The Obama Campaign Comes to Nashville

Tonight, Barack Obama became the first Democratic Presidential candidate to open an office in Tennessee (and really, the first candidate of either party who is still relevant. Sorry Freddie!). The office was on the complete opposite end of Nashville from where I live, so after sitting nearly half an hour in interstate traffic trying to go three miles, and spending another 10 minutes trying to figure out where the $%# the building was, we made it just before the event began. But it was well worth it, and I will certainly be back out there again to help out while I'm home on winter break.

To me, the fact that Obama is the only Democratic candidate with this kind of presence in Tennessee says a lot about how broad his appeal is. Sure, there are certain other candidates whom the conventional wisdom would tell you are "more electable" in the South, for whatever that means. But the Obama campaign is the only one that's willing to reach out and not take us for granted. Rather than throwing all of their resources into the early primary states like Iowa and New Hampshire, the Obama campaign is coming into places like Tennessee, Kansas, and Utah, places where Democrats may be outnumbered, but we're vocal. We're looking for an inspiring leader who can lead us out of the nightmare of the last seven years, someone who can look past the divisions in this country and be a leader for all of America, not just for the left or the right.

And tonight, over a hundred people gathered in support of such a leader, Senator Barack Obama. Those assembled tonight were not simply Democrats, but representatives of the entire American spectrum. There were young, old, white, black, Latino, and everything in between present.

Among the highlights:

Trista Allen, the Southern Field Director for the Obama campaign, spoke first:

She explained how the Obama campaign would not forget about those of us in places like Tennessee. The Nashville office is just the beginning, as the campaign will open an office in Memphis very soon. In addition, the campaign will not be simply giving orders from the top down, but recruiting people who know the local communities and allow them to operate in the most efficient way possible.

Zach Marshall, who's doing student outreach for the campaign in Tennessee:

He pointed out something that I definitely agree with. My generation has never seen a candidate quite like Obama. We've never seen a candidate who connects with us on a personal level. We're used to candidates who are cynical and negative, who rely on exploiting divisions to win elections. We've never seen a candidate who is as hope-inspiring and forward-looking as Barack Obama.

Former TNDP Chairman Bob Tuke:

Bob Tuke had been widely expected to run for Lamar! Alexander's seat in the Senate once Mike McWherter dropped out of the race, but recently announced that he would not run. The reason became abundantly clear tonight, as he will be the Political Director for the Obama campaign in Tennessee (although it really is too bad, he is a great speaker and probably could have riled up the base for a Senate run).

Mr. Tuke made quite possibly one of the best cases for Obama yet. Simply put, America does not torture, and America does not start optional wars. Obama was against the war in Iraq from Day 1, and will not get us bogged down in anymore rash wars.

You know it's a good event if they get the Fisk Jubilee Singers to perform:



And of course, me with my nifty new hat (union-made in America, according to the tag!):

gObama!

UPDATE: Sharon Cobb's take, plus The Brainstem on Bob Tuke and on Obama in general.

UPDATE 2: Now on Daily Kos.