Senator Thad Cochran will participate in a political forum tomorrow held at the University of Mississippi’s Overby Center.  The forum is sponsored by the Overby Center for Southern Politics and Journalism and will began at 4:30.  Sid Salter, perspective editor of the Clarion-Ledger, will moderate the event.  Reporters from around the state will join Salter in questioning Cochran.  Democratic opponent Erik Fleming will make an appearance at a the Overby Center for a political forum the following day.  The forum is free and open to the public.

Click here to visit Ole Miss’s Web site for event details.

Prior to the much-awaited presidential debate, the University of Mississippi hosted a “Rock the Debate” festival from noon till 8 p.m. on Friday.  Students, Oxford residents, and visitors from around the region poured into Ole Miss’s campus to be a part of the free festival which combined music, food, games, and political excitement.

The Thad for Senate tent was set up in “Issues Alley,” a place in the grove where young voters could stop by and gather information on different campaign issues.  View pictures below of the Rock the Debate festival.

Cochran supporters stop by the Thad for Senate tent in the grove.

Josh Crump and Casey Stafford hold up their Thad signs during an MSNBC broadcast in the grove.

Tom Brokaw, an NBC News Special Correspondent, is interviewed on the MSNBC broadcast in the grove.

The Thad for Senate campaign is going to have a tent setup at the University of Mississippi’s Rock the Debate event this Friday.  Please come bye, visit, and enjoy the live music in the grove!  We will be handing out T-Shirts, bottled water, fans, bumper stickers, and yard signs.  Our tent will be located in the grove across from Faser hall from 12 p.m. until 6 p.m.

View video highlights below of Senator Cochran’s speech at the monthly luncheon of the Lafayette County Republican Women’s Club on Wednesday, August 13.  Click here for more information and to view photographs of the event.

View video excerpts from Senator Cochran’s speech at Lafayette Middle School.  Senator Cochran spoke to approximately 550 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students on Thursday, August 14. Cochran spoke about his tenure in public office, described his duties as a Senator, and talked about the importance of an education.

Senator Cochran also talked about the upcoming presidential debate in Oxford and other issues including the economy and the November presidential election.

On Thursday morning of last week, Senator Cochran visited the Lafayette Pediatric Clinic in support of the Reach Out and Read program.  Cochran read to a group of young patients in the clinic’s waiting room, emphasizing the importance of reading aloud to children. 

Below: Pictures from the event

Senator Cochran receives a round of applause after reading “If You Give a Mouse a Cookie.”

Farryn Davis hugs a new book that was given to her after a visit to the Lafayette Pediatric Clinic.  Clinics who are involved with the Reach Out and Read program give every child a new book each visit until they reach the age of 5. 

Reach Out and Read’s National Center issued a news release which stated the following:

The program has gained broad bipartisan support in Congress, and Senator Cochran has been a leading advocate in Washington for the program’s federal funding.  “Senator Cochran has been a terrific champion for Reach Out and Read,” said Dr. Barry Zuckerman, founder of the program.  “We’re grateful for his strong leadership on behalf of young children in Mississippi and across the country.”
Lafayette Pediatric Clinic participates in Reach Out and Read (ROR), a national children’s literacy program that focuses on young children at risk of entering school unprepared to learn. At every checkup, clinicians in ROR guide and encourage parents to read aloud to their young children every day, and give each child a carefully selected new, developmentally and culturally appropriate book. 

Also, Click here to read a great article written by the Oxford Eagle about the event.

Click here for more pictures from the event or check in our Events section.

Senator Thad Cochran visited Lafayette Middle School in Oxford on Thursday.  He spoke to an auditorium filled with approximately 550 middle school students.  The students ranged from 6th to 8th grade.  After he delivered his address, he took a short tour of the school while speaking with several teachers and faculty.  Pictures of the event below.  Check back in our Events section for more pictures and possible video footage.

Senator Cochran speaks to Lafayette Middle School in Oxford.

Lafayette Middle School students raise their hands with questions for Senator Cochran.  Some of the questions that were asked included:

- Have you ever met the president?

-Have you ever flown on Air Force One?

- Who are you going to vote for, Obama or McCain?

-What is your favorite part about being a Senator?

On Wednesday, August 13, at 11:30 a.m., Senator Thad Cochran visited the monthly luncheon of the Lafayette County Republican Women’s Club.  Cochran was the key note speaker for the event.  After thanking the Club for their continued involvement in the Republican Party, Senator Cochran emphasized the importance of their support for all of the Republican candidates for the presidential and statewide elections.  He also addressed several issues such as energy reform, climate change, and national security. View below photographs from the event. Click here to view more pictures from the event.

Former Oxford Mayor Pat Lamar, Susan White, Emmie Lou Greene, Maggie Wiaters, and Doris Landon of the Lafayette County Republican Women’s Club

Senator Cochran talks with a member of the Lafayette County Republican Women’s Club at the luncheon.

      U.S. Senator Thad Cochran is back home traveling throughout Mississippi for the Senate August Recess.  On Wednesday and Thursday, he will attend several events in Lafayette County.

      On Wednesday, August 13, Senator Cochran will address the Lafayette County Republican Women’s Club at 11:30 a.m. during the group’s monthly luncheon.  The event will be held at the Downtown Grille in Oxford, 110 Courthouse Square.

     On Thursday, August 14, Senator Cochran will speak to the Lafayette Middle School student body at 9:00 a.m.  Cochran will address approximately 550 Lafayette students.  Lafayette Middle School is located at 102 Commodore Drive in Oxford.

      At 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, August 14, Senator Cochran will visit the Lafayette Pediatric Clinic in support of the Reach Out and Read program.   Cochran will read to several young patients in the clinic’s waiting room at the event.  Lafayette Pediatric Clinic participates in Reach Out and Read (ROR), a national children’s literacy program that focuses on the importance of school readiness for young children at risk of entering school unprepared to learn. Lafayette Pediatric Clinic is located at 2166 South Lamar Boulevard in Oxford.

Check back for possible video footage and photographs of the events.

Watch the new video footage of Senator Cochran’s key note address at the Dedication of the L.Q.C. Lamar House in Oxford, Mississippi.  For more information and photographs of the event, click here.

Video footage by Micah Ginn