Last week, members of the Sou’wester editorial staff released a piece titled, “Marsha Blackburn’s snub is more than a disappointment, it’s disqualifying.” Not only do the opinions featured in the article contradict the realities of the situation, they also come in the form of political rhetoric. There is no denying that students and community members were disappointed that the event fell through, but students and readers of the Sou’wester should keep in mind that when a candidate cannot make an event, especially due to a scheduling conflict, that should notbe deemed a snub.  It was by no means an attack or slight against the Rhodes community, but rather, unfortunately, a byproduct of her broad appeal and popularity across the state. Everyone is allowed to process the event cancelation in their own way. However, it is by no means disqualifying for a candidate to not be able to attend a debate.

In reality, Congressman Blackburn has traveled extensively throughout Tennessee over the past year. She has, indeed, visited Shelby County and Memphis multiple times, both while she was an announced primary candidate and now as the general election candidate for the Republican Party. She certainly has participated in engaged discussions about the important issues facing voters and citizens here, and she will continueto do so as the election goes on. Moreover, both candidates will be debating in Wilson and Knox counties. To act as though those debates will not be broadcast in the Memphis area disregards the already announced details for both events. Voters will maintain the ability to judge and contrast both candidates equally by watching those two debates in late September and early October.

By contrast, many Rhodes students got a potential glimpse at what a “Senator Bredesen” era for Tennessee politics would look like on Thursday. At times, Fmr. Governor Bredesen spoke in support of President Trump and his policies; at other times, he disagreed with them. When a questioner raised the point that many students in the audience might not be comfortable with an aspiring democratic senator speaking favorably of the President, they received both vocal laughter and agreeable applause. It seemed clear that while many students might have been hopeful to get a potential senate candidate that always stood diametrically opposed to the President, that’s not what the audience got on Thursday night.

Every day, Congressman Blackburn continues to form important connections, meet new constituents, and ready herself to assume her future role as the junior senator for the State of Tennessee. We’re confident in her ability to lead and represent Tennesseans values and interests, and we’re confident that she will prevail over her opponent in the November general election.