The following is an excerpt from our June issue:

By Jonathan Lindberg

Remember when Al Gore was a punch line? It wasn’t that long ago.

Eight years back we laughed together when we discovered Al Gore still kissed his wife with passion. Could anything have been more awkward? Seven years later and that same Al Gore is now sharing the stage with Leonardo DeCaprio and Cameron Diaz. He is holding Oscar and joking with Jay Leno on The Tonight Show.

Somewhere along the way Al Gore became cool. Quite a transformation, to say the least. Maybe as dramatic as Richard Nixon learning to smile in 1968.

Of course not every step has been smooth. Gore did grow a beard for a while. And there was that bitter speech concerning ‘this president’ for Moveon.org. Still, over the past eight years, no political figure has made greater strides from the bottom to the top than Al Gore. (more…)

The following is an excerpt from our June issue:

By Nicholas Carraway

For those of you who do not know Nicholas Carraway (I assume everyone does), he has spent the better part of the last twenty-one years traveling the country in a renovated R.V., working as a freelance reporter for a number of wonderful publications. His recent kick has been one-on-one interviews. Mr. Carraway has agreed to send the Main Street Journal his notes. Since he does not believe in the use of computers, the notes come in a large Federal Express envelope and are usually jumbled. The quotes you find in this article are mostly accurate; however, the questions may be somewhat out of place. This interview took place with Presidential candidate John Edwards at the Pink Sapphire Spa & Boutique in Manchester, New Hampshire.

NC Senator, thank you for taking the time to sit down.

JE Nick, the pleasure is all mine.

NC Senator, you are running as an Everyman in this race. Do you think that is an accurate label?

JE Look Nick, I own a truck. Probably a Ford or a Chevrolet. It is white, and it is sitting in front of my house.

NC I see. But during the 2004 campaign, you received two haircuts from celebrity stylist Joseph Torrenueva for $400 each.

JE That was a bit much, I agree. Today, my haircut will cost $225. (more…)

This month’s panel included (from left) City Councilman and Charter Commission Member Myron Lowery, Main Street Journal Senior Writer Mike Hollihan, Cordova Leadership Council President Mark Chambers, and Citizens for Community Values Memphis Executive Director George Kuykendall.

Below are some photos and video clips from the event.

Mayoral candidate John Willingham speaks with Dee Nollner, president of the League of Women Voters, Memphis chapter.

Iron worker Jim Tomasik plans to run as an “independent Republican” for U.S. Congress in Tennessee’s 7th District, the seat currently held by Rep. Marsha Blackburn.

Pastor and business owner Trinity Williams is a candidate for City Council, District 8 Position 2 — the seat formerly held by Rickey Peete.

Michael Lipe, president-elect of the College Democrats, stands with John Marek, outgoing College Democrats president, and Tomasik. (more…)