Finally Some Drama
Lamar is resurrected, the Fords convene and Gayle Ray floats her name—again
by Liz Murray Garrigan
While former Gov. Lamar Alexander was formally announcing his bid for the U.S. Senate at the Legislative Plaza this week, the powerful Ford family in Memphis was apparently in a huddle trying to figure out how to gain even more political advantage in Tennessee. Tennessee Politics reports that the family has determined that if Memphis congressman Harold Ford decides to run for the U.S. Senate, then his uncle, state Sen. John Ford, will run for the congressional seat.
Meanwhile, back in Nashville, outgoing Davidson County Sheriff Gayle Ray is contemplating her political options, even, apparently, a possible run against Alexander, who promises to raise between $4 million and $5 million for his race to replace the retiring Fred Thompson. That's assuming, of course, that she could win the Democratic Party nomination. It's just the latest in a string of various offices—local and otherwise—Ray has considered over the last couple of years.
Oh, the drama—the momentary indulgences of political self-importance!
Capitol Hill political writers who've been covering a virtual Ground Hog Day in the state for the past three years—otherwise known as the tax debate, in which supporters of various tax increases and budget plans occasionally peep out of the ground to gauge the prevailing meterological indicators—finally have something to wake up for. Potential candidates, many of whom have been participating in the Ground Hog Day, may now have a chance to flee their circumstances. And voters—let's not forget them—may get a few choices come this election season.
As it stands, there seem to be only two certainties: There will be a Republican primary—including Alexander and West Tennessee Congressman Ed Bryant, if not others. And, secondly—forgive us if this seems too obvious—there will be a Democratic primary, with little Ford, Congressman Bob Clement, Ray and many others considering their chances.
That there will be real primaries—or general elections, for that matter—hasn't been a given in recent statewide politics. U.S. Sen. Bill Frist received virtually no challenge two years ago, from either party, for his re-election bid. In 1998, Democrats produced only activist candidate John Jay Hooker to run against Gov. Don Sundquist. The bean suppers across the state, let's face it, have had some leftovers. The last time Tennessee voters had a slew of candidates to choose from for statewide office was in 1994, in both the Democratic gubernatorial primary and the Republican primary for U.S. Senate.
As for the Senate, though, most honest people in both parties think it's Alexander's for the taking, even if he might have some trouble with his party's right wing in the primary. Why he would want it remains perhaps the most compelling question. He'll be 62 in a few months and has, by his own admission, more of an executive personality than a legislative one.
As for that, he says now, "I'm more patient now than I was. I will make a better legislator now."
And as for whether he would get along, if elected, with President Bush, whose "compassionate conservatism" mantra Alexander dubbed in 1999 as "weasel words," he has this to say: "I have come to respect and admire the term 'compassionate conservatism,' because it defeated me badly."
A real Clement challenge?
David Briley, a 38-year-old at-large Metro Council member, is emerging as the only usual suspect Democrat who might be willing to take on Bob Clement, the congressman who constantly floats his name for higher office, but never seems willing to risk what has become—presumably, anyway—a very safe seat.
The latest temptation for Clement, of course, is the U.S. Senate seat Fred Thompson is vacating. Thompson's announcement last week created a domino effect statewide, with congressional members and others weighing their chances for replacing Thompson and, then, state house members and Metro Council members considering replacing them. Or as radio talk show host Steve Gill tells the Scene, "Fred has just kicked a huge ants' nest, and I think they're red ants."
Regarding his plans, Briley says, "I'm going to qualify. And I'm not sure that I would pull out if Clement decides not to run for the Senate."
That posture is far different from Briley's peers, such as Metro Council member Chris Ferrell and Vice Mayor Ronnie Steine, both of whom have said they'd only run if Clement were out of the picture. Another candidate, gay activist Carlton Cornett, is running for the Democratic nomination.
It could be that the feisty Briley boy, the older brother of state Rep. Rob Briley, is getting a little ahead of himself. On the other hand, a real primary for Clement's seat would be good for voters. And Briley does, after all, have a parkway bearing his family name.
Introducing Mrs. Bredesen
A story last week in the Union County Messenger gave gubernatorial candidate Phil Bredesen's wife a more traditional name, calling her Andrea Conte Bredesen. The story, essentially an interview with the wannabe first lady of Tennessee, quoted Conte as saying the couple went back and forth about whether Bredesen should run.
Reporter John Brannon says that, throughout the interview, he called the candidate's wife "Mrs. Bredesen." He says that neither she nor the several people with her corrected him.
So when the story ran last Monday, with the Hillary-ified name (a la Hillary Rodham Clinton), Brannon got a call from a state official pal of his, laughing and pointing out that she doesn't take her husband's last name as her own.
"She seems like a nice lady, but I didn't really appreciate it much," a grizzled Brannon tells the Scene. "It embarrassed the hell out of me."
What's more, Brannon characterizes himself as from "the old school," saying, "I mean, is she not proud to have that ring on her finger?"
Maybe it's clear why Conte didn't speak up.
To reach Liz, call her at 244-7989, ext. 406, or e-mail her at liz@nashvillescene.com.
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