a new face

With less than two years until the next presidential election, I hopefully look around for new leaders. If Bush wasn’t on his second term, he’d be the definite candidate.

Condoleezza Rice, the US Secretary of State and National Security Advisor, hasn’t expressed interest in running even though she could make a good candidate running against Hillary Clinton. America’s Vice President, Dick Cheney, doesn’t seem like a strong enough leader.

The big question: Who is out there? In his column “Backing Away from Bush,” Robert Novak wondered if Senator Bill Frist might be eyeing the 2008 presidential race.

Senator Bill Frist came to my attention about a year ago when I wrote a paper about medical malpractice in America. Frist is a proponent of the medical health court idea.

In light of what I’ve learned, and the fact that Frist is the Senate Majority Leader, I’m going to be starting a “Frist Watch” to keep tabs on Senator Frist’s activities, voting record, and public statements. Check my sidebar for links to learn more about Senator Frist.

Frist Bio

Medical Experience
First and foremost, Bill Frist is an M.D., but also the 54th senator of Tennessee. “On November 7, 2000, Bill Frist was elected to a second term in the United States Senate by the largest vote total ever received by a candidate for statewide election in the history of Tennessee.”-from Frist's official website.

He graduated from Princeton in 1974, from Harvard Medical School in 1978, and in 1985, Frist founded and directed Vanderbilt Transplant Center, “which under his leadership became a nationally renowned center of multi-organ transplantation.”-from Frist's official website. Frist’s specialty is in heart and lung surgery. Frist takes medical mission trips to Africa to help combat the global AIDS problem.

Political Experience
2000-elected chairman of National Republican Senatorial Committee
2001-one of two Congressional representatives to the United Nations General Assembly
2002-elected Majority Leader of US Senate
Currently serves on these committees: Finance; Rules; Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP)
Has served on these committees: Foreign Relations, Budget, Banking, Commerce, and Small Business

Personal Life
Frist is married to Karyn and they have three sons. The Frists are members of the National Presbyterian Church.

Coming soon: Senator Bill Frist on America’s Issues