Thursday, January 18, 2007
Governor Frist?
"Former Majority Leader Sen. Bill Frist (R-Tenn.) is seriously considering a gubernatorial run in Tennessee in 2010, possibly setting up a White House bid further down the road," the Hill reports.
"Sources in Washington and Tennessee say Frist, who will turn 55 next month, is leaning heavily toward a run for the governor’s office, where he could gain executive experience that might position him to try for the presidency in either 2012 or 2016.
"'It’s a done deal,' said a source with knowledge of Frist’s plans."
If Frist jumps into the gubernatorial race, it will certainly upset the plans of two local Republicans: U.S. Representative Marsha Blackburn and former State Senator Jim Bryson.
It's pretty common knowledge at this point that Bryson agreed to mount his quixotic campaign against Governor Phil Bredesen after receiving assurances from Blackburn that he'll have an open shot at her congressional seat when she runs for governor in four years. With Frist in the mix, Blackburn - or any Republican, really - will have trouble matching Frist's money and name i.d. (but especially his money).
Furthermore, I think the state GOP will not tolerate another divisive primary like the one we saw in last year's U.S. Senate race. Enourmous pressure will be put on lesser known, and underfunded, Republicans who have gubernatorial aspirations to step aside in favor of the person with the best chance of winning. If Frist throws his hat in the ring, he becomes that person.
"Sources in Washington and Tennessee say Frist, who will turn 55 next month, is leaning heavily toward a run for the governor’s office, where he could gain executive experience that might position him to try for the presidency in either 2012 or 2016.
"'It’s a done deal,' said a source with knowledge of Frist’s plans."
If Frist jumps into the gubernatorial race, it will certainly upset the plans of two local Republicans: U.S. Representative Marsha Blackburn and former State Senator Jim Bryson.
It's pretty common knowledge at this point that Bryson agreed to mount his quixotic campaign against Governor Phil Bredesen after receiving assurances from Blackburn that he'll have an open shot at her congressional seat when she runs for governor in four years. With Frist in the mix, Blackburn - or any Republican, really - will have trouble matching Frist's money and name i.d. (but especially his money).
Furthermore, I think the state GOP will not tolerate another divisive primary like the one we saw in last year's U.S. Senate race. Enourmous pressure will be put on lesser known, and underfunded, Republicans who have gubernatorial aspirations to step aside in favor of the person with the best chance of winning. If Frist throws his hat in the ring, he becomes that person.
# posted by Joltin' Django @ Thursday, January 18, 2007 
