Why debate at Belmont University?? A private VERY Christian Conservative University run

[demo dutch]

by Southern Baptists in the Buckle of the Bible Belt.
The audience surely is most likely only representative of McCain/Palin

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2008/10/6/213752/957

[AllieB]

1. That is not fair to the Dems and they should have said no.

[onenote]

29. because complaining about a christian university would help obama?

not.

[Avalux]

2. It doesn't matter!!

Obama can handle any crowd; I trust he will do well. McCain will not be able to change the direction of this race no matter what he does tonight.

I am oddly at ease with tonight's event in spite of the moderator and the audience.

[FrenchieCat]

3. The cards are stacked against Barack......kind of like Saddleback.

They want his numbers to come down.

[demo dutch]

4. yes but didn't Obama campaign agree? or is the location up to the organizers

[mod mom]

5. I just want security to be VERY tight! especially after Palin's lunacy!

[Hellataz]

6. It will only help Obama

Gives him a chance to have his say in front of an audience that might not have given him the time of day in the first place. Why wouldn't he want the opportunity to campaign in front of his detractors, maybe some might see something they like and change their vote.

[TNDemo]

7. I thought they voted to end their relationship with the Southern Baptists

a year or two ago?

[demo dutch]

10. They did, but knowing the area, you really think that made a difference???

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2008/10/6/213752/957

[TNDemo]

14. I guess I should go burn my college diploma, change my voter registration

to Republican, knock out my front tooth, marry my brother and conform to the stereotype you are so determined to stick with. Amazing how Nashville consistently votes blue and yet we are so redneck and stupid.

[tomnjoy]

19. Did you go to Belmont?

Hi TNDemo...just wondering since you mentioned your college diploma...did you go to Belmont? I moved to Nashville in 1995 and majored in Belmont's Music Business program. I must say I really loved Belmont and Nashville the 7 years I was there. We moved back to Minnesota in 2002 because, as much as I liked Nashville, all my family was still here in Minnesota and I was homesick. My husband and I really want to make a trip back to Nashville soon to visit. It was home for me for 7 years and watching the TV coverage today is making me miss both Nashville and Belmont.

While we lived in a very RED area South of Nashville (Spring Hill - between Franklin and Columbia), we both worked for Tennessee Repertory Theatre and had a lot of Dem friends in Nashville. I will always remember experiencing the 2000 election nightmare with our friends in Tennesssee.

[TNDemo]

32. No - didn't go to Belmont but know lots of people who did.

Nashville is my adopted city. I grew up in Knoxville, which is red, so Nashville was a real relief. Lots of cool people here. I also liked that the vast majority of signs behind Harry Smith on CBS Early Show were blue! There is a protest this afternoon that is supposed to go from Hillsboro Village to Belmont that is protesting the war and other stuff. Do you know anyone going?

[ncgrits]

30. I'm with you! I wish that non-Southerners would give us more credit.

Characterizing an entire region of the country in broad stereotypes, doesn't gain us anything. Believe it or not, lots of Southerners are intelligent and well-meaning. Some are intelligent, well-meaning democrats and some are intelligent folks that would be swayed to be democrats if they weren't being written off as stupid rednecks.

Good and bad, smart and stupid--all can be found everywhere. . . .


(she now steps off the soap box)

[WinkyDink]

8. How do they feel about adulterers?

[soleft]

9. So I was curious about Belmont and American Idol alum Melinda Doolittle

I tried to see if she had endorsed Obama anywhere - and all I could find was that she's touring with a Rock The Vote bus. Since getting young people to vote obviously benefits Obama, I wonder if that means she's leaning toward him.

[grantcart]

11. I think that the commission controls the tickets and the students get a small number

[tomnjoy]

12. I went to Belmont

Although I'm SURE I was definitely in the majority at Belmont, I actually loved being a student there. I majored in their Music Business program - it is one of the best in the country. Although it is a Christian school (Baptist), I never felt pressured or that it was a smothering Conservative environment. Many Christian colleges, including the one my sister attended, require church attendance or chapel devotions. Belmont did not do this. They did have 2 courses in theology that were required for a degree, but that was it. I don't know if this is still the case - I attended 10 years ago.

Actually, watching all the coverage today, I am really missing Belmont. I loved it. It was a very friendly and welcoming place, even for a "liberal Democratic Christian" like me! :) Maybe it was because I was in the Music Business program, which has a very diverse student population from all backgrounds.

On the flip side, though, living in Tennesssee in general was definitely a change from Minnesota, where I was born and raised. Where we lived was definitely RED (although parts of Nashville were definitely blue) and it was a completely different culture, which is why we moved back to Minnesota 6 years ago. It's good to be home - although I do have moments when I miss Belmont and Nashville.

[Johonny]

15. I agree

I think Obama is very comfortable in his Christianity and not afraid to answer these questions if they come up. I imagine they feel answering questions about his faith and liberalism only help his cause.

[eissa]

13. First Mississippii, now Tennessee

Can you imagine if the debates were held in San Francisco and Seattle? There would be charges of "liberal bias" all over the place.

Barack is a strong enough candidate where he can handle these crowds. Let them hear his message, which I'm sure for many of those Faux News-watchers will be the first time.

[jberryhill]

18. Bingo - that's why Obama and Biden did well in the first two debates

These people aren't watching daily stump speeches and rallies. Obama didn't show up with horns and a tail, and these people came away with the impression that he is a decent, intelligent person.

I don't see any downside in that.

[MadBadger]

24. There was no issue with it being in MS, so who cares about this?

[onenote]

33. check out the locations of the Democratic primary debates:

Among others:

South Carolina State
The Citadel
Howard University
St. Anselm College
Messiah College
Soldier Field, Chicago
Cleveland State
etc etc etc

I'm sure someone could find some way to claim that each one of those locations favored one candidate over another.

It would have been whining then. And complaining about the locations of the general election debates also would be whining.

Fortunately Obama and his team have more sense than some DUers and understand that the location of a nationally televised debate is essentially irrelevant.

[SoxFan]

16. Chill out

The college does not run the debate. They don't select the questions. They don't control ticketing. The school's role is basically to rent an auditorium to the Commission On Presidential Debates. The Commission handles everything else.

[jberryhill]

17. How is that a handicap?

Seriously.

Wait wait, don't tell me... you'd rather have McCain persuading Democrats to vote for McCain than to have Obama persuading Republicans to vote for Obama.

Is that what you'd prefer?

[johnaries]

20. You don't know Belmont or Nashville.

Belmont tried to split from the TN Baptist Convention in 2005, and they succeeded in 2007.

Metro Nashville/Davidson County is Blue. Davidson County went for Gore in 2000 and Kerry in 2004, and it will go for Obama.

Trust me, the audience will be pro-Obama.

[johnaries]

21. You don't know Belmont or Nashville.

Belmont tried to split from the TN Baptist Convention in 2005, and they succeeded in 2007.

Metro Nashville/Davidson County is Blue. Davidson County went for Gore in 2000 and Kerry in 2004, and it will go for Obama.

Trust me, the audience will be pro-Obama.

[tomnjoy]

22. I agree

While I lived in Maury County the 7 years I was there (red), metropolitan Nashville was blue and most of my friends and co-workers were Democrats (or leaned Democrat). As I mentioned above, I am an alum of Belmont. It's been great seeing it on tv all day today...makes me want to go back. :)

[johnaries]

25. You're welcome here anytime! C'mon back!

Things have greatly improved in the last few years since we kicked out that Repuke Crook from the Governor's mansion and replaced him with Bredesen. Phil is doing a GERAT job!

I heard him say again this morning that if he was offered a position in Obama's cabinent he would probably turn it down - he still has things to fix in the State, first.

Now if we can get rid of Alexander and Corker. Go Bob Tuke!

[tomnjoy]

26. I was thrilled to hear about Bredesen

My husband and I saw him on TV about a week ago and my husband said "He's Governor now?!?". Ha,ha! He hasn't really followed anything happening in Nashville since we left. I still visit The Tennessean website and try to keep up on what's happening.

If you see Vince Gill, tell him I said hi - ha,ha! ;)

[nam78_two]

23. Nashville is pretty blue actually.nt

[apnu]

27. Not a big deal. Obama's got this one, relax.

Don't forget, both Obama and Biden are deeply religious men (which I don't like, being an atheist, but anyway...) and if push comes to shove, I bet Obama can out "God" McCain any day of the week. And Obama will do it with all sincerity, something McCain lacks.

[polichick]

28. Why a religious university at all - can we PLEASE have a separation of church and state?

[onenote]

31. did you complain when the Democrats held debates at St. Anselm and at Messiah College?

[polichick]

34. Yes - I don't like the mixing of religion with politics. Not even when Obama does it.