Blogging From Brandon's
The slurred talk around the sticky Formica tabletops at Brandon’s has been dominated lately by rank speculation about what might happen if Barack Obama wins the White House and puts Phil Bredesen in his Cabinet. Holy shit! That’s the usual first response from newcomers to this discussion, which has been running pretty much nonstop for a few weeks now at our dingy little home away from home in the Arcade alley.
For if Bredesen were to leave office early (as the keen political observer—even one whose mind is crippled by whiskey—quickly realizes) then the state Senate would pick the next governor as it chooses the lieutenant governor at the start of the 2009 legislative session.
If after November’s elections, the Senate remains deadlocked at 16-16 with the lonely independent Mike Williams, then the possibilities are endless for what would undoubtedly become the greatest political fight in Tennessee history. Say Republicans gain an advantage in November, which seems more likely than not. The Senate still probably would split into a million fragments and implode as all the upper chamber’s mutant, outsized egos grappled for political advantage.
At Brandon’s, a consensus seems to have developed on only a single point: If Obama were to offer Bredesen a Cabinet post—even a lame one like Commerce secretary—the governor would jump at it. Pharaoh Phil is bored and looking for a way out, especially now that the state’s finances are tanking and nothing but more budget-cutting misery lies ahead for our chief executive.
But once that's stipulated—that Bredesen wants out—who can guess what might happen next? Keep in mind that the Senate isn’t constitutionally required to pick a lieutenant governor from among its own members. Anyone’s eligible.
Would the Senate choose a caretaker as the next governor, some doofus (and there are plenty of them available) who wouldn’t interfere with any true aspirant’s hopes for the 2010 election? Or would senators elect someone like Ron Ramsey who wants to run for governor in 2010? Would Bill Frist allow that to happen? Maybe Frist himself might try to win the Senate election, putting himself in the governorship two years early. Then he could run for president in 2012 as a sitting governor. (We all know the only reason Frist wants to be governor is to position himself to run for president.) What do you think?
Comments
Okay, but is spending time in the Governor's chair really going to be enough to fix what's wrong with Bill Frist? Who is the image consultant who's going to fix that look of terror in his eyes whenever he knows a camera is turned on him? Have we ever elected a president who looked sore afraid half the time? I mean, I know image isn't everything, but he doesn't look like a man who can handle the reigns of power.
Posted 06/20/2008 at 11:56:17 AMA governor who would depart under circumstances enabling the legislature to locate incumbency in his position in the other party would be a person of very limited moral and political fiber. (Or perhaps it would be a person who really identifies more with the other party anyway.) In any event it's difficult to see the gov as appropriate or qualified for a cabinet position. There is nothing in his record to suggest expertise that dovetails with Obama's agenda. Bredesen could be a very effective Secretary of Commerce or HUD -- in a GOP administration.
On an unrelated note, a little early in the day to be "blogging" from Brandon's, no?
Posted 06/20/2008 at 12:26:35 PMWhat exactly could Bredesen even seem to bring to an Obama cabinet--or the election bid--that would cause this appointment to happen? As if the national Democratic Party is looking for that health care record--etc.! If they want a Republican in the cabinet, and they might, they'll get some sort of real one.
Posted 06/20/2008 at 12:46:46 PMIn the unlikely scenario that the Senate did gain a Democratic majority, I can imagine that it wouldn't be Kim McMillan. If they were to go outside the chambers, my dollars would be on Bill Purcell, because of his legislative experience, and he hasn't stepped on as many toes as the alternatives.
Posted 06/20/2008 at 12:46:51 PMUnqualified people are appointed to the Cabinet all the time.
Posted 06/20/2008 at 01:22:56 PMBredesen goes to Disneyland East.
Tennessee wins.
Posted 06/20/2008 at 01:27:43 PMIt must be a pretty slow day in the news world if that's the best idle political speculation you can muster. Obama doesn't need a mercurial DINO red-state governor, and owes Bredesen absolutely nothing. No, Phil will retire to Jackson Hole and paint.
More interesting, I think, is the refusal by Congressmen Tanner and Davis to back the nominee, essentially telling their white, rural constituents to stay home in November. Gee, thanks for your principled leadership, fellas.
Posted 06/20/2008 at 02:12:33 PMTanner and Davis are covering their asses as per usual.
Posted 06/20/2008 at 02:29:05 PM