Corker, Ford call in big political guns for last minute campaigning

By BONNA de la CRUZ and COLBY SLEDGE Staff Writers - THE TENNESSEAN

Two bona fide stars in American politics lent their considerable appeal to Tennessee's U.S. Senate race on Sunday.

Illinois Sen. Barack Obama urged Tennesseans to rise above the cynicism of those who think Harold Ford Jr. can't be elected to join him in the Senate, while Arizona Sen. John McCain touted Bob Corker as someone whose budgeting skills are much needed in Washington.

With most polls showing a tight race between Ford, a Democrat from Memphis, and Republican Corker, a former mayor of Chattanooga, the candidates are doing everything they can to encourage people to vote on Tuesday.

Tennessee's decision in the election could determine ? depending on the outcome in a few other key states ? whether power shifts to Democrats in the U.S. Senate.

A few thousand people showed up at the public square at the Metro Courthouse for Ford's early-afternoon rally that followed a morning of Nashville church visits with Obama.

"We've got a spirit of hope in the campaign of a young man who represents everything about the future of America right here in Tennessee," said Obama, the country's only black U.S. senator, who popularized the phrase "audacity of hope" in a national convention speech two years ago.

Late Sunday night, McCain introduced Corker to more than 300 supporters at a fundraiser at Cabana restaurant in Hillsboro Village, saying the Republican candidate is committed to getting "the financial budget in Washington in order."

"He will be a responsible steward of your tax dollars," McCain said.

He and Tennessee Sen. Lamar Alexander touted Corker as a Washington outsider, unlike his opponent. "Someone in the media asked me, 'How is Corker going to fit in Washington? He's never been there before,' " Alexander said. "I hope he doesn't fit into Washington."

McCain stressed the importance of showing up at the polls on Tuesday.

"The eyes of the nation are on this race. Whether we keep this majority could hinge on this race," he said.

At Ford's rally, Obama urged attendees to rise above the cynicism that problems of poverty, racial division and terrorism can't be solved ? and above the cynicism of those who say Ford can't win.

Obama said people, too, did not think he ? the son of a Kenyan father and Kansan mother with a funny name that got him called "Alabama" and "Yo mama" ? could get elected.

"Yet here I am," he said to loud cheers from the large crowd of people shaking signs that said "Obama Rocks" and "I Stand With Harold."

Referring to the civil rights movement, Obama said of Ford's candidacy, "We are here gathered in the South, in Tennessee ? people of every stripe, people of every color, people of every nationality, people of every faith ? are gathered here today to celebrate a young man who is going to keep us moving toward that future."

It was inspiring to see the two black politicians on stage together, said attendee Tiesa Vaughn of Rutherford County.

"They both talked to my situation of being a single parent and a working woman," said Vaughn, who works in the computer business. "They talked about wages and health care and protecting pensions, which is important with me retiring in 15 to 20 years."

Nashvillian Joyce Stallworth, another black voter, said, "We need their representation. I think it says a lot to our young guys out on the streets. They'll think, 'If they can do it, we can do it.' "

On Sunday morning, Ford and Obama attended services at the Greater Bethel AME Church in Nashville, where one attendee noted that the two politicians looked like brothers.

"We are brothers," Obama said, speaking to the congregation from the pulpit. "We are brothers in spirit. We are both children of God who decided our approach to service would be through public office."

Speaking from the same pulpit, Ford said, "This race is a tie. ? If people vote for a change, we can join Senator Obama. I say 'we' because it will be your office."

The Republican gathering for Corker was more lighthearted, with McCain poking fun at former Tennessee Sen. Fred Thompson's movie career. "Every time I saw Fred, it always seemed like he was saying 'Call the CIA!' "

Anne Morgan, a Davidson County resident, said she was optimistic that Corker's Tennessee roots would help him win over undecided voters.

Jeb Beasley of Franklin agreed with McCain's characterization of Corker as being fiscally responsible.

"Absolutely, it matters," Beasley said. "It's the sole reason I'm voting for him." ?