Sundquist will vote for Henry - Says Hilleary would be 'horrible governor'

NASHVILLE - Gov. Don Sundquist said on Thursday he will vote for Jim Henry to succeed him in the Republican primary, believing Van Hilleary would be a "horrible governor."

Sundquist said he "could say the same thing" about Phil Bredesen, the apparent front-runner for the Democratic gubernatorial nomination, though he and the former Nashville mayor "get along fine personally."

"I think Bredesen has lost a great opportunity to exhibit leadership. All he's done is 'me, too' to Van Hilleary," he said.

Sundquist also reaffirmed his support for Lamar Alexander in the Republican U.S. Senate primary. He characterized Ed Bryant, Alexander's chief rival, as a longtime friend but less likely to win over a Democrat in November.

Both Hilleary and Bryant, the governor said, are running campaigns with questionable tactics.

"Ed and Van's campaigns have hired guns who are extremists and will do anything to get their candidates elected," he said.

Sundquist, responding to a question during a luncheon meeting with reporters, said, "I'm going to vote for Jim Henry."

"He's willing to discuss issues. He's willing to debate issues. He's willing to offer solutions," said the governor. "He's not spending all his time attacking me. I'm a has-been."

In contrast, he said Hilleary "is not saying what he's for, only what he's against running a totally negative campaign."

Hilleary has made opposition to a state income tax a focal point of his campaign and has frequently criticized Sundquist for supporting such a levy. Henry has said he also opposes an income tax, while calling for a state constitutional convention to draft a tax reform proposal for a statewide vote.

Sundquist has opposed a constitutional convention, but said Henry, in making the proposal, "has offered a solution" that Hilleary and Bredesen have not.

Bredesen and Hilleary have both been critical of Sundquist's administration. The governor said he has tried not to get involved in the race, but "I keep getting pulled into it. I don't know why they (Bredesen and Hilleary) are running against me. I'm not running for anything but retirement," he said.

The governor said he did not consider his comments "an endorsement" of Henry and was merely "saying what I think" in response to questions.

"Based on what I know and based on the campaign he's running now, Van Hilleary would be a horrible governor. He's got an opportunity to change," said Sundquist. "I could say the same thing about Bredesen."

If Hilleary wins the Republican primary, Sundquist said he will nonetheless "support all Republican party nominees" in the general election.

"I'm not saying he's hopeless," said Sundquist of Hilleary. "I'd say the same thing about Phil Bredesen."

Sundquist said serving as governor was much different and much more difficult than campaigning.

"You can't just call your pollster and say 'We've got a prison riot. What should I do?' " he said.

Sundquist said he was concerned about the general political picture, both in campaigns and the Legislature, despite "a lot of good people" involved.

"I hope it's just a cycle we're going through. We're at a period of extremism on both sides a lot of single-issue candidates," he said. "It's not as bad in Congress as it is here. We need some people who will be bipartisan. We need people who offer solutions."

Jennifer Coxe, spokeswoman for Hilleary's campaign, said the governor's remarks were not surprising because Sundquist "recruited Jim Henry and has worked behind the scenes on his behalf."

"Don Sundquist has been trying to keep the income tax debate alive and electing Jim Henry effectively gives him a third term. Don Sundquist knows that a vote for Van is a vote against Don Sundquist and the income tax," Coxe said.

Bredesen spokeswoman Lydia Lenker said that "Gov. Sundquist is clearly frustrated. The last few years have been visibly difficult for him. Now it's time for fresh leadership it's time to look forward and not backward and move beyond finger-pointing and name-calling," said Lenker.

Henry, asked for comment, issued this statement: "I appreciate the vote of everyone in this race. ... I expect to win the Republican primary and look forward to having the support of Congressman Hilleary. And if Van becomes our nominee, he will receive my vote and support."

Justin Hunter, campaign manager for Bryant, said the campaign was "even-keeled" rather than extremist.

"If Tennesseans don't want six years worth of what Gov. Don Sundquist thinks our next senator ought to be, then Ed Bryant is solid, tax-cutting alternative," said Hunter.

Alexander has said that he did not solicit Sundquist's support but is glad to have it. Sundquist said his prior public pronouncement of backing Alexander came after a private conversation with Bryant, during which he told the congressman he would support the former governor.

Sundquist also predicted that a $933 million tax increase approved by the Legislature means the next governor will have at least two years - "probably about three, 31/2" - of adequate funding for state government under the present tax structure. Gubernatorial terms run four years.

"It's clear to me that the next governor is going to have to face the budget crunch again," he said. "I think you're looking at the possibility of a one-term governor."

Sundquist, Alexander, and Henry are cut from the same mold--they are liberals with a republican label.

The senate does not need another liberal republican, nor does Tennessee need another four years with a Sundquist clone as governor.

I am shocked and outraged to learn that Hillary, after carpet-bagging her way into a NY Senate senate, is now seeking to become Governor of Tennessee. I suppose that she is claiming that Al Gore's service as VP somehow gives her a basis to run, but nevertheless that is an outrageous, unjustified, grasping . . .

What? It's not Hillary? It's some guy name Van Hilleary? Never mind.

Meanwhile...... across the state, voters are learning about Ed Bryant and are gladly giving him their support in the primary against Lamar.

Word on the street is that Lamar really is a has been whose time has past.

Pass the word...... Ed Bryant is the man for Tennessee in the US Senate.

So far Sundquist has endorsed Mike Greene (one of his staffers), Alexander, and Henry. I would rather vote democrat that vote for them. At least then I would KNOW I was voting for a crook.

Indirectly he has also endorsed David Kustoff over our champion and his enemy, Marsha Blackburn. This is going to be a knock-down-drag-out race. I suspect most will vote in blocks: Conservatives: Hilleary, Bryant, Blackburn, Bowling and RINOs: Henry, Alexander, Kustoff, Greene.

"Ed and Van's campaigns have hired guns who are extremists and will do anything to get their candidates elected," he said.

Ha Ha! Doesn't that sound a lot like Hillary Clinton's "vast right wing conspiracy"? Well I want to be a card carrying member of Clinton's "right wing conpiracy" AND Sundquist's "group of extremists." I will gladly sign my name in blood to be part of either patriotic group that opposes tyrants and socialists!

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