Tennessee
Lamar Alexander: America is divided politically, but Howard Baker provides us a path to save our republic
I believe Howard Baker would see the wheel of history turning again with a new opportunity for today’s generation to improve our republic. The greatest obstacle is that we are divided.
Howard Baker on the decisive moment in Watergate and Richard Nixon’s presidency
Howard Baker and John Siegenthaller talk about a conversation with President Nixon that led Baker to find the facts, regardless of politics and party.
Howard Baker Jr. Center for Public Policy, University of Tennessee
Editor’s note: Former Tennessee Gov. and Sen. Lamar Alexander wrote and submitted this guest essay prior to the assassination attempt against former President Donald Trump on July 13. However, the message is even more relevant in light of that event.
One of Tennessee U.S. Sen. Howard Baker’s favorite words was “republic.”
When things looked bleak in the face of an obstinate senator, a presidential election or a war, Howard would say: “The republic will survive.”
He chose “republic,” not “democracy.” There is a difference.
Democracy is government by the majority, something we could do if everyone voted on the internet. A republic is government by an elected body according to a constitution, a messier operation with checks and balances.
On September 17, 1787, near the end of the Constitutional Convention, a woman asked Benjamin Franklin, “Well doctor, what have we got?”
“A republic, if you can keep it,” Franklin said.
Public service lets Americans make an impact on the lives of millions
Today, as our republic approaches its 250th birthday in 2026, we are in a new era that has driven opinions to extremes, soured relationships, demolished behavioral norms, encouraged politicians to race toward their bases, undermined treasured institutions, and damaged confidence in the future of our country.
Would Howard Baker, who passed away in 2014, still say our republic will survive?
First, I believe he would be encouraged by the example of the other Senate Majority Leader from Tennessee, Bill Frist.
“Why would you give up being one of the world’s leading transplant surgeons to run for the United States Senate?” I asked Frist in February 1994.
Neither Donald Trump nor any other leader deserves to be a target of political violence
“Today I can fly to Chattanooga, cut out a heart, put it in a garbage bag on ice, fly back to Vanderbilt Hospital, perform an eight-hour operation, and maybe a year later I’ll meet one person on the street who will thank me for saving his life. If I’m a senator, maybe I can save a million lives,” he said.
Dr. Frist won and, working with President George W. Bush, created PEPFAR ( President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief), investing $100 billion to combat HIV-AIDS and saving 25 million lives.
Citizens want policy changes, but they abhor government
As governor and senator, I woke up every day thinking I could do something good for my state or country and went to bed most nights thinking that I had.
Still, I have a hard time persuading friends that serving in public office is a privilege.
“How could you stand to be there? How did you ever get anything done?” they demand to know.
Home builder Delmar Caylor once showed me a large dead rat that he had extracted from the wall behind the commode after he had crawled under our house. The dead rat had been causing an odor.
“I wouldn’t want your job,” I said.
“I had rather have my job crawling under your house any day than the job you have up there in Washington working with Harry Reid,” Delmar said.
“Students today want to change public policy, but they don’t like government,” said Dr. Marianne Wanamaker, dean of the University of Tennessee’s Baker School of Public Policy and Public Affairs.
In naming the school, UT avoided the word “government.”
Students may feel that way, but Dr. Wanamaker will have to teach those who want to change things that if they want to make the greatest difference, they will have to figure out how to be elected to government or go to work for someone who has been.
U.S. is the envy of the world even as we are divided politically
In “Team of Rivals,” historian Doris Kearns Goodwin writes, “As a young man, Lincoln worried that nothing had been left for his generation but modest ambitions.” Then, “the wheel of history turned.”
I believe Howard Baker would see the wheel of history turning again with a new opportunity for today’s generation to improve our republic.
The greatest obstacle is that we are divided.
“Too much pluribus and not enough unum,” filmmaker Ken Burns said when he visited Knoxville.
Tennessee Sen. Marsha Blackburn earns bipartisan win, but she’s still a political bruiser
I agree, but we also have what it takes it to put things back together again.
We produce 25% of the world’s money and half its venture capital for only 5% of the world’s people.
We have the strongest military; most of the best universities, create the most advanced vaccines and cures; and lead in artificial intelligence and a hundred other technologies.
Our constitutional guarantees of liberty are the envy of the world. One of our toughest problems is what to do about the millions who want to move here. This is not a recipe for despair.
UT dedicated its new school to Howard Baker’s legacy — to attract, encourage and graduate talented students who look forward to serving in public office, pulling Americans together, solving problems and keeping our country on the right track.
That is how Howard Baker’s school can give meaning to his words: the republic will survive.
Lamar Alexander was Sen. Howard Baker’s first legislative assistant. He served as governor, U.S. senator, U.S. education secretary and president of the University of Tennessee. He is writing a memoir, his 10th book.
The Howard H. Baker Jr. School of Public Policy and Public Affairs, which celebrated its one-year anniversary on July 1, 2024, aims to produce the next generation of skilled public problem solvers prepared to take leadership roles in their communities. Baker School students are grounded in the legacy of Howard H. Baker Jr. with curriculum and co-curricular activities focused on Baker’s guiding principles including Confidence in America, Finding Common Ground and You Might Be Right. Under the umbrellas of two research centers, Baker School faculty and experts combine sound science and thoughtful policy to address challenges facing the state of Tennessee, the United States, and the world. In addition, the Baker School houses the Institute of American Civics, which is responsible for encouraging civic knowledge and participation among UT undergraduates and the state at large.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WZTV) — A bill moving through the Tennessee Legislature could reshape how pharmacies do business in the state, with CVS warning it could lead to widespread store closures.
The Tennessee Senate has passed legislation that would change the way pharmacies can operate. The proposal has been dubbed “the CVS bill” because it directly impacts the drugstore chain.
Under the bill, drugstores would no longer be allowed to negotiate prices directly with insurance providers or government programs. Instead, a third party would be required to step in.
The bill is now under debate in the House. CVS says the change would force more than 100 of its pharmacies to close across Tennessee, but lawmakers disagree.
Tennessee football star Jermod McCoy is the player who will likely hear his name called first from the Tennessee program in the upcoming NFL Draft. There are many teams he would fit well, but these three teams are the teams I believe he is the best fit with at this moment.
1. Dallas Cowboys
The Dallas Cowboys are in need of a cornerback in the draft class, and they are likely to spend one of their first two picks on one. They are selecting at No. 12 and No. 20 in the draft as of now, and McCoy could hear his name called. He would be joining a decent group of cornerbacks, but he would be an immediate starter, likely alongside a later selection that they make with a cornerback.
It would be shocking if the Cowboys pass on him if they select at 12 and he is still on the board. McCoy would be an immediate starter and would be someone who could shut down a whole side of the field for the Cowboys early in his career.
2. Miami Dolphins
The Miami Dolphins is one of the better fits for Jermod McCoy, and it would make the most sense, as the Dolphins could use almost every position after a major haul of their players. They are in a major rebuilding phase and drafting at No. 11 leaves many to believe that McCoy could be in play.
McCoy would likely be their No. 1 cornerbakc the day he got to the franchise, and would have the chance to dominate the way he did in his one season on the field with the Vols. This selection would depend on who drops out of the first ten selections. If he is one of the better players remaining (highly likely) he very well could hear his name called at pick 11.
3. New York Jets
The New York Jets have the chance to be very good when it comes to the draft, as they are drafting at both No. 2 and No. 16. I believe they will be looking to get a cornerback with their No. 16 pick, which would make a lot of sense considering they had to get rid of Sauce Gardner.
McCoy would be the perfect replacement, as they could find themselves in one of the better situations on the defensive side of the football. He can shutdown a side of the field, and I would bet that he would be a great fit with the Jets because of that exactly.
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Tennessee
Nashville Sounds and Autism Tennessee partner to host inclusive Beyond the Label Day for local children
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — At a ballpark built for noise, there is space for something quieter.
During the Nashville Sounds’ “Beyond the Label Day,” kids are learning, playing and experiencing baseball in a way that works for them. Autism Tennessee volunteers stepped in to guide kids through sensory play designed to calm and focus.
From spinning toys to textured fidgets, these tools help turn overwhelming moments into manageable ones. Children engaged with the activities, pointing out shapes like a circle, noticing items like candies, and expressing how nice the experience was.
Adam English, general manager of the Nashville Sounds, said making space for everyone is the goal, even as the stadium announcer calls another Sounds strikeout.
“It’s important for us to raise awareness about autism, but also just make sure that First Horizon Park is an inclusive place for everybody” English said.
The Sounds stadium even has a sensory room for families at every game.
“There’s huge baseball fans that sometimes shy away because of loud crowds and we want to make sure every game out here available” English said.
For Autism Tennessee leaders like Jessica Moore, days like this are about more than awareness. They are about belonging.
“Typically events like this can be super overwhelming… so this is just a way for people to feel like they can come and still be successful” Moore said.
What are your thoughts on making sports venues more inclusive for all fans? Watch the video to see the sensory room in action, and share your experiences with me at kim.rafferty@NewsChannel5.com.
In this article, we used artificial intelligence to help us convert a video news report originally written by Kim Rafferty. When using this tool, both Kim Rafferty and the NewsChannel 5 editorial team verified all the facts in the article to make sure it is fair and accurate before we published it. We care about your trust in us and where you get your news, and using this tool allows us to convert our news coverage into different formats so we can quickly reach you where you like to consume information. It also lets our journalists spend more time looking into your story ideas, listening to you and digging into the stories that matter.
Checking in on Cole: Gallatin rallies around teen battling brain tumor with prayer vigil
Austin Pollack brings us an update on a remarkable young man facing great odds, and his family has one simple request: pray for Cole. I believe in the power of prayer and hope you’ll join me in lifting up Cole and his family.
– Carrie Sharp
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