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Bill Haslam's $3.8 million is the most anyone has ever raised this early in a statewide Tennessee election. Ron Ramsey spokesman Brad Todd says so what? "It's now clear," he insists, that his guy "has the momentum in fund-raising and will have more than enough money to get his message out" and win among the "active, engaged and informed" GOP electorate, a.k.a. conservative Christians and gun freaks.

Ramsey calls state law "antiquated" because it won't let him shake down lobbyists during legislative sessions. "That's a handicap. We do have an antiquated campaign finance law," he says. "It's a hurdle I will have to turn into my advantage." More Ramsey:

"I want to keep moving on like I am right now. This shows the support I have. It's been very humbling when I call people and practically to a tee everyone wants to help me out. ... We'll take this a day at a time. I'm excited that I passed two of my competitors and raised money at a faster clip than the other competitors. I think it does show the support I'm going to have."

Bredesen says Tennessee's too fat, so he vetoes the bill that would have overturned the Metro health board's decision to require nutritional information on restaurant menus. ... Report: GM could build next-generation Cadillac Escalade at Spring Hill. ... Tennessee wouldn't have met GM's cash demands for Spring Hill even if the state's finances were in better shape, the governor says. ... Chancellor Claudia Bonnyman agrees to hear the suit against the guns-in-bars law. ... Would-be mayors scramble to replace Herenton in Memphis. ... Cohen claims $600,000 in the bank. ... Herenton gives an exit interview:

"I've known Cohen for over 30 years. And to be honest with you, he's an asshole. Anybody who knows Cohen knows he's an asshole."

More fun stuff from Herenton, this time on Harold Ford Sr.: "I'd have whipped his ass."

Haslam will report $3.8 million and Wamp $1.2 million. That's the good news. No one else wants to say. ... Ramsey treats the midnight deadline like a telethon. At last report, he remained $538 away from "his goal." ... The governor vows never to scale back job recruitment efforts: "I think particularly with European and Japanese businesses, they just like to see the governor. You gotta be there." ... Reps. Jason Mumpower and Jon Lundberg watch as Bredesen plants flowers at an interstate welcome center. Is this beautification project a good use of federal stimulus money? Mumpower throws up his hands. "I probably echo that," says Lundberg. It makes a nice photo op anyway, right guys? ...

Tennessee gets $39 million for affordable housing. ... More cotton planting in Tennessee. ... "Project Edison" fix could cost $1 million. ... Texting while driving is a crime starting today. ... Cookeville considers banning guns in parks. ... Robin Smith announces congressional candidacy today. ... The Jackson Sun comments on all the new laws hitting the books:

The annual spate of new laws passed by the Tennessee General Assembly takes effect today. Some make sense, others beg for an explanation, a few are silly.

Gov Phil Bredesen will lead a trade mission to Japan and China in October. ... "I think I can, I think I can." The governor reads a book. ... and signs the charter schools bill. ... Haslam raises $200K and Wamp grabs $80K last night at events ahead of today's deadline for financial disclosures. ... Ten states still are trying to finish their budgets. ... A new group aims to recruit Hispanics to the Tennessee Republican Party. ... Bo Watson says he won't run for Wamp's seat. ... Is it possible to burn out on tea parties? Not for organizer Stacie Burke:

"Some people think that if we have these too often, we'll get tea party burnout. But the thing is, as fast as we can organize these things, it's not fast enough to keep up with what's coming out of Washington."

Even Santa can't draw a crowd at Hickory Hollow Mall

According to this story in U.S. News & World Report, Hickory Hollow is among the country's most endangered malls:

Hickory Hollow Mall, Nashville, Tenn. (82 percent; $187). Dillard's has left, and other departed tenants include Linens 'N Things and Steve & Barry's, two of the biggest casualties of the recession. Two of four anchor slots are vacant, and the theater recently switched from first-run movies to late-run discount flicks. With a lack of retailers, the mall may convert some of its space to office use. One new tenant: the local police, who recently opened a recruiting station at the mall.

See Hickory Hollow's celebratory walk down the runway to accept the award here. And didn't they mean to say "most endangered (and dangerous) malls"? Judging from the fairly frequent reports of crime in the mall area, perhaps the police recruiting station is a stroke of genius!

On the coming redistricting fight. Republican Rep. Gerald McCormick: "We'll be just as fair to them as they've been to us." Democratic Party chair Chip Forrester: "His statement certainly reflects the zealotry Republicans have adopted." ... The governor signs into law the new way we're picking judges and bills extending unemployment benefits and creating a statewide residential building code. ... Frist touts new education initiative. ... Andy Sher adds it up and finds the legislature passed 18 gun bills this session:

"It seems like the gun lobby has decided to use Tennessee as their laboratory now to get basically their entire agenda through what has been a seemingly complicit legislature," says Chad Ramsey of the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence.

Rep. Tony Shipley says he was victim of attempted blackmail on the state budget, but he's too strong and managed to resist: "The blackmail that goes on in Nashville over that sort of stuff is just unnecessary." ... Hillbillies rule in legislature, Ken Whitehouse reports. ... Tennessee cities are rushing to ban guns in parks. ... Dean endorses Coverstone as new charter schools chief. ... Both environmentalists and business interests claim legislative victories this session. ... Herenton leaving office with hefty pension. ... Tom Humphrey's best and worst of 2009. ... Congressman Jim Cooper discusses health care reform and pats himself on the back as the smartest person in the room:

"I do my homework. That's part of being a nerd. I've read all of these articles. You know, often times in a meeting, they'll ignore me, but when a hard question comes up, they'll look at me and say, 'Cooper, what's the answer?' "

"Uncle Tookie," as Frank Dileo was affectionately known, with the King of Pop.

Michael Jackson, who died yesterday at 50, was being managed by Nashvillian Frank Dileo. A November 2007 Scene cover story chronicles Dileo's colorful life and times, which included a legendary hot streak as the mastermind of Epic Records, roles as Tuddy Cicero in mob-cinema classic Goodfellas and as Mr. Big in the Wayne's World movies, and a stint as a co-owner (with Robert De Niro) of Tribeca Grill in New York City, to scratch the surface.

Dileo was pulling the strings at Epic when Thriller came out. Here's what Jackson had to say in his 1988 autobiography Moon Walk:

Frank was responsible for turning my dream for Thriller into a reality. His brilliant understanding of the recording industry proved invaluable. For instance, we released 'Beat It' as a single while 'Billie Jean' was still at No. 1. CBS screamed, 'You're crazy, this will kill "Billie Jean." ' But Frank told them not to worry, that both songs would be No. 1 and both would be in the Top 10 at the same time. They were.

There are stories galore about Dileo's time as Jackson's manager from 1984 to 1989, a period that included the Victory tour (which featured the Jackson brothers reunited) and the Bad record and tour. He was forced out in '89 following a power play involving lawyers and record execs.

But Dileo never had hard feelings. In fact, during Jackson's 2005 trial, Dileo went to L.A. on his own dime to be with Michael and offer support. Here's Dileo proclaiming Jackson's innocence on Fox News.

And that loyalty paid off, when Jackson asked Dileo to take over as his manager earlier this year. Dileo had been spending time in Los Angeles working with Jackson to prepare for the London shows when Jackson died.

Here's Dileo's press statement to the Nashville media:

My heart is broken. I've lost a dear friend. I'm going to do everything in my power to protect his children and make sure everything is handled properly for them. I'm very sad for his mother, father, brothers and sisters, as they were a close-knit family. I have been honored to be a part of not only his career but his life. He will truly always be the "King of Pop." --Frank

Dileo gave the Scene access to his office earlier today, where we snapped some photos of memorabilia from his days with Michael Jackson. They're featured after the jump, and more photos are available in this slide show.

OK, something strange is happening here. First, English Only loses in a referendum, and now May Town Center goes down in flames. Rational people are prevailing. We know, it doesn't make sense. Michael Cass reports:

The commission's vote on the potentially $4 billion May Town Center proposal for the Bells Bend area sets the stage for a final decision by the Metro Council. But with 27 of 40 votes needed for approval, even some of the project's biggest supporters were doubtful about its chances.

An overflow crowd packed the meeting, which lasted seven hours, and 70 people spoke. Nate Rau: "At the meeting's onset, eight Metro Council members stood up in opposition, claiming the proposal would bring heavy traffic through West Nashville, would steal business from downtown and would have a negative environmental impact on a city looking to become one of the greenest in the country." Commissioner Stewart Clifton:

"We're a big enough county to have one rural enclave where agriculture can happen and where there really can be eagles, and gulls and cranes."

GM picks Michigan over Spring Hill. ... Bredesen plays down the significance of the decision. ... Willie Herenton resigns as Memphis mayor to run for Congress: "This is getting routine for me. You don't have the zeal to face it every day, and I'm the kind of guy, I got to climb mountains." ... A crowded field is expected for the special election to replace Herenton. ... Report: What caused the TVA ash spill?

The president enlists the aid of governors in the health-care battle. But where's Phil? ... This "policy innovation scholar" (lobbyist for the insurance industry) says Obama should follow our governor's example:

In a time of exploding federal budgets, Congress should listen to Governor Bredesen. Start small ... and affordable. Don't saddle the country with a federal version of TennCare.

Rep. Bill Dunn denies his vote killing Ron Ramsey's campaign finance bill was a political favor to Bill Haslam. Haslam's family gave $15,000 to Dunn's PAC, Git R Dunn, three years ago. "The first thing I didn't like was that it was being brought up in the last hours of the session," Dunn says. "And then the second thing was ... there were still some major loopholes." The bill would have let legislators running for governor raise campaign cash during sessions. Ramsey: "It hurts me if I have to shut down fundraising again between the second Tuesday of January next year and May 15. That'll be a handicap."

The governor signs legislation weakening protections of the state's waters. Roadbuilders and developers rejoice! ... And here are three more bills the governor signed. ... Sen. Faulk calls for a major overhaul of Tennessee's alcohol laws. ... Congressman Duncan slams funds for "useless" air marshals. ... Rutherford County election official comes to his senses. ... Tennessee pundits review the '09 session. Drew Johnson cuddles up to his many friends in the media:

The media's treatment of the legislative session in general was often irresponsible, one-sided, and flimsy.

Nissan will build electric cars in Tennessee and create 1,000 new jobs thanks to a $1.6 billion federal loan. ... Nissan is basing its strategy on making electric vehicles that cost the same as regular cars when fuel costs are taken into account. To bring costs down, in addition to economies of scale through mass production, Nissan is asking governments around the world to subsidize "emissions-free" cars with tax breaks and other incentives. "We're not into a niche strategy. We won't come with a high price," CEO Carlos Ghosn says. ... Smyrna celebrates. ... Lamar Alexander:

"This announcement puts Nissan and Tennessee at the center of building electric cars in America."

VW expects more than 100,000 job applications. ... Welfare rolls are up 12 percent; food stamp recipients jump 22 percent. ... Global warming will screw Tennessee hunters and fishermen. ... Sheriff Hall talks about 287(g) with Homeland Security. ... Corker meets with Sotomayor. ... Cooper says no need to fear rationing of health care. ... Wamp's statewide leadership team. ... John Tanner and Marsha Blackburn debate pay-as-you-go budgeting. The Murfreesboro Daily News Journal is fed up with Tennessee Republicans:

These are not backwoods boys gathered in a garage somewhere telling racist jokes. They are Tennessee's Republican leaders, and not only are they turning the GOP into a fringe party, they're embarrassing the Volunteer State on the world stage.

Dead creep, second from right

Okay, so it's impolite -- perhaps immoral -- to take pleasure in the murder of another. But surely a beneficent God makes exceptions for guys who enjoy throwing acid in the faces of little school girls. So we bring you this cheery news from Pakistan, where Reuters is reporting that a Taliban leader was killed by his own guard:

A gunman working as a guard killed a rival of Pakistani Taliban leader Baitullah Mehsud on Tuesday, security officials said, dealing a blow to a government plan to defeat al Qaeda ally Mehsud.

The murder came as the military prepares an offensive against Mehsud, who has been accused of a string of bomb attacks including the assassination of former prime minister Benazir Bhutto in 2007.

Separately, U.S. drone aircraft struck twice in a Mehsud stronghold in South Waziristan near the Afghan border, killing six fighters in the morning, and then attacking the funeral of one of them and killing four more, intelligence officials said.

The murdered militant commander, known as Qari Zainuddin, had recently spoken out strongly against Mehsud and may have been about to mount a challenge against him. He was killed in the northwestern town of Dera Ismail Khan, police said.

Now doesn't that make the day shine just a little bit brighter?