Tim McGraw's takeover is well planned.

First he conquered country music -- his dominance driven home with last week's release of Tim McGraw Reflected: Hits Vol. 2. And McGraw is expanding beyond his genre by covering Elton John hits and dueting with Nelly on Over and Over on Nelly's CD Suit.

Then, McGraw tackled the visual mediums of TV and film. He's starred in three NBC specials -- the third airs Friday. The country star then earned critical success when he starred in the feature film Friday Night Lights, and will be seen this summer in the family film Flicka.

But all that isn't enough for the Louisiana native who calls Nashville home. Now he has his sights set on the Tennessee governor's mansion.

When asked if he would be Tennessee's next governor during a phone conference with journalists to promote his Friday TV special Tim McGraw: Reflected, Mr. Faith Hill didn't shy away from the subject.

"I wouldn't say the next governor, that's a long way down the road. But it is an interesting proposition.

"If it were to happen it would be ... when my kids were grown."

When one U.S. reporter questioned why a man with a squeaky clean image would want to wade in to the unclean water of politics, McGraw chuckles.

"You think show business is clean, come on! That's probably just a good a reason as any to get in to something like that because it isn't clean.

"Someone in my position wouldn't have to coddle to the things others would have to coddle to to keep their job."

The son of the late baseball star Tug McGraw, isn't afraid of political backlash, the likes of which was seen by the Dixie Chicks. He calls the reaction to their criticism of U.S. President George Bush -- which include banning their music -- silly.

"You know that is why we're in America and that's why people are fighting -- to be able to speak what they feel. That's what this country is based on," says McGraw, who has been vocal about the inadequate hurricane recovery efforts in the South.

"It's your right and I think, as an American, it's your obligation to speak out. And it's also your obligation and right to keep it to yourself if you want."

Keeping things to himself is something McGraw is good at. He admits to being a private guy. However, he also understands good TV and allowed a little bit more of himself to be exposed on Friday's special, which also stars his wife, Hill, and Hank Williams, Jr.

"It is as intimate as it can be -- as a private guy it's hard to let too much out. But you do get to know a little more about how I tick. I open the door a little more. We did a lot in the house and I did a little more talking. I'm not a big talker when it comes to being on stage."

To celebrate their 10th anniversary, McGraw and Hill kick off their Soul 2 Soul II tour later this month. The tour is rumoured to be stopping in Calgary early in 2007.

McGraw is looking forward to spending time with his family and sharing the stage with his wife.

"From the time the lights go down to when the lights come up, it will be consistently one show," he says about how the stage time will be divided between the couple.

Sharing the spotlight with Hill is easy, trying to keep up with her vocally is another matter.

"She is one of the best singers in the world, she really is. I don't think she gets credit a lot of the time for being as good as she is because she's so beautiful and people look past her singing and look at her and don't listen. She truly is one of the great vocalists in the world and to keep up with her, for a journeyman like me, is a tough sprint."