So, I met Mike McWherter last night. I’ve seen him around through the years, but never chatted with him. I know his sister who is a philanthropist in the area, but not him.
And being all Brenda Starr and all, I asked him a couple of questions, because, you know, that’s what folks like me do.
I asked him when and if he was going to announce. There was a bit of the political shmooze thing and he said he wasn’t avoiding my question.
I said I thought he might be.
It was all quite pleasant.
He said that he was going to Washington this week and then he should have an announcement right after that.
I asked him if Fred Thompson finally announcing was critical and he did say he was watching that although he did think Fred jumped in the race a bit late. I asked if it was being taken into consideration that a Thompson announcement might give Lamar Alexander some momentum. He agreed that was a consideration. To his credit, he spoke of this with a great deal of candor.
He said it was crucial to make a decision soon so if he wasn’t going to run, then another democratic candidate could get in.
Now remember, talking to a reporter in a situation like this where there are homemade sandwiches and pies in the armory named after his grandparents is a bit different than talking to candidates in an urban setting. I actually much prefer this way of doing it.
But, let me say this and I’m editorializing here, why would McWherter have come to a Weakley County Democratic Rally and not be considering jumping in soon?
Now, let’s break it down over the past couple of months from across the state, shall we?
Ken Whitehouse has his comprehensive background from the Nashville Post from June 22.
If you don’t know McWherter, here is a summary written by Whitehouse.
No stranger to the political world, McWherter has been intensely involved in Tennessee politics throughout his life. Well known among the state’s Democratic activists, McWherter served most recently as treasurer of State Sen. Lowe Finney’s successful campaign that unseated party-switcher Don McLeary. He has been a longtime political advisor to West Tennessee Democratic Congressman John Tanner.
From 1987 to 1995, Ned Ray McWherter served as Tennessee’s governor. Arguably one of the most popular politicans in recent Tennessee history, alongside Republicans like former U. S. Sen. Howard Baker and the late East Tennessee Congressman Jimmy Quillen, the elder McWherter still looms large over Tennessee’s political landscape. In the years after he left office, it was not uncommon to see “I miss Ned” bumper-stickers on cars throughout the state.
John Tanner and Lowe Finney were also at the rally last night as was Sen. Roy Herron.
Jackson Baker at the Memphis Flyer wrote about McWherter, also back in June of this year.
R. Neal wrote in Facing South that there might be another name being tossed around for a democratic nominee for the Senate seat. And that would be Bill Purcell. His post was from just last week.
Tom Humphreys of the Knoxville News Sentinel interviewed former Gov. Ned McWherter in an excellent article on August 25. Here’s what he wrote about Mike’s father talking about his son’s political aspirations:
If Mike McWherter follows his father’s advice, his decision on running for the U.S. Senate may hinge on Fred Thompson’s decision on running for president.
“He’s got the itch to do public service pretty bad,” said former Gov. Ned McWherter of his son. “I told him I don’t know where he inherited that.”
In a telephone interview, Ned McWherter said the two had a “long talk” on the possibility of a race against Republican Sen. Lamar Alexander next year. While promising to “organize and do whatever I can do” to help if his son runs, the former governor said he also counseled caution.
“Next year is going to be a dangerous year for Democrats,” he said, adding that Tennessee is shaping up as “a whole different ball game than nationally.”
And from An Enduring Democratic Majority, a good point about how an announcement from McWherter might shake things up.
If Mike McWherter jumps into the race, it instantly becomes competitive. Governor McWherter was one of the most popular leaders in Tennessee history and the name “McWherter” alone would give Mike a huge boost in name-recognition and favorability.
In addition, Alexander isn’t overwhelmingly popular in Tennessee right now. The most recent Survey USA Approval Ratings for Tennessee put Alexander just over 50 percent, at 53. Considering that Alexander is still serving his first term and is not a deeply entrenched incumbent, there should be reason for alarm among Republicans.
Last November DLC candidate of choice Harold Ford Jr. came within an eyelash of defeating Senator Bob Corker in an open seat competition. Ford Jr., who ran a campaign of trying to be more conservative than his Republican counterpart, may have sealed his fate by being too reactionary and alienating the minority of liberals in the state, who perhaps did not show up to vote. The final vote tally was:
Corker (R): 51%
Ford (D): 48%
Choate (I): 1%
And, finally, here is a video from NashFlix, also from June, with McWherter talking about a run against Alexander.
And Adam Kleinheider has been writing about him for months. Here’s a round-up.
Especially this one, where ACK breaks it down on whether McWherter has a chance to beat Alexander, responding from a post from David Oatney.
My opinion on whether he’ll run.
He’s in.
If he doesn’t run, then I’ll own that, but I think he’ll announce by Oct. 7th.
Why Oct. 7th?
No other reason than its my birthday which doesn’t have a damn thing to do with anything, but pleases me to say anyway. 
I expect presents. Like an interview or something.
