Photo courtesy of Darrin J. KirkusCongressman Zach Wamp (R-TN3) speaks to the crowd of at least 250 at the time in Dogwood Park in Cookeville, Tennessee. Wamp was one of the speakers at the nation's first Draft Fred Thompson rally, and it was hosted in my own community. The turnout, energy, and the rally itself was an outstanding success!
The beautiful town of Cookeville, Tennessee played host Saturday to the first rally to encourage former Tennessee Senator Fred Dalton Thompson to run for President of the United States in 2008. The rally can be summed up in two words, OUTSTANDING SUCCESS! According to ThompsonRally.com, the official website of the rally, more than 300 people showed up at the starting time at 3:30 PM CST. Over 500 people were in attendance at different times through the day. Among those in attendance were three great speakers: Tennessee radio-show host and former University of Tennessee basketball star Steve Gill, Congressman Zach Wamp, and Speaker Pro Tem of the Missouri State House, Carl Bearden. The rally was organized by the Putnam County Republicans under Darrin J. Kirkus, and Congressman Wamp.
Those in attendance came from all over our great country. People from Ohio, Texas, Missouri, California, Georgia, South Carolina and Florida were among those in attendance. Of course, Tennessee was well represented at the rally. Hundreds came from the "Volunteer State" to help volunteer to encourage Thompson to throw his hat in the ring. Tennesseans came from numerous counties to congregate right in Cookeville, which is right in the middle of the Nashville-Chattanooga-Knoxville triangle. Those in attendance were welcomed by fine bluegrass music performed by the Lancaster Garden Ambush Band. Loads of free Fred Thompson 2008 shirts, bumper stickers, buttons and fans were given away. Hundreds lined up to sign a banner which will be sent to Thompson to encourage him to run.
At 8 AM CST, Gill broadcast his statewide radio show from Toots restaurant on Willow Avenue in Cookeville. Topics covered included the Thompson rally, Thompson's upcoming likely candidacy, Tennessee Senator Bob Corker's recent vote on the so-called Iraq Spending Bill (which allots more money for domestic pork projects than the war), and the Hope College Scholarship, funded by the Tennessee Lottery. As many as 45-50 people walked through the doors of Toots to visit Gill and show their support for Thompson. This set of events were over at 11 AM.
The younger crowd became strongly involved. Among the most excited in attendance were College Republicans. The College Republican president from Tennessee, Jonathan Bryant of Bryan College, gave a few words, as did Courtney Bailey, who is a grassroots leader from the University of Tennessee-Knoxville. I myself am a College Republican from Tennessee Tech University in Cookeville. Our Tennessee Tech College Republican President Delilah Brown was also in attendance.
Thompson has been seriously considering a bid for the Presidency for some time. In March, he announced he would "leave the door open". Since then, his wife is reportedly encouraging him to run and make his announcement in June. He speaks like a candidate, and has been drawing large amounts of press over his consideration. Opinion polls are now consistently showing him to be in double-digits, and he is often in third, just behind Giuliani and McCain, in the polls. One poll recently showed Thompson to be in second, even above McCain. The Texas state legislature is reportedly showing strong backing towards the former Senator and actor. Opinion polls in Texas show Fred to be very close to first. State Republican parties in states like Iowa, South Carolina, Ohio, Florida, and, of course, Tennessee are showing strong excitement towards Thompson. All of this for a candidate who has not even officially announced any run. Word is that a run will be announced likely in June.
The schedule for Saturday's rally was as follows:
Saturday Morning
8 to 11 central, Steve Gill will broadcast live from TOOT'S on Willow Avenue. Come have some coffee and Big-O Doughnuts with Steve.
Enjoy Cookeville! Lots of great shops and places to eat. Many are a short walk from Dogwood Park.
Saturday Afternoon
12 to 2 central: Live Blues! behind Crazy Kent's Electronics. It's 2 blocks from Dogwood Park on East 1st beside the Chamber of Commerce. Tony Drake is a young blues artist you will have to see and hear to believe!
Stop by East 1st Coffee House for some refreshment (with zip if you like). Its 1 block from Dogwood Park on East 1st.
2:00 central: Rally Setup -Glad to have your help!
3:30 central: The music starts at Dogwood Park. Lancaster Garden Ambush Band --Great Bluegrass! Sign the letter to Fred, Get some gear, Great speakers, More great music
The above courtesy of ThompsonRally.com
The preceding pictures express the turnout and excitement of those among the crowd. These pictures are, also, courtesy of ThompsonRally.com.
The crowd was enthusiastic, and broke into applause often. Several times the crowd could be heard chanting, "Run, Fred, Run."
The press in Tennessee kept up with the event. I met a contracted photographer from the Nashville Tennessean at the rally. The Cookeville Herald-Citizen ran a story the day before, and another story is likely to follow. Below are links to the press coverage of the event.
Knoxville News-Sentinel (Associated Press)
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