[srmorton]

That’s true about the hearings, but I think Huckabee (who makes my skin crawl) is the one who really helped McCain by staying in the race as long as he did. I did not know enough about Fred’s political career in Tennessee (although I am right next door in NC) to know that he had helped to bring down a governor. Thanks for the info!

[cva66snipe]

If you ever get a chance watch the movie "Marie". Marie was the Corrections Commissioner during former governor Blanton's term. Her boyfriend was likely murdered by ones involved in the Cash for clemency scandal. This was early 1980's events. People paid Blanton cash and he pardoned them. Thus his nickname "Pardon Me Ray". A few of his pardoned killers freedom was short lived as they killed again.

Fred Thompson was Marie's defense lawyer. Basically Blanton and cronies tried to lay the blame on her and she was in fact innocent. Thompson was the one who took the governor and his illicit businesses down in court. IIRC Lamar Alexander was sworn in as governor early because they feared Blanton would pardon more before he left office. A Wiki search on Ray Blanton should give you most the details.