In a recent interview with CookevilleTimes, Black stated that she believed herself ready for the seat because “I’ve been at the state house and senate fighting for people from my district who needed someone to fight for them… mainly against taxes and bigger government. Things at the federal level have moved in the wrong direction too fast and too far.”

When asked about redistricting concerns, voiced by some constituents, Black explained, “We redistrict every ten years after the census is done. We’ll have the numbers in 2011 and the redistricting will affect both the state and federal level. I’ve been through this process one time, and it can be a very complicated process and a very political process, and I’m hoping this time around, since the republicans will most likely have the majority, that we’ll do it a little differently than they have in the past.”

On D.C. politics, Black stated, “Some new ideas need to be put in place there…but at the same time, there’s too much fighting. We need to have People who are willing to sit around the table find consensus.”

“Look at my history with the state house and state senate, and that I’ve been someone who has not been engrained in or become a part of the system. I’ve brought change to the system.”

Concerned about the growing national debt, Senator Black believes that the nation needs the same sort of mandate that Tennessee has in place. “Here in the State of Tennessee we have a constitutional mandate that we must balance the budget.” Said Black, “One of the first things I want to do is introduce an amendment a the federal level that you have to have a balanced budget.”

Why go to Washington D.C. ?

“People ask me why I want to leave a comfortable position at the state senate where I have a leadership position that I won by a 67% margin. I want to do what I’ve done at the state level. The federal government is not the answer to every problem. The federal government does not need to take over the automobile industry….and our banks….and our environment….and now our healthcare. We’ve got to give back to states the 10th amendment rights for them to be sovereign.”

If elected, could you, as one congressperson, make changes?

“With 435 members in congress, obviously one person can’t change everything. It takes time for people to get to know you and to trust you in leadership. But we’re seeing people come out of the woodwork and saying, “I’m upset with what’s happening in Washington.” And when those new faces are in Washington, there are new ideas.

The new faces need to create a coalition and start moving the new, common sense ideas forward, said Senator Black.

Senator Black commented that both democrats and republicans are out of touch with the people. “A number of changes are needed—there are things that members of congress are getting that the American people are not getting – like term limits and pensions.

I’m willing to limit myself with term limits.”

On the control and influence of lobbyists:

“I have found that there’s a place for lobbyists at the state level… and probably a place at the federal level. And I have experienced that the lobbyists can get too much influence and when they do, the system becomes corrupted.

During the income tax battle, there were actually lobbyists that were coming on the floor.

That’s a big no-no.

But lobbyists can help untangle and explain issues and bring to light certain points of legislation that otherwise might be missed.”