Then They Came South -The presidential campaign arrives in Tennessee

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By Bruce Dobie
Nashville Scene


Obviously, Kerry is trying to build momentum in Tennessee to capitalize on his recent successes elsewhere. His most top-shelf endorsement from a Tennessean has come from Memphis Congressman Harold Ford, of the politically influential Ford family. But a huge endorsement was set for this week, that being former Gov. Ned McWherter. Several of his close political allies were expected to follow suit. The top Kerry staffer in the state is Stephen Lindsey, who has worked in Democratic campaigns in Tennessee and is the son of influential Democratic fundraiser Cathy Thomas. At one point months ago, Lindsey had some help here in the form of a field director, but like dozens of other Kerry staffers from around the country, she was dispatched to Iowa to help in his victory effort there.

Other than Ford, Nashville attorney Bob Tuke is probably Kerry's other biggest ally in Tennessee. The likable Tuke first met Kerry in May 2002, in Nantucket, on the beach, where the two found themselves drinking beer, eating clams and talking politics. Tuke, a former Marine, had served in Vietnam. Kerry, as is now well known, had as well. There was more talk, more exchanging of ideas. "I became a real fan," Tuke says.

In those early days, there was a fundraiser at the home of Nashville music producer Don Cook, and Tuke was able to get Kerry an audience in a Nashville airport meeting room with such influential Democrats as Jane Eskind and Charles Bone. (That visit was the one time Kerry came to Tennessee.)

The most visceral connection between Tuke and Kerry is Vietnam. "I told him that as a Vietnam Veteran he has made me feel better than I have in 32 years," Tuke says. As to Kerry's syrupy-sounding Boston accent, Tuke predicts Kerry will play here regardless. "First of all, he's a hunter. Always has been. He also was a prosecutor, and he's put people away for life. Obviously, he's a combat veteran and a hero. He'll sell here." Kerry also has some distant relatives in the state who live in Pulaski and Jackson, which is better than nothing.
http://www.nashscene.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?story=This_Week:Politics:Cover_Story

Also in the same article:

-Wesley Clark and his establishment friends

-Lawyers love that John Edwards sunshine

-Hooking up with Howard Dean

[MAlibdem]

1. People know you can't say "hooking up" anymore, right?

It's slang for...hooking up...making out...random sexual encounters. ok, i just read that and laughed

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2. Aw, I like the original writing from this alternative Southern paper

It's a good read.