Published: August 26, 2008 11:41 pm      

Local Dems fill HQ to watch DNC

ASHLAND — A standing-room-only crowd filled the local Democratic Party headquarters Tuesday evening for a chance to share in political talk and hear what Hillary Clinton would have to say during the ongoing Democratic National Convention.

Marcus Woodward, Boyd County Democratic Party chairman, rallied the crowd by asking the audience to remember their living conditions during “the last time a Democrat was in the White House,” and citing the current budget deficit “and a war that’s not even on the books.”

Woodward earned a roar from the packed house as he grabbed a campaign sign calling for voters to “Ditch Mitch,” while asking local voters to support Bruce Lunsford’s statewide campaign for the U.S. Senate.

The local party chairman said incumbent Sen. Mitch McConnell does deserve credit for bringing funding to Ashland’s riverfront project, although he quickly added, “but, it was our money.” Woodward criticized McConnell’s actions regarding health care and service to special interest groups and corporations.

Incumbent state Rep. Walter Blevins said he needs Boyd County’s support to retain his seat but urged the audience to make the presidential campaign their personal priority.

“I think we need to take back the White House,” Blevins said, turning to a cardboard image of Barack Obama and adding, “Some people say they have a fear of the unknown, but I’m most afraid of four more years of the same.”

Blevins said Republicans in office have plenty to answer for.

“They are destroying our country. They are destroying the hope of our people,” he said, adding he believed Clinton’s speech a few hours later in the evening would bring disagreeing Democrats back together.

“I expect what she has to say will turn the tide,” Blevins said as the audience applauded with approval.

House of Representatives candidate Kevin Sinnette was enthusiastically received when he called for Kentucky to develop coal to liquid fuel technologies as part of a plan to reduce dependence on foreign oil sources. Sinnette also called for a plan to allow long-existing but dormant natural gas wells to be retapped to help supply the nation’s energy demand.

Touching on racial considerations, Woodward said the presidential election “is not about black and white, brown, yellow or red — it’s about green. It is about money.”

Former Clinton supporter Johnny Abbott of Ashland said he also believes Clinton’s speech will bring people together.

“I’m hoping the rift between the Clintons and the Obamas is over,” he said with a smile, adding his hopes that Clinton supporters will “hopefully be true Democrats” and vote for Obama.

Abbott said he believes race will be a factor for local voters when it comes time to pick their next president.

“People have to realize the world has changed. The days of Jim Crow and the Ku Klux Klan are over,” he said. “We’re looking at a new century.”

TIM PRESTON can be reached at tpreston@dailyindependent.com or (606) 326-2651.