WAVE 3 TV Louisville, KY | Obama's Kentucky campaign not giving up on the Bluegrass
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By Janelle MacDonald
LOUISVILLE (WAVE) -- WAVE 3 is covering the presidential primary from both angles. WAVE 3's Janelle MacDonald spent part of Election Day checking in with Obama supporters. They are expected to gather at Molly Malone's in the Highlands to watch the election results.
Their candidate may have chosen to spend this night in Iowa, where the whole campaign began. But the Obama camp in Kentucky is not giving up. I have been told many of them won't show at Molly Malone's until after 7 p.m. when the last poll closes in the western part of the state.
None of the Obama supporters thinks the Illinois senator has Kentucky sewn up, but they're not giving up on him making a showing in the Bluegrass. They spent Tuesday as they have spent the past week -- canvassing and calling supporters.
"We're asking them if they're Obama supporters and if they already voted and if they need rides, we're giving them numbers," said Roland Brady.
Brady came with his grandmother, Julia Brady. She has been working for the Illinois senator all week.
"Anything to help him. Because I believe in what he says he's going to do for us, for the health issue," Julia said.
She is part of what the campaign calls a grassroots effort -- one that supporters believe proves that while the candidate himself hasn't spent much time here, Obama is strong in Kentucky.
"What you're seeing with the Obama campaign is a campaign that has opened up 16 offices all across the commonwealth in places that have never seen a campaign before," said David Tandy, a Louisville Metro councilman.
Tandy was the first elected official to endorse Obama in Kentucky. His wife heads up the statewide campaign. He says a victory Tuesday will be measured not in votes, but in perspective.
"I think now we're at a 32 point is the difference between Senator Clinton and Senator Obama right now. I think we get it anywhere beneath that, it will be a victory for us," Tandy said.
I asked Councilman Tandy, since Obama hasn't spent much time in Kentucky for the primary, if he is the nominee will he be back this fall? Tandy says he believes so, in part, because he believes Kentucky could go to the Democratic candidate in November.
Online Reporter: Janelle MacDonald
Online Producer: Charles Gazaway
