Daily Dose for September 24, 2007

Frist v. Ford for Governor?

Frist v. Ford for Governor? -- Two men who fell from perches in Washington now want to take the reins in Nashville. Former Sen. Bill Frist and former Sen. candidate Harold Ford, Jr. are both making more waves about a potential run for Governor in 2010. The Hill reported that Frist had interest in running back in January, a report he later denied. However, since then, Frist's lobbying arm VOLPAC has been giving more serious attention to TN legislative races, a serious change of focus from Frist's more nationally focused PAC. Now, another nationally recognized Tennessean is mulling the Governor race. Harold Ford, Jr. first floated the possibility of him running in 2010 to a New York gossip column back in July. Since then, Ford advisor Michael Powell has made the rounds with top Democratic officials and strategists, including those in the Bredesen administration to float Ford's interest. Ford advisor Tom Lee was candid: "And we felt it was important to let people know that he is seriously looking at running for governor in 2010." Ford's interest could create tension in Democratic ranks, just as Frist's interest could on the Republican side. Congressman Lincoln Davis has said he is interested in running as a Democrat and Congressman Zach Wamp and State Rep. Beth Harwell have both released statements this year indicating they are looking at runs on the GOP side.

Thompson's Fundraising Tour -- TN Democratic Party officials called Fred Thompson's weeklong tour through Tennessee this week more evidence that TN is Thompson's "personal ATM." Thompson is in TN this week, starting with a breakfast in Clarksville on Thursday, followed by a luncheon in Murfreesboro and a dinner in Franklin. The next day, it will be breakfast in Jackson with lunch in Memphis. The campaign already has had at least five fundraising events in Tennessee at $2,300 a person - two in Nashville and one each in Knoxville, Chattanooga and at the Huntsville home of former U.S. Sen. Howard Baker.

Corker Tours All 95 Counties -- Sen. Bob Corker's tour of all 95 TN counties will conclude October 9 with a stop in Bedford Co. Corker, who has been in office only 8.5 months visited 38 counties in August and 14 counties in September. Most of Corker’s visits are town hall meetings where he gives an update on three issues primarily — Iraq, energy and health care and then allows questions from the audience.

Agreement Not Forthcoming on Open Records Laws -- A study committee investigating the state's Open Records laws has failed to find a concensus on whether or not the state should allow more or less access to records. In hearings last week, for example, current laws calling for public access to government records and open meetings of governing bodies were roundly criticized, but from completely different perspectives - with some calling for more openness and others saying the existing laws already allowed too much openness. Open record laws advocates cite the fact that there are no penalties for violations of the laws currently on the books, while opponents say the laws stifle open debate.

Posted by Adam Groves | Email This |