The American Future Fund folks - those behind the anti-Haslam “Gouging” ad - have started sending out those free gas cards.

Diane Black earns the Darrell Waltrip endorsement.

He won’t vote for Kagan:

“Elena Kagan’s actions as a clerk for the Supreme Court strongly suggest that she believes it is appropriate to use the court to achieve a political end. Nothing in her record, including her time as dean of Harvard Law, or in my meeting with her in June has assured me that she has evolved in her thinking,” said Corker. “I enjoyed meeting with Ms. Kagan and found her to be highly intelligent, but I don’t believe the court is the appropriate vehicle or venue for activism; so I will vote against her confirmation.

Gingrich’s American Solutions likes what they are hearing:

“I’m honored to receive this endorsement from American Solutions and Newt Gingrich,” said Tracy. “American Solutions is a widely respected organization with the goal of addressing the real issues this country faces. I am truly humbled by their trust in me and I vow to be true to the American core values that they maintain.”

“Jim Tracy’s Back to Basics plan of cutting taxes, reducing spending, and stopping illegal immigration is exactly what America needs right now,” said Newt Gingrich, former Speaker of the House and General Chairman of American Solutions. “We endorse Jim Tracy in his race for Congress and look forward to working with him in Washington.”

American Solutions is a tri-partisan citizen action network of over 1.5 million members. Their goal is to create the next generation of solutions that will ensure that the United States remains the safest, freest, and most prosperous country in the world.

J-Gar ponders: with all this heavy Republican turn-out, could Eric Crafton take the Juvie Clerk race?

“Since I’m the Republican nominee in the general election, obviously I would hope that more Republicans vote than Democrats,” Crafton said. “But, I’m also seeking as many Democrat votes I can get because I don’t want this to be a race about partisanship. I want it to be about competence.”

If turnout on Election Day reflects early voting patterns — and it often does — a Smith victory would require a huge chunk of voters in the Republican primary to cross over and vote for a candidate with a “D” next to his name when it comes to the Juvenile Court clerk race.

“I think it concerns all Democratic candidates,” Smith said of the early voting numbers. “It seems that the Republicans have taken the lead in the numbers. All we can hope for is that the Democrats are waiting until Election Day to get out and vote.”

The TNGOP chair says the Fightin’ Eighth will be the United Eighth. He made ‘em promise:

“I knew all along once we had a competitive primary (it would help) to have all the parties get together and try to unite,” Devaney said of the meeting in Jackson.
The three major Republicans in the race - Stephen Fincher, George Flinn and Ron Kirkland - have been locked in an at times deeply personal primary battle for several months, with attacks ranging from one candidate frequently referring to another as a Democrat to allegations of law-breaking.
All three campaigns said this week their candidate would back the Republican nominee who will emerge after primary voting wraps on Thursday.

Did the Haslams plant the WSJ editorial? Did they push the “secessionist” interpretation of Wamp’s Hotline comments? The congressman insinuates.

The House Republican Conference Vice-Chair endorses Robin:

“When you look at someone like Cathy McMorris Rodgers, you see great leadership abilities that have led her to quickly assume a vital role in crafting both legislation and a positive message for the American people,” Smith said. “I am humbled that Representative McMorris Rodgers and other members of the new conservative generation of leadership believe I am the conservative candidate they can count on in dealing with the critical issues facing the nation. It’s an honor to receive her endorsement and I look forward to working with her on those issues.

In endorsing Smith, McMorris Rodgers said, “I am proud to endorse Robin Smith for Congress.  She is one of the most promising and exciting candidates in what is shaping up to be an historic election for Republicans, and especially Republican women.  Robin is a principled conservative who will bring common sense, fresh ideas, and valuable experience to our nation’s capital.   I look forward to working with Robin in Congress to stop President Obama’s failed economic policies, repeal and replace his dangerous health care bill, and make government accountable to the American people.”

Representative McMorris Rodgers joins Congressman Eric Cantor (R-VA), Congressman Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) and Congressman Mike Pence (R-IN) in endorsing Robin Smith for Congress.

Mirroring the “Honesty” in Ron Kirkland’s latest ad, his brother’s latest IE commercial hits Fincher for not telling “The Gospel Truth.”

In a subscriber-only post, Hotline breaks down the GOP primary in the Sixth and the Eighth. The big takeaway is that Jim Tracy is fading fast.

Dr Ron’s new ad:

At SummerSlam 1991, wrestling CPA Irwin R Schyster defeated Greg Valentine

Kerry Roberts is happy to point out he’s the Republican in the Sixth not attacking his opponents:

“We’re not picking someone to represent us at the next World Wrestling Federation SummerSlam,” Roberts said. “We’re better than that. We are Tennesseans and we are picking someone to go to Congress and fight for the people of the 6th District against an out-of-control federal government that is spending too much, borrowing too much, taxing too much, destroying the private sector that creates jobs, and failing to do what the people want done on on key issues like illegal immigration.

“Voters are short-changed when campaigns do nothing but fire 30-second attack ads and file law suits against each other,” Roberts said. “The Tennesseans I am meeting on this campaign are tired of business-as-usual in Washington, tired of politics-as-usual in the campaign, and ready for a candidate who talks seriously about the future rather than angrily about his opponents, and that’s what I have tried to do.”

The Tennessee Board of Education has adopted the new, “common core” curriculum, joining 12 other states of the 48 which vowed to join the new standard.

Our legislators are in Arizona.

A Memphis grand jury handed down more indictments for voter fraud.

Anthony Weiner goes off on Republicans over a vote for health-care for 9/11 responders. Note especially the “Weiner: Out!” moment at the end.

FT: Braisted

Tom Humphrey with the Final Breakdown in the gubernatorial fundraising season.

Bill Richardson is mulling a pardon for Billy the Kid.

FT: Silence

Take a read at Jeff Woods’ read on the GOP primary. And check out the outtakes from it over on Pith, wherein Steve Gill sort of discounts the Tea Party.

Tennesseans are voting at a record pace in the early period. Check the county-by-county stats with the SecState.