Obama Time on Capitol Hill
Naifeh: 'Quite impressive fellow'
Kyle: 'He's a very pleasant man'
Like a whirlwind, U.S. Senator Barack Obama (D-Illinois) blew through Nashville, capital city of the presumptive Red State of Fred Thompson, yesterday (June 5, 2007) to raise old-fashioned dollars and sense for his bid for the White House in 2008. First, though he has to get past that tricky Democratic Presidential Preference Primary Time. But that didn't stop him from some post-Primary planning.
Not surprisingly while Obama was here, he met with Tennessee politicians and politicos highly skilled in the rough-and-tumble contact sport of putting together winning coalitions in the ofttimes black-and-white world of Tennessee and Southern politics.
Obama met with Governor Phil Bredesen, the state's top Democrat who carried all 95 counties last year (November 2006) in his bid for reelection to the state's top post.
Obama was then detected in the halls of Legislative Plaza where he was spotted entering the office of Democratic House Speaker Jimmy Naifeh of Covington.
As reporters, lobbyists, and Hill staffers waited, Obama met with the Black Caucus and other key Democratic insiders in Tennessee.
At one point about 5:30 p.m., Speaker Naifeh came out into the hallway in front of his office and looked around. Completely ignoring the media, Naifeh located and quickly collected Nathan Posse, a top lobbyist and former staffer for former Democratic Speaker pro Tem Bob Rochelle and himself viewed as one of the state's key D strategists.
Senate Co-Leader Jim Kyle (D-Memphis) came out of Naifeh's office and would only make very general remarks other than to say of Obama, "He's a very pleasant man."
Seen leaving the scene later with key D Posse were Democratic House Majority Caucus Chair Randy Rinks of Savannah and former House Majority Leader Kim McMillan, another key D now with the Bredesen Administration.
Naifeh then found a bit of time for reporters staked outside his front office door. Asked for his opinion of Obama, Naifeh summed it up quickly in three words: "Quite impressive fellow."
Obama was going to be whisked out the back way to his transport vehicle waiting by 6th Avenue and Deaderick Street across from TPAC (Tennessee Performing Arts Center). So, Secret Service and Capitol Hill Police herded reporters and staffers up against the far side walls.
Obama seemed totally prepared to blow off the media until a staffer mixed in with reporters reached out his hand and said, "I'm not a reporter."
Obama instantly turned on his famous campaign charm and asked the staffer's name. He then said to David with a big smile, "I want your vote."
With the ice thus broken, Obama opened himself up to questions from inquiring minds who asked what he was doing on the Hill and in Nashville.
"We've got some supporters who are raising funds for us," responded Obama.
"Tennessee has some smart Democrats who are able to fashion the kind of agenda that attracts support of independents and republicans," concluded Obama, adding he was on his way to Loews Vanderbilt Plaza.
The City Paper reported on May 8, 2007, U.S. Representative Jim Cooper to host first Obama fundraiser in Nashville. In that article, Amanda Maynord (amaynord@nashvillecitypaper.com) reported that Cooper would "chair the first fundraiser for presidential hopeful Senator Barack Obama in Nashville next month, benefiting 'Obama for America'."
Charles Bone and Bob Tuke were two of the key D's putting on the ritz for Obama.
Several Democrat insiders stated prior to the fundraiser that Obama had already raised more money in Tennessee than any other Democratic presidential candidate.
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