Barack Obama for President Celebration!

The Montgomery County Democratic Party will hold its Election 2008 (November 4) celebration at the Riverview Inn Ballroom, 50 College Street, in downtown Clarksville beginning at 7 p.m. The event is open to the public and is being staged with the expectation of a presidential win by the Obama/Biden team. All Democratic candidates are expected to attend and wait for the final tally.

Given the number of candidates and campaign staff involved in both Clarksville for Obama and the MCDP, the Dem headquarters on Madison Street was too small for the expected crowd on Tuesday evening.

Attendees can watch the returns on a large screen TV with additional internet access to results as they happen.

The evening of September 26 will be a busy one with two important political events in Montgomery County. The Women For Obama 19th Amendment Anniversary House Party will be followed by the 1st Presidential Debate Watch Party.

This year’s Presidential Debate at the University of Mississippi marks an historic development in U.S. presidential elections political history. This is the first time for the staging of a presidential debate in the state of Mississippi.

Senator Barack Obama and Senator John McCain will appear live to debate issues of concern to the American public in Ole Miss’ Gertrude C. Ford Center in Oxford, Mississippi. The debate will be moderated by Jim Lehrer, executive editor and anchor of The NewsHour on PBS. This debate will focus on foreign policy and national security.

Tennessee steps into the national political spotlight on October 7th. On that date, Belmont University will host the second 2008 presidential debate, a town hall setting, to be moderated by Tom Brokaw, special correspondent for NBC News. Both events are being staged primarily as prime time television viewing events. Belmont University is hosting special a pre-debate dialogue and symposiums in advance of the Sept. 26th evening debate. Both universities are giving their students priority for any on-site seats. Belmont is anticipating a 3,000 person audience for its event. Both schools have issued press releases declaring that they have no control over the limited number of tickets to the debates.

Locally, on Sept. 26th, at 8 PM, the Montgomery County Democratic Party Headquarters will serve as host site for a “Presidential Debate” Watch Party. The party headquarters is located at 534 Madison Street, at the corner of Madison Street and University Drive, across from the Madison Street Church of Christ. The House Party is open to the public. To confirm seating or for more information call (931) 552-9076 or visit the website at: <www.ClarksvilleForObama.com> Volunteer food and drink donations will be appreciated.

Volunteer support opportunities are available at all levels. For more information on volunteering with the Montgomery County Democratic Party, call (931) 552-5523 or visit the party headquarters. For Obama/Biden campaign volunteer information, call (931) 553-9076 or visit their website at: <www.ClarksvilleForObama.com> General election and Obama presidential campaign yard signs, bumper stickers and buttons are also available at the party headquarters.

Senator Rosalind Kurita, flanked by MCDP Chairman Gene Lewis (right) and Rep. Joe Pitts (left) cut the ribbon to officially open MCDP Election headquarters

With the handicap access ramp’s paint scent still fresh in the air, Tuesday evening saw the Montgomery County Democratic Party, (MCDP), host a jubilant election headquarters grand opening. Party officials, elected representatives and ‘names to remember’ were on hand to mark the event. The ribbon cutting at 534 Madison Street was marked with congratulatory thanks to all the supporters who came out to the event. The office will be open from 2-5 p.m. until the Democratic Convention is over; after the convention, it will be open full time.

New ramp makes handicapped access easy at MCDP headquarters

State Rep. Joe Pitts, State Senator Rosalind Kurita, former House Majority Leader Kim MacMillan along with MCDP Chair Gene Lewis all held the ribbon as a smiling Senator Kurita cut the cloth. With a smooth single stroke, the headquarters doors were open and everyone flowed inside for refreshments. Attendance was estimated to be over 150 persons.

The MCDP will conduct and coordinate all of its 2008 general elections campaign activities at this location. In addition, Clarksville for Obama will conduct all of its remaining campaign activities from the 534 Madison Street site as well. The building sits at the intersection of University Blvd. and Madison Street, across from the Madison Street Christ of Christ.

Several of the regional candidates brought campaign material for distribution to promote their campaigns. David Davison provided lawn signs in addition to personal fans. Ryan Morris also had lawn sign signs on hand. The Bob Tuke for Senate Campaign conducted volunteer sign-up. Rev. Charles Moreland had his “Prayer for Obama” brochures on display. Clarksville for Obama staffers had a table with campaign buttons and car bumper stickers for sale. Also a fresh shipment of Obama ‘08 T-shirts arrived and was immediately opened to a myriad of calls for purchase. Senator Kurita was among the first to purchase one of the Obama ‘08 “Change You Can Believe” T-shirt.

Along with the those named above, also in attendance were County Sheriff Norman Lewis, Clarksville for Obama campaigners Jim and Nan Roberts; Cindy Pitts, wife of Rep. Joe Pitts, candidate for 7th Congressional District Ryan G. Morris, candidate for the State House District 78 seat David Davison, Ward 8 City council candidate David Cutting, Senate district 22 challenger Tim Barnes and his wife Linda, TNDP Executive Committeman Keith Jackson, Dr. Richard Gildrie, Dr. Howard Winn, and MCDP Treasurer Barbara Brown.

Also attending were Clarksville for Obama campaigner JoAnn Latz,Tyrone Taylor-Montgomery County Co-Chair for the “Bob Tuke for U.S. Senate” campaign, Dr. George Kurita, MCDP 1st Vice-Chair Kim Smith, Freda and Donald O’Neal, Hispanic Chamber of Commerce member and community activist Angel Natal, Clarksville for Obama Campaign Chairman Terry McMoore, APSU College Democrats President Adam Haynes, MCDP 3rd Vice-Chair Robert Lewis, MCDP 4th Vice-Chair Betsy Ignacio, community activist Virgina Hatcher-Simms along with MCDP Secretary Brenay Poindexter, Horace Murphy and his wife, Dr. Jean Murphy, Caribbean Drums Performer/Instructor Ivin Roberts and Pastor Timothy Grant.

Along with the trays of finger vegetables, sliced meats and cheese, diced fruit, the sheet cake and chilled fruit punch, networking was busily conducted. Introductions, acquaintance renewals and campaign support pledges, well wishes, congratulations and fund-raising abounded.

Upcoming Clarksville for Obama activities include a House Party in Adams, TN on Saturday, August 23rd. More details forthcoming. There will be an “Organize for Change:” Convention Watch Party on August 28th at MCDP Headquarters. For more information on Clarksville for Obama, to purchase t-shirts, buttons or bumper stickers, or to sign up to host a house party, get event hosting assistance or otherwise support the Obama in ‘08 campaign, visit their website: <www.clarksvilleforobama.com.>

The Montgomery County Democratic Party General Membership Meeting will be held Tuesday, August 26th at the new election campaign Madison Street headquarters. For additional information or questions, please contact: Gene Lewis, MCDP Chairman at (931) 801-6209. As the Democratic Party National Convention sweeps to an end this weekend, the MCDP headquarters will swing into action. the MCDP headquarters phone number is 931-552-5523. Volunteers are always welcome.

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