will bring some more “good luck cups.”
Pingback:Blue Streak » Haslam slam-dunk has hometown crowd thinking big
About the Author
What You’re Saying
What’s Hot
My Favorite Blogs
Archives