Zach Wamp must be getting desperate, as he suggests that if things don’t go the right way in ‘10 and ‘12, secession may be in the cards (because, you know, it worked out so well the last time it was attempted):

“I hope that the American people will go to the ballot box in 2010 and 2012 so that states are not forced to consider separation from this government,” said Wamp during an interview with Hotline OnCall.

He lauded Gov. Rick Perry (R-TX), who first floated the idea of secession in April ‘09, for leading the push-back against health care reform, adding that he hopes the American people “will send people to Washington that will, in 2010 and 2012, strictly adhere” to the constitution’s defined role for the federal government.

“Patriots like Rick Perry have talked about these issues because the federal government is putting us in an untenable position at the state level,” said Wamp, who is competing with Knoxville Mayor Bill Haslam (R) and LG Ron Ramsey (R) for the GOP nod in the race to replace TN Gov. Phil Bredesen (D).

Look, I’ve liked Wamp for a long time. He used to be my congressman. But this kind of nuttery is not helpful and should make voters think twice about supporting him.

Via Outside the Beltway