Georgia's Sam Nunn Being Courted For Possible Independent Ticket Bid

By Matt Towery
Creators Syndicate

(Note: click here for Matt Towery's webcast on the latest South Carolina polling numbers and YouTube debate results)

(7/26/07) The Southern Political Report has learned that former Georgia Sen. Sam Nunn, who left the United States Senate in the mid-1990s after a long political career in Washington, is being courted by several individuals involved in this year's presidential contest.

In a column (see below) written by Larry Walker, a former top Georgia legislator and intimate of Nunn, Walker speculates about a Bloomberg-Nunn independent candidacy.

While that column is speculative, SPR has learned that a group of former Washington operatives, including former Carter admninistration members Hamilton Jordan and Gerald Rafshoon have been quietly working to create a legitimate third-party effort in 'o8.

SPR has learned that Nunn has been contacted by that group in an attempt to "take his temperature" with regard to some role in such an effort. Additionally, sources tell us that this same group, all with presidential campaign experience, could conceivably play a role in a Bloomberg candidacy. Jordan, along with Rafshoon and former Carter press secretary Jody Powell are credited with having created and implemented the successful campaign of Jimmy Carter in 1976.

Of equal or greater importance is the additional report, confirmed by sources, that Nunn has been approached "by one of the frontunners in the Democratic race for president" for "preliminary discussions" concerning a potential vice presidential role in the event of the candidate's eventual nomination.

Why Nunn, whose name drifted off the American political radar several years ago?

Sources tell SPR that Nunn continues to be known among the DC establishment and media as "the man" when it comes to matters related to defense.

As one Democratic operative put it: "Clearly we went to the Citadel to shore up our weakness among the public related to our perception as anti-military...(Sam) Nunn on a ticket would be like carrying the Citadel around with you everyday. He's that respected on issues where we need help."

Nunn was traveling and could not be reached for comment.

Nunn And Bloomberg In 2008?

By Larry Walker

I don’t know Michael Bloomberg. I just know what I’ve read or seen on television, which is that he is the Mayor of New York, is very wealthy, has apparently done a good job as Mayor, and has recently switched from being a declared Republican to being an independent. I suspect his switch was based on more than just philosophy or conviction. Bloomberg has something in mind?

I do know Sam Nunn. Nunn is from my hometown of Perry, Georgia, and I have known him all of my life. I have, on occasion, been his lawyer. My fondest memories of Nunn might be of watching him perform as an All-State high school basketball star on a state championship team. Nunn had distinguished service in the United States Senate, including long tenure as Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, and remains active with his nuclear-threat initiatives. Like all politicians who have been out of office for years, his “name identification” is relatively low, but he is well-known among opinion-molders, news media types, and world leaders. His reputation is impeccable.

Do Nunn and Bloomberg know each other? I don’t know. But, I do know that they know about each other. The highly-respected son of the South, Nunn, and the very effective New York Mayor, Bloomberg, have to know about each other. The newly-minted independent, Bloomberg, and the iconoclast Democrat, Nunn, have to know lots about each other. What do they have in common? Well, for starters, both are Eagle Scouts in the Boy Scouts of America. Bloomberg, as Mayor of New York City, oversees a budget in excess of $50 billion - the largest city budget in the country. However, Nunn, as Chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, dealt with a budget in excess of $300 billion.

Let’s switch for just a bit. I’m a moderate, middle of the road American citizen, and politically, the national candidates pay no attention to me. The Democrats, who used to be the conservatives (at least in the South), are controlled by the wing nuts - left wing nuts. The Republicans, who used to be socially moderate and fiscally conservative, are apparently now neither. Nationally, their right wing drives the Republicans’ social agendas.

Democratic Presidential candidates have to be so liberal to win the primary that they have great difficulty in winning the general election. Republican candidates cater to the right lest they fail the abortion or immigration tests. Wise, thoughtful, visionary leaders, have little chance of success under the current two-party system of electing our President.

Be honest. It’s about a year and a half before we elect our next President, and you are already disillusioned with the candidates and the process. You can see it coming. We are probably going to have another Clinton (or two) in the White House for eight more years. Three hundred million Americans, and just two families hold the office of President for over three decades? It’s absurd.

What about a Nunn-Bloomberg or a Bloomberg-Nunn ticket? Two solid, middle of the road, non-doctrinaire men looking to what is best for this country. Two men who will not be hamstrung by the partisanship created by the Republican’s right and the Democrat’s left.

I would like to see a Nunn-Bloomberg ticket. But, Mr. Bloomberg has the money, so possibly it would have to be a Bloomberg-Nunn one. Either way, put Sam Nunn in charge of all foreign policy, which he knows so well, and let Mayor Bloomberg run the country like he has so effectively run New York City.

As I put forth this subject of Nunn’s being interested in an independent candidacy involving the Presidency, can I say that he has confirmed interest? The answer is “no”. But, do I think he has interest? The answer is “yes”.

Could it be done? Yes. Would it work? Definitely. Will it be done? Probably not. After all, neither the Jewish Bloomberg or the Methodist Nunn are parts of the families that apparently are destined to run this country. God help us.