SURPRISE: Southern Appalachian Conservative Democrat Endorses Obama

By Kleinheider Posted on June 4, 2008 at 8:36 am

While everyone expected superdelegates Phil Bredesen and Gray Sasser to endorse Barack Obama this morning, the addition of one U.S. Senate candidate to the Obama column comes as a welcome, and demographically advantageous, surprise:

U.S. Senate candidate Mike Padgett joined Governor Phil Bredesen and Tennessee Democratic Party Chairman Gray Sasser Wednesday morning in endorsing Senator Barack Obama for president.

At a unity breakfast at Swett’s Restaurant, Padgett called on his fellow Democrats to unite, saying they must end Republican occupation of the White House.

“I am proud of the campaign Senator Hillary Clinton ran and am honored that Governor Ned McWherter called and asked me to serve on her state steering committee,” Padgett said. “I will look forward to serving with her in the U.S. Senate.

“Just as we were able to deliver Knox County for Senator Clinton in February, I look forward to helping do the same for Senator Barack Obama this fall and to campaigning with him across the state as we put Tennessee back in the blue column.

“In this history-making election, Senator Obama brings an energetic vision and a wealth of character to the table. I am proud to endorse his candidacy.

“With such strong candidates in the presidential primaries, Democrats have captured the imagination of Americans. Our message: Don’t give up hope. The middle class can survive the injuries inflicted on it during eight years of a Republican White House.

“And we have served notice on President Bush, Senator McCain and Senator Alexander: The party is over. The tax breaks for the wealthiest must stop, and the budget has got to be balanced. Subsidies for the oil industry – while Americans pay over $4 a gallon for gas – have got to end.

“Our troops – our heroes – need to come home from Iraq, and we must spend our resources on rebuilding infrastructure here, not in Baghdad.

“Tennesseans are demanding change, and if they will stand with me and Senator Obama, we will deliver.”

Barack Obama has, throughout the primary, had a bit of a problem getting votes from the clannish Scots-Irish who make up Appalachian hillfolk.

Mike Padgett has been outspoken in his love for this region and his identity as a Southern Appalachian Conservative Democrat. This endorsement should serve to put the nation on notice that Democrats will not cede the votes of these people to John McCain.

Padgett’s chief opponent in his race, attorney Bob Tuke, has already endorsed Obama serving as his political director in Tennessee before announcing his Senate run.

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Tags: Barack Obama, endorsment, Gray Sasser, Mike Padgett, Phil Bredesen, Southern Appalachian Conservative Democrat  

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