Although she's surrounded by men in Congress, Blackburn refuses to use her gender as an issue.

"You always will have people who say gender is a hindrance or a help. I'm just privileged to serve with many great men and women. I hope more women will run for Congress," Blackburn said, noting that there aren't many conservative women serving with her.

And conservative is exactly what she is. Racking up a 2007 conservative rating of 100 percent by the ACU (American Conservative Union), Blackburn is one of the most conservative members of Congress, earning a lifetime rating of 98 percent.

She has held many positions within the Republican Congressional Caucus. She served as Assistant Majority Whip her first term, Assistant Minority Whip her second term, and currently serves as House Deputy Whip. With such a conservative record and strong fiscal and social credentials, many Republican leaders want her to run for higher office - possibly governor of Tennessee in 2010 - but Blackburn won't speculate. She's focused on her current office.

"I don't look at what will be potentially. Right now, I'm running for re-election and I'm looking toward that campaign," Blackburn said, noting that her future is "God's job."

Since she joined the House, Rep. Blackburn has served on the Energy and Commerce Committee, the oldest standing House committee - and now, as the price of gas is record-high, the one getting more and more media coverage. As for the solution to getting off of foreign oil, Blackburn chooses an "all-of-the-above strategy."

"There isn't one bill that will work. It will take several components," noted Blackburn. She supports offshore drilling and drilling in ANWR, the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, a barren, frozen-over land located in Northeastern Alaska. It has currently been off-limits because drilling has been perceived as threatening to certain species who call the area home. As the price of oil has skyrocketed, however, many lawmakers have decided to run the risk of drilling, while others believe with new technology, the risk, if any, is minimal.

"President Clinton's veto of [drilling in] ANWR hurt the people, and put us in the position we're in today. We need to see action," Blackburn said. "When President Bush lifted the presidential ban on offshore drilling, the price per barrel dropped eight dollars. (Last week), it dropped just under $125."

For months now, as political pundits look through polling crosstabs and demographic breakdowns, analysts have come up with several names that would be good Vice-presidential choices for McCain, and Blackburn's name has been mentioned many times, most recently in the Los Angeles Times by well-known political journalist Jonah Goldberg.

Noted in the article was that Rep. Blackburn would "please the [conservative] base and put the gender card in play," that she was a "low-risk choice," and that if McCain wants to choose a woman, Blackburn would be the best choice. Although many pundits believe she has a shot, Blackburn disagrees.

"That's a hypothetical. It's always an honor to be considered for other offices, but it's not going to be me," Blackburn said, adding that she expects McCain to pick someone who can help him geographically by bringing a swing or normally Democratic state into the Republican column.

"You'll see Senator McCain choose someone who can bring him a state. Tennessee is reliably Republican."

Though she doesn't believe she will be chosen, Blackburn did have only high remarks for Senator McCain.

"He's a good, solid, seasoned leader. When the American people look at national security, energy security, and moral security, I feel sure they'll support Senator McCain."

No matter where life takes her - to the Senate chambers, the Tennessee Governor's Mansion, or maybe even to the White House - it began in rural Mississippi, and Blackburn doesn't forget it.