The next Bubba?

[Moooooo]

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. -- The Democrats have noticed that senators and Northeasterners don't do especially well in presidential elections. That has led to some talk of running a governor from the South in 2008, but Southern Democratic governors are in short supply.

Of those who remain, my governor, Phil Bredesen, is starting to get some attention. A while back, The Economist of London called him a governor with a CEO approach. And The New Republic recently made him the subject of a cover story focusing on his ability to win over the opposition. But should he decide to run for president in 2008, his biggest problems may come from his fellow Democrats.

Gov. Bredesen's success at reaching out to the opposition is undeniable. He's probably the most popular governor in Tennessee history, and there are even people around the state who call themselves "Republicans for Bredesen" and plan on backing him, across party lines, if he runs for president in 2008. His biggest problems, though, may come from within his own party.

http://online.wsj.com/article_email/0,,SB110799915995350845-IRjfoNolaB4n5ypZH6HcaWJm4,00.html

[YRABNNRM]

He called healthcare socialist so he has no chance.

[phk]

That'd actually give him more of a chance.

[YRABNNRM]

That'd actually give him more of a chance.

In a Democratic Primary?

[phk]

Of course.

In a primary Bredsen, Bayh and Warner would be going at it.

While the Deaniacs are stuck in the back.

[Moooooo]

I would consider voting for Bredesen, but so far I have yet to hear of one Democratic principle he has stood up for. 

[AuH2O]

He lacks Clinton's looks and charisma, and actually might be more moderate. Don't like his primary odds.

Interesting general election candidate but not unstoppable by any means.

[phk]

He'd be a good pair with Bayh maybe.

[Rob]

Bayh-Bredesen 08!

That would be a very strong ticket.

[Notre Dame rules!]

While he tended to raise taxes (alot) in Nashville while he was Mayor, he has proven to be very fiscally conservative as Governor, and has been willing to take on our disastorous healthcare plan, TennCare.

I don't like his odds in the Democrat primaries, but he would make a very formidable candidate in the General Election, and could very well peel off several Southern states, especially if we nominate  Pataki,  Hagel, or even Rudy.

[Defarge]

Bayh/Bredsen.  I like it.  But I like Bayh/Richardson more

[TomC]

What he's trying to do in Tennessee is repair an image that Dems are fiscally irresponsible. He's managed that and has boosted school spending some. Other than that, there's little to him really. Either he's content being a capable manager rather than a visionary or he's spending four years making sure he can get another four years.

When the issue of outlawing abortion came up, he basically said he didn't want to be bothered with it- let the legislature decide. Same with the attempt to outlaw gay marriage forever.

He cut workers comp payments by 40% in the name of job creation. Would not compromise at a 20% cut.

He seems headed towards tort reform (ie abating our right to sue)

He has cut TennCare (or is trying to) which is actualy fine with me now that he has amended his plan to protect coverage for kids. We are 48th in taxes and some want us to have a health care system that provides more coverage than any other state system. It's nutty to think it shouldn't be reformed and expect us to be able to do anything else. He's reforming it to protect and enhance school funding- which I much prefer to endless benefits for able-bodied adults. Although, I do think he's kind of chickening out by not even considering a cigarette tax hike rather than cutting about 350,000 people from the TennCare rolls.


A lot of liberal Dems are POed at him. If he has a tough opponent in 2006, he could lose due to a lack of turnout from his base. Most serious Repubs are eyeing the Senate seat that Frist is vacating though. I don't expect Bredesen to have a viable challenger. (besides, the Repubs with any money should be quite happy with him.)

He is quite dull but folksy and affable. I do not see him generating much excitement in a Dem primary.

[WalterMitty]

wasnt roy barnes the next bubba?  lol.

[danwxman]

What he's trying to do in Tennessee is repair an image that Dems are fiscally irresponsible. He's managed that and has boosted school spending some. Other than that, there's little to him really. Either he's content being a capable manager rather than a visionary or he's spending four years making sure he can get another four years.

When the issue of outlawing abortion came up, he basically said he didn't want to be bothered with it- let the legislature decide. Same with the attempt to outlaw gay marriage forever.

He cut workers comp payments by 40% in the name of job creation. Would not compromise at a 20% cut.

He seems headed towards tort reform (ie abating our right to sue)

He has cut TennCare (or is trying to) which is actualy fine with me now that he has amended his plan to protect coverage for kids. We are 48th in taxes and some want us to have a health care system that provides more coverage than any other state system. It's nutty to think it shouldn't be reformed and expect us to be able to do anything else. He's reforming it to protect and enhance school funding- which I much prefer to endless benefits for able-bodied adults. Although, I do think he's kind of chickening out by not even considering a cigarette tax hike rather than cutting about 350,000 people from the TennCare rolls.


A lot of liberal Dems are POed at him. If he has a tough opponent in 2006, he could lose due to a lack of turnout from his base. Most serious Repubs are eyeing the Senate seat that Frist is vacating though. I don't expect Bredesen to have a viable challenger. (besides, the Repubs with any money should be quite happy with him.)

He is quite dull but folksy and affable. I do not see him generating much excitement in a Dem primary.

Why is he a Democrat? Would he switch parties?

[TomC]

He's a Democrat because his base is urban Nashville. He was mayor- although Davidson County elections are nonpartisan, if he had come out as a Republican in Nashville- he wouldn't have had much of a base to start from.

[Notre Dame rules!]

Why do you Dems want to chase every last moderate/conservative Democrat out of the Party?  However, as a conservative, I'd be happy to welcome him into the GOP big tent.  He's a little left on some social issues, but he has been spot on fiscally.

[TomC]

"Why do you Dems want to chase every last moderate/conservative Democrat out of the Party?  However, as a conservative, I'd be happy to welcome him into the GOP big tent.  He's a little left on some social issues, but he has been spot on fiscally. "

I have no desire to chase Bredesen out of the party, I plan on working for his reelection, but he's not the guy I want as Presidential nominee and I've supported plenty of moderates in the past.