March 30, 2006

Bryson May Run for Gov

Well, despite what he said before, state senator Jim Bryson may be "leaning toward" running for Governor.

Very interesting.

More: Heh. This might make AC's new job a little more fun since this might actually create a race for Governor where none existed before.

More II: Nathan Moore might have some tidbits of information regarding who would be running for Bryson's seat if he does indeed run.

Bryson would have to give up his seat in the Senate. Unfortunately, if he doesn't win, that means we loose a very strong state senator who has championed spending reform of state government. On the other hand, he would make a wonderful governor and would be in a better position to push forward spending reform (something our current governor has never shown interest in).

So, if he is running...let me be the first to endorse Bryson for Governor.

Update 4/3: It will be official tomorrow. Bryson is running for Governor. He will make his announcement at the Hermitage Hotel tomorrow.

An unofficial Bryson for Governor blog has been started (where I, along with several others, will be helping out in a collaborative effort).

Comments:

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Argh. I love the idea of Bryson being governor, but I can’t see him beating Brede$en, who will spend whatever it takes of his own money to win, even if it is illegal (just like he did four years ago).

Plus, Bryson doesn’t have the statewide name recognition.

And if he loses, we won’t have Bryson in the state Senate, and the spending-control amendment likely will die. No one else in the state legislature understands the spending-control amendment as well, nor explains it as simply and populistically, as Bryson does.

This is a tough call for me. Much as I want Bredesen out of there, I’m going to urge Bryson not to run. But know this - if Bryson runs, I’m going to work like hell to get him elected.

And if he decides to run, I want to be one of the first 25 names on his nominating petition, just to honor all he has done and fought for.

Posted by: Bill Hobbs at March 30, 2006 02:41 PM

"This might make AC's new job a little more fun since this might actually create a race for Governor where none existed before."

Indeed. Bring on the Bryson for Governor "Unofficial" blog!

While we're at it, how 'bout some "semi-serious, Bryson-type" op for Jim Cooper and/or Bart Gordon. Help a Kleinheider out, GOP.

Posted by: Kleinheider at March 31, 2006 12:09 AM

Although bredesen has a larger war chest, The TennCare protest vote could be enough to help carry Bryson, even in areas where his name is not well known.
Besides, I know a filmmaker who has a lot of damning evidence on bredesen who might let Bryson use it.

Posted by: Sharon at March 31, 2006 12:11 AM

AC...
We must have been posting at the same time. You might want to call the Republican party and let them know what you are about to do and they'll probably feed you information.
They are definitely running someone for Governor.

Posted by: Sharon at March 31, 2006 12:13 AM

AC, The main reason we have no "semi-serious Bryson-type" op for Cooper and Gordon, is we haven't developed them by running serious candidates for local office. If you aren't a Belle Meade Country club member or don't kiss their rings three times a day, all you get from the local Republican Party is the back of their hand.

Posted by: George Rand at March 31, 2006 08:19 AM

The Republican Party knows the score. They have the financial disclosures of Bredesen. They have the opinion polls showing Bredesen stronger among R's that D's. They know that Williamson County won't even run a D for Senate District 23. They have just handed Bryson a dynomite vest and asked him to run into the Governor's Office.

Posted by: Hombredepollo at March 31, 2006 09:44 AM

Just have one thing to say about Jim Bryson.He is already in trouble before he leaves the gate.Dirty Deals……………

Earlier this year, Bryson was the target of a formal complaint filed with the Senate Ethics Committee by state Democratic Chairman Bob Tuke. No action has been taken the complaint, which contends Bryson’s business dealings with Pfizer Inc. have conflicted with his legislative duties.

Tuke said Wednesday he had received a letter from an attorney with the Senate Ethics Committee saying the complaint had insufficient information and he plans to provide more, including an affidavit from a Nashville man who attended an event involving both Pfizer and Bryson.

Bryson said “he knows nothing about it.”

The new affidavit, dated March 2, is from Jason Powell, a Nashville real estate agent who Tuke said is an active Democrat. In it, Powell says he attended an Aug. 17, 2005, gathering at a Nashville church served as host of a town hall meeting on TennCare cuts proposed by Bredesen.

Powell says Pfizer representatives also attended and were introduced by Bryson, who “endorsed” a Pfizer discount drug program described to the audience. Powell says “an underlying motive for Sen. Bryson was to use this town hall meeting forum as a business opportunity for drug companies.”

The complaint charges that Bryson supported legislation that would benefit Pfizer Inc.

Posted by: Mark Walker at April 2, 2006 03:05 PM

Bob Tuke? Now that's something that should definitely be taken seriously. lol

Posted by: at April 2, 2006 04:11 PM