He says he's still "exploring" a run for Governor in 2006, but Chris Bell sure has the look-and-feel of a real by-God candidate to me, at least based on this and this and this. Read his speech (PDF) - and the footnotes - and see for yourself.

UPDATE: More from The Red State and Saving String, who attended and has some cogent analysis.

I haven't really said what I think, partly because everyone else has done such a good job, and partly because I think we all know that I'm partial to Chris' candidacy. Suffice it to say that I like the approach he's taking so far, I think it will be very well received among the faithful and hopefully among the persuadable, and like Eddie, I'm more than ready for Chris to quit exploring and start declaring.