Bredesen Down But Not Out

Phil Bredesen is telling people in Tennessee he's out as HHS Secretary.

Gov. Phil Bredesen told top legislative leaders this morning that he doesn’t think President Obama will nominate him for the U.S. Health and Human Services secretary position, lawmakers said.

House Democratic Leader Gary Odom of Nashville confirmed that Gov. Bredesen, a Democrat, made the remarks during his weekly meeting with House and Senate leaders.

“It came up during breakfast,” Rep. Odom said. “He basically said he’s expecting to remain governor of the state of Tennessee.”

On top of everything else wrong with Bredesen, it would leave a Republican to succeed him as Governor of Tennessee. So on politics and policy, his appointment would make no sense.

Nice work so far by progressives to make themselves heard on this one. It's good that he's saying he's out, but I'll wait until I see the official announcement. Until then, the pressure must be kept - no Bredesen, no deal.