Harold Ford

[Ethelk2044]

How is Harold Ford's campaign doing in the Eastern part of
Tenn?  Is there still a shortage of bumper stickers etc?  What
is the mood like there as well as in other parts of Tenn?

[Claire Beth]

1. well,

I think Ford is doing good but I don't want to get overly optimistic. I see more support for Ford than Corker as far as bumper sticker and yard signs, but I would like to hear more good reports from East TN... Ford is definitely a good campaigner.
:dem:

[TornadoTN]

2. Things are looking positive, but we remain vigilant

Upper East Tennessee (Tri-Cities) is starting to shape up to be an interesting race. On Sunday, I was able to spend some time with Congressman Ford and former VA Governor Mark Warner and I must say they are dedicated to making this a state wide race, rather than a metropolitan based campaign. Ford is appealing across party lines and even getting some staunch Republicans in this traditional stranglehold to throw their support behind him. Case in point was Sunday nights campaign event, where there were not just a few Republicans, but many, that had come to put their support behind Ford because they, as middle-class Americans, have had enough.

Phil Bredesen proved that a Democrat can win in this state if they do not ignore East Tennessee. Can they win Eastern Tennessee? That may be a difficult proposition, but forcing the race to be competitive and cutting into the Republican vote total will propel them to victory. I honestly think Ford can win Eastern Tennessee based on popular sentiment against Republicans and the current state of the nation. But things can change quickly and we are expecting a lot of dirty tricks between now and election day.

[Claire Beth]

3. Thanks for the info...

this is encouraging and hopefully Ford will end up the winner. I met Ford a few weeks ago at an event nearby and was very impressed with him. He is an attractive candidate. He has charisma and delivers a good message that Tennesseans are interested in hearing.

:dem:

[Ethelk2044]

4. Ford

Thanks for the update.  I wondering about the East part of
Tennessee.  Please keep us updated from time to time.   I am
pulling for Ford all the way from PA.

[Claire Beth]

5. We appreciate that

and I am pulling for Casey in PA.

[TornadoTN]

6. Will do!

I just sent a donation to the Casey campaign with a note of thanks and encouragement.

[Jacklyn75]

7. Thats great news!

I'm a sixth generation East Tennessean living in Missouri now. I'm thrilled that Ford is trying to get votes in East Tennessee instead of just writing them off like a lot have done in the past. I sure hope it works!

[Flirtus]

8. I'm not the only one in chattanooga voting for anyone but Corker

although I genuinely like Ford and his qualifications. And I do see his signs and some bumper stickers. I did have the opportunity to drive past Corker's house and found it funny that he only has the puny signs on the corner and none in his yard. Maybe their colors clash with brick?

I have to admit I'd vote for anybody running against that little opportunist who left my fair city so divided that we voted for another opportunist with an agenda. We all knew Corker was running for national office and wouldn't hang around as mayor. He's beholden to the Bushes, don't know why, but it is my impression he wants to win the senate so he can run for pres.

I hope some of my relatives will just abstain from voting.

[AirmensMom]

9. Not so good here.

I saw 7 huge Corker signs on the way from Jonesborough to Greeneville yesterday and not one Ford sign. I've seen about 6 Corker commercials on TV this afternoon and not a single Ford commercial. And the Corker commercials are really nasty.

[TornadoTN]

10. I've been seeing a lot of Ford signs

On Private property, which means that there is an actual face behind the signs - someone who believes in the candidate. I almost never see any Corker signs in anyones yard, they are always on property where you can't identify the owner or near a business. As for commercials, WJHL plays a lot of both candidates commercials at night during prime time (especially during the news). So I'm not sure as far as that goes.

I live between Jonesborough and Greeneville and there are lot of people on the back roads that have Ford signs or bumper stickers, a lot more than I have ever seen in this area. 11E is plastered with Corker signs, but that will change in due time as we get some more Ford signs out there. We are running short of them and can hardly keep any on hand.

Things are looking good here in East Tennessee. Polls are showing Ford is really gaining steam in this area. The signs may not show it, but things are definately going well at this point. But we need a lot of help and a lot of effort between now and then to keep our momentum going.

[AirmensMom]

11. That's encouraging.

11E is where I saw all the Corker signs. I live between Johnesborough and Greeneville also and haven't seen any signs on the back roads here except for a Bush/Cheney sign in my neighbor's garage. I'd love to see those Ford signs.

[TornadoTN]

12. There out there

Go out towards Limestone and Telford, you'll find them out there in pretty good number. We are hoping that we get a big shipment of signs soon because the list is filling up of people that want them and we still have to go out and place them in other areas.

[AirmensMom]

13. OK.

I'll try to take a ride out there this weekend. :D

[pf99]

14. I've been heading up Ford's Campaign in Greene County

and I can promise you we will not be outworked by the Corker campaign.

I know I see the signs on 11E too, but all those Corker signs are on right of ways or developers property and not private property.

The Congressman has rules about signs being on Private Property with the owners permission.

PS. If you would like to help our efforts in Greene County please send me a message here with your contact information and I will send you the volunteer opportunities.

[Skipper37919]

16. PLEASE VOLUNTEER -- IT'S NOT TOO LATE!!

You'll also see a 4'x8' Corker sign at every Pilot gas station, all of which, as you know, are owned by the Haslams. (I never go to a Pilot station, especially since the Haslams gave $400K to help fund Bush's last inaugural gala. If they have money to give to Bush and the republicans for partying, they don't need my money.)

If you have any time whatsoever, even just an hour, please go and volunteer at your local democratic headquarters and make phone calls. It is not the most fun activity in the world, but it's a necessity. As a matter of fact, it can be downright painful, but we have got to get out the vote. This Saturday is the last Saturday before the election; volunteer to go door to door and get out the vote.

A CNN poll shows shows a statistical dead heat for Ford and Corker among registered voters, but the gap widens in favor of Corker among likely voters. We have got to get those registered voters out to the polls to win this thing...turn those registered voters into ACTUAL voters who voted for Harold Ford, Jr.

How are you going to feel if you wake up next Wednesday and Corker has won? I know how I'll feel. Sick, upset, and disgusted, but at least I'll know I've done everything I possibly could to help in this campaign. Will you feel the same way?

If you are in Knox County, come to the headquarters on Papermill Drive and volunteer. If you are in a surrounding county, call 584-5511 to find out where you should go to volunteer. If you are a true Democrat, you will do whatever you can to take back out country. An hour of phone calling or canvassing is not too much to ask. IF You are somewhere else in the state, call 865-584-5511 and someone will figure out who you should call in your county to volunteer.

I'm headed over to the Knox County Democratic office right now and will be looking for you. COME ON. VOLUNTEER.

IF NOT NOW, WHEN?!

[Clark2008]

15. Knoxville here: I see about four Ford signs for every one Corker sign.

If we voted by yard signs, I'm saying Ford's got it. :7