Se. Alexander faces challenges, opportunties in new Senate role

In all probability, Senator Lamar Alexander’s selection to the No. 3 position among the Republicans in the U.S. Senate is more influential than the two spots above that.
Certainly as newly elected Chairman of the Republican Conference he will be at the heart of determining his party’s position on many issues.

While the No. 1 party position in the senate currently is that of minority leader. The No. 2 position, which Alexander sought and lost by one vote a year ago, is that of party whip whose job it is to “whip” the votes into line in support of party positions. In effect, Alexander will be more involved in determining what that position is.

Since the departure of Senate Republican leader and Senate Majority Leader, Dr. Bill Frist, a fellow Tennessean, Alexander has apparently felt less encumbered and has led a number of efforts in the senate. He has provided considerable leadership and frequently sought to work across party lines to achieve compromise, a rare bird in recent years.

In January, he and Connecticut independent Sen. Joe Lieberman started weekly bipartisan breakfasts to encourage civility and compromise. Alexander said he still plans to continue the meals which are limited only to lawmakers - no staffers, lobbyists or press allowed.

Following his election to the No. 3 post, Alexander astutely said, “I think we need to do an even better job of expressing our beliefs in a way that it rallies voters and attracts independents. I think (the conference election) suggests our conference is looking for a little bit of a new direction, a new face.”

The native Maryvillian was elected to the U.S. Senate in 2002 after two terms as governor, a stint as president of the University of Tennessee and as U.S. Education Secretary. He is seeking re-election. His first job was at The Daily Times where he worked as school news editor while a student at Maryville High School.

He was nominated by Sens. Mike Crapo of Idaho and Gordon Smith of Oregon. He succeeds Arizona Sen. Jon Kyl, who was unopposed in moving up to the No. 2 spot, succeeding retiring Mississippi Sen. Trent Lott. Alexander was elected by a 31-16 vote in secret balloting at a closed meeting in the Capitol Thursday.

Alexander serves on the Appropriations Committee, the Committee on Health Education, Labor and Pensions and the Tennessee Valley Authority caucus. His service on the Appropriations Committee is of particular significance to our area because of its importance to Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

During his first term, Sen. Alexander has been very supportive of various federal agencies serving Tennesseans in addition to providing well thought out positions on national issues.

We offer our congratulations and best wishes as he faces new challenges in trying to bring some unity to a nation, a Congress and an administration polarized on a number of key issues.