Question for people in EAST Tennessee

[Claire Beth]

How does Corker/Porker seem to be doing in East TN??? I know it is traditionally a Republican stronghold...but maybe there is hope.

[SharonAnn]

1. He'd be doing worse if we could get Ford signs and bumper stickers

It seems that we just can't get materials.

They don't seem to have enough operation here for Ford in East Tennessee.

Organization, grass-roots activities, etc. are what we need here now.

[GeorgeGist]

2. In my neighborhood there is no sign of Corker...

Even in the yards of once dependable Bush boosters. There are 6 signs for Ford though.

[TornadoTN]

7. Tri-Cities area is a mixed bag

A lot of the large Corker signs to be found out and about, but hardly anyone with actual Corker signs in their own front yards. Of course, the Ford Campaign here just seems to be in disarray trying to get something - if anything - going. No signs, bumper stickers or other material to be had. The only thing that the local office is interested in is canvassing, which I believe is important, but they are not interested in organizing groups. For example "Women for Ford", "Teachers for Ford", "Business Leaders for Ford", etc. However, they really want a "Republicans for Ford" organization, but they could care less about the traditional Democrats, it appears they feel they will vote for Ford anyway, so why bring them into the fold. I volunteered to organize the business community and my wife the teachers, but I was turned down - they were more interested in getting my Dad, who is a Republican voting for Ford, into the campaign. Sure, these types of things are needed, but they are cutting their nose off to spite their face trying to get the coveted cross-over vote. It's important, but in the process they are turning loyal Democrats away. Organization and leadership is sorely lacking or what is in place is overwhelmed to the point of collapse.

I'm a huge Ford supporter, I really like the guy and what he stands for. Now, having said that, he is not the "perfect" candidate by any stretch of the imagination, but he has a lot of common sense appeal and the area, if not the whole state, is eager for change. Even in the most conservative areas here, there aren't too many people that are openly or aggressively supporting Republican candidates. The candidates themselves are trying to become more moderate (at least for the campaign) to negate some of the issues that a Democrat would bring forth.

[Claire Beth]

8. Thanks for the info....

I live in Nashville and had a difficult time finding a Ford bumper sticker for my car. A friend of mine who lives in Murfreesboro finally was able to get one for me. We picked up a couple of yard signs at the Ford meet and greet I attended last Friday evening. I am seeing a lot more signs and bumper stickers for Ford than for Corker - but Davidson county is a "blue county" and I am hoping there will be a huge turn out in East Tennessee that will support Ford.

btw....I like your "signature" :hi:

[cynatnite]

3. I've seen a few yard signs for Ford...

but hardly anything for Corker at all. He did do one commercial I caught once and it was typical repuke talk.

Here's a tidbit on Corker refusing to debate Ford:

GOP Senate candidate Bob Corker has rejected appearing on NBC TV's "Meet the Press" to debate his Democratic opponent U.S. Representative Harold Ford Jr.

The show's executive producer told the Chattanooga Times Free Press that they had hoped to get a debate scheduled.

Corker's staff didn't offer a reason for declining.

Ford called it a missed opportunity and said he's said yes to every single debate.

Corker campaign manager Ben Mitchell said Corker has agreed to three debates between the candidates inside Tennessee.

http://www.abc24.com/news/state/story.aspx?content_id=C40949B3-7508-4E6A-90B8-D244F25167D5

[tnlefty]

4. Well, I'm out in the county and not in the city of Chattanooga, but I

get the impression that Corker thinks that he has the city and the surrounding counties locked up. I say (even though Ford wasn't my preferred candidate) that Corker needs to think a little differently! And I think that Ford, Jr. could try to do some low-key events in the outlying areas.

I've been trying to think of a way to make some large facsimiles of rubber-stamps so that when Corker or Wamp (congressional candidate) refuse to debate a mock debate should be held with the rubber-stamp with the appropriate name could sit in an empty chair while the opponents answer the questions asked. I'm not a crafty person and I would love to have suggestions on this.

[Tippy]

5. About Ford signs....

They have 10,000 ordered...told them I could easily place 800 or so in Putnam Co.....We finally some but not nearly enough...on edit: No bumper stickers...

[4_TN_TITANS]

6. I picked up my sign last weekend in Cookeville

at the Fall FunFest. I like the location of the Putnam headquarters this time. We've got ours going on the square in Gainesboro. It's not been easy to get Ford stuff... :(

[Tippy]

9. We only have about 50 signs left...

Called yesterday and was told that should be sufficiant....to see us through..and still no bumper stickers...We are planning an open house..will let you know when pe have a date..I was ill and had to turn the office over to others for the fall fest...I was told that Corrker was there and stood in front of our office talking, boy I wish someone had got a picture of that..Friday night the Republicans praded up and down in front with signs...I miss all the fun....There was a 911 Rememberance Monday night, held right out front...very poorly attended..any way those putting it on came down and complained the Republicans were giving bottles of water away when the promoters were selling drinks to help with cost of event...

[tnlefty]

10. Busy day: I was on Keith St. in Cleveland (Bradley Co.) today and I saw a

large Corker sign and a couple of small ones, but not 1 Ford sign. Drove to Marion County for a football game and I saw a couple of Lincoln Davis signs, a large Bredesen sign, a large Corker sign and a couple of small ones, but no Ford signs.

I was astonished yesterday when someone in my neighborhood was driving a pickup with a large Ford sign on the tailgate!:wow: