U.S. Rep. Zach Wamp, R-Tenn., said Monday that U.S. Sen. Bob Corker, R-Tenn., may be priming for a 2012 presidential bid.

He said the South Carolina Republican Party’s decision to have Sen. Corker on hand as its speaker at the May 15 Silver Elephant Banquet was “a big, big deal.”

The South Carolina GOP could have chosen Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin to speak at the banquet but picked Sen. Corker instead, Rep. Wamp said.

Sen. Corker, a former Chattanooga mayor, was born in Orangeburg, S.C.

Rep. Wamp made his remarks to the Hamilton County Pachyderm Club, where he mainly spoke about his campaign for governor.

The Chattanooga congressman told the club that he “can’t lose” in the campaign. He said that, even if he does not become governor, his family and local support will mean a lot to him.

corker knocks ’em dead

Fresh off his South Carolina speech, Sen. Corker was back in Chattanooga on Monday, discussing the U.S. economy at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga and cracking some jokes.

Sen. Corker told the audience he would have liked to have seen Tennessee Gov. Phil Bredesen become President Barack Obama’s secretary of Health and Human Services.

“I think the administration checked into Bredesen’s background and thoroughly checked his tax records and realized he had actually paid his taxes,” he joked.

In response to a question about U.S. Sen. Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania, who recently switched from the GOP to the Democratic Party, Sen. Corker responded with another laugh line.

“After 30 years of service, if you see me make a change like that, one of you, please, call me,” he said.

evans announces campaign team

Former Georgia state Rep. Mike Evans, a candidate for Congress, this week announced that state Sen. Jeff Mullis, R-Chickamauga, will head up his Northwest Georgia leadership team.

Other members of the team include Walker County Sole Commissioner Bebe Heiskell, Chickamauga City Manager John Culpepper and all five members of the Catoosa County Board of Commissioners, according to a news release.

Mr. Evans, a Republican from Ellijay, is in the running to replace U.S. Rep. Nathan Deal, R-Ga., who is running for governor of Georgia and will not seek re-election to Congress next year.

Also this week, state Rep. Tom Graves, R-Ranger, announced that he will run for Rep. Deal’s congressional seat.

twitter updates

Twitter is a social networking tool politicians sometimes use to send updates to supporters. Here’s what some local and state officials and candidates were saying this week.

* Shelby County District Attorney Bill Gibbons, GOP gubernatorial candidate, Sunday: “Attended a great worship service at Mount Pisgah Missionary Baptist this morning and promoted our mentor program there.”

* Chattanooga City Councilman Andraé McGary, Monday: “At UTC listening to Senator Corker break down what is right and wrong with our present financial situation. BTW taking good notes.”

* State Sen. Andy Berke, D-Chattanooga, Monday: “Headed to a meeting at the Chattanooga Times Press, an innocent goldfish headed into the mouth of the piranha.”

* Former state Rep. Kim McMillan, D-Clarksville, Democratic gubernatorial candidate, Tuesday: “The kids are almost out of school. I’m ready to start talking with Tennesseans even more. See you on the road.”

* Rep. Zach Wamp, GOP gubernatorial candidate, Tuesday: “20/20 vision for Tennessee will lead to production. ‘If someone does not make it, build it or grow it, you cannot service it or sell it’. ZW”

* Knoxville Mayor Bill Haslam, GOP gubernatorial candidate, Thursday: “Great to have lunch and meet new friends in Erwin with Sheriff Harris.”

* Nashville businessman Ward Cammack, Democratic gubernatorial candidate: “Henry County Democratic Women, thanks for the food. We needed it.”