Nunn sense!

Intrigue and odd twist

In a recent post, the ProConPundit spoke of the necessity of the Democratic nominee to choose a conservative, Southern Democrat IF ONE STILL EXISTS. One still does exist–Sam Nunn. For the record, the ProConPundit did not forget about Sam Nunn–I just got tired of wishing he’d get into the race. I wanted Nunn to run in 1988. Think he might have done better than Dukakis? I wanted him to run in 1992. Think he would have been more focused than Clinton? I wanted him to run in 2000 and 2004...Gore and Kerry–enough said.

Georgian Sam Nunn was a U.S. Senator from 1972 to 1996. He had a credible reputation for being bi-partisan and crafted legislation with such luminary Republicans as Barry Goldwater (AZ) and Richard Lugar (IN). Nunn served as chairman of the U.S. Senate Committee on Armed Services and the Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations. He also served on the Intelligence and Small Business Committees.

His major legislative achievements included the Department of Defense Reorganization Act and the Nunn-Lugar Cooperative Threat Reduction Program, which deactivated more than 5,900 Soviet nuclear warheads. Sam Nunn was rumored to be a top choice of Clinton to be Secretary of Defense or State. Clinton instead chose the innocuous Les Aspin and later the anemic William Cohen to be Defense Secretary and Warren Christopher as Secretary of State. Clinton would have had a more successful presidency had he selected and listen to Nunn.

Nunn was considered a moderately-conservative Democrat. He was not afraid to break with his party when he disagreed with them. He opposed Clinton’s Budget in 1993, opposed Clinton’s support of gays in the military and sought to amend the constitution to require a balanced budget. He thought death penalty appeals should be limited was pro-choice, pro-gun, pro-environment, pro-affirmative action and pro-prayer in the public school. These are all positions he held as of when he left office a decade ago. The ProConPundit is not sure where he stands on them today.

For the record, the ProConPundit is in favor of a balanced budget, favors enforcing gun laws already on the books and screening of gun purchasers, is pro-life, favors a moment of silence in public schools for people to pray if they like, supports gay equality and domestic partnerships but not gay marriage and thinks affirmative action is not an effective tool today.

Sam Nunn is way more conservative than the base of the Democratic party but is in the mainstream of most Americans. Two weeks ago, he confirmed that he had met with New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg to discuss "the current political climate." Nunn would not rule out running for President next year and would only rule out being someone’s running mate. He said, "The only thing I would consider would be running for the big office." On Sunday, he said he would not make a decision on an independent run until after the GOP & Dems have nominees.

The ProConPundit would love to see Nunn as a candidate and thinks he would be a superb and most capable president. He is two years younger than John McCain. He doesn’t fit the stereotype of an independent candidate. Third party candidates such as Ross Perot, Pat Buchanan, and Ralph Nader all had a salient issue they were associated with and had big followings. I can’t see Nunn in that team picture. Although he had a reputation for being very bi-partisan and is agitated by the incredible lack of same in congress today, he also impresses me as a pretty loyal party guy. Its hard to picture him leaving the fold.

As much as he says he would never want to be a VP, so do most people who end up on tickets. His name being out there might inspire the Democratic party nominee to select him. Imagine if the Democratic party were to nominate someone with pitiful experience such as Barrack Obama or John Edwards–Nunn would be the perfect choice. As much as I can’t picture him teaming up with the GOP, if he's thinking of an independent run, anything is possible. If Giuliani or Romney got nominated, Nunn would be a running mate choice that would invite unity, bring someone with Southern conservative, foreign policy and defense department experience on board. Even if it is only flirtation, Nunn brings some intrigue and enthusiasm to the party.

Bottom line: As Dan Rather would say (someone the ProConPundit rarely quotes): "Don't bet the trailer money" on a Nunn run.