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

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

[Reagan Man]

Where did you get that Marsha Blackburn is a supporter of Don Sundquist?

Her website bio said she was campaign coorinator for Sundquist in 1994 and was in charge of his inauqural ball in 1995. That indicates to me some positive connection. But from all the recent info supplied, it would appear their now political enemies.

[Blood of Tyrants]

Don't count on that. Van Hilleary is coming on strong, loudly and publically pointing out that Bredesen is NOT ruling out an income tax as a solution to the state's spending problem. As it has been said, "If you ain't for us, you are agin us"! A safe assumption is that anyone who will not take a position against the income tax is openly or secretly for it.

[Hacksaw]

I think fat Ted will drink anything, including cough medicine if that is all he can get his fat liberal lips around at the time.

I heard Hatch got him to sober up - which is why they are friends. Don't know if it is true.

[babble-on]

Percy Priest all the way! (not!) I'm a Forest Hills denizen myself. I just talked to one of Alexander's people and he said they are huddling, but no decision will be announced yet.

[TEXICAN II]

No chance-they declared him dirty from female troubles-he had too many females, not troublesome females.

[GraniteStateConservative]

Novak, Barnes, etc. are only giving the devil his due. They wouldn't vote for the guy-- they just wish he were a Republican. As far as Democrats go, he's a great representative for the Party-- he has all the qualities a successful candidate has.

[hillsborofox]

Marsha Blackburn is a great suggestion for the Senate!!!!! Let's get Phil Valentine on it.

[hillsborofox]

Lamar Alexander....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.

Heck, let's get him back into the Governor's Mansion!

[willieroe]

Just got in from playing golf in cloudy Memphis to read this.... I had not heard about the death of his daughter, and while I have the greatest sympathy for the Senator and his family, there was no way in hell that I was going to cast another vote for Thompson, after his non-engagement in the impeachment trial and Chinagate.

[GraniteStateConservative]

How about 2004 when we aren't trying to win 8-9 (TX, SC, CO, TN, AR, NH, ME, OR, NC, AK) Senate seats just to stay in the minority! Then you add MO and MN as targeted seats.

There are 34 races this year-- 59% of them are GOP contests! The GOP is in about an opposite situation in 2004.

[Free the USA]

Check the Bump List folders for articles related to and descriptions of the above topic(s) or for other topics of interest.

[KQQL]

From AP:

But GOP sources said former U.S. Education Secretary and Tennessee Gov. Lamar Alexander, a Republican, would announce on Monday that he is running. Democratic Rep. Harold E. Ford Jr. was among several of the state's House members said to be pondering a challenge. Candidates must file by April 4.

[Free the USA]

bttt

[KQQL]

Lamar will be stronger than Ed Bryant in a state wide race...

Don't forget Tn still slightly tilts towards RATs in state wide races........

[KQQL]

Lamar will be stronger than Ed Bryant in a state wide race...

Don't forget Tn still slightly tilts towards RATs in state wide races........ ( there are more Rat voters in TN than GOP voters....)

[Devereaux]

Don't forget Tn still slightly tilts towards RATs in state wide races........ ( there are more Rat voters in TN than GOP voters....)

Well, Clinton/Gore did manage to squeeze out close victories here in '92 and '96.

But other than that aberation, No Democrat has won a State-wide race in Tennessee since Jim Sasser was elected to his last Senate term in 1990.

[Wphile]

Great information. I think I like Byrant. Lamar never inspired me much during his presidential runs.

Joyce - yes, guilty as charged.

[Wphile]

Just heard Carl Cameron's report who stated it looks like it will be Lamar Alexander vs. Harold Ford, Jr.

I'm not sure about Ford's color. He may just be light skinned rather than bi-racial but I honestly have no idea.

BTW, Cameron's report said that nearly all the GOP think it's a lock for Alexander if he wants it.

[Theodore R.]

To me, Lamar Alexander is more of a pianist than a politician. He sits back and bangs away "Alexander's Ragtime Band" on his piano. I don't know of one principle that he ever stood for -- other than the election of Lamar Alexander as governor or president.

[Decentralize]

BTW, Cameron's report said that nearly all the GOP think it's a lock for Alexander if he wants it.

Yeah, yeah, they said that about Riordan in Cali also. See how good it did him. Cameron is talking to GOP elites (Washington strategists and fundraisers). Of course, they are gonna say that. Lamar is one of them and he can be manipulated.

However, the open seat is U. S. Senator from Tennessee -- not Senator from the RNC or DC. The Republican grassroots conservatives IN TENNESSEE will decide IN A PRIMARY who is a "lock" and who isn't.