BREDESEN WEIGHS IN ON THE PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN
June 6th, 2008, 4:19 pm · Post a Comment · posted by Dan Lehr
This afternoon NewsChannel 9 got to interview Tennessee Governor Phil Bredesen, who was in town to talk about energy efficiency. We also got to hear his take on a couple of Presidential campaign matters:
ON OBAMA’S GENERAL ELECTION CHANCES IN TENNESSEE: “Can he win Tennessee? Of course he can. Bill Clinton won Tennessee twice. I think it’s very important for the presidential campaigns to pay some attention to the Tennessees & Kentuckys & Missouris of the world; I mean, we’re the bellweather states. I mean, Tennessee has missed voting for the person who became president once since the 1920s, and that was 1960, half a century ago. This is a very good indicator state. [Obama] is behind in the state right now, one thing I acknowledged, and I think our job as Democrats is to get him into position where he’s within shooting distance, you know, that he can get from here to there, & I think you’ll see a lot of attention on the part of the campaign. Tennessee, as is true of a Missouri & an Arkansas, Kentucky, Ohio, they would all be great prizes in the presidential campaign.”
ON WHAT HE’D SAY IF HE WERE OFFERED THE VICE PRESIDENCY: “Well, after I picked myself up off of the floor (laughs). Look, you know, this is not something that I’ve sought. If you just look at what I’ve been doing the past couple of years there’s nothing there. I don’t think anyone in this country can look you in the eye & say “Oh, I wouldn’t talk to him.” Of course you’d talk to him. But it’s not something I’m going after or seeking. I love being governor, I have two more years to go here, & I’m virtually certain that’s what my future holds.”
[Tip for anyone asking somebody about being on the ticket: NEVER ask "do you want to be vice president?" No one will ever say yes. I made sure NewsChannel 9 reporter Amanda Shropshire specifically asked "what would you say if Obama asked you." You get far more interesting answers that way. Not that his answer really said anything.]
Is Bredesen on the short list? As that rare species, a southern Democratic governor with a statewide approval rating above 50% (& that includes Republicans), I’m sure he is on Obama’s list. Whether it’s a short list or not .. that’s up for debate. One big drawback is he doesn’t “fill in the holes” in terms of Obama’s lack of foreign policy experience. But he certainly brings the executive part into the deal.
What do you think? Does Obama have a chance of winning Tennessee in November? Do you think Bredesen would accept the veep slot if asked? Do you think Obama’s thinking about adding Bredesen to the ticket? Weigh in with a comment!
