(Tn) Gov. Bredesen exit interview: "This country is hungry for leadership"

[Ghost in the Machine]

By David Carroll

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NASHVILLE (WRCB)- When asked if he wishes he could have run for a third term, Tennessee's governor pauses to think for a moment and says, "This past year has been great, with the good things happening in jobs and education," before adding, "but the answer I should give is that I feel good about the incoming governor."

Prohibited by the state Constitution from seeking a third term, Phil Bredesen says at age 67, he has no intentions of seeking another elective office. But he makes it clear that he's not ready to exit the political stage, particularly in the area of health care reform.

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He recently authored a book, "Fresh Medicine" which calls for a complete overhaul of the nation's health care system (before entering politics, he founded and operated HealthAmerica Corp., a Nashville insurance company). Bredesen suggests a model somewhat based on Social Security. There would be a health tax on Americans, who would then receive vouchers to help them pay for some forms of medical coverage. He also advocates pulling care systems together and strengthening the practice of comparative medicine, using tried-and-true facilities like the Mayo Clinic as "models that work."

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He expresses disdain for politicians "who don't have a coherent world view. This country can work for everyone, but I have yet to see that type of attitude from either party. I hope someone comes along who can do that. This country is hungry for leadership." When asked if he might be seeking a place on a future presidential ticket, he emphatically shakes his head and says, "No, that's not the direction I'm going." Would he ever run for office again? "Well, you never say never, but that is not my intention."

http://www.wrcbtv.com/Global/story.asp?S=13687102

[Ghost in the Machine]

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