Bredesen Kicks Off Campaign

Governor Phil Bredesen’s 4-day campaign kick-off tour stopped in Gallatin today.

The large crowd of supporters wore campaign stickers, waved signs and ate barbeque while ‘Rocky Top’ blared from the speakers.

Laine Williams lives in Gallatin and works for the Tennessee Education Association. She supports Bredesen and says she’d like to see more done with education.

“Just a lower classroom, pupil teacher ratios and better working conditions for the teachers. I think he’s done about all he can do with the salaries and they appreciate that part of it but there’s always more.”

Most members of the crowd were pro-Bredesen, except for the ‘Trooper Bear.’ Sponsored by the Republican Party, the bear has been following Bredesen around on this tour to call attention to issues with the Tennessee Highway Patrol.

The Republicans have criticized Bredesen for taking campaign contributions in return for favorable promotions. He called the bear the “silly side” of politics, but acknowledged the seriousness of the problems within the THP.

“The politics in the highway patrol have been going on for sixty years in our state. It didn’t start on my watch. I guess you can criticize me for not quickly enough understanding how deeply they are ingrained but once I did, I think we moved very quickly. The top management of the highway patrol is no longer there.”

Bredesen told the ‘City Paper’ that he’s offered to return contributions made by troopers.

Campaign spokesperson Will Pinkston says the offer was informal and that the campaign hasn’t received any requests for reimbursements.