D.D. 02/08/05

Calling Governor Phil Bredesen a "nice guy," GOP Chairman Bob Davis quickly pointed out that he still thought the Governor could be beaten by the right GOP candidate, despite the calls for Bredesen to be a national candidate. The list of candidates he backs up the comment with is short, though. Names he mentioned include former U.S. Senator Fred Thompson, U.S. Sen. Bill Frist and Third District Congressman Zach Wamp as well as "out-of-the-box" candidate Stephen F. Flatt, president of David Lipscomb University in Nashville. None of those candidates seem likely, however there was some rumor that Senator Frist might come back to run for Governor knowing, as history shows, that Governors seem to have a better shot at the Presidency than members of Congress. Wamp also seems more viable now that he has turned down the Senate race he originally made plans to run in in support of Chattanooga Mayor Bob Corker. The question for these prospective candidates, though, is the question of whether any Republican, regardless of their profile can beat Bredesen.