Nov. 21--Democratic gubernatorial candidate Mike McWherter, son of former Gov. Ned McWherter, was unable to make it to the Hamilton County Democratic Party's Estes Kefauver Dinner on Monday, and at least one of his primary opponents commented on his absence.

"Ladies and gentlemen, there is no place any person who wanted to be governor of Tennessee should be than here tonight," state Sen. Jim Kyle, D-Memphis said early in his remarks to the crowd gathered at the Chattanooga Choo-Choo.

State Sen. Andy Berke, who served as moderator Monday night, said Mr. McWherter could not attend because of a family illness.

The three other Democratic candidates for governor, state Sen. Roy Herron, D-Dresden; former state Rep. Kim McMillan, D-Clarksville; and Nashville businessman Ward Cammack, spoke at the event.

deal seeks id in health bill

In a letter to U.S. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., Sen. Saxby Chambliss, Sen. Johnny Isakson and U.S. Rep. Nathan Deal, all Georgia Republicans, urged inclusion of identity and citizenship verification in the Senate's health care reform bill.

"As you know, the citizens of Georgia and the American people have spoken in firm opposition to allowing those who have illegally entered into our country from receiving taxpayer-funded social welfare benefits," Rep. Deal writes in the letter, dated Wednesday.

Rep. Deal offered a similar amendment to the House health care bill. It failed in a 29-28 vote.

corker hosts 'water for the world'

U.S. Sen. Bob Corker, R-Tenn., will be at Belmont University in Nashville on Monday with Christian rock band Jars of Clay and singer-songwriter Dave Barnes to promote worldwide access to clean water.

The "Water for the World Event" also will include Belmont President Bob Fisher and Bill Hearn, president and CEO of EMI Christian Music Group and sponsor of Healing Waters International, a group whose goal is to end water-related illnesses.

Sen. Corker, along with Sen. Richard Durbin, D-Ill., is sponsoring a bill that aims to reach 100 million people with sustainable access to clean water by 2015.

The Monday event starts at 10:30 a.m. CST in the lobby of the Gordon E. Inman Center.

alexander, webb offer nuclear bill

U.S. Sen. Lamar Alexander, R-Tenn., has teamed with Sen. Jim Webb, D-Va., for a bill that seeks to invest $20 billion over the next 10 to 20 years on nuclear power development.