St. Bethlehem School (District 1) had heavy turnout in the first two hours of voting

At the Jaycee’s on Hwy 48 (District 5), “we’ve had more people in the first hour than we had in the entire primary election.” The words “steady stream” and “heavy” turnout were heard at virtually every polling place. The early voting period saw a 40% turnout, and given the number to this hour, another 30-40% could vote by days end.

Campaigners with Obama/Biden and McCain/Palin joined up with Tim Barnes and Rosalind Kurita supporters to stake out visible spots at all polling sites.

Registered voters have until 7 p.m. to get in line to cast their vote; a significant turnout is expected as the “after work” voters arrive.

One male Caucasian McCain/Palin campaigner donned an Obama Halloween mask, of and by itself not a big deal, but then attached a hand-printed cardboard “Hamas for Obama” sign perpetrating a lie and creating an implication of terrorist ties to presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama. On the flip side of the sign are the words “Honk for Socialism NoBama.”

Debating the issues, building an case for a candidate rooted in facts, is one thing. This kind of ill-informed misinformation and dis-information starts with the word “stupid,” meanders into “childish,” and continues with “dangerous” and “malicious.” Where it ends remains a question mark.

There are elements of racism, hatred and politics at a new low, in this display, and it is right here in Clarksville, Tennessee.  Election 2008 has seen levels of viciousness at the local, state and federal level that are appalling, prejudiced, intolerant and ugly.

The reference to “Hamas” is troubling, because Obama is as far removed from Hamas as an American can be.

Hamas, for those uncertain of just what it is, is defined as an organization created in 1987 by Sheikh Ahmed Yassin and Mohammad Taha of the Palestinian wing of the Muslim Brotherhood at the beginning of the First Intifada. Notorious for its numerous suicide bombings and other attacks on Israeli civilians and security forces, Hamas also runs extensive social programs and has gained popularity in Palestinian society by establishing hospitals, education systems, libraries and other services throughout the West Bank and Gaza Strip. Hamas’ charter calls for the destruction of the State of Israel and its replacement with a Palestinian Islamic state in the area that is now Israel, the West Bank, and the Gaza Strip. Hamas describes its conflict with Israel as political and not religious or antisemitic. However, its founding charter, writings, and many of its public statements reflect the influence of antisemitic conspiracy theories.

America has a lot at stake: economic and military issues compete for ranking as the crisis of the day. Instead of looking at qualifications and abilities, some are presenting incorrect information, blatant lies, as truth. And playing the race card and the terrorism card in the process. They are making judgments rooted in faith and fear, and fear of certain faiths and the color of a candidate’s skin. Never mind that Obama is a Christian  or an American.

This campaigner seemed to be having a good time with his personal little joke. Many  of us, however, are not responding with laughter. We are too disgusted. Appalled. Ashamed.

The lines to vote were as long as last weeks' lines to register; early voting is off to a heavy start!

The Obama/Biden McCain/Palin bout is the headliners, presidential tickets that read like a history-making vote for change with a man who could be the country’s first African American president or what some fear will be a Bush redux, same old same old, in the top slot and America’s first potential female in one of the top two federal slots.

Senator Kurita explains the write-in process to a voter

In Clarksville, it’s the Kurita-Barnes race that has the locals fired up. Senator Kurita spent the day with her political shirtsleeves rolled up, campaigning face to face with the first round of voters taking advantage of Tennessee’s early voting. Kurita, who is running a write in campaign, said today she will continue her hands-on campaigning through the November 4th election, as she works to retain her Senate seat. Although Kurita won the primary race by 19 votes, that part of the election was overturned; subsequent action and a 61-4 vote by tri-county Dems executive committees put Barnes on the ballot. A Kurita lawsuit in this matter was squelched, but Kurita, who was barefoot after eight hours of on-her-feet politicking, and her ardent supporters, aren’t giving up without one last battle, and it is being waged one voter at a time. Her opponent, Atty. Tim Barnes, had a cadre of campaign workers on the scene as well. His blue “Barnes” signs on the right, Kurita’s red signs on the right, as cars entered and left the plaza lot.

[Show as slideshow]

12►

BBC radio's Rowan Bridge interviews Clarksville for Obama chairman Terry McMoore at MCDP headquarters

When the BBC Election Bus pulled into Clarksville, its first news stop was the Montgomery County Democratic Party headquarters on Madison Street, where a steady stream of area resident surged in and out, registering to vote and picking up Obama/Biden signs from a rapidly depleting stockpile (more signs due in Tuesday, October 7).

The BBC Election bus originated its trip in Los Angeles, and is working its way across middle America, talking to everyday Americans and catching the Presidential and Vice-presidential debates along the way. The bus trips end on Long Island, but the teams will continue to feed political news through the election on November 4.

MCDP Chairman Gene Lewis, State Senate Candidate Tim Barnes and Clarksville for Obama Chairman Terry McMoore welcomed the BBC team to Clarksville.

BBC newsman Allan Little poses a question to military wife Lisa Jackson

BBC television crews took the time to speak with several residents, including Lisa Jackson, whose husband is about to deploy to the Afghanistan war zone. Lisa, a first time campaign volunteer who renounced her Republican ties, explained to BBC broadcaster Allan Little why she is so sure Senator Barack Obama “needs” to be the next president.

“The Republicans are out of touch, they have a selfish approach to government. I did my homework, and in my opinion, Obama is brilliant, prepared and capable, he’s the type of leader we need. I am talking aboutt he state of the country, not my own needs. Obama just has the better plan.” ~~ Lisa Jackson

Retired Army Chaplain Rev. Charles Moreland speaks to BBC newsman Allan Little

Vietnam veteran and retired chaplain Rev. Charles Moreland spoke of his two tours as an Army chaplain in Vietnam, from 1966-68. “I trust Obama to the right thing,” Moreland said, indicating that war is not the answer. Moreland, who is quietly active on many fronts in Clarksville, had high praise for the Obama/Biden ticket, and said of Republican vice-presidential pick Sarah Palin, “I’m glad she’s on McCain’s ticket.”

BBC Radio Reporter Rowan Bridge spoke with a number of Democratic volunteers before heading to Republican Party headquarters at 1820 Madison Street, where a similar bustle of voters seeking yard signs, bumper stickers and T-Shirts were politicking through the day. Beside the McCain/Palin promotional materials were write-in vote materials for Senator Rosalind Kurita.

[Show as slideshow]

Halfway through the four debates of this campaign, which overlaps the largest fiscal crisis in the country since the Great Depression, the campaigns are heating up, readying for the remaining two debates:

• October 7: Presidential Debate  at Belmont University in Nashville, moderated by NBC’s Tom Brokaw

• October 15: Presidential Debate at Hofstra University in Hempstead, New York, moderated by CBS’s Bob Schieffer

The Republican headquarters is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m, and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The office is closed on Sunday. To contact the Republican Party, call 931-647-4477.