At the GOP's Statesmen Dinner, strategy and inspiration

[Jackson4Gore]

At the GOP's Statesmen Dinner, strategy and inspiration

By MATT GOURAS, Associated Press
June 19, 2005

NASHVILLE - Roughly 1,000 Republicans and contributors gathered in Nashville on Saturday night, pitching a message of optimism amid high hopes for upcoming state races.

The annual Statesmen's Dinner, held this year at the Gaylord Opryland Hotel, is a place for the GOP to motivate the troops and talk about political plans.

At the top of the list are plans to hold onto the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by Majority Leader Bill Frist, and make more inroads in the state Legislature during the 2006 elections.

Party officials said they are looking for a high-profile candidate to challenge Gov. Phil Bredesen next year, hoping to take advantage of recent bad publicity facing him on such issues as TennCare.

"I feel confident that we are going to have a good shot at Gov. Bredesen at the end of the day," Party Chairman Bob Davis said. "He's a guy that's presiding over the largest budget the state's ever had."

Republicans touted a new 17-16 majority in the state Senate, but largely avoided the sticky topic of failing to use that majority earlier this year to elect a Republican leader of the chamber. They also pointed to gains in the state House where they are just a few seats away from a majority there as well.

The Republican primary for Frist's seat is thick with candidates vying to join Lamar Alexander as a Tennessee senator. Party officials predicted any of the Republicans could easily handle the Democratic challenger - possibly Congressman Harold Ford Jr.

"They're kidding themselves if they think if they have a good chance to win Frist's seat," Davis said of the Democrats. "We feel pretty good about things."

Frist did not use the occasion to clarify whether he's running for president in 2008, only promising that he would come back to Tennessee when his term ends in 18 months.

Frist spoke to Republicans on a number of national issues, such as the administration's handling of the Guantanamo Bay prison and the need to get away from a restrictive timeline to determine success in Iraq.

The Republicans, who didn't release fund-raising totals for the event, predicted the biggest numbers yet for a Statesmen's Dinner. A basic ticket cost $250, with price tags running as high as $5,000 to get a seat at some tables.

Sen. John Thune, R-South Dakota, popular in the GOP for topping Democrat Tom Daschle in last year's election, was the guest of honor for the Republicans.

[Jackson4Gore]

1. Little arrogant are we?

You think you have a shot at the Governor? Not a chance.

You don't think Harold can beat one of your 3 stooges? Wake up!

Just let them keep being cocky and see where it lands them. This is our state and it is our time to rise up. They may have Bill Frist but we are the ones that have the goods! Al Gore, Phil Bredesen, Harold Ford, ect! Frist or anyone they have don't hold a candle to the wind to any of our guys!

Lets win this thing!