Daily Dose for March 22, 2007

GOP Blocks Resolution on Justin Timberlake

GOP Blocks Resolution on Justin Timberlake -- Republicans in the State Senate objected to a resolution on the Senate calendar to honor pop-star Justin Timberlake. The resolution, which was sponsored by Memphis State Sen. Ophelia Ford seeks to honor Timberlake "for his highly successful music career and for his meritorious service to the State of Tennessee" and his newest CD "FutureSex/LoveSounds." Sen. Raymond Finney, the chairman of the Senate Calendar Committee, objected to the bill and removed it from the consent calendar after Lt. Gov. Ron Ramsey briefly mentioned the bill after receiving a text message from his daughter, a Timberlake fan. Senate Democratic Leader Jim Kylequipped that Finney is holding a grudge against Timberlake because “he’s a huge Janet Jackson fan,” referencing the notorious “wardrobe malfunction” that took place between the two performers at a recent Super Bowl. More here and here.

Ramsey Joins Draft Fred -- Lt. Governor Ron Ramsey says he is willing to lend his name to the Draft Fred Thompson organization started by Congressman Zach Wamp. Wamp: "Lt. Gov. Ramsey's leadership and enthusiasm are invaluable. As conservative leaders from across the country voice their support for Fred Thompson, I'm especially proud to be joined by another great Tennessean in issuing this important call to one of our own."

Ophelia Ford Out With Anemia -- State Sen. Ophelia Ford has been absent most of the legislative session due to a bout with anemia. Ford has missed 13 of the 19 days the Senate has met in its regular session in 2007. Only Sen. Jerry Cooper has been absent this legislative session more than Ford. Cooper was seriously injured when he crashed his SUV off Interstate 24 near Murfreesboro en route home in early February and has not attended since. Lt. Gov. Ron Ramsey released a statement yesterday: "I would ask every Tennessean to keep Sen. Ford and her family in their thoughts and prayers and I wish her a speedy recovery."

More on Recovering Harold Ford, Jr. -- Still sounding wounded from his loss in the US Senate race, Harold Ford, Jr. told a group of Vanderbilt students politicans should be "wrapped in a political bubble but wrapped up in what's best for our state or our country." Ford said he had learned a lot about himself since his Senate loss. Ford: "I didn’t think I’d be teaching at Vanderbilt; in fact I wanted to be doing something else ... But the lord works in mysterious ways. I didn’t think I’d grow so much losing as I did, or I have.”

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