There's no such thing as clean coal

Just ask the canary:

http://thisisreality.org

or, Andy Berke?

So, I read Andy Berke's column in the Tennessee. About how he's a Democrat and proud.

And I started thinking: this guy's running for Governor.

Here's why: He spent a fair amount of time this cycle campaigning for other Democrats around the state. He raised record amounts for his state Senate bid. He's not even 40. He's well-positioned to be a high profile Democrat in a Senate with just 14 Ds.

The only other Democrat actively running is Kim McMillan.

Andy could run for Governor and still keep his Senate seat.

Hmm. Will Andy Berke make a move in that direction early in 2009?

Tennessee's Next Governor?

www.kimmcmillan.com

Bill Clinton in KY

So, why is Bill Clinton campaigning in Kentucky?

Because Mitch McConnell is in trouble.

Trust me. He's not doing just to be nice to Bruce Lunsford. If Bruce was more than 5 down, the DSCC and Clinton would be focused elsewhere. Public polls show the race consistently tied. What's more, it has been months since McConnell has been above 50.

If Mitch McConnell, the Republican Leader in the U.S. Senate, is in trouble -- the GOP is in trouble.

Mitch may well win the race. He always does well in tough races and he's a champion of the negative campaign.

But with Bill Clinton campaigning there ... and with Obama pulling to within 8 in Kentucky, Lunsford has a good shot.

And in 2 years, Jim Bunning is up. Will 2010 be the year Ben Chandler makes the leap from the House to the Senate?

Bill Frist for Governor?

So, I received an automated phone call today from Chicago. It was Bill Frist. Yep, the former U.S. Senator from Tennessee. Not sure why he was calling from Chicago. Oh, and his message was that I should vote for Diane Black for State Senate.

I'm not voting for Diane Black, by the way. I'm voting for Jim Hawkins. Jim will be a proud progressive voice in the legislature ... and will work with members of both parties to get things done. Plus, when Governor Bredesen called to ask me to vote for Jim, he called from Gallatin. That's a lot closer than Chicago.

Anyway, it seems Bill Frist finds himself avidly campaigning for a number of Republicans in State House and Senate races this year. This, of course, is fueling speculation that he will run for Governor in 2010. If he does, he will almost certainly be the GOP nominee and will start out as a heavy favorite to win.

Democrats have one "announced" candidate: former House Majority Leader Kim McMillan has formed an exploratory committee and raised a decent sum of money. If Frist jumps into the race, McMillan may be the only Democrat who would be willing to take him on.

As for the 18th District State Senate race between Diane Black and Jim Hawkins, after Frist's call, I decided to do some door-to-door work in the rain. I hit about 20 houses and asked the voters I found at home to vote for my friend Jim Hawkins. So, Bill Frist did move this voter. Just not in the direction he probably wanted.

Here I am!

I'm here now, at andy2012.blogspot.com

Like my previous blogging efforts, this blog will focus on politics.

However, this blog is designed both to raise new issues warranting attention and respond to claims raised by both parties. This blog will be decidely more focused on Tennessee.

For example, I sometimes listen to Steve Gill in the morning on the radio -- I may respond here to some of his rants.

I may raise issues about our U.S. Senators.

I may provide analysis about happenings at the State Capitol.

And, I may provide my thoughts on a range of current events.

For tonight, I'm enjoying the Democratic National Convention.