TN: Heavy Rain, Heavy Turnout

By Krissah Williams
Turnout has been steady since polls opened in Tennessee, despite heavy rain. State Election Coordinator Brook Thompson said more than 321,000 have voted early, nearly triple the number of early voters in 2004.

Some who didn't mail in their ballots may regret it. Thunderstorms are expected this afternoon with winds reaching 20 miles an hour. And forecasters are predicting tornadoes in West Tennessee.

Rep. Stephen Cohen (D-Tenn.) endorsed Barack Obama last night, saying he was the "best chance to move the country forward since Bill Clinton in 1992."

The Tennessee Republican Party is neutral in the primary but Chairwoman Robin Smith expressed concern about a John McCain nomination in the Nashville City Paper yesterday, saying McCain will "have to convince the base that he indeed is the right person to lead in the White House."

Pollsters are predicting that Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-NY) and Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) will carry the state.