U.S. Sen. Lamar Alexander, R-Tenn., said the United States “should be embarrassed” by its system of nominating presidential candidates.

“It goes on too long and it costs too much,” he said.

Sen. Alexander joked that the primary and caucus process would be better managed by the National Football League.

In a meeting with the Chattanooga Times Free Press editorial board last week, Sen. Alexander reiterated his backing for a bill which would rotate primary dates among states within four regions of the country.

Still, Sen. Alexander said the bill will be difficult to get through Congress.

“The chances are better for the parties to police themselves,” he said.

Sen. Alexander also said he wants caps on campaign contributions to be raised or come off entirely. He said the current caps allow for wealthy candidates to gain an advantage by contributing their own money to their campaigns.

Tennessee’s senior senator is running for reelection this year.

DEMS: WE WERE FAIR

Hamilton County Democrats said this week they were fair to sheriff candidate Jim Winters at their nominating caucus March 17.

Mr. Winters said he endured some snubbing at the caucus.

Former party Chairwoman Rita Lee Fehring said in a blog post that Democrats treated Mr. Winters in a friendly manner.

“He was welcomed that morning and at the conclusion of the caucus he received a standing ovation for being an honorable competitor in the political arena,” she said.

Ms. Fehring wrote that Mr. Winters did not present a compelling reason to win the nomination. Party officials chose County Commissioner Greg Beck as the Democratic candidate.

Mr. Winters said he does not have a problem with the party, but wondered if members fully considered him as a candidate.

“I don’t know if it was onesided,” he said.

Mr. Winters is running as an independent in the Aug. 7 sheriff election.

DISCO-DANCING MEDICAL MANAGEMENT

Disco won’t be dead at this year’s Tennessee Medical Group Management Association’s spring conference, to be held at the Chattanooga Convention Center, April 2-4.

The educational conference will feature the theme “Stayin’ Alive in Healthcare.” Attendees at the conference sessions need not, and probably should not, dress up in funky attire, but a conference event at the Creative Discovery Museum on the evening of April 3 will include disco tunes, said Melissa Wilson, the event’s organizer.

Chattanooga medical managers are encouraged to attend for presentations on topics such as strategic planning, technology and revenue strategies.

For more information call Melissa Wilson at 866-739-MGMA or e-mail melissawilson@comcast.net. To register, visit www.tmgma.com

FIRE AND POLICE UNION: DON’T TOUCH PENSION

Sgt. Julie Dean urged members of the Fire and Police Pension Review Working Committee Wednesday afternoon to leave the city’s pension plan alone in the mayor’s conference room in City Hall.

The president of Local 673 chapter of the International Brotherhood of Police Offiers said the plan is one of the few things stopping officers from leaving the department after working just three or four years. She told the committee she is worried about attrition rates and low salaries.

“We’re having a hard time bringing police officers in, keeping them,” she said, then later asked, “Please keep intact the one good thing we’ve got going here.”

The committee is currently reviewing the deferred retirement option program and the pension fund board composition.