“I know two people who would make good Republican candidates for Governor. The problem is, they’re both running against me.”

- U.S. Senate candidate and former Rep. Ed Bryant, speaking Tuesday to the Shelby County Young Republicans.

The group previously heard from candidates Bob Corker, former mayor of Chattanooga, and Van Hillary, former Rep. and the Republican gubernatorial candidate in 2002. Audio of Corker’s speech is available online.

It’s a busy week for the Bryant campaign, which opened its campaign headquarters in Brentwood, Tenn., on Wednesday. Bryant will return to Memphis this Saturday to attend the Dutch Treat Luncheon.

The Main Street Journal will host the first U. S. Senate primary debate of 2006 on Tuesday, January 31, in Memphis. Scheduled to appear are Bryant, Hillary and Lakeland’s Jeff Moder.

Bob Corker has decided not to participate in the debate. If his scheduling conflict involves watching President Bush’s State of the Union speech, which also takes place that Tuesday evening, perhaps the campaign should invest in a TiVo.