Pre-presidential debate event is well attended with diverse community population. Hispanic/Latino community activists speak out on election, progress, and issues facing all voters.

The Montgomery County Democratic Party Headquarters, 534 Madison Street, served as the host site for the Latinos For Obama House Party. As a prelude to the 2nd presidential debate, the gathering was a well attended affair that drew participants from beyond just the Latino/Hispanic community.

Fabian Bedne, making a point...

Fabian Bedne, an architectural engineer, was the guest speaker for the event. Bedne is a founding member and President of the Middle Tennessee Hispanic Democrats, founding member of the Middle Tennessee Chapter of the National Association of Hispanic Real Estate Professionals, the Tennessee Hispanic Voters Coalition PAC, and member of the Executive Committee of the Davidson County Democratic Party.

Bedne has been featured various times in news print, television and recently spoke to Latino Democrats from around the country as an Obama delegate to the Democratic National Convention.

Fabian Bedne addresses voters at MCDP headquarters

Bedne is also a board member of Habitat for Humanity, a founding member of Metro schools’ Comité de Padres Latinos (COPLA) Committee of Latino Parents, member of the Community Relations Committee of the Nashville Jewish Federation, and member of the Tennessee Delegate Selection Plan Committee of the Tennessee Democratic Party. He has also mentored students in the YMCA Hispanic Achievers program.

Parents listen intently as Bedne speaks.

Bedne stated that he is a supporter of educational achievement and economic development. In the past, the Black community and the Latino/Hispanic communities have both received the same political consideration in American politics, namely that of being ignored or taken for granted, marginalized.

“Like the Black community, we know what it is to only see or hear from politicians during an election cycle and after the election, they disappear for four years and forget your name until the next election rolls around.”~~ Fabian Bedne

During his address he noted that issues of concern to the Latino/Hispanic community are the same as with the Black community. He stated that many assume that immigration is the top concern of Latinos and Hispanics but that is incorrect. “We care about the economy, education, the war and then immigration, in that order.”

He also told the gathering that “Hispanics being seen as the largest minority in the United States has resulted in efforts targeting Latinos and Hispanics for specialized intimidation and voter suppression.” Flyers and rumors pour into the communities with misinformation and untruths designed to scare Latinos and Hispanics from seeking to register or go to the polls to vote. Bedne stated that many Latinos and Hispanics come from a background where law enforcement is not an true agent of public service for the common citizen but rather an extension of the power structure to suppress the people.

“It takes an intensive education effort to undo that kind of conditioning. Sadly there are political operatives here in this country who prey upon the immigrants ingrained fears of police to discourage our community from fully participating in the American system of government.” ~~ Fabian Bedne

Bedne stated that education is important, on many levels. “You can’t educate the child if the parents aren’t involved. Yet many Latinos/Hispanics have many issues which prevent them from being involved in their children’s education. Lack of English language proficiency and the quest for profitable employment are chief among these issues.”

“This is a great country. For us, prior to coming here, we only know what we see in the movies. But when we get here, we stay here because we see just how great life is in the United States. The Latino/Hispanic community is not trying to tear down this country, quite the opposite.”~~ Fabian Bedne

They recognize the promise that is America and seek to participate in that ideal.

During the question and answer session that followed his address, an audience member asked, ” “How do you answer someone who tells you vote your biblical heritage?” Another individual responded saying, “I would tell them, my biblical heritage tells me to vote for someone who will help the poor, who will feed the hungry, who will shelter the homeless and clothe the naked and drive the moneychangers out of the temples. Someone who will do unto his fellowman as he or she would wish done for himself.” This response was soundly applauded.

Other Latino community activists in attendance were also introduced to the gathering.

Yoland Echezarria (at left), a Fort Campbell Middle school teacher, is also a voter registration volunteer in the Hispanic community, indicating the value she places on the rights and responsibility of individuals to not only register to vote but to show up at the polls and vote.

Angel Natal, (at right with Frankie DeJesus), is a member of the Clarksville Fire Department and is also active in voter registration activity, promoting educational achievement and community organizing.

Frankie DeJesus is a student at Austin Peay State University, a member of the APSU College Democrats, and Director of Minority Affairs for the State Federation of College Democrats Outreach to the Minority Community.

Candidates for public office were then acknowledged.

Candy Johnson (at right), candidate for City Council Ward 5, David Cutting, candidate for City council Ward 8, Tim Barnes (above right), Democratic candidate for State Senate District 22 and State Rep. Joe Pitts, State House District 67 were presented to the gathering. Socializing followed with refreshments being served as everyone waited for the second presidential debate, live from Belmont University to begin.

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]]> http://www.clarksvilleonline.com/2008/10/09/latinos-for-obama-house-party-is-a-full-house/feed/ 0 http://www.clarksvilleonline.com/2008/09/19/clarksville-for-obama-fund-raiser-invigorates-supporters/ http://www.clarksvilleonline.com/2008/09/19/clarksville-for-obama-fund-raiser-invigorates-supporters/#comments Sat, 20 Sep 2008 01:00:04 +0000 Turner McCullough Jr. http://www.clarksvilleonline.com/?p=9449

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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Delegates gather for the convention.

In a crowded room at the Riverview Inn, the controversial September 13 decision of Tennessee State Democratic Party Executive Committee to invalidate the August Primary election was carried out via a tri-county democratic convention convened to decide which of two candidates appear on the November ballot.  In this special called convention, sixty-five county delegates decided the Democratic Party nominee of State Senate District 22 for the November ballot. With a roll call vote, 61 delegates pledged their vote to challenger Atty. Tim Barnes, with four votes going to incumbent State Senator Kurita.

Approved delegates from Cheatham, Houston and Montgomery counties totaled eighty-two. The sixty-five credentialed delegates in attendance satisfied the requirement for a quorum. Senator Rosalind Kurita, herself a delegate, did not attend the proceedings. Tim Barnes, also a delegate, did. The standing-room only proceedings were convened on time (at 7:30 p.m.), orderly, and without outbursts or protests being voiced. There was a rotating silent protest just outside the hotel as a single protester held a sign objecting to the convention. A half dozen television cameras and numerous media photographers were present to document this breaking news story.

Guidelines declared.

Gene Lewis, Montgomery County Democratic Party Chairman, opened the proceedings. Martha Brooke Perry, Cheatham County Party chair, led the Pledge of Allegiance. Chaplain Charles Moreland gave the opening prayer, reading the familiar Prayer of St. Francis, classic prayer for “peace”, apt in the face of the controversy that has surrounded this race. The credentials committee chairperson confirmed delegate attendance count as 65 and declared a quorum was present.

Grant Phillips, General Counsel to the Tennessee Democratic Party, then addressed the convention, summarizing events that  led to the call for this convention. Chairman Lewis declared the sole purpose of the convention was to select a Democratic Party nominee for the November ballot. No discussion of the primary, the special executive committee hearing or personal attacks would be permitted. Outbursts and unruly conduct would result in those persons being escorted from the gathering. With that, the floor was opened to receive nominations.

The nominations and the vote.

Linda Swindell, a Cheatham County voter, nominated Senator Rosalind Kurita (at right), accompanying that nomination with a statement that voters “lost their right to have their votes counted.” Ricky Wallace nominated Attorney Tim Barnes without comment.  Nominations were closed. While this process allowed for additional nominations of any candidate meeting state requirement, no other nominations were put forth.

Each nominee was allowed five minutes in which to address the delegates. Nominee incumbent Senator Kurita did not attend the proceedings and was unavailable to make a presentation; she had indicated she would not attend since she believed party delegates had “already made up their minds.”

Tim Barnes was present and addressed the delegates. He spoke of being tired, tired of scurrilous attacks on his character, his profession and the people of District 22. He stressed that his focus remains on helping the people of the district. With the everyday stress of high gasoline prices, mortgage and banking uncertainty, unaffordable health care and underfunded education, he said there was no time for character assassination. He had no personal agenda or advancement goals to exploit. He further said he would be proud to be the nominee for District 22 on the November ballot.

With the conclusion of his address, a roll call vote was conducted. With a 61 to 4 vote tally, the convention chose Barnes to be the Democratic Party nominee on the November ballot. The convention adjourned after the vote tally was declared. A press conference in the hotel lobby was held.

Supporters celebrate and Barnes gives thanks.

Tim Barnes supporters gathered in the lobby to cheer their candidate’s selection. With shouts of “Time for Tim!,” Barnes made his way to the rostrum, shaking hands and receiving congratulations along the way. He thanked his supporters for their steadfastness. He also thanked his wife and children for enduring the chaotic atmosphere of the past seven months. He said he was humbled by the vote and would not take this selection lightly. He is proud of his campaign, stating that it proves taking the high road can be successful. He never practiced negativism and focused instead on the concerns of working families, the people of District 22.

Barnes reiterated his reasons for pursuing the nomination: to help working families. Responding to media questions of whether Senator Kurita would mounting a write-in campaign, he said he understands she is angry but deferred the question to the state Democratic Party. When asked about possible voter backlash to the way he has won the nomination, he answered no and again deferred any further consideration on the subject to party officials.  He stated that his goal is to help the people as they struggle to make ends meet. When asked about crossover Republican voters, Barnes said there has always been been crossover voting. It becomes harmful “when it is a concerted effort to subvert the democratic process.” He acknowledged having Republican friends and welcomed any Republicans who would choose to support him with their vote.

Barnes said he would renew his campaign efforts for the people’s vote in November. He again thanked all the volunteers who have given selflessly of their their time and efforts on his behalf and asked them to continue and gear up for the next push to the November election.

It was a tough loss for both Kurita and her constituents, who favored her stand on issues including the environment and women’s issues, among other concerns. Outside the Inn, several people protested the not only the decision but the process, with duct tape over their mouths as a symbol of their vote for Kurita being silenced.

Kurita, as many voters have speculated, is planning a write-in campaign for the for the November 4 election. Barnes, who at one point on primary night thought he had won the election only to find minutes later he lost by 19 votes, challenged that original election, an action that last Saturday resulted in eight hours of testimony and the invalidation of the primary race by the Democratic State Executive Committee.

Ironically, for all the controversy this process incurred, the primary race attracted less than 12% of registered voters, hardly a mandate. Kurita won that by 19 votes. Barnes challenges the election results, calling for a recount,, which, with voting machines, only repeats the totals, not the votes. In another bit of irony, the current electronic voting system in Montgomery County will be replaced by a verifiable voting system — but not until after the presidential election in November. Barne’s challenge to the election was not only the close vote but other alleged irregularities at county polling places.

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Saturday afternoon saw “Clarksville for Obama” execute their community event in participation with the nation-wide June 28th community event for the “Obama for President” campaign.

Senator Barack Obama’s approach to presidential campaigning is predicated on having small citizen groups form within their own communities and build support bases from the community level up to the national organization through social networking.

Speaking for “Clarksville for Obama,” Tyrone Taylor said:

“This grassroots organizing is at the heart of the Obama campaign. These small groups are being empowered to conduct and be responsible for the growth of this process.”

This phenomenon was in evidence Saturday as some 50 people gathered and gave voice to their reasons for joining the “Obama for President” campaign. “Clarksville for Obama” utilized social networking tactics to contact friends, associates and potentially interested persons to invite them to attend the rally event. Emails, phone calls, text messaging, postings to MySpace and Facebook were all tactics employed to make contact and encourage people to come out. By the size of the crowd, they were quite successful in their efforts.

Event spokesperson Terry McMoore told the group that the Obama campaign” is a digital campaign!” Senator Obama intends to utilize modern technology as never before, with text messaging and MySpace postings as two of the tools by which this campaign will distinguish itself from past campaigns and him from other candidates.

Despite this embracing of new technology, there are still some vestiges of more traditional campaigning. The team expects to have a central headquarters from which to conduct its concerted efforts for the November election.

JoAnn Latz, another “Clarksville for Obama” member, said with that development, volunteers are needed for phone bank calls, organizing more neighborhood gatherings, and canvassing and voter registration efforts, all of which are slated to become part of the push to November and a victory for Senator Obama. Clarksville for Obama has been recognized by the national campaign as the ‘formal’ Obama campaign organization for Clarksville and Montgomery County.

Volunteers willing to host house parties were solicited. Names were given for volunteer campaign advancement activities like staffing the soon-to-be open campaign headquarters, making phonecalls to potential supporters, local fundraising, writing articles and letters to the local media, debunking smear attempts, and just talking with co-workers and neighbors to urge their support for the Obama campaign as well.

The group watched a video of Senator Obama as part of the synchronized nation-wide rally event. Several people spoke of their reasons for supporting the Obama campaign. There was an agreed upon sentiment that, upon hearing him speak, people became convinced of his sincerity and true compassion for the concerns of everyone he encounters.

“Senator Obama is a statesman,” noted David Shelton, “He is there to represent every single man, woman and child. It doesn’t matter if you’re Black, White, Hispanic, Asian, Native American, rich or poor, middle class, working class, straight, gay, young or old. He represents for everyone.”

Jim Robertson said he came to support Senator Obama because of his concerns with health care. His wife has muscular dystrophy and when the new Medicare Prescription Bill took effect, her prescription costs shot way-y-y up. He himself has arthritis and is unable to get health insurance. He was facing a medical procedure and had sought insurance only to learn that the insurance rate quoted him was twice the cost the medical procedure itself.

Charles Moreland spoke of ‘The Unity Project,’ and the “Prayer Warriors for Obama,” which seeks to garner the power of the ‘prayer warriors’ of the Democratic Party flock, and have them pray for Senator Obama’s success in becoming president. He said “People need to realize that Christians are Democrats too, and that we also pray.” He showed the template of a brochure which will be available within a week for distribution by individuals or groups.

Debbie Boen attended wearing her “Republicans for Obama” pin. She started the group, Clarksville Freethinkers for Peace and Civil Liberties in late 2004. She said that for her it is not about what party you belong to and that Democrats, like Republicans, have to remember that we’re all in this together. She is dismayed with the smear-style tactics (like Obama/Osama) being practiced by Republicans because the tactic only makes people look stupid. She said it’s just not a basis for a good argument. These tactics are harmful to Republicans because people have come to distrust them and all those who engage in these tactics. She believes there are plenty of serious issues that demand our attention:  the environment, escalating gas and oil prices, natural resources and how we use them and “the war, the war, the war, the war.”

Disgruntled voters from all walks of our political process were urged to consider the candidacy of Senator Obama. “Clarksville” said that theirs is an outreach open to independents, Blue Dog Democrats, Reagan Democrats, compassionate conservatives disillusioned by the Republican Party and this administration, GOP faithful not in sync with their party’s positions, and anyone who has been looking for change, for the betterment of our society and our nation and has found themselves not satisfied. Voters seeking a change for a better time in America should find themselves moving to the Obama team, according to “Clarksville for Obama.”

Clarksville for Obama announced their new website will be launched within a week or ten days. For more information on the current level of activity and full color story, visit: http://www.clarksvilleonline.com/2008/06/23/join-the-unite-for-change-unite-for-change-campaign

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Tuesday night, the Smith-Trahern Mansion played host to the monthly meeting of the Montgomery County Democratic Party.

Delina Starr gave a report of the June 14th South Guthrie voter registration and candidate rally. Thanks was given to the support effort that came together to stage the rally. The rally was held at the historic Guildfield Baptist Church and lasted into the early evening hours.

After Starr finished her report, the attendees heard from several candidates or their designated representatives including Tim Barnes campaign manager Kim Smith, Senate District 22; Robert Hunt, County Assessor Office; and Althea Jack, campaign manager for Senator Rosalind Kurita, District 22; and U.S. Senate candidate Kenneth Eaton.

Introducing one of the Democratic challengers to US Senator Lamar Alexander, Nashville author Dean Mitchell, spoke of refuting the Republican Party’s claim of its platform being based on Christian principles found in The Bible. He has authored a book which directly challenges this contention and debunks the falsehood the claimed biblical  references advanced from GOP spokespersons.

Mitchell then introduced Eaton, a Nashville businessman who believes that Senator Alexander has not been faithful to his pledges of business principle based government administration. He contends Alexander’s personal affairs conduct of his senatorial career belies his stated principles and objectives. Eaton intends to pursue this approach in his campaign. More information on his political views and campaign is available at his website.

Next, State Senator Rosalind Kurita’s campaign manager, Althea Jack addressed the group. She pointed out several legislative initiatives the Senator was proud to have seen passed in the legislature. These include the Senior Home Health Care Act, the HOPE Scholarship Reform- which amended the GPA retention requirement standards, HOPE Scholarship Expansion to include non-traditional students eligibility and Helping Heroes Act, which gives monies to Tennessee military personnel in addition to their GI Bill benefits.

Kim Smith told the group about the upcoming Thursday kick-off fund raiser for Tim Barnes, candidate for Senate District 22. The fund raiser will be held June 26th at the Machinists Union Hall, 121 Union Hall Rd., from 5:30-7:30 p.m. The event will include a meal of Bar-B-Q, baked beans, coleslaw, bread, beverages. and lots of fun. Yard signs and bumper stickers will be distributed. For more information, contact campaign manager Kim Smith at (800) 930-9405, (931) 648-9400, (931) 801-4821 or by e-mail at . No minimum contribution is required.

Robert Hunt introduced himself as the candidate for the County Assessor position on the August election slate. He is a Clarksville native, a Clarksville High School graduate, an U.S. Army veteran and has a BA degree from East Tennessee State University. He has 19 years experience in the Assessor’s Office. He has several assessor certification awards including International Association of Assessing Officers’ Certified Assessment Evaluator (CAE) and Residential Evaluation Specialist (RES). He has earned professional designations of Tennessee Certified Assessor (TCA), Tennessee Master Assessor (TMA) and Certified Public Administrator (CPA).

The Unity Project’s ‘Prayer Warriors’ Initiative was highlighted by Charles Moreland. The focus is encourage democrats to pray for Senator Barrack Obama’s success and to show that Democrats are ‘prayer warriors’ too. More information and a color pamphlets will be available at the next group meeting. Moreland also spoke about the “Neighborhood Volunteer Program.” The program seeks to have local volunteers commit to talking with 25 neighbors at least 25 times between now and Election Day. The idea is that personal interaction can be more persuasive than big money campaign ads. For more information on either of these initiatives, contact him via email at .

“Clarksville for Obama” spokesperson Terry McMoore spoke about “Unite for Change,” a nationwide event occurring on June 28 at 5:30 p.m.. The local contingent will meet at Lassiter’s Coffee and Tea Shop, 2250 Wilma Rudolph Blvd. This two-hour event is about people mobilizing for change. Blue Dog Democrats, Hillary Clinton primary supporters, Republicans and Independents all have an opportunity to make real change happen in America. ‘Clarksville for Obama’ can be found on the MySpace and Facebook social networking websites.

Wade Monday, from the Tennessee Democratic Party next addressed the group. He told of the party’s anti-smear campaign designed to refute and rebuff the myriad of false and malicious Obama rhetoric being circulated among the electorate and the general public. Individuals are encouraged to report malicious, falsehoods and misstatements in letters to editor, or opinion pieces that appear in print and electronic media. Supporters are encouraged to write truthful rebuttals to these Swiftboat Veteran-style attacks. 

The Montgomery County Democratic Party is gearing up for the opening of the election headquarters and its operation. Volunteers will be needed to man phone banks, conduct neighborhood canvassing and voter registration efforts. For more information about party activities, call 931-645-9011.

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