WASHINGTON — Rep. Zach Wamp, R-Tenn., gave high marks to Belmont University for its hosting of last Tuesday’s presidential debate.

“It was unbelievable to have it in Tennessee,” he said. “I was so proud of Belmont, of our state. It showcased our political leadership. I’m sitting there talking to Al Gore and Gov. (Phil) Bredesen and Fred Thompson, and I sat with Sens. (Bob) Corker and (Lamar) Alexander. The whole country was looking at Tennessee in a very favorable way.”

Moderator Tom Brokaw did not get such glowing praise from Rep. Wamp.

“Truthfully, I thought Brokaw moderated a flat debate,” he said. “I think the questions having to go through him and his followup and the overall way the debate was conducted led to a whole lack of sparks and fireworks. In a campaign that has gone on forever and forever, it was not an interesting debate.”

CHAMBLISS SIGNS ENERGY PLEDGE

Sen. Saxby Chambliss, R-Ga., announced this week that he has signed oilman and political activist T. Boone Pickens’ energy independence pledge.

“We cannot continue to be dependent on foreign countries for our oil,” Sen. Chambliss said. “Much like the ideas I have advocated in Congress, Boone Pickens provides a comprehensive approach to addressing our energy problems here and now on our own soil in a responsible way.”

The plan calls for reducing the country’s foreign oil dependency by at least 30 percent in the next 10 years, the development of new energy sources, and the expansion and modernization of the national electrical grid to transport renewable energy to homes and businesses.

Sen. Chambliss is a co-leader of the bipartisan “Gang of 20” senators, who have drafted a compromise energy bill that includes some offshore drilling and investments in alternative energy.

FITNESS GUIDELINES PRAISED

Rep. Wamp, founder and co-chairman of the Congressional Fitness Caucus, praised the unveiling this week of physical activity recommendations by U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

According to the new Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans, adults can gain substantial health benefits from two and a half hours of moderate aerobic physical activity each week, while children benefit from an hour or more of physical activity each day.

“Publishing physical activity guidelines may persuade Americans to live a healthier lifestyle,” Rep. Wamp said. “We need to instill a culture of healthy living, including physical activity, to combat the obesity epidemic and work toward reducing chronic disease in America.”

Rep. Wamp is the lead co-sponsor of the Physical Activities Guidelines for Americans Act of 2008, which would require the Health and Human Services department to prepare and promote these recommendations at least every five years.

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