Instead of completing his term as a quiet conservative representing the 7th Congressional District, Ed Bryant is promoting the election of Republicans into Congress.
At a dutch treat luncheon Saturday, Bryant said he believes the Senate needs more conservative Republicans.
“If you like gridlock and don’t want anything to happen up in Washington, vote for the Democrats,” Bryant said. “But, if you want something to get done up there in regards to prescription drugs for senior citizens, better security in our homeland defense and other things like that, then vote for Lamar Alexander.”
Alexander beat Bryant in the primary election for a Tennessee Senate seat this year. Though Alexander was the competition, Bryant still supports his election.
“We had a good primary election, and he beat me,” Bryant said. “I am fully supporting his candidacy, however, I urge people to get out there and vote for him.”
He went on to say one of the main reasons he opposed Bob Clement, the Democratic Senate nominee and Alexander’s competition, was Clement’s legislative voting record.
“I vote with the president 98 percent of the time on passing bills, and Alexander votes with him 99 percent of the time,” Bryant said. “Clement only votes with the president 52 percent of the time.”
Since Alexander is a conservative like Bryant, his election to the Senate would be just as crucial to Republicans Bryant said.
Bryant also spoke in support of Van Hilleary’s run for the Tennessee governor’s seat. He said if Republicans gained more control in the legislature, it would be beneficial in every aspect of the government.
“We will be able to move forward, that common sense Conservative agenda that President Bush was elected on, once we get control of the leadership,” Bryant said.
After working with Hilleary, Bryant said although he had different positions on issues than Hilleary, he knew Hilleary would help get the budget balanced.
Tennessee is not the only state with a chance to get Republicans to Congress.
Republican Jim Talent is running for office in Missouri.
The Missouri election is also important for Republicans in Tennessee, Bryant said. If Talent is elected, he would be sworn in immediately, and this would be a great opportunity for Republicans Bryant added.
“There are currently 50 Democrats in the Senate, 49 Republicans and one Independent that votes with the Democrats,” Bryant said. “If Talent is elected, he would take the place of Sen. Jean Carnahan.”
Calahan was sworn in after her husband Mel won the election, but died before he could assume office. Since there were unusual circumstances involved, and she was only to hold the office until another senator was elected, the next person will take over before the swearing-in in January Bryant said.
If there was a lame duck Session, Talent could vote with Republicans and affect the passage of bills before next year. A lame duck session occurs in Congress in even-numbered years after the November elections to consider various items of unfinished business before the swearing in of new members.
Bryant finished by talking of the future. He said he had “no idea” what he was going to do after leaving office, but did not think he would be campaigning for any political office soon.
“It’s like a woman having a baby,” Bryant said. “When you ask her as soon as she has the baby if she wants another one, she’s like ‘nah’. That’s what I feel like.”
He added that he would keep his mind open, and try to help out those conservative Republicans trying to get elected. He also said focusing on family and his marriage are his main goals for the immediate future.
“I enjoyed my service and look forward to a continuation of that,” Bryant said. “I plan to stay in Tennessee and travel back and forth to Washington. When the right opportunity comes along at the right time, I’ll look at that.”
