Former U.S. Sen. Bill Brock, R-Tenn., endorsed GOP gubernatorial candidate Zach Wamp today, calling the Chattanooga congressman a “strong leader” who will “be a great governor for Tennessee.”
“I have watched Zach closely throughout his career in public service,” Mr. Brock, a former Lookout Mountain resident, said of Rep. Wamp. “Zach has set a new standard with his energetic leadership, common-sense approach and ability to get things done that really matter to the people of Tennessee.”
Mr. Brock said that “whether it’s working for healthier children, safer neighborhoods, better schools or creating better-paying jobs, Zach offers the people of Tennessee the kind of vision, energy and enthusiasm needed to move the entire state to even greater success.”
Rep. Wamp thanked Mr. Brock, saying he was “deeply grateful” to the former 3rd Congressional District congressman who later served in the Senate from 1971 to 1977.
Rep. Wamp declared Monday he was running for governor in 2010. Democratic Gov. Phil Bredesen is barred by the Tennessee Constitution from seeking seek a third term. Knoxville Mayor Bill Haslam and Shelby County District Attorney General Bill Gibbons are also seeking the Republican nomination.
State Sen. Andy Berke, D-Chattanooga, former state Rep. Kim McMillan, D-Clarksville, former Tennessee Democratic Party Chairman Doug Horne of Knoxville, West Tennessee businessman Mike McWherter and Nashville businessman Ward Cammack are all weighing bids.
See tomorrow's Times Free Press for more details.
Andy Sher is a Nashville-based staff writer covering Tennessee state government and politics for the Times Free Press. A Washington correspondent from 1999-2005 for the Times Free Press, Andy previously headed up state Capitol coverage for The Chattanooga Times, worked as a state Capitol reporter for The Nashville Banner and was a contributor to The Tennessee Journal, among other publications. Andy worked for 17 years at The Chattanooga Times covering police, health care, county government, ...
I disagree strongly with Mr. Brock and I do not have a problem responding when such assertive statements are made by others. All of us forget at different times just how messed up we really are. I love Zach as my Christian brother and I would be very much at ease inviting him out for a cup of coffee or praying with him. But as Abraham Lincoln pointed out, Christians on either side of the civil war were praying for victory. Civil disagreement is helpful and necessary.
Mr. Wamp is not a strong leader. In fact, he has set a very weak tone for others to follow in government. I could name many areas of concern I have but suffice it to say here for conciseness sake, three points clearly stand out to me. In a word, Mr. Wamp is a man who adapts and converts to the moment, not the need.
First, Mr. Wamp pledged to TN voters to only serve 6 terms as a US Rep. He lied to me and other TN voters. All one has to do is consider such men as Mr. Frist, Hilleary and Bryant and others who honored their word above fame to realize the folly of Mr. Wamp's decision. It appears Mr. Wamp is not confident enough to make it on his own in life off the Taxpayer’s dollar. The concept of being a citizen legislature has eluded Mr. Wamp.
Second, his support of Mr. Rangel’s' museum in New York said to me that cutting our budget was non-essential. I find this particularly bothersome considering Mr. Wamp proclaimed his earnest desire to cut pork from the budget.
Third, his yes vote on the Bailout plan was a clear indication of how he views America’s market system. He does not genuinely trust the market to correct itself. He felt Taxpayer’s children would not mind. This is a sad commentary for Republican leadership in Congress. And I’m sorry to say, there are other Republicans in Congress who are even more liberal then Mr. Wamp. I genuinely believe he should be running as a Democrat. If he is a standard for conservative Republican leadership, America truly is due for a political shipwreck.
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