Besides all the prime-time speeches at the Republican National Convention this week in St. Paul, Minn., Tennessee delegates also attended various caucus meetings, receptions and other events, many of them focusing on home-state issues.

Rep. Zach Wamp, R-Tenn., for instance, hosted a luncheon for the Tennessee delegation Thursday, which he said helped lay the groundwork for a possible 2010 gubernatorial run.

“That’s clearly been the back story of this week,” Rep. Wamp said. “You see the race starting to take shape. There’s no question in 2010 there’s going to be a huge race for the governor’s seat, and it’s going to develop between Nov. 4 and January, when the president is sworn in. It’s going to be a two-year campaign.”

Another potential gubernatorial candidate, Lt. Gov. Ron Ramsey, hosted a similar event for the Tennessee delegation. Rep. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., and former Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, both also reportedly considering a run at the governor’s seat, had prominent speaking roles at the convention.

“We have a very strong bench,” Rep. Wamp said. “It’s made for quite a few fun jokes this week.”

Several potential Democratic gubernatorial candidates, including Rep. Lincoln Davis, D-Tenn., and former state House Majority Leader Kim McMillan, hosted luncheons and receptions during the Democratic National Convention last week in Denver.

THOMPSON TO STAY ACTIVE IN POLITICS

Former Sen. Fred Thompson, who ran in the Republican presidential primary before dropping out in January, has formed a political action committee to raise money for candidates who “support a platform of conservative, principles-based leadership and policies.”

Sen. Thompson, a former star on NBC’s “Law & Order,” was the keynote speaker Tuesday during the Republican National Convention.

The Web site for “Fred PAC,” www.fredpac.com, features videos of Sen. Thompson’s speeches, news clippings and links for visitors to donate money and volunteer.

“We conservatives need to elect men and women at every level of government who will develop and promote the kind of innovative, free-market and principles-based policies that led our great nation to the pinnacle of Western civilization,” Mr. Thompson states on the Web site.

TUKE TO RIDE OBAMA COATTAILS

U.S. Senate candidate Bob Tuke said he will coordinate at least some of his campaign with that of Barack Obama.

Mr. Tuke, a Nashville attorney and former state Democratic Party chairman, is taking on Sen. Lamar Alexander, R-Tenn.

“I just met with the Obama coordinator in Memphis, talking about opening a joint headquarters there,” said Mr. Tuke, who was the Tennessee political director for Sen. Obama’s campaign during the primary. “The Obama campaign will be active in Tennessee.”

Mr. Tuke said he expects Sen. Obama to do better in Tennessee than polls are indicating. Two August polls taken before the conventions show Sen. Obama trailing Sen. McCain by wide margins.

“Those poll numbers do not reflect the kind of turnout we’re going to have from two important demographics: African-Americans and young voters,” Mr. Tuke said. “If the turnout in Shelby County is anything like what I think it’s going to be, Tennessee will most definitely be in play, and that’s what we’re counting on.”

Compiled by staff writer Herman Wang of the Washington Bureau.

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