Tuke, Mcwherter blast Republican's support for Bush policies
By Bartholomew Sullivan
sullivanb@shns.comWednesday, August 15, 2007
WASHINGTON -- Two Democrats with statewide name recognition are eyeing a run against Sen. Lamar Alexander next year, but the state GOP chairwoman says they don't stand a chance against the former two-term governor.
Mike McWherter, a Jackson, Tenn.-based beer distributor and son of former Gov. Ned McWherter, and Bob Tuke, the Nashville lawyer who was until recently the state Democratic Party chairman, both confirmed Tuesday that they're considering the race.
"I am indeed," said Tuke, 59. "Most of it is going to depend, actually, on Lamar himself. If he doesn't start to vote independently from Bush, then he simply needs to be defeated."
Tuke said Alexander's efforts with Colorado Democratic Sen. Ken Salazar to implement the findings of the Iraq Study Group were a gesture in the direction of independence, "but not much more than a gesture."
Tuke, a former Marine, took exception to Alexander's votes against immigration reform, timetables for troop reductions in Iraq and an amendment that would have guaranteed soldiers and Marines more time home and away from theaters of war.
"He's simply almost solidly dependable for Bush and he needs to change that because Bush is a failed president," Tuke said. "It's time for him to start representing Tennessee and stop representing George W. Bush and the Republican Party."
McWherter, 51, said he's "actively considering the race with Lamar" because he keeps hearing from Tennessee's Democratic congressional delegation that the Bush administration has bankrupted the country.
"Sen. Lamar Alexander has been part and parcel of the first Bush administration and certainly is in lockstep with the second Bush administration," McWherter said. "I just fundamentally disagree with the direction they're taking this country."
The state Republican Party's new chairwoman Robin Smith said the former governor, two-time presidential contender, former Education Secretary and president of the University of Tennessee is widely popular.
"He has such broad-based appeal in this state that it's going to be very difficult to field a true, credible candidate that can measure up to the support of a Lamar Alexander and the proven record that he has," Smith said.
"They're trying to find a name to lead their ticket that will prevent such a loss in the state legislative races," she suggested.
Democratic Party Chairman Gray Sasser said 2008 is looking good for Democrats both nationally and in Tennessee and the party will field one or more strong candidates for the senate race by early fall.
"Lamar Alexander has served the state for, candidly, a long time," Sasser said.
"It's a very simple message going into 2008," he added. "If you want to change what's going on in the country, you'll be voting for a Democratic candidate for the U.S. Senate."
-- Bartholomew Sullivan: (202) 408-2726
http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2007/aug/15/two-to-vie-for-alexander-seat/
