Cleaning out the Inbox - Governor and Party Roundup

-Gary Odom was elected by Democrats in the General Assembly. It appears to be a protest vote against Bredesen, punishment for his beneign neglect of them. Odom and Bredesen never been close. If anyone recalls, Odom raised significant questions about finances and contracts on Bredesen's original deal with Titans. Odom was right but nobody cared. Football can always trump politics.

-Gov. Bredesen has appointed Stuart Brunson to be new Deputy Governor, replacing Dave Cooley. This is a speed-bump of a story. Brunson's appointment will mean little practical change as Cooley and Brunson have long worked together as a team. A new face is all this is really about. The only significant change that Brunson's appointment will bring is even more influence for Johnny Hayes, Bredesen's chief fundraiser. Brunson and Hayes are business partners in various lobbying interests. The pick of the new Deputy Governor is all in the family.

-Not getting the tap for Deputy Governor was Randy Button, former Democratic state party chair. Failing to get the spot, Button has formed a lobbying company of his own.

-Bredesen apparently will tap Gray Sasser, son of former U.S. Senator Sasser, to be the new Democratic state party chair. A weak move by Bredesen as there seems to be some doubts about Gray's fundraising abilities. All this is of course subject to a vote next week by the state party executive committee. But really, whoever Bredesen wants in this role, he'll get.