Just got back from the TN Democratic Party pre-primary rally. The place was
packed. And Al Gore made a stemwinder of a speech.
He talked about his daddy's last Senatorial campaign in 1970, how the Nixon administration had used the politics of fear, which at that time revolved around crime. They tried to play it like Democrats didn't care about Law 'n' Order.
They also tried to say Al Gore, Sr. was not a patriot, because he was against continuing the war in Vietnam.
Al Gore, Sr. stood up to them and, adapting the old Southern rally cry, said "The truth shall rise again!"
And Al Gore, Jr. is sayin' it now. He drew parallels to that time, and oh, Lordy, it was beautiful.
We cannot give in to the Politics of Fear. Furthermore, we must counter them with the Politics of Hope.
Anyway, there were a bunch of cameras there. You might be able to find this speech.
And afterwards, they gave the three honorees (Gore, former governor Ned Ray McWherter, and former senator and ambassador to China Jim Sasser) lovely parting gifts. Don't remember Sasser's, but McWherter got a gift basket heavy on the 'Nilla Wafers, and Gore, well, state chairman Randy Button said, "Well, Al, we know how fond you are of lockboxes..." and they gave him a beautiful, handcrafted, inlaid box filled with old campaign memorabilia.
Gore looked really moved, so for all we know it contained not just his daddy's swag, but swag from Estes Kefauver, or Cordell Hull.
I thought it was beautiful. Of course, I haven't mentioned the gorgeous speeches by Gov. Phil Bredesen, McWherter, and Sasser, not to mention our lovely and talented MC, Randy Button.
I love Tennessee. We are ready to rumble! We will paint this state blue in '04!