President helps GOP pal in Ford's backyard

By Halimah Abdullah, The Commercial Appeal
September 28, 2006

President Bush's lunchtime swing through Memphis on Wednesday helped Republican Bob Corker raise both $1.1 million for his Senate campaign and his profile in Democratic opponent Harold Ford Jr.'s backyard.

Roughly 450 supporters gathered at the home of AutoZone founder J.R. 'Pitt' Hyde III and his wife, Barbara, for the $2,100- a-plate fund-raiser. Those invited to the luncheon, which was closed to the media and the public, included FedEx founder Fred Smith and his wife, Diane, who co-sponsored the luncheon, and Tennessee Sens. Bill Frist and Lamar Alexander.

"This event has turned out to far surpass our expectations," Corker said earlier. "Certainly having the president come in is a tremendous help to us in the race."

In August, Bush helped Corker raise $1.5 million at a fund-raising dinner in Nashville. That same month, former president Bill Clinton helped Ford raise $1 million at a rally in Nashville.

For both candidates, such fund-raising "help" is especially critical as the Nov. 7 election draws nigh. National Republican and Democratic party officials are paying close attention to the Tennessee race and the role it may play in helping the GOP keep or lose control of Congress.

Democrats would need to win seven seats to regain control of the Senate. The open seat vacated by Frist, who is considering a presidential bid, puts into play a seat that in a solidly Republican state was once considered a foregone conclusion.

The seat left open by Ford's Senate candidacy presents a similar opportunity in the largely Democratic Ninth Congressional District where the congressman's younger brother, Independent Jake Ford, Democrat Steve Cohen and Republican Mark White are candidates.

Bush and his entourage, including top adviser Karl Rove, emerged from Air Force One at 10:57 a.m. and waved to a small crowd of journalists gathered at a landing strip at the Tennessee Air National Guard base. Bush made no speeches but shook hands with Corker, state Sen. Howard 'Don' McLeary of Jackson, Town of Arlington Supt. Ed Haley, President's Volunteer Service Award winner Linda Smith and others.

Bush's motorcade rolled through the tree-lined Shady Grove neighborhood, passing American flag-waving neighbors and "Bob Corker" yard signs along the way. Protesters from the Mid-South Peace & Justice Center gathered at Yates and Shady Grove roads, too far away to be seen by Bush.

At the fund-raiser, Corker introduced Bush, a man whom Corker brought to Tennessee for a visit in 1997 when Bush was governor of Texas. Corker said Bush's parents have visited him at his home on several occasions.

At Hyde's house, the guests noshed on sherry-poached breast of chicken with spiced estragon consomme as they listened to the President's hourlong discussion of his and the nation's role on the global stage.

"It was not a pep rally for Corker but rather a heartfelt and introspective discussion about the presidency and its role in the world," said state senator and attendee Mark Norris. "He talked about the importance of electing Bob."

After the fund-raiser, Air Force One took off from the Tennessee Air National Guard base shortly before 1:30 p.m.

"I think it's really an indication of the strength of our campaign that we can come into Harold Ford Jr.'s backyard and have an event like this while he's forced to rely on out-of-state donors who don't share our values," said Ben Mitchell, Corker's campaign manager.

Ford campaign officials said they aren't concerned.

"(Former Chattanooga) Mayor Corker's Memphis hosts, Pitt Hyde and Fred Smith, have maxed out (contributions) to Congressman Ford's Senate campaign," said Michael Powell, Ford's senior adviser. "Congressman Ford has raised over $2 million in Memphis."

The president's presence in Memphis raises Corker's profile in the western part of the state. It comes at a time when the Senate hopeful has fended off criticism over his refusal to release his full tax records and a $4.6 million land sale by the then-mayor's private company to the developers of a Wal-Mart Supercenter.

"The news lately has not been on topics Corker wants to be on," said John Geer, a political science professor at Vanderbilt University. "They figure Corker may need a little help, especially with fund-raising."

Political experts said that victory for either Senate candidate in the midterm contest will depend largely on defending their respective bases, minimizing losses in their opponent's home base and battling for control in the middle part of the state.

For Corker, who hails from the state's eastern region, that means frequent visits to West Tennessee, including in Memphis.

For both candidates, fund-raising is an important part of that strategy, and the contest may become one of the most expensive in the nation, Jennifer Duffy, an editor for the online Cook Political Report, said last month.

As of July 14, Corker's campaign has raised $5,318,671 this year, according to according to PoliticalMoneyLine, an organization that examines campaign finances. Ford has raised roughly $$6.4 million during the same period.