On Monday, my father and I made the trek to Memphis to be a part of history.Monday of course was the day that Illinois Senator Barack Obama came to Memphis to lend his support to our next U.S. Senator Harold Ford Jr.
We arrived at the Holiday Inn at around 10:00. When we first arrived, I did not know how many people would be at the hotel, as we were about an hour and a half early.
However, as we stepped in the hotel and looked around, I knew it was going to be a great day! There were already hundreds of supporters anxiously awaiting the arrival of Congressman Ford and Senator Obama!
I instantly saw many of my good friends from the campaign staff, who were working hard as always. Their work ethic and dedication is unmatched.After saying hello to everyone, I then began mingling with the crowd and talking to students from the University of Memphis and younger people about blogging in support of the Congressman. The response I got from them was really positive. I have never saw so many great young people gung ho about a candidate like the youth is about Congressman Ford. It is really inspiring to see. Congressman Ford is engaging a new generation of Americans in the political process and it is just an honor to be a part of this movement.
Somewhere around 11:30 or so all the students/youth began preparing for the arrival of the Congressman and Senator.Gathered at the downstairs entrance were hundreds of adoring young supporters to greet the Congressman Ford and Senator Obama. There was even a marvelous marching band playing as Ford and Obama arrived. The entrance was well orchestrated and like something you see at a Presidential event.
The Congressman arrived at about 11:45 to rousing chat of "JUNIOR"!
As he and Senator Obama entered, they greeted and shook the hands of the eager supporters. The arrival process and along with a small closed door secession lasted for about 20 minutes.
After that, it was on to the main event.Congressman Ford and Senator Obama then entered the ballroom to entered to the Black Eyed Peas "Let's Get It Started" and a deafening ovation.
Preceding the introduction of Congressman Ford and Senator Obama were a series of speeches by pastors and other community leaders from Memphis, who really set the tone for the rally.
Each of the speakers spoke highly of Congressman Ford and his dedication and compassion for people. Each of the pastors prayed for him and his candidacy and were followed by large acclaims of "Amen" across the ballroom.The event was filled a large amount of notable people such as Chairman Bob Tuke, Vice Chair Jerry Maynard, AFL-CIO leaders Eddie Bryant and Jerry Lee, as well as many other community leaders.
Senator Obama was introduced first and gave a rousing and inspirational speech. In his speech he talked about the similarities between him and Congressman Ford. He pointed out that both of them started their campaigns out as underdogs.
The Senator made the point that Tennessee can elect Harold Ford Jr. to the U.S. Senate despite what the pundits may say, because they discounted him in his own race in Illinois initially.Obama told the crowd that Congressman Ford is just the kind of person that Tennessee needs in the U.S. Senate and urged all supporters in attendance to go out and work hard to see that he is elected this November.
At the conclusion of his remarks, Senator Obama introduced Congressman Ford to a marvelous ovation from the crowd.
Just like Senator Obama, Congressman Ford too gave an awesome and riveting speech. During his speech the Congressman talked about why he is running for the U.S. Senate and explained how he is dedicated to removing the barriers that government presented that prevent people from getting ahead in life.
He underscored his remarks by telling the crowd what the advice his father told him the night he was first elected to Congress back in 1996: Take care of the people.In closing, Congressman Ford promised his supporters that if they go out and support him and his candidacy during the next eight months until the election, he will stand up for them every day when he is in the U.S. Senate to make our state and nation a better place.
The Congressman's passionate closing and appeal once again brought a huge ovation from the crowd.
There is simply no one is politics who can work a crowd the way Harold Ford Jr. can, and that was demonstrated once again today.After closing, Ford and Obama then took to the crowd shaking hands, posing for pictures, and signing autographs. The adoring supporters rushed the two like they were rock stars.
The response from everyone in attendance throughout the whole event was simply amazing!
I am positive I will never forget this historic day.
Congressman Ford is clearly the front runner in this U.S. Senate race. As demonstrated by today's events, he simply inspires people from all walks of life.When he becomes Senator, he will be standing up for all of those people each and everyday!
Note: It was great seeing everyone including my good friend Congressman Ford. It was also an honor to meet Senator Barack Obama. This will be a day I will always remember!
More Coverage: Below are stories about the rally from around the media.
WREG TV: Obama joins Ford at Senate campaign rally"Senator Barack Obama (buh-RAHK' o-BAH'-mah) is seeking to boost U-S Representative Harold Ford Junior's Senate campaign.
Obama joined Ford for a political rally today in Memphis.He says Tennessee can be convinced to elect a young black Democrat even though the state leans Republican.Obama, a young, black Democrat like Ford, says critics game him little chance of being elected to Senate.He says voters like to elect politicians who ignore party politics to work for the common good.Ford says critics have a hard time putting labels on him because he tries to work with Republicans as well as Democrats in Congress.He says the liberals call him too conservative and the conservatives call him too liberal."
WMCTV: Harold Ford Jr. makes campaign stop in Memphis"Looking a lot like rock stars, Senator Barak Obama and Congressman Harold Ford Junior shook the hands of adoring voters Monday morning as they walked to the podium at an appearance at the University of Memphis. Voters like Amber DuVentre said their appearance was a possible peek into the future.
"Its not a matter of what party you are in," DuVentre said. "If you look at it, that could be our future President and Vice President."
For now, Obama and Ford were in Memphis working on Ford's campaign for U.S. Senate. At the appearance, Ford talked about the lack of available health care for many people in Tennessee.
He also spoke about his family.
"In spite of all of these things they're saying about me, and my daddy, and my aunt, and my uncle, and my party, if you just stand up for me over the next eight months and one week, I'll make you the promise I will stand up for you every single day in the United States Senate, and work with Barak Obama to make Tennessee and America a better place."
Voter Rosemary Banta was impressed by the appeance of the duo.
"I thought they were wonderful," Banta said. "It was very inspiring to see two young men with that much dedication."
So what does the road to the Senate for Harold Ford Junior?
"I don't think any of its going to be tough other than work," Ford said. "I like work, and I think that people are hungry all across the state for something. They want people to be honest. They want people to not spin them on the issues, and they want answers to tough problems."
Democrats at the appearance hoped Senator Barack Obama's support of Harold Ford, Jr. will give his campaign the energy it needs for a Democrat to win a U.S. Senate Seat in a predominately Republican state."
MORE: Barack Obama appearance draws large crowds in Memphis
"Throngs of political groupies lined up for chance to shake hands with Illinois Senator Barack Obama. Among Democrats, he is one of their brightest stars.
But the only current black United States Senator made it clear, today was not about him. "I thank you for allowing me to be a warm up act, for an outstanding star, someone who we know is going to join the Senate,"said Obama.
Obama wasted no time pointing out he, like Ford, was considered a big underdog in his U.S. Senate race.
It is now with humor that he remembers being told a black man couldn't win.
The first thing they'd ask is where'd you get that funny name. Barack Obama? Although they wouldn't always pronounce it right and they'd call me Alabama," said Obama.
But he did win.
And says Ford Junior will too through a grassroots effort. " Wherever we go we are spreading the word about this young man who is going to turn it around in Washington, just like he has been doing in TN, then I guarantee you that the next Senator from Tennessee is going to be a young man named Harold Ford Junior," said Senator Obama.
It was clear, Obama's support of Ford inspired those in the room. "I was standing there watching the two of them on the podium. I said this would be such a fantastic thing for our country," said Malak Kotbe. " He's brilliant. He's brilliant to me. He's great and I can see him as greatness in the American Future," said 14-year-old Handel Durham.
A future that these supporters hope will include two black U.S. Senators, one from Illinois and the other from Tennessee."
48 Days
Days of Congressional Inaction on Ethics
Above is the number of days that have passed since Jack Abramoff pleaded guilty to bribing Congressman.
It is also the number of days in which Congress has failed to pass an ethics reform bill that would limit private travel, ski and golf junkets, and would call for a full disclosure of expenses by lobbyists on members of Congress.
It is time for Congress to step up and pass an ethics reform bill that would do all of the above. In addition, it is time to end the pork barrel spending system as we know it and establish an independent ethics commission that would review ethics complaints against members of Congress.
I am proud Congressman Harold Ford Jr. is fighting for that reform!
Read Congressman Ford's call for reform of the House rules here!
