Both organizations picked Paul Brenner, a retired MNPS teacher, as the favored candidate in Bellevue’s District 9 race. That race is expected to be a competitive one, with five people vying for the slot currently held by Board of Education Chair Marsha Warden. Warden is not seeking reelection. The two organizations also picked incumbent Ed Kindall – who has been on the board for more than two decades – over challenger Cordenus Eddings in the race for the District 7 seat. Sharon Gentry was the choice of both for the District 1 seat currently occupied by George Thompson. Thompson, like Warden, is not seeking reelection. Incumbent Mark North was the preferred candidate seeking the District 3 seat. North has served on the board less than two years, and is running against Timothy Coleman. Both organizations also chose to endorse Gracie Porter of District 5, despite the fact that Porter is running unopposed.

“I like it! And if members of Congress don’t pass my health care bill, I’m ready. I’ll whoop ‘em. I’ll whoop ‘em. That’s right. They’d better not mess with me. I’ll have that stick.”

"I'm a Democrat, first and foremost," said Padgett, who drew many of his campaign workers from the ranks of Clinton's formidable Tennessee primary organization. "Both of them were excellent candidates, but when the ballgame was over, the game went to Sen. Obama. It's time to move forward now." Knox County was the only urban area in the state that didn't swing to Obama during the primaries. Along with the majority of the rural counties in the state, the majority of its Democrats voted for Clinton. Those voters, Padgett said, might be willing to give Obama a chance, if he gives them a reason. "I wish Sen. Obama would make that appeal, not in the large cities, but in the rural areas," he said. "Please notice that our rural areas are there, that they're hungry for jobs.... These are a proud bunch of people. They'll look you right in the eye and tell you, 'We'll make it, but we need help.'"

"I don't mind paying my fair share, but people act like they're just talking about Bill Gates," he says. "We would definitely feel a hit if our taxes went up." Although a year ago he would not have considered voting Republican in November, now he's not so sure: "Do you vote your heart, or do you vote your wallet?"