Governor-elect Marsha Blackburn keeps full control over the Tennessee U.S. Senate appointment, yet Rep. Tim Burchett is addressing reports that Senator John Thune is trying to block his selection. A media contact told Burchett that Thune sent word against him because he refused to follow leadership directives. Burchett's response was blunt: You know what? You're EXACTLY RIGHT. He agreed with the assessment that major party figures and donors do not support him except after elections. The big boys are not for me. The big, big players in the party, the one or two that pull a lot of the strings, that write the big checks, they're not for me. They've never been for me. They're always for me the day after the election. Burchett stated he appreciates that Thune opposes his candidacy, even joking I LOVE the fact that he's not for me! If he doesn't get appointed, he indicated he would run for the Senate seat himself. toddstarnes reported on this exchange while timburchett posted the reaction. Hopefully Governor Blackburn appoints Burchett since she is the first female governor of Tennessee.