The Curious Case Of Sen. Andy Berke
I don’t know Sen. Andy Berke, but I like some of the things he is doing. I know personally that he is accessible, he has an air of transparency about him that seems refreshing and Tennessee needs something different.
After reading his op-ed penned in November for The Tennessean, I have to say I was pretty impressed. The reason is that he was unapologetic for his enthusiasm for his party and for the state of Tennessee. Enthusiasm, is as they say, of the good.
GoldnI also makes a good point that east Tennessee is going to be prime fighting ground in the next gubernatorial race. I realize that I’m probably going to get tossed around by saying this, but west Tennessee’s elected democrats appear to be wallowing a bit right now. As I’m in the west, I tend to pay attention to who represents me. However, I do believe that Berke is looking at all parts of the state and I dig that. Immensely.
I think it is also very important to note that Sean Braisted, an unpaid blogger (I doubt for long), broke the story of Berke exploring the run for governor.
Citizen Journalism strikes again.
Now down to the reality of a run. Adam Kleinheider knows his history a bit better than I do, but I’m wondering how long our state has gone two terms democrat, two terms Republican?
Something to think about, or maybe it’s just me getting all history-a-fied.
From a rural perspective, I do believe that if Berke reaches out to college towns across the state, he could create a buzz with excited new voters. He’s young and seems to be like the average guy (I refuse to say Joe. I’m still damaged by Joe the Plumber) in many ways and might be able to create a following early. Not just my college town, but others across the state. I’m finding that young democrats have a hunger right now that Berke just might be able to tap.
Passion in the politics, so to speak.
Took a break from political punditry over the holidays. Guess I’m back.
“but I’m wondering how long our state has gone two terms democrat, two terms Republican?”
That has been the trend since the election of Lamar Alexander in 1978. From 1954 to 1978, the Tennessee constitution limited the governor to a single 4-year term.
Alexander was the first governor elected under the new constitution allowing a governor up to two 4-year terms. Since then, every governor elected has also been re-elected to a second term and the party affiliation has alternated back and forth between the two major parties.
Alexander (R) — 1979-1987
McWherter (D) — 1987-1995
Sundquist (R) — 1995-2003
Bredesen (D) — 2003-2011
Thanks. That answers my question.
Trends are broken all the time…we are a pattern seeking animal, so we get comfort in them even if they aren’t applicable to current situations.
As per ACK’s prediction that Haslam will be the next Governor, I think he puts too much stock in the money angle. While its true that the person with the most campaign funds typically wins, its also true that this is because donors generally go with a winner. When you are talking about a self-financer, that rule is diminished.
Andy Berke isn’t Barack Obama, but there are some parallels. If he can raise enough money to get his message out, there is a good chance the people of Tennessee will buck the East TN Republican establishment and opt for a fresh face that has the areas of emphasis that the people want (as personified in the Democratic Party’s values), but at the same time a somewhat fresh break from the current administration.
He also needs to build a strong ground game, a la Obama, and I can’t help but wonder if that’s what our little meeting last week may be leading towards.
Not, mind you, that that is a bad thing at all.
I wish I’d been there. Dang Hoots! I’m digging Andy Berke. Been looking at his voting background.
A strong ground game, as LWC said, is important.
As TVA said, it’s alternated since the late 70s, but before that Winfield Dunn was the only Republican governor since the 1920’s.
It alternated in the 50s and 60s but that was Ellington and Clement swapping out. Growing up, I though they were the only ones who could be governor.