In an interview today on WKRN’s This Week with Bob Mueller, Tennessee Republican Party Chairman Chris Devaney spoke about his goals as new Chairman of the TNGOP, the need to redistrict Tennessee’s congressional seats and the successes that Republicans had in the 2008 elections. He also discussed how Senators Corker and Alexander are providing the type of leadership that Tennesseans want and expect in Washington, D.C. Key excerpts from Devaney’s interview follow:

DEVANEY ON HIS GOALS AS NEW CHAIRMAN OF THE TENNESSEE REPUBLICAN PARTY:

“When I ran for this spot back a few months ago, I pledged to members across the state that my number one priority is to solidify our majority in the legislature and win the governor’s race and that is my only priority.”

DEVANEY ON FAIRLY REDISTRICTING TENNESSEE’S CONGRESSIONAL SEATS:

“Well, look, it is a lot on the line. We have redistricting going on. We have the three constitutional officers that we have never had which has made a tremendous amount of difference in our government in Tennessee. But look, the legislative, I meant the congressional seats, yes. If we have fair lines, we’re talking about fair lines that are drawn, then Republicans pick up more seats. That’s the bottom line.”

DEVANEY ON REPUBLICANS’ SUCCESS IN THE 2008 ELECTIONS & THE UPCOMING 2010 ELECTIONS:

“The reason is because we stood by our principles of free enterprise, of limited government, of individual freedom and traditional values and ran on those principles. That’s why we’ve had success and that’s what we’re going to continue to do this next year with our candidates across the state from legislative races to the governor’s race to the court house. We’re going to run on those and we’re going to have success.”

DEVANEY ON SENATOR CORKER’S & ALEXANDER’S LEADERSHIP IN WASHINGTON & ACROSS THE STATE:

“Alexander and Corker are both providing excellent leadership…I mean Corker you know has been going across the state this month, this past month talking to constituents across the state about health care… They are providing the kind of leadership we need, the kind of leadership that I think Tennesseans are looking for and have had in the past and we’re just pleased to have them up there.”

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