Lt. Governor Ron Ramsey's campaign responds to release of Bill Haslam's internal poll that shows Haslam in a comfortable lead over Republican rivals Zach Wamp and Ron Ramsey.

Below is a statement from Ramsey Communications Director Rachel Taylor:

The Wamp Campaign wasting no time responding to release of an internal poll commissioned for Bill Haslam.

The survey - conducted June 1 - 3 - shows the Knoxville Mayor with a comfortable lead over his Republican rivals, Zach Wamp and Ron Ramsey.

“Despite going on TV four months ago and spending millions of dollars, Bill Haslam has only managed to rent the attention of some voters but can’t close the sale," said Sam Edelen, Wamp campaign spokesman.

An internal poll commissioned by the Haslam for Governor Campaign shows the Knoxville Mayor enjoying a comfortable lead over his two Republican rivals.

The latest numbers show Bill Haslam leading statewide over Congressman Zach Wamp and Lt Governor Ron Ramsey. 

The poll was conducted between June 1- 3, by Ayres, McHenry and Associates - and shows Haslam with 37 percent, Wamp with 24 percent, Ramsey with 15 percent and Undecided at 24 percent.

I was sorry to hear this morning of the passing of Andy Kozar.

I didn't know him well, but the times I was privileged to be in his presence will be fondly remembered.

I never saw him play, but as a UT alum I was very aware of his name and of his exploits on the field.  He helped Tennessee win a national title in 1951.

But Andy was more than just a football player.  He was also a teacher.

After his playing days, he earned a PH.D from Michigan in 1961 and returned to UT to head up its Phys Ed department.

Dallas sports anchor Dale Hansen isn't too happy with his station these days.  WFAA8 - against his advice - recently aired a story about Cowboys owner Jerry Jones.

The story was based on some grainy video and sound taken of Jones without his apparent knowledge.  The video shows Jones talking about former Cowboys coach Bill Parcells and former Florida quarterback Tim Tebow in less than flattering tones.

Hansen didn't believe the story was news and said as much to his bosses...and to his viewing audience.

KnoxViews blogger Randy Neal wondering aloud about coverage by the Knoxville News Sentinel of Knox County's two mayors. 

Neal points to today's KNS editorial, in which the newspaper defends its reporting of Chief of Staff Mike Arms attending a meeting in Oak Ridge on behalf of a private business.

Neal writes:

New labor numbers out today show an increase of more than 162,000 non-farm jobs across the country.  It's the largest monthly jobs gain in three years.

Despite that piece of good news, the overall unemployment rate remains at 9.7 percent.

So how are the two poliltical parties playing the information:

Justin Wilkins, Director of Tennessee's Chapter of Organizing for America, described it this way:

The latest Bill Haslam for Governor TV ad is about to make its debut.  Supporters and reporters have been given early previews of the spot that features former WBIR Heartland host Bill Landry's voice.

If you haven't seen it, here it is:

The lone female in Tennessee's Governor's race says she has decided to end her campaign.

On the eve of the filing deadline for governor, Democrat Kim McMillan says she has decided to seek  the office of the Mayor of Clarksville.

In a news release today, McMillan says: