"Tenn. Sen . Thompson won't seek re-election"

dow jones news | 03/08/02 | dow jones

[ElRushbo]

"Tenn. Sen . Thompson won't seek re-election

[Jthro]

As a Tennessean, I can guarantee you and anyone else, that Ford wouldn't stand a chance of winning in Tennessee if he ran for the Senate. Ford would score big in the inner-cities of Memphis, Nashville, Knoxville, and Chattanooga, but that would only be about 20 % of the voting population. Ford would likely only garner vote support in the range of 35% to 40% and lose in a landslide.

[GraniteStateConservative]

If Pat is conservative, that would be a very good pick. She's not a lesbian, so she might be conservative.

[GraniteStateConservative]

We're the stupid party, remember???

We win in spite of ourselves, not because of political smarts.

[Decentralize]

Lamar Alexander is hardly a RINO. You people nauseate me with your labels. You don't have to be a brownshirt to be a Republican.

...and a PLAID SHIRT doesn't make you a conservative.

[bandleader]

I don't like it either!He could easily have won re-election!Pulling out at this late date hardly gives an"R"cadidate the time needed to raise the necessary funds let alone recognition!!!This is yet another example of selfishness!!!!!What's he think he's going to do,re-start his Hollywood career????????????

[womanvet]

Kennedy will not quit. He will die in office

When is his birthday? I'll send him a bottle of booze (what is his favourite?) as a gift. Y'all want to join me? Perhaps his interminable terms might end sooner than later.

Heck, I'll send a bottle to his kid, too...

[kellynla]

Lamar Alexander gets my vote.

[tdadams]

If it is true that he changed his mind after that public announcement, I wonder what made him do it.

I haven't read the whole thread so I don't know if this was already mentioned. Three weeks ago, his 38 year old daughter died unexpectedly January 30th from complications following a heart attack.

I imagine that has a lot to do with his decision. In his announcement he said something to the effect that he just didn't have the heart to run a campaign or serve another 6 year term.

[Catspaw]

I wouldn't doubt if he started acting again. There's more money in it. But it's awfully late to be making this decision. It means whomever is going to run for Senate is really at a time and money deficit for the primaries and November election.

I just some checking about Harold Ford Jr. He'll be 32 in May. The minimum age requirement for a senator is 30. I hope there are some good R candidates that'll consider running.

[babble-on]

dang, an excellent comeback

[rightwing2]

Maybe if we could Trent Lott to retire se would have some new leadership step up to the challenge. Lott can't even lead the line at the mens room, let alone the Senate.

Yep, Sen. Lott is a wuss. I have been supporting John Kyl or Don Nickles for Senate Republican Leader for the last four years.

[BikerNYC]

This is yet another example of selfishness!!!!!

He has the right to be selfish after he lost his daughter like that. It probably made him re-evaluate his life and what was most important to him. I can certainly understand someone coming to the conclusion that he could find something better to do with his time than engaging in the fights he did as a senator.

[tdadams]

Calling on Tennessee freepers - what's the skinny out there?

I'm looking into with an inside source. I'll post what I know in about an hour or less.

[rightwing2]

Amen to that. He did NOTHING regarding Chinagate.

Even worse, Sen. Thompson voted to acquit Clinton on one if not on BOTH counts of impeachment lending support to the most prominent enemy of the republic this country has seen since at least LBJ.

[Decentralize]

dang, an excellent comeback

Yeah, nice setup though, buddy!

[Diddle E. Squat]

Take a chill pill. DEATH changes everything. Psychologically, the loss of a child is the worst loss to endure. At her age, there is now a tremendous hole in the families, so I imagine he is going to try and help fill that hole for while. Isn't the order God, family, country?

[JoeMomma]

About Ford Jr., he's not quite a liberal like his father. He's actually one of the 'Blue Dog' Democrats, the moderate-conservative faction of Democrats in the House. He'd be a formidable challenger to anyone the GOP decides to run now that Thompson is out.

[Brian Allen]

..... VP running mate in '04 if Cheney decides not to run ....?

FRom your lips to God's ear!!??

[kellynla]

LAMAR ALEXANDER: A seventh generation Tennessean; At Maryville High School an Eagle Scout and Boys State Governor. Worked his way through Vanderbilt University, graduating Phi Beta Kappa with honors in Latin-American history. As student newspaper editor, he led a campaign to desegregate Vanderbilt. Member of the 440-yard relay team that set the school record. Law review editor at New York University Law School and clerk to the Hon. John Minor Wisdom, of the U.S. Court of Appeals in New Orleans. In 1967, legislative assistant to U.S. Senator Howard Baker; in 1969, executive assistant to Bryce Harlow, counselor to President Nixon; in 1970, returned to Tennessee. Republican nominee for Governor in 1974; defeated in the general election by Ray Blanton. After a 1000 mile walk across Tennessee in 1978, elected Governor and sworn into office three days early at the U.S. Attorney's request to prevent Gov. Blanton from selling pardons for cash; re-elected in 1982. As Governor, helped Tennessee become the leading state in attracting new Japanese investment; appointed first African-American ever to serve on the Tennessee Supreme Court; left office with AAA Bond rating, less debt and fewer state employees. Served as chairman of the Southern Regional Education Board; Chosen "Conservationist of the Year" by the Tennessee Conservation League. Founder, Southern Republican Exchange Network (1986); Founder and Chairman of the Republican Exchange Satellite Network (1993-1995) First Tennessee Governor to serve successive four-year terms. Chaired Alexander-James Commission on Educational Assessment (1986) and National Council on Philanthropy and Civic Renewal (1997); member, President Bush's Education Advisory Committee (1989-1990) and Knight Commission on Intercollegiate Athletics (1990). Unanimously confirmed by the United States Senate as Education Secretary in 1991. As U.S. Secretary of Education (1991-93), organized first U.S.-Mexico Border Conference on Education to open dialogue and improve education on both sides of the border and was responsible for planning, implementing the first-ever meeting of APEC (Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation) Education Ministers to look at education standards for the 21st Century. Co-director, Empower America (with William Bennett, Jack Kemp and Jeanne Kirkpatrick) (1994-1995). Senior Fellow, Hudson Institute (1994-1995). Publicly reported tax returns and financial activities every year since 1977, the year before he first was elected to public office. In high school won two statewide piano competitions; as law clerk in New Orleans played trombone at night at "Your Father's Moustache."

[Decentralize]

What about Marsha Blackburn?? Anyone know if she would run?

I don't know. Let's ask!

sen.marsha.blackburn@legislature.state.tn.us
marsha@marshablackburn.org

THE BLACKBURN REPORT