Sen. Bill Frist (R-TN) took several questions from bloggers at the Southern Republican Leadership Conference on Friday night.

Some notes (in paraphrase):

Q. What is it like to be both a Senator and a blogger?

A. Blogs are revolutionizing politics. I’ve always been on the technical cutting edge with laser heart surgery, etc., so I embrace this new medium.

Q. What do you say to the disproportionately libertarian influence in the blogosphere, and Instapundit in particular – as you are an advertiser there – to the charge that you’ve inflated the PATRIOT act with unrelated amendments such as the meth bill?

A. The PATRIOT act has allowed us to bring 400 terrorists to justice. We’re balancing getting good intelligence with protecting civil liberties. The PATRIOT act is an anti-terrorist measure and a law enforcement measure – it covers anything related to protecting Americans: terror financing, port security, freight security… Meth is the #1 drug problem facing American today. Sen. Talent was instrumental in writing the bill. The PATRIOT act secures America’s safety here at home.

Q. How are you distinguishing yourself from the rest of the pack in looking at a Presidential campaign in 2008?

A. My goal in my speech tomorrow will be to talk about the citizen legislator. I’ll also talk about where we’ve been over the last 12 years and look to the future in a real personal way. The American dream needs to be there in the future.

Q. What do you think about the straw poll?

A. The straw poll for me is fun. It’s part of the political process, a reflection of ideas.

Q. What do you think about Senator Lott busing people in for the straw poll?

A. We have over 2000 people from over 30 states is fantastic. The TN GOP and MS GOP have been great. I’m proud of outreach. But will it accurately review the views of the voters in 2009? No.

Q. You advised Dubai Ports to sell ports to American companies, but what about all the ports operated by China and other foreign governments?

A. I can’t answer that because I don’t have all the information. We need to clear other companies through the security portal. It’s outdated, not modernized, not fully transparent. We need the 40 day review. The President would not jeopardize American security.

Frist met bloggers Rob Huddleston and his wife Angela, Adam Groves, Alphapatriot and others.

Alphapatriot’s account is here. Huddleston’s write-up is here.