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Clement Comments on Convention - John Dunn
FOX 17 News – By: John Dunn
One of Nashville’s most noteworthy Democrats won’t be attending this year’s convention.
Former Congressman Bob Clement has been to seven Democratic conventions.
Clement is recovering from quadruple bypass surgery.
Still, he’ll be paying close attention.
Clement knows exactly what it’s like to be there.
The Democratic Party is living up to its name.
The National Convention in Denver is off to a joyful beginning, exactly how it’s supposed to be.
"Well it comes down to energy, momentum, and getting your message across," says former Congressman Bob Clement.
Former Congressman, and most recently Nashville mayoral candidate, Bob Clement is no stranger to Democratic conventions.
He attended his first back in 1960, when John Kennedy was the candidate.
These days the conventions are all about celebration and inspiration.
"When you go home to your respective states, you're ready to fight, you're ready to do your part to win the election," says Clement.
Clement won’t be in attendance in Denver this year.
He’s recovering from quadruple bypass heart surgery, which he underwent at Vanderbilt just one month ago.
"My kids they wanted dad in that hospital to have that bypass surgery, and I did it. It is a big deal but thank God it was very fortunate and very successful," says Clement.
Clement, who turns 65 next month, says it’s very possible the surgery has extended his life.
"But I'm doing very well and remarkably well, just 30 days ago, and already back to work," says Clement.
Though it has been six years since he held an elected office, Clement says politics in is his blood.
His father, former Tennessee Governor Frank Clement, delivered the keynote address at the Democratic Convention in 1956.
This year Clement says he’ll be listening for Barack Obama to unite his party that’s still split with Hillary Clinton supporters.
"If he doesn't, it's not going to be very favorable in the November election," says Clement.
These days Bob Clement has opened his own firm, which does business development and lobbying work.
These days Bob Clement has opened his own firm, which does business development and lobbying work.
But Clement isn’t ruling out a return to politics, and possibly attendance at the next convention in 2012.
"I'm very blessed and excited about the future, as I have the past,” says Clement.
Bob Clement is also busy working on another project.
A museum honoring his late father, Governor Frank Clement, will open in Dickson some time next year.
Clement Comments on Convention - John Dunn
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