Image Credit: Don Beehler & Google Earth
Note from The Tennessee Conservative: Editorial statements in this column are the sole opinion of the author; they do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the staff of this publication.
Submitted by Don Beehler –
Williamson County’s May 5 Republican primary election produced mixed results for the 13 grassroots conservative candidates, with seven of them winning their races. Voter turnout was disappointingly low, despite the impact these results will have on Williamson County’s future in terms of managing growth, reducing the county’s $1.2 billion debt and bringing transparency to local government.
While there was some good news in that seven grassroots candidates won their elections, the biggest prize was for county mayor. The winner of the Republican primary in that race is virtually certain to prevail in the general election. In a close contest, businessman Andy Marshall beat County Commissioner Mary Smith, an accomplished businesswoman in her own right. It was a significant loss not only for grassroots conservatives, but for our entire county.
What has emerged over the past few days since the election is even more intriguing than the race itself. A growing controversy is brewing over how Mr. Marshall’s campaign handled his victory, and Mr. Marshall’s refusal to apologize (as of this writing) for what can only be described as actions that are utterly classless and intentionally divisive.
But first, a little background. His election night watch party was held at Willis Johnson’s Car Barn in Franklin. An election results screen was positioned just below a sign that read, “Mather Foreign Auto Dismantlers.” All that was missing was a used pickup truck. Oh, and the band hired that night to entertain Mr. Marshall’s supporters was called Smith & Gone. Get it? Mary Smith, she’s gone. Such clever chaps, those Marshall campaign staffers.
But what has since lit up the Internet is an image of the Marshall campaign’s results screen flashing a message over the Smith & Gone logo. In case someone in the crowd missed the Smith & Gone irony, when the results were final the message crossed out the ampersand and in bright red letters scrawled “Smith Is Gone.” Looks more like something out of Cheech & Chong to me.
When I saw the image of the “Smith Is Gone” message behind Mr. Marshall on election night, my first reaction was that this image had probably been manipulated. I knew that he has a number of backers who seem to have peaked emotionally in middle school—including one who left post-election messages for Mary Smith supporters telling them they are “losers” — so I wouldn’t have put much of anything past them. For such people, there is no bottom.
I found it hard to believe that such an ungracious, classless act came from the campaign of a man who bills himself as a Christian, a principled leader, and a builder of people and community. A man who identifies “collaboration” as one of Williamson County’s greatest needs.
The Smith & Gone band and the “Smith Is Gone” message are more in line with something a big bubba would put together for an election night celebration than the work of an accomplished businessman and self-proclaimed man of faith.
Is this really the image Williamson County wants to project to the world?
Now Mr. Marshall’s supporters are twisting themselves like Gumby with an impressive array of verbal gymnastics trying to marginalize or defend the indefensible. Some are saying it’s no big deal. Others that we need to move on. One claims that the photo is fake and was put out by a disgruntled Mary Smith fan. Still others claim poor Andy didn’t know or approve the message. Guess he didn’t know the band playing that night was named Smith & Gone either. (Hopefully he’ll be better informed of what’s going on around him as our new county mayor.)
So with all this dodging and weaving from the Marshall campaign, here’s the question many people in Williamson County are now asking: Is this how Andy Marshall will build community and unite us as our new mayor?
Notre Dame Football Coach Lou Holtz used to tell his players, “When you get in the end zone, act like you’ve been there before.” Apparently this is Mr. Marshall’s first visit to the end zone, and he doesn’t know how to handle it. All his campaign’s spiking the ball over his victory was aimed not only at Ms. Smith and her campaign volunteers, but also at the more than 10,000 residents who voted for her.
For her part, Ms. Smith was very gracious in defeat and quick to congratulate Mr. Marshall, who outspent her 4-1 with help from out-of-state PACs, along with significant donations coming from entities and individuals who do not necessarily have the best interests of Williamson County residents in mind.
That, along with voter apathy and lots of disinformation circulated about Ms. Smith, were formidable obstacles for her to overcome. Still, she got 45% of the vote from Williamson County residents who understand that our county needs more than little tweaking and a continuation of the status quo.
I’d like to give Mr. Marshall the benefit of the doubt, but regardless of what he knew or didn’t know about the “Smith Is Gone” message in advance, it’s time for him to man up, take responsibility for his campaign’s actions and publicly apologize. That’s what real leadership looks like.
The list of those who publicly endorsed Andy Marshall for county mayor include: Gov. Bill Lee, Rep. Jack Johnson, Rep. Jake McCalmon, Rogers Anderson, Dave Ramsey, TV personality Willie Robertson, Pastor Steve Berger (Ambassador Services International), former Sheriff Dusty Rhoades, plus all the Williamson County city mayors and the entire Franklin Board of Mayor and Aldermen. In addition, Lead Pastor Darren Tyler at Conduit Church introduced Mr. Marshall to his congregation but did not invite Ms. Smith, which certainly could be interpreted as an implied endorsement.
I have one question for each of you: After seeing how Mr. Marshall handled his first act as presumptive county mayor, are you still proud of your endorsement?
Don Beehler is a retired public relations consultant in Franklin, Tennessee. For more information visit www.donbeehler.com.
