Response from the Heartland

[Robbien]

At an Ohio union hall, an audience listens for promises of a better economy

By E.A. Torriero
Tribune staff reporter
Published July 29, 2004, 10:54 PM CDT

DAYTON, Ohio -- At the union hall, John Kerry's speech Thursday night was not about getting to know him. "It's about jobs," said Jerry Bowling, 46, a representative for construction laborers in southern Ohio. "The one thing Kerry has over Bush is what he said tonight about putting us back to work."

. . .
Sipping Budweisers from plastic cups, the union crowd applauded when Kerry talked about creating more jobs and losing fewer to other nations. They winced when Kerry talked about a steelworker in Ohio who lost his job to outsourcing abroad. They nodded when Kerry talked about getting American workers a "fairer playing field."

"That's good, that's good," they said when Kerry talked about cutting taxes for the middle class. "He's defined himself to us in his speech." "Talking about taxes and jobs, that's where it's at," said Wesley Wells, executive secretary director of the regional labor council here.

. . .

While labor supported Democrat Al Gore in 2000, it was lukewarm at best. Of the 68,000 members tied to this AFL-CIO chapter, as many as a third of them voted for Bush in 2000 because of his stance on conservative issues such as guns. "I think people got spoiled by prosperity under Bill Clinton," Wells said. "So they voted for Bush. Many of them are the younger ones who lost their jobs under Bush."

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/specials/elections/conventions/chi-040729ohio.story

[icymist]

1. This speech has the same type of connections that Reagan had....

in Ohio back in 1979. That's where I was at the time and where I was born. John Kerry is going to take Ohio.

[Pachamama]

2. He'll take Oregon and Pennsylvania too....This message and his made

in the USA theme and no more tax breaks for the top 2% will resonate big time with them....

I was so moved by his speech....I'm proud to be an American again...

Thank you John Kerry....

[David__77]

3. Bush is looking impotent like Carter.

Kerry is staying calm and collected like Reagan was in 1980. No, Republicans, many Americans are not willing to "stay this course" straight to hell. The promise of a better economy and national unity is more promising.

[tlcandie]

4. Kerry was truly inspiring..!!!

Watched a LINK TV Journal interview of some in Pennsylvania... MOST will vote for * there it seems because he's a "truly God-fearing man" and they feel blessed that he's in office and thank God every day for *"!

Well, we won't take all the votes, but it surely looks like * will get MOTHER OF ALL ELECTIONS running against him!!

EDIT: Also heard * talking about they have liberated 50 million people with the army of liberation! :puke: I wonder how many of those are maimed, veggie state, dead, imprisoned, tortured, homeless, or family-less due to HIS war of liberation?

[yellowcanine]

5. Carter didn't have the opportunities that Bush had - there is no

comparison. If Reagan had won in 1976 he would have been a 1 term president also.

[WinterStorm]

6. Shouldn't you say "Bush is looking impotent like Bush Sr"?

Please leave Carter out of this he has done so much good for this country and every time I see someone making fun of him it hurts my feelings.