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Tennessee Sen. Bob Corker unhappy with student loan politics (with video)

photo U.S. Sen. Bob Corker talks with Lou Patten and Kay Shamblin on Monday after speaking to a crowd of business leaders attending a coffee gathering at the Cleveland/Bradley Chamber of Commerce.
Two Civil War re-enactors fire a cannon Sunday in remembrance of 19 dead soldiers, who remained tombstones for as long as 150 years at Mount Holly cemetery.

Civil War re-enactors fire cannon to remember soldiers

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LOOK ELSEWHERE FOR VICE PRESIDENTFor those watching the GOP vice presidential search, U.S. Sen. Bob Corker wants folks to know one thing:Don’t expect the candidate to be from Tennessee, including himself.Presumptive GOP presidential nominee Mitt Romney already has a business background, Corker said, and Tennessee already is presumed to be in the GOP win column.The Volunteer State “is not going to be a swing state,” Corker, a Republican seeking a second Senate term in November, told residents at a morning coffee gathering at the Cleveland/Bradley Chamber of Commerce.He said he has not talked with Romney about a running mate but was clear about who the VP nominee would not be.Corker fielded questions ranging from the Middle East, Egypt’s election, the American economy and the European budget crisis to civility in Congress.– Compiled by staff writer Randall HigginsHOW THEY VOTEDYeaSen. Saxby Chambliss (R-GA)Sen. Johnny Isakson (R-GA)Rep. Chuck Fleischmann (R-TN)Rep. Scott DesJarlais (R-TN)NaySen. Bob Corker (R-TN)Rep. Phil Gingrey (R-GA)Rep. Tom Graves (R-GA)Not VotingSen. Lamar Alexander (R-TN)Source: U.S. Senate and House of RepresentativesABOUT THE LAWIn 2007, Congress passed the College Cost Reduction and Access Act, which, among other things, gradually reduced the interest rate for subsidized student loans. This year the rate was 3.4 percent. The law was set to expire June 30, which would have meant interest rates would have doubled. Congress voted last week to maintain interest rates at their current level.

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Tennessee Sen. Bob Corker to offer broad reform plan

A key Congressional vote at the last hour to keep interest rates on student loans from doubling was nothing more than political maneuvering, Tennessee’s junior senator said Monday.

“What has happened is that President [Barack] Obama made it a campaign issue and Mitt Romney [the Republican presidential nominee] quickly agreed,” U.S. Sen. Bob Corker, R-Tenn., said during an editorial board meeting at the Chattanooga Times Free Press on Monday.

Pressure on lawmakers to act on student loans mounted last week. Interest rates on subsidized Stafford loans, awarded based on financial need, were to