Trump assassination attempt, RNC, Biden ability and Ingrid Andress dominate conversation

Politics dominated the discussions and debates of the week. However, a bad rendition of the national anthem galvanized readers.

Nashville Tennessean

Greetings, ladies and gentlemen:

Since last week, there was an attempted assassination against former President and GOP presidential nominee Donald Trump, the Republican National Convention started and debate continued over whether President Joe Biden is fit to continue his re-election campaign.

This is heavy stuff. I was in Los Angeles for a journalism conference last week when I learned about the attack against Trump and I wrote a column denouncing political violence toward any candidate while acknowledging that four previous presidents were murdered.

Historian Mark Cheathem of Cumberland University wrote a guest essay reminding readers of the first attempted presidential assassination, which was against Seventh President Andrew Jackson of Tennessee.

As for the RNC, you may recall that Nashville was a finalist, but Milwaukee won the nod following loud opposition from Music City Metro Council members, which resulted in bad blood between the city and the state legislature and led to an array of punitive legislation against Nashville.

Dr. James Kennedy of Smyrna wrote a letter to the editor saying: "If not for the Metro Council's hate for those who disagree with them, Nashville would have benefited from the economic stimulus the Republican National Convention would have had on our local economy." You will find his letter in Saturday's e-newspaper.

Nevertheless, Tennessee politicians flew to Wisconsin for the big event with U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn and Gov. Bill Lee getting coveted speaking spots. Find some opinion reaction to the convention below:

• At the RNC, Tennessee Sen. Marsha Blackburn touted tax cuts but failed to mention housing (David Plazas)
• At the RNC, Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee compared school choice to civil rights, but he's wrong (Hugh LaFollette)
• It's Vance: Trump's VP pick makes it clear unity isn't the goal of the Republican Party (Dace Potus)

Trump speaks Thursday night.

Regarding Biden's ability, several writers offered different takes:

• Biden claims he's the champion for democracy, but if truly were, he would pass the torch (Cameron Smith)
• I am a DNC delegate and here is what must happen to make an open convention work (Mohit Agrawal)
• Don't be too hard on Biden. Here's how I know he may not be aware of any mental decline (Martin Wagner)

Thursday morning, a point-counterpoint will be published featuring letter writers who disagree about whether Biden should go on: "Is Biden able to continue running for president? Readers debate his fitness."

Lamar Alexander: 'The republic will survive'

If you are looking for a break from divisive politics, check out former Tennessee U.S. Sen. Lamar Alexander's guest essay on why he believes the republic will survive.

Alexander offers lessons from his mentor, the late Sen. Howard Baker, who famously listened to his opponents and took their good ideas into account. Baker famously said: "The other fellow might be right."

"I believe Howard Baker would see the wheel of history turning again with a new opportunity for today’s generation to improve our republic," Alexander wrote. "The greatest obstacle is that we are divided."

Ingrid Andress mangles Star-Spangled Banner

Believe it or not, the top read opinion column of the week (and, so far, of 2024) is an essay by Andrea Williams about country music singer Ingrid Andress's dreadful performance of the national anthem at the 2024 Major League Baseball Home Run Derby on Monday. Williams called for more civility and less abuse.

"Unity, of any kind, should feel like a gift, like a break from a volatile, violent monotony," Williams wrote. "Except, in the case of Ingrid Andress and the national anthem that probably shouldn’t have been, the “unity” among her detractors was a reflection of much that’s gone wrong in our country."

Thank you so much and please keep in touch!

David Plazas is the director of opinion and engagement for the USA TODAY Network Tennessee. He is an editorial board member of The Tennessean. He hosts the Tennessee Voices videocast and curates the Tennessee Voices and Latino Tennessee Voices newsletters. Call him at (615) 259-8063, email him at dplazas@tennessean.com or find him on X at @davidplazas.