Until we can elect Andy Berke Governor and recapturing the legislature (hope springs eternal), we need Bredesen to step up to the plate. But he needs our positive encouragement. Just bitching about his not being progressive enough really accomplishes nothing over the next two years.

Maybe Andy Berke or Byron Traugher or Harold Ford or Dave Cooley or Larry Woods or Ned McWherter or someone from Gore’s organization or just someone, anyone, with some sense will help the Governor figure out how to be a courageous leader in times of trouble. They don’t have to b good liberals, just good politicians. It’s clear his close advisers are not much count.

I had high hopes when he appointed Bill Mason to his staff. Bill has the unique position of being the one and only real liberal on the Governor’s staff or in the cabinet. And he has real political experience. It seems, though, that other than engineering some pretty good appointments (especially maneuvering Robin Smith off the Human Rights Commission and exposing her racism and stupidity in the process), he is not being utilized by Chilly Phil.

Yes, the General Assembly has been overcome by the right wingers, but we have a popular new president, plenty of good people in Tennessee, and every reason not to give up. We just need him to lead. And I am ready to be a positive reinforcement for anything he is willing to do along those lines. But is he willing?