SENATOR ALEXANDER. JUST NOT THAT INTO US?
The race to discover which Republican is the wealthiest in Tennessee remains undecided as freshman Senator Bob Corker has filed an extension to delay his annual Senate finance disclosure until August 13th. So far, however, Senator Alexander has proven how out of touch he is with Tennesseans.
“Senator Alexander often attempts to mislead Tennessee voters by saying he’s of an independent mind. But he operates the same as most Washington Republicans who follow President Bush wherever Karl Rove leads- wearing plaid at home and Bush’s promise ring in Washington,” said Tennessee Democratic Party spokesperson Wade Munday.
Senate financial disclosure records show Alexander owning assets ranging from $17 million to $49 million including land, stocks, and commercial buildings. And despite such healthy earnings, approximately $1.3 million to $3.2 million through dividends and capital gains, Alexander spoke on the Senate floor to oppose raising the minimum wage from $5.15 to $7.25 per hour.(Source: Congressional Record-Senate, S. 1222, January 26, 2007)
Regarding Alexander’s land holdings, he owns a 5,000 acre farm in Texas and previously owned an estimated $1.25 million half acre in in Nantucket, Massachusetts.
The Nantucket undeveloped half acre came into question when the Senator vehemently opposed the idea of placing an alternative energy wind farm near the land. Just this week, he held another press conference to oppose an amendment offered by Senator Domenici (D-NM) to the Renewable Energy Bill which would place requirements for utilities to find alternative energy methods such as wind energy.
“Alexander has incorrectly branded himself as an independent-thinking Tennessean. The fact is that he votes over 95% of the time with President Bush,” Munday continued. “And I’d say with 5,000 acres of land in Texas, he might as well be from the same village as Mr. Bush.”
