10,000 people stand in the cold to see Kerry in Appleton, WI

[Poiuyt]

I went to see the Kerry rally in Appleton, WI last night. The newspaper was estimating that there were 10,000 people in the crowd. Appleton, btw, is a very Republican area. Kerry gave a GREAT speech, very passionate with emotion and electricity. He was really connecting with the audience. He is much better in person than on TV.

Bush was appearing at the same time about 25 miles away in Oshkosh.

[blkeyedszn]

1. 10,000 people. Wow.

I was there too. I was freezing and my legs were tired, but it was amazing. He gave a great speech.

[goddess40]

2. We were there too.

My son's and mother got to shake his hand. I was too busy pushing my oldest closer so he would be close enough.

We were the last ones off the bus from Wausau and got put in the handicap area. Which put us next to the ramp that Kerry used to get to the stage. It was a good thing as my mother has a bad back and there was an extra chair for her.

Wasn't he fabulous. It was worth the wait in the cold and rain.

My mother heard that Bush had hundreds at his rally in Oshkosh - the right are definitely fair weather fans. They just don't seem to get that Bush has been snowing them for 4 years.

[heidiho]

5. We should have arranged to meet! P-C today says Bush's crowd

was also 10,000. Hmmmmm . . .

I lovved it. I brought my son and some of his friends. They were really excited.

How about the jackass with the anti-abortion fetus sign across the street yelling "Kerry is evil. Kerry kills babies." What a jerk.
I had to confront him saying "What about Bush killing thousands of innocent women and children in Iraq. Huh? Huh? What about Bush the killer of babies in Iraq? Huh, Huh???"

He had no answer for me just went on his little rant.

[Tweed]

3. Yeah, it was a great rally.

I was there too and I had this up in another post about the Appleton rally last night:

'It was packed! They had to move back the metal grids to make more room for people. Appleton is in the heart of the Fox Cities, which tend to be more Republicans. The turn out was great for the area. Mt parents live in Appleton, but I go to school in Chicago. I drove three hours to get the chance to see him. It was worth it because of the large amount of people there and because Kerry certainly won't be coming to Illinois any time soon. His bus was ten feet away from me when he arrived My position in the crowd was decent and I got a clear image. Some good/funny comments from the rally:

"Kerry: Now we are here in Wisconsin and we've got brats.
(applause from crowd)

Kerry: We've got cheese.
(louder applause from the crowd)

Kerry: We've got beer.
(even louder applause from the crowd)

Kerry: Now let's talk about health care.
(huge laughter)"

In regards to energy:
"When you are talking about oil, you are talking about a finite resource. China's demand is going up. India's demand is going up. We are going to run out of oil eventually. We aren't going to drill out way out of this, we have to invent our way out of this."

"I want a President who believes in science."

He also spoke eloquently about when John Kennedy was President, the country made plans to go to the moon and drew the comparison to inventing new technology. Great stuff I hadn't heard him talk about before. It definitely was worth the three hour car ride. Back to the Democratic haven that is Illinois and Chicago tomorrow! At least I won't leave this most important election without having seen the most important candidate.'

In the original message I left out a clever joke Kerry made. Appleton is the home of Harry Houdini. Kerry said "Not even Harry Houdini could hide all of George Bush's lies." Great reception from the audience. Kerry is a rock star!

[faithnotgreed]

13. kerry IS awesome. thanks for the specifics. sounds fantastic!

[KC21304]

4. Wasn't it terrific ? Even with the rain.

Coming from Central Wisconsin on 10 we got to the place where you either go to Oshkosh or Appleton and we made jokes about the "undecideds ". We had a ball. Kerry was fantastic.

[The Wielding Truth]

6. We're right with you pduck.----Kerry Power!----- He's got it!

[TheFarseer]

7. Polls consistently show bush ahead in WI

I find that a little hard to believe. I take it you live there? What do you think?

[Poiuyt]

8. Northeast Wisconsin has traditionally been Republican

I don't think I've ever seen so much support for a Democratic candidate in Appleton as we are this year. I don't know that Kerry will win this part of the state, but I think it's a lot closer than it has been in the past. My unofficial yard sign and bumper sticker poll is about 50-50. Out in the country, it's more Bush. Down in Milwaukee and Madison, it's more Kerry. It will be close.

[tedoll78]

10. Actually..

there was a poll out this week showing Kerry up 4 in Wisconsin, 47-43. I think it was Zogby, but don't quote me on that.

The momentum has definitely shifted.

[IIgnoreNobody]

9. I'm glad he talked about energy independence.

I wish this issue got more coverage.



http://search.news.yahoo.com/search/news?p=appleton&c=news_photos

[IndianaGreen]

11. Undecideds don't stand in the cold to hear anyone

Clearly the vast majority of voters have decided how they are going to vote, and the large crowds that Kerry is drawing even in the harsh weather of the Upper Midwest should be a clue as to who is really going to win this election.

[sonias]

12. Way to go Wisconsin!!

Keep the faith, help is on the way. Now get to your grassroots work and turn that vote out for K/E we need you Wisconsin.

Sonia

[dpbrown]

14. Appleton is Senator Joe McCarthy's hometown

As I recall, they've still got a statue of him in town somewhere.