NASHVILLE, Tenn. (OSBORNE) -- WMOT is spending the summer talking with the 2018 mid-term candidates for statewide office.
Today we speak with Democrat Phil Bredesen who hopes to win Tennessee’s junior Senate seat.
At a time when the Democratic Party is divided over how to deal with President Trump, the former governor says he favors a balanced approach.
“If he’s for something which is good for Tennessee I need to be for it. I don’t need to trying to fight him just because he’s not my party or some feeling about him.”
But Bredesen was less obliging when the subject of tariffs came up. He says Tennessee could be badly hurt by the president’s policy.
“I’ve talked to soybean farmers in West Tennessee who’ve told us that already they’re losing orders because of the presumed higher price of their product.”
On the subject of health care, Mr. Bredesen reminded me that as Governor in 2010 he did not support the passage of Obamacare. But he says now that it’s the law, Congress needs to find a way to stabilize the health insurance marketplace for the tens of thousands of Tennesseans currently holding policies.
“You gotta be respectful of all these people who have depended on it, are depending on it as the way in which they’re getting their healthcare.”
Mr. Bredesen finished by noting that he worked well as governor with a GOP majority in the Tennessee Legislature and believes he can work across the aisle in Washington.
WMOT has invited every candidate for statewide office to talk with us. We’ll share those conversations with you as we hear from each one.