Tennessee Republican floats secession threat
(CNN) - Texas Gov. Rick Perry's suggestion in April 2009 that his state might consider secession drew a round of mockery nationwide, but his blustery populist rhetoric earned him serious traction among GOP primary voters in his re-election fight against Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison.
Perry, riding a tide of anti-Washington sentiment, went on to trounce Hutchison and another candidate in the Republican primary earlier this year.
Now another gubernatorial hopeful is test-driving a similar message.
Rep. Zach Wamp, one of three candidates seeking the GOP gubernatorial nomination in Tennessee, told Hotline OnCall that Perry had the right idea. Wamp argued that mandates forced on the states by the Obama administration's health care bill have put secession on the table.
"I hope that the American people will go to the ballot box in 2010 and 2012 so that states are not forced to consider separation from this government," Wamp told Hotline OnCall Friday.
Wamp said he hopes voters send a message in November that the federal government should "strictly adhere" to the Constitution.
"Patriots like Rick Perry have talked about these issues because the federal government is putting us in an untenable position at the state level," he told OnCall.
His primary opponents, Lt. Gov. Ron Ramsey and Knoxville Mayor Bill Haslam, both told the website they don't support secession.
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Wamp we in Memphis want to seceed from the rest of this state can we vote on that. Then you can do what you want. I thought you all love America. Oh that's right only when youin power. How about you just go jump off a building head first yoy treason talking idiot
Treasonous, traitorous, Benedict Arnold. If you don't like the USA, buy a plane ticket and burn your passport when you're gone. We WON'T MISS YOU.
Well, uh, Please do. There's not much in Tennessee that I can't live without.
I find it truly unbelievable that someone would consider secession because of the attempt to bring basic healthcare to the ones who need it most. Where is the compassion, and where is the humanity in this mindset?
Fine, sounds great. The earth needs another third world country. Bash the Fed all you want but the citizens of this state will feel the pinch in nothing flat and will not be able to pay for all of their own needs.
another wannabe trying to get his name in the national spotlight.
How about getting TOGETHER and fix what is broken and worry about al this petty in fithing of partys later. Gee wizz It is like abunch of third graders whining on the playground
This candidate should be 'wamped' during the primaries. Between Tancredo's call for impeachment of President Obama today and now this story....what is going on with politicians? Do your jobs, represent your constituents and uphold your oath of office, please.
Gotta love the ol' "Run for your lives" "The sky is falling" mission statement of the right-wing halfwits lately! Sooooo afraid of the big bad, black, boogieman in the White House. Just like the rest of us are sooooo afraid of Sarah Palin! HA! That's just rich! The only thing about her that scares me is the level of sheer idiocy of her supporters and the fact that they're allowed to vote! The fact that someone would throw away a perfectly good vote on some, insignificant, nobody special from nowhere special, who was only being used by the Republicans, as a tool to try to win control of the White House for another 8 years is mind boggling! Put it this way, take Hillary Clinton out of the equation back in 08 and not one of you would have ever heard the name Sarah Palin guaranteed!!!!! GOP= The party of smoke and mirrors!
This guy is a complete nut and should be treated as a terrorist
Tennessee tried that once before...
Hopefully even more scorn will be poured on Zach Wamp, who is apparently an America hater. Perhaps Zach Wamp and Rick Perry should secede. Maybe they would be happier in Saudi Arabia or Afghanistan or one of those other places where they don't pay taxes.
Like Texas, Tenn. should succeeed. Jus think of all the money the Union would save. No federal funds, close all the military bases, no medicare, no stimulis money, no post office or mail delivery, no VA care. Please leave.
I wish these morons would succeed from the United States. When they realize that they will lose their Social Security, medicare and other Federal entitlements they will be begging to come back.
It's about time someone is raising the idea of secession!! The Liberals have clearly desired to "change" this country and the last election was even part of the campaign. Obama stated without question that he does not like the America you and I grew up in and wants to "change" it to a "government run" economy. Well YOU CAN KEEP THE CHANGE!! All I need to know is what state is seceding from the union and will follow the ideas of the constitution and I will move there immediately. I am tired of government telling me that my working hard and trying to succeed is what is the problem. I have news for you – the problem is we have a bunch of people who have wealth envy and believe it appropriate to take from the wealthy and redistribute. Well, I will move to a state that is seceeding and you can HAVE this Socialist country.
The funny thing is the Liberals will probably say "go ahead and leave – we don't need you" but actually quite the opposite is true. If all the Republicans left than who would you be able to take money from to give to the lazy non-working citizens? Within 5 years your "Socialist" and bankrupt country would mimic Greece and our "new" country would be thriving. So, just tell me what state is seceeding and I will be relocating to that state within 30 days.
If all the bigoted, narrow minded Republicans want their own country then you have my blessing. Dont expect to make much money off of tourism. In fact build a wall so you can make sure no "enlightenment" gets in!!!!!!
LOL! Love all these secession threats from backwards states. Just how would Tennessee survive with their own economy apart from the US?
Moonshine??
I say let 'em leave. They had it worse under GW. But these idiots insist on blaming bush's crimes on Obama. Fools indeed.
What a moron.
Yeah Zach, I'm sure Tenn will be a nice little self supporting nation.
But I'm sure this will buy him some votes with the window lickers.
Being from Tennessee, I feel compelled to apologize for Mr. Wamp being one of us. Sounds to me like he has already seceded from the state of sanity!
another ass tard, why are they staying in this USA and drawing from Medicare, Social Security and ALL the government programs which they are against..............seceed already and take the other tard from alaska, the south carolina family values state for now, we must wait after the election in texas because a DEMOCRAT might take the seat so the texans can kiss perry goodbye.......it will be a good thing
Please go and take, SC, Alabama, Texas, Mississippi, Kentucky and the rest of the right wing hillbilly states with you. Then we the education people in this country can go forward with progress instead of going back to the fifties. Also take Rush, Beck, Hannity, Palin, Cheney, Bush and all of the teabaggers with you. It would make a lot of people very happy.
Wasn't once enough? It is amazing to me that anyone would suggest seccession when the last one led to the largest loss of American life in any war.
Treason is a capital offense. Attorney General Holder should bring charges and have this man put to death.
It's strange how the repugs spout patriotism and talk about 'real' Americans, but seem intent on destroying the US.
Amazing. Unbelievable.
So will he lose his American citizenship if his state secedes? I sure hope so. It's amazing how Republicans lecture everyone on patriotism, and yet can be so flippant about giving up on their country.
Way long ago before any of us were born, there was a war fought on American soil. A civil war that divided the country and killed many. We all know how it ended, and fortunately for all of us, we can now call ourselves Americans because of it. Many years before that another war had been fought so we could become these UNITED states.
Republicans, whether you realize it or not, it's YOU who have lost sight of what this country is about.