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Daily Dose for January 17, 2007
Daily Dose
Sorry Marsha, Frist Running for Governor in 2010 -- The Hill reports on rumors I have heard as well that the groundwork is already being laid for a Gubernatorial run for Bill Frist in 2010. Frist is anxious to get back in the limelight after being knocked out of his position as Majority Leader and the Governor's office could more easily catapult him to the White House. Frist's run would clear the Republican field for Governor - possibly preventing other contenders from jumping in. Among those who would likely decide not to run if Frist jumped in would be Congressman Marsha Blackburn, State Rep. Beth Harwell and newly minted Lt. Governor Ron Ramsey.
Ford Has No Plans to Run Against Lamar -- Harold Ford, Jr. will likely be focused on his new job in 2008 - head of the Democratic Leadership Council and guest lecturer at Vanderbilt University - instead of mounting a run against popular incumbent Sen. Lamar Alexander. Alexander, who hasn't officially announced whether he will run again, will likely do so, because of the high level committee assignments he got this term.
Appointing a Replacement -- The debate continues on the exact methodology Knox County Commissioners will use to appoint replacements after the State Supreme Court said eight County Commissioners, the County Trustee, Register of Deeds and Sheriff all have to go because of term limits. Commissioners are fighting out whether to hold public hearings on replacements, hold a non-binding vote to guide the commissioners on who to appoint, or to seek approval from the State Legislature to hold a special election. County Mayor Mike Ragsdale has asked Moore for a special session of the commission for the purpose of discussing and approving the process to be used for replacing term-limited officials. Meanwhile, replacing the Sheriff may be more complicated because attorney Herb Moncier has filed a federal lawsuit calling for the new Sheriff to be elected, rather than appointed by the Commission.
Memphis Has It Easier -- Speaking of replacing local government officials, the Memphis City Council held a quick vote to replace one of their own who resigned for a spot in the Mayor's administration. Madeleine Cooper Taylor was appointed 8-0 to fill the seat of TaJuan Stout Mitchell. Speaking of the Memphis City Council, Councilmen Edmund Ford and Rickey Pette, two Councilmen accused of taking bribes were denied leadership spots, while new council chairman Tom Marshall made light of his own ethical indiscressions and criticized the media. Predictably, Ford said Marshall "made" the issue a racial one through his picks for committee appointments.
