Karl Dean is pitching pragmatism, not partisanship, in the governor's race. Will it fire up [View all]

Karl Dean is pitching pragmatism, not partisanship, in the governor's race. Will it fire up Democrats?


Near the end of the lone debate featuring just the two Democrats running for Tennessee governor, Karl Dean did what few Democrats ever do.

The former Nashville mayor quoted Ronald Reagan, reciting a line of the so-called "11th Commandment" — don't speak ill of another in your own party.

It was far from a policy endorsement, but his choice of presidents was unusual for a candidate seeking a Democratic nomination.

Dean, mayor from 2007 to 2015, is vying to become the Democratic standard-bearer with an eye toward a general election in a conservative state where he'll have to appeal to many Republicans to win. Tennessee hasn't elected a Democrat for any statewide office since 2006.

Read more: https://www.dnj.com/story/news/politics/tn-elections/2018/07/05/tn-governor-race-karl-dean-pragmatism-craig-fitzhugh/741578002/