Congress-stakes

The City Paper has a lengthy article detailing Jim Cooper's support for Obama the man, but not so much Obama the vehicle for a center-left policy agenda. Which got me to thinking, what if Obama taps Jim Cooper to join his cabinet if he's elected? Would Rep. Cooper rather spin his heels as the Ron Paul of the Democratic party? Constantly spinning his wheels, trying to slow the Governmental juggernaut? Or would he rather be the Director of OMB, where his love of pie-charts and slideshows will be more appreciated, and he can have a more direct impact on when and where money is spent?

If A) Obama wins, and B) he offers Cooper a cabinet position, and C) he accepts...who would run for the open seat? I'll throw out some potential candidates, and follow with a poll.

Megan Barry: In 2007, Megan Barry received more votes in the September runoff than any of the other candidates, 2K more votes than Mayoral candidate Bob Clement, and 17K more votes than Jim Cooper got in the 2002 primary in which he got 46% of the vote.

She's extremely smart, has a strong background in ethics, and would certainly appeal to those Democrats who are tired of having a safe Democratic seat represented by a center-right Blue Dogger. On the downside, her social views might be a little more scrutinized than they were in the Council election, and her husband Bruce's leadership of the ACLU might be a thorny issue with many of the voters outside of East Nashville.

Daron Hall: As Sheriff of Nashville (Davidson County), he has been embraced by many of the more conservative elements of Nashville for his support and overseeing of the 287(g) program which processes undocumented aliens who have committed a crime, for deportation. Elected in 2002, and unopposed in 2006, Hall may not win many fans in the immigrant rights community, but he certainly has cross-party appeal, which could work in his favor if Republicans were willing to walk across party lines to vote for him.

On the other hand, I've heard from people who work with him that he is happy as Sheriff, and doesn't have any plans to move out of that position. He's also been talked about as a potential Mayoral candidate someday.

John Arriola: The County Clerk who ran unsuccessfully in 2002 for the open congressional seat has earned many friends in his run for the position he holds today. He's hosted many a Democratic function at his restaurant on Nolensville Road, Norman Couser Country Cooking, and has likely boosted his name recognition since taking office and having his name plastered everywhere.

The downside is that anyone who has had a problem with someone at the Clerk's office might take that out on him...which could potentially be a lot of people.

Howard Gentry: Though with the recent birth of his child and the potential election of his wife to the School Board, he may not be interested in the position, Gentry certainly would have to qualify as a contender if he were to decide that is what he wanted to do. Having come in a very close 3rd in the Mayoral primary back in August of 2007, Gentry would likely garner a good deal of the black vote, coupled with support from the business community since taking a position at the Chamber of Commerce. He was certainly one of the better (if potentially longwinded) public speakers among all the candidates, and in a crowded primary, his support in the black community could push him over the edge.

Bob Tuke: Should he win the Senate primary, and by some unlucky turn of events lose the general to Sen. Alexander, Tuke might be in a strong position to run in a countywide primary for Congress. He'd have a large volunteer and contact list ready to go, and if thrifty, he might have some money left over after his race with Lamar. Of course, this would all hang on how his image survives against Lamar Alexander, and whether or not the press caricatures his candidacy as they have done with other longshot candidates in the past.

Other notables:

David Briley would have a group of committed volunteers off the bat, and a likely stronghold in East Nashville...though I don't know if the fire to jump back into public life is there just yet.

Mary Clement, wife of Bob, was probably the only thing that kept him from losing the initial Mayoral primary in August. Even among his detractors, most find Mary Clement to be smart, charming, and politically astute.

Please participate in the poll on the right side of the blog. If you've got any other suggestions, feel free to leave them in the comments.

Updated Mentions:

Three other names were mentioned to me as potential challengers.

Brenda Gilmore, who recently was promoted to the State House after serving in the Metro Council. Gilmore has quite a bit of play in the African American community, but how far beyond would have to be tested.

Gary Odom, as Majority Leader he'll have a bully pulpit and record of achievement perhaps unmatched by most of the other candidates for the race. However, that could be a double-edged sword as problems associated with the State House would be saddled on his shoulders.

Gray Sasser, as TNDP Chair has excelled at fundraising and gotten to be more comfortable on the radio and TV. Being the son of Jim Sasser, he'd certainly be in the position to follow in the line of Jim Cooper and Bob Clement who both descended from well known political figures and went on to hold the 5th district seat. Of course, if things go poorly across the state in November, some of that blame would likely be placed on his shoulders.

Update II:

Someone threw out the name of Chris Ferrell, a former Metro Councilman and CEO of SouthComm...the parent company of the Nashville Post and City Paper. Well, between those two papers and the Scene I think he'd be able to muster up some good press coverage, but I can't say that I know much about him, as he left office only a little while after I moved down.

Update III:

And the winner is...Gray Sasser