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The Howard Baker effect?
Posted By katie allison granju
The AP’s Erik Schelzig touches on the unfortunate history of the what might be termed “The Baker Family” in presidential politics:
Thompson’s campaign followed unsuccessful bids for the presidency by former Senate Majority Leader Howard Baker in 1980 and by Sen. Lamar Alexander in 1996 and 2000. Baker was Thompson’s political mentor while Alexander is a fellow protege.
Alexander congratulated Thompson for “a valiant, purposeful effort.” Baker could not be reached through a spokesman.
Bill Frist, another former Senate majority leader, abandoned a widely expected presidential bid last year. Frist said he recognized that his close affiliation with the unpopular Bush administration made a presidential run unlikely to succeed.
The three, with Thompson, rank among the most popular modern-day politicians in Tennessee. But their home state appeal never paid off on the national stage
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Jan 23rd, 2008
