Wamp gubernatorial campaign launches statewide tour

CLEVELAND, Tenn. -- U.S. Rep Zach Wamp launched his "Vision 20/20" state tour here Tuesday, hoping to become the Republican candidate for Tennessee governor.

"This is where I expect the highest percentage of the vote on the day I'm elected," Rep. Wamp, R-Tenn., told an overflow crowd of hundreds during breakfast at the Mountain View Holiday Inn in traditionally Republican Bradley County.

Asked later about the national health care debate taking place at town hall meetings as Rep. Wamp and other members of Congress take their summer recess, he said the number of Americans concerned about their future health care is growing. As a member of Congress, Mr. Wamp said he expects health care questions during his tour.

"People are rightly concerned because this could be a life-and-death issue," he said.

Rep. Wamp's GOP rivals also are finding health care on the minds of voters.

Josh Thomas, speaking for candidate Bill Gibbons, the district attorney in Shelby County, said Tuesday that "the congressman probably speaks more to this issue since it is a federal issue. But (Mr. Gibbons) is concerned because of its impact on state government.

"For now, however, there is a giant question mark over this; what this will look like. We just don't know yet."

Mr. Gibbons will bring his campaign to Chattanooga and Cleveland on Aug. 17.

Brad Todd, speaking for candidate Lt. Gov. Ron Ramsey, R-Blountville, said Tennessee Republicans "have four candidates with a lot to brag about" but he said Lt. Gov. Ramsey already has a proven conservative spending record in state government.

"Ron Ramsey is the only candidate ready to be governor the first day," Mr. Todd said.

Hundreds of spectators turned out Monday for Lt. Gov. Ramsey's campaign event in Sullivan County.

The campaign of Knoxville Mayor Bill Haslam did not respond to a request for comment.

Rep. Wamp's campaign tour includes 29 counties in 27 days, but he said he already has visited most Tennessee counties.

Cleveland Mayor Tom Rowland said "this is Zach's county," and credited the congressman for saving Cleveland's Whirlpool plant.

"Zach saved that company," Mr. Rowland said about federal detention ponds to prevent flooding at the Whirlpool site.

He also credited Rep. Wamp for working to bring Volkswagen and Wacker Chemical to the area.