Montgomery County Democratic Party

The Montgomery County Democratic Party will host a “get out the vote” rally Saturday at 10 a.m. at Veteran’s Plaza. State legislators  and local candidates will join the event in an effort to energize and encourage early voting, which if the first day of early voting is any indicator, will be encouragement falling on willing ears.

After the rally, the group plans to enter the Election Commission as a group and vote for the candidates of their choice.

On Wednesday, the early voting line extended out the door and down the covered walkway, with as many as 60-80 people in line at any given time.

For more information on this MCDP event, call  931-552-5523

Nan and Jim Robertson offer refreshments for their Obama House Party

Saturday, September 27th, Nan and Jim Robertson opened their Stewart County home to host a Stewart County Democrats for Obama House Party. On the patio garden of the lovely wooded residence, Stewart County Democratic Party officials spoke of reasons everyone feels its time for a change in the way Washington does business. Local citizens are suffering under the wave of neglect and disregard that signifies the Bush Administration’s approach to government.

Jim welcomed the guests to their home and encouraged everyone to incorporate ‘green technology’ and businesses into their daily habits. He spoke of alternative energy and fuels that offer real opportunity to realign our foreign oil dependence equation and help improve the environment while giving a boost to our economy as well.

Stewart County Democratic Party President Thurston Smith stated that Federal and state government cutbacks have a disproportionate impact upon the local population. Economic realities are readily felt here and the citizens aren’t fooling themselves to these real facts. Jobs are not increasing and those that are here are not secure. Benefits are costly and inadequate. He told of how some Dover citizens, who had once confided not being willing to vote for women candidates or a candidate of a different ethnicity, have since come back to declare that they no longer feel that way and that they support and will be voting for Senator Obama in November. Stewart County is a small county, economically speaking, and the economy has soured there.

State Rep. Willie Borchert relayed several instances of rendering assistance to veterans and their families who had been caught up in the web of government indifference and disregard. Be it local, state or federal, government owes its very existence to meeting the needs of the people. Yet that government has turned a deaf ear to the cries from the American people. Veterans see their support systems whittled away, underfunded and simply denied and ask what are they supposed to do now? He cited several cases where Tennesseans had appealed to him for assistance when their veteran family members had been abused by the veterans health care system or administration. Overbilling veterans and local officials pursuing negligent enforcement of lapsed regulations are not aspects of a caring government. Federal withdrawal of education funding can have a disastrous effect on a small town like Dover. Callous disregard for the needs of our veterans runs counter to the American ideal and the promise made to every military service member. Funding ’sweetheart’ contracts to insider companies while denying care to wounded soldiers and veterans and neglecting our infrastructure is not the American way. Borchert ended his talk by quoting a man he admitted he seldom agreed with, Allen Greenspan, “The only reason we’re in Iraq is because we’ve got an oil president and an oil vice president, and they work for Hailburton.”

Adam Haynes, from Clarksville, next addressed the gathering, speaking for two candidates on the November ballot, Bob Tuke and Tim Barnes. He reminded everyone that change is needed beyond more than the White House. Tennessee needs a change in senate representation as well. Bob Tuke is that change. He urged the crowd to cite how Lamar Alexander has helped Dover and Stewart County in his tenure as U.S. Senator. “That silence is reason for you to support Bob Tuke and have a voice that will speak and work for more than just Knoxville, Oak Ridge and East Tennessee.”

Adam also spoke of the turmoil surrounding the state senate District 22 race. He declared, “We now have a candidate in Tim Barnes. The attempts to subvert and corrupt the election process have been addressed and the established rules and regulations have been enacted. Rather than denying citizens their vote, the process worked to protect those very votes against those who sought to manipulate and defeat them. In Tim Barnes, the district will find a candidate who, first and foremost, seeks to serve the people. Tim has no hidden agenda, no personal ambition to use this position to rise to higher office. He is committed to supporting the Democratic Party, working in a truly bipartisan manner and pass legislation to benefit the people of Tennessee.

Rep. Borchert speaks from patio yard

Rep. Borchert reminded the gathering that during the past 18 months, when the state legislature failed to pass the state budget because of Senate Republican opposition, every day the state senate was in extended session cost Tennessee taxpayers an additional $50,000 dollars. Senator Kurita supported the Republicans’ agenda, not the Democratic Party, not legislation to benefit her constituents.

Terry McMoore thanked the Robertson’s for hosting the House Party and sharing their home. He thanked all the speakers and the gathered visitors for coming. He also thanked Jim and Nan for the catered refreshments spread out in the kitchen, encouraging everyone to help themselves. He complimented the beauty of Stewart county and the wonders he had found in Dover. He ended saying that Montgomery county needs to follow Stewart County’s lead in being an Obama County.

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[Non-cited photos by Turner McCullough Jr.]

District 22 candidate Atty. Tim Barnes (L) and Senate candidate Bob Tuke

Governor Phil Bredesen, Senators Thelma Harper and Beverly Marrero, Senate candidate Bob Tuke and a who’s who of state and local legislators gathered in Nashville Monday to endorse Senate District 22 candidate Tim Barnes in his election bid. Barnes will be opposed by write-in candidate and incumbent, Senator Rosalind Kurita.

Barnes lost the primary by 19 votes but that election race was voided after a hearing on election law violations by the State Democratic Executive Committee, which then ruled that the decision between both candidates would be placed in the hands of the Houston, Stewart and Montgomery County Democratic executive committees, which chose Barnes 61-4.

The late afternoon gathering included a number of endorsement speeches and a re-iteration of the platform Barnes supports, a platform he pledges will reflect “what the people of my district want. I work for them.”

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Local fund raiser highlighted by enthusiastic crowd and lively speakers. Montgomery County Democratic Party partners with Clarksville for Obama to stage the event. Democratic State Senate District 22 nominee Tim Barnes shares in event spotlight.

Clarksville for Obama, with an assist from the Montgomery County Democratic Party, held a fund raiser Thursday night  at the IAM Local # 129 Union Hall on 1296 Union Hall Rd.

U.S. Senate Candidate Bob Tuke and Senate District 22 candidate Tim Barnes were among the guest speakers, a roster that included candidates for state and national offices on the November ballot, and representatives of both the Democratic Party and Labor Unions.  Approximately 155 people attended the event.

Gene Lewis, MCDP chair, stood in for Kim McMiillan, who was unable to attend, as moderator for the event. He introduced each of the program’s speakers to address the gathering.

Bob Tuke (center, left), candidate for 7th US Senate District, commended Clarksville for Obama and the Montgomery County Democratic Party. He praised the county for its strong Democratic Party tradition. He additionally hailed State Senate District 22 nominee Tim Barnes.

Tuke then cited Senator Barack Obama as a “great candidate” and declared he would make a fantastic president. He declared the current financial crisis, “is not an accident, it isn’t cyclic. It’s the result of mismanagement.” He noted that “President Obama” will need a supportive Senate and that means having at least sixty democratic votes in the Senate.

“I want to be that 60th vote that will end the Republicans filibusters. Barack and I need your help to make that happen.” — Bob Tuke

Tim Barnes , State Senate District 22 nominee, “To my many supporters, from the bottom of my heart, Thank You!” He declared that:

“There is nothing more powerful than a group of people dedicated to a cause. I stand here before you as living proof of that you can make a difference. It is essential we take this fight to the people. Senator Obama has the opportunity to straighten out the mess of George W. Bush and Dick Cheney.”

He added that the unique thing about Senator Obama is that, “He’s not telling us what we want to hear, he’s telling us what we NEED to hear!”

Randy Morris, candidate for US Congressional District 7, spoke out about Rep. Marsha Blackburn, regarding her 90 percent track record of voting with the Bush administration: “Poor Marsha, she never got it an she never will!” He supports Senator Obama’s energy program, saying, “We are going to have to get off our oil dependence. ‘Drill, baby, drill,’ sounds cute but it’s not the answer to our energy problems. We have to go with renewable resources.”

Wade Munday, communications director of the Tennessee Democratic Party, told the crowd of looking forward to seeing Bob Tuke retire Lamar Alexander in the US Senate and Tim Barnes sitting at the District 22 seat in the State Senate. He declared that with Barack Obama in the White House and Bob Tuke in the US Senate, Democrats are ready to take control and change this nation for the better. Jerry Lee, president of AFL-CIO Tennessee State Council, spoke next. He told the gathering that “our country must turn around. We must change our nation’s direction. We must elect Barack Obama as president.”

Tyrone Taylor (left), communications director for Clarksville for Obama, enthralled the gathering, saying that “Barack’s message of change, of empowerment was simply too powerful to resist. The Republicans view our situation as natural. It’s no big deal. They represent the past. We democrats represent the future.”

Jerry Martin, director of Tennessee for Obama, told the crowd that Montgomery county is going to be blue in November. Martin noted that “Tennessee is counted as a red state but in reality that is only a superficial cover. Our everyday politics are invariably blue. In June 2006, there were 3.5 million registered voters in Tennessee. In June 2007, that number had grown to 3.8 million registered voters.” He urged the group by October 6, 2008, (ed: the deadline to register for the 2008 election) to make that number more than 4 million.

Martin also spoke of various attempts to disparage Senate Obama, false attacks on his name, his religion, and his character. He urged everyone to refer to the website, <www.stopthesmears.com> for factual information and counter arguments to refute these false attacks being circulated by his opponents. He told the supporters to respond to these untruths by referring the doubters to “stopthesmears.com” and ask if they know that Senator McCain (a) voted against the Women’s Fair Pay Act and (b) wants to tax their health care benefits. Martin said that September 30 will be celebrated as “Obama Blue Day,” a day when all Barack Obama supporters are asked to wear the color blue and register two unregistered voters.

Refreshments for this popular event included a variety of deli sandwiches with condiments, chips and pastry desserts and soft drinks. The serving line, manned by Clarksville for Obama volunteers, moved the procession along smoothly and efficiently. Additionally, Campaign Obama t-shirts and yard signs were available for purchase. These tables were well visited.

Obama bumper stickers, buttons, t-shirts and yard signs, along with material for other campaigns, are also available at the party headquarters. Volunteer campaign workers are welcome. The next General Membership meeting of the Montgomery County Democratic Party is Tuesday, September 23, at party headquarters at 534 Madison Street, located at the corner of Madison Street and University Avenue, across from United Church of Christ. All Democrats and Democratic supporters are encouraged to attend.

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Bob Tuke

The Atomic Trades and Labor Council has endorsed Bob Tuke to become Tennessee’s next U.S. Senator and to defeat Lamar Alexander in November.  The ATLC is comprised of 16 international unions and 17 local unions and represents approximately 2,100 members at Oak Ridge National Laboratory and the Y-12 National Security Complex.  The ATLC joins a growing list of Tuke for Tennessee endorsers, including:

• Tennessee AFL-CIO Labor Council – Representing 340 Local Unions and 250,000 workers throughout Tennesse
• Tennessee Professional Fire Fighters Association
• Teamsters Local Union 519 – Knoxville, TN
• Teamsters Local Union 480 – Nashville, TN
• Teamsters Local Union 327 – Nashville, TN
• Communications Workers of America Local 3808 – Nashville, TN
• UA Local Union 614 – Memphis, TN
• AFSCME Local 1733 – Memphis, TN
• International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 474 – Memphis, TN

For a complete list of Tuke for Tennessee endorsers, please visit http://www.tukefortennessee.com/endorsers.

Tuke will be in Clarksville at the Hand Farm for the Democratic Labor Day Celebration on September 6.

Robert (Bob) Tuke is a Marine who served America, a Democratic soldier who has worked hard for others in Tennessee politics. He is now a candidate for the United States Senate is touring Clarksville meeting with voters to discuss his platform and answer their questions

Robert D. Tuke is the former Chairman of the Tennessee Democratic Party, having served from July 1, 2005 through January 13, 2007. In addition, he served as Treasurer of the Tennessee Democratic Party and Co-Chair of the Kerry/Edwards Campaign in Tennessee in 2004. He headed Veterans for Kerry in the State in 2003 – 2004. Tuke was also a Trustee of the national Kerry/Edwards campaign and served as Delegation Whip of the Tennessee Delegation at the Democratic National Convention in 2004.

Most recently, Tuke worked as the Tennessee Political Director for Obama for America.