Kerry gets 20,000 at Rally in Pittsburgh

[RamboLiberal]

KDKA news put the crowd at least 20,000. I know it was HUGE! Here's my report.

I got there about 2:30 and the place was JAMMED!

Security was apparently slow. Heard they weren't expecting such a turnout. The lines were not moving hardly at all.

Finally at about 6:30 they just let everyone in but since we hadn't passed through the metal detectors they wouldn't let us within view of the stage. We got stuck behind a fence near back of bleachers. But even if we didn't get to see Kerry we got to hear him.

I'd love to hear more from people who could actually see him.

I had a great time though. There were a few obnoxious Bush supporters, I bet no more than 20-30. All young. A few of us got in the face of the young repukes and told them to get their asses to Iraq and fight their hero's war.

They had two idiots in flipper costumes including one with a brown head joking about Kerry's tan. Also one idiot in a fake military uniform with a sign said something about proud liberals. I really wanted to go over and tell that idiot he was just like his leader playing dress-up in military uniforms and why didn't he go get himself a real one-the Marines or Army would be willing to give him one. But I figured I was approaching the point that I may end up in cuffs so I restrained myself. One older woman did grab a Kerry baby killer sign right out of the hands of a young male repuke.

And an older Kerry guy (I think he may have been a vet), calmly was in the face of two of the young repukes for 15 minutes or so and they were having a hard time refuting him. Wish I could've heard what he was telling these jerks.

They tried during Kerry's speech to do their 4 more years but they were quickly drowned out by 2 more weeks.

If the crowd is any indication, * is losing PA. I went to Greensburg in July where they had 8,000 and a similar size venue and there was no problem getting everyone in on time. They were just overwhelmed by the turnout today. They should've gotten either the big football or baseball stadiums.

Also saw asshole Carl Cameron of Faux doing a report. He's so short he had to stand on a box! Wanted to shout out if he had his manicure today.

Even if I didn't get to "see" Kerry it was great fun.

Go Sox - up 8-1, is this a sign? Could the World Series be Boston vs. Texas?

[benito]

1. GREAT REPORT

And we're proud that you didn't wail on the thugs. Their time is short.

[Cha]

2. Great report, palmer!

What kind of place was it held in?

[RamboLiberal]

4. Carnegie Mellon University - CMU

Great college for computer science, engineering, performing arts - many great actors, producers, directors have been CMU graduates. Steven Bocho (Hill Street Blues, LA Law). Hill Street was named after the Hill District in Pittsburgh. Many of his actors on that series were CMU alumni.

[mdguss]

3. Cool reminds me of four years ago:

Gore had a similar rally at CMU. I was at Pitt then and went to that rally. It was fun.

I've was in Pennsylvania last weekend, and I think it'll go to Kerry. Lots of support up there. The voter registration numbers are very impressive--in spite of the dirty tricks by Republican firms. Pennsylvania will go for Kerry!

Held on the Mall of CMU right? If so, it's a large college green in between the campus' buildings. It's really a large grassy square of land.

[RamboLiberal]

7. Exactly - on the Mall - they needed more metal detectors

though. Secret Service screwed up on this one.

[mdguss]

35. Yeah it was bad four years ago too:

I don't know what they could do about that. The space is almost like a funnel if I remember correctly. There might not enough room for more metal detectors.

[Atman]

5. BUSH CANNOT WIN!

This is going on everywhere Kerry speaks, and Bush has to hand out tickets and screen people just to fill a hanger with adoring crowds.

For Christ's sake...what is going on in this country? Our "media" is trying to give the country away to the Bush Crime Syndicate. We don't need to pressure Sinclair...we need to turn the heat on the entire media establishment!

[Texas_Dem]

11. If you can stand to watch and listen to Shrub speeches, you notice

that his crowds boo, screech, clap and jump on cue and in unison. There is always a couple of yelping voices that the rest of the audience takes there cue from because they start first, followed by the rest of the canned track.

[henslee]

6. 20,000?! Yes!

[progressivebydesign]

8. Cool! They were expecting 10k!! n/t

[tomfodw]

9. Too bad none of them will get to vote for him

http://www.truthout.org/docs_04/102104V.shtml

Campaign 2004: Voter Registration Workers Cry Foul

By Dennis B. Roddy
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Wednesday 20 October 2004

An ostensibly nonpartisan voter registration drive in Western Pennsylvania has triggered accusations that workers were cheated out of wages and given instructions to avoid adding anyone to the voter rolls who might support the Democratic presidential nominee.

Sproul & Associates, a consulting firm based in Chandler, Ariz., hired to conduct the drive by the Republican National Committee, employed several hundred canvassers throughout the state to register new voters. Some workers yesterday said they were told to avoid registering Democrats or anyone who indicated support for Democratic nominee John F. Kerry.

"We were told that if they wanted to register Democrat, there was no way we were to register them to vote," said Michele Tharp, of Meadville, who said she was sent out to canvass door-to-door and outside businesses in Meadville, Crawford County. "We were only to register Republicans."

Tharp said volunteers were sent door-to-door to seek registrants but were instructed to first ask prospective new voters which candidate they planned to support. "If they said Kerry, we were just supposed to say thank you and walk away," Tharp said.

[goclark]

15. What will their punishment be?

I have been hearing about all the FRAUD, when will somebody be put in jail?

[tomfodw]

22. On the day Tom DeLay gets out of prison

[DuaneBidoux]

10. I'm from Texas, go 'Stros but if Boston wins and Astros wins and the devil

comes to me, as much as I love the Astros (I'm in Houston), I'd make a deal with the devil in a minute. Let my Astros go down in exchange for the man from MASS making it to the top. A trade this adament Astros fan would make in a heartbeat!

[Texas_Dem]

13. You are not alone in your sentiments. I feel the same way.

[redstateblues]

17. That's Strong Duane- You Rock!!

[DuaneBidoux]

12. Needs to hop across to Ohio next...

It is starting to look possible there as well.

[CityHall]

14. I was there right in the front

I somehow found myself near the front of the line, and got in about 3:30 or so. I ended up in the second row behind the barriers about 50 feet from the stage. Two women from Rusted Root were warming up the crowd singing and playing guitar. They were followed by a series of local politicians including Senate candidate Hoeffel, who gave one of the better speeches. Ted Danson spoke briefly about the environment. Jon Bon Jovi played a couple of songs, then John and Theresa Kerry came out, to enormous applause.

Theresa didn't say much that was memorable. Kerry mostly gave his prepared speech, but there were a few interesting lines. He said that Jon Bon Jovi had written two songs about the Bush administration without realizing it: "Bad Medicine", about Bush's health care plan, and "Living on a Prayer", about his jobs plan. He also mentioned that he was cheering for the Red Sox (who are up 8-1 as I write). At one point, Kerry said Bush only won the 2000 election by 545 votes. Someone in the audience yelled, "5 votes", and Kerry worked that in, saying he really only won by one vote if you count the Supreme Court.

All in all, it was a fantastic event. The crowd was huge and excited, and there were only a token few Bush supporters attempting a counter rally outside. The only down side ws that people had been standing and cheering for hours before Kerry came out, so the excitement had waned just a little. But as the original poster mentioned, security couldn't screen people anywhere near fast enough to create the impression that even the front of the line was moving.

[Cha]

16. Thanks, that was a good report,

too, CityHall!

[One Taste]

19. I got there at 1:30...

waited until they opened the gates at like 430.

Managed to get a spot right in the front row by the railing probably 15 feet from the stage. Shook Kerry's hand at the end, got a bunch of pictures I may upload later tonight.:party:

[Cha]

27. CAn't wait..

Thanks for taking pictures!

[PA Democrat]

18. My son and I just got back from the Pittsburgh rally

I got to shake hands with Kerry TWICE! My son also got to shake hands with Jon Bon Jovi and Teresa and Kerry.

We had gold VIP tickets but still had to wait in the horrendous security line. We were at the BACK of the stage right along the fence on the walkway by which Kerry entered and left.

Very large and ENTHUSIASTIC crowd. I took a ton of 35mm pics and will try to post some after I get them developed. One particular photo I hope turns out was of an older gentleman in a WWII veterans hat with a large sign that read "Republican WWII Veteran for Kerry."

Kerry really touched upon the cost of college education and how he would emphasize SCIENCE as a way to address our dependence on foreign oil and as a source of new jobs.

I agree rmpalmer that security was excruciatingly slow. Our group got in line at about 12:30 p.m. They were supposed to start admitting people at 3:00, but it was well after 4:00 before the line started moving. I am sure a lot of people who waited for HOURS never made it in.

[One Taste]

20. "I am sure a lot of people who waited for HOURS never made it in."

Definitely. My friend, his mom and I let a family come in front with us because he was a partially disabled former factory worker and he asked us. We had showed up at the place at 1:30 or so and didn't get past security until at least 4:30. Did manage to get a front row spot right in front of the stage though!:bounce:

[RamboLiberal]

21. WTAE just said crowd was double what Gore got

4 years ago at CMU and that Gore went on to victory in PA.

WTAE called it more than 10,000. I think KDKA with 20,000 was closer to the true count.

[SammyWinstonJack]

23. Very cool! Great report!

I lived in Pittsburgh during the 80's. Was enrolled at Pitt. Very cool town!

[One Taste]

24. kick

:kick:

[osaMABUSh]

25. Bigger than Gore's rally in '00 I have some pics

First thing I noticed was that there was probably twice as many as was for Gore on same site in 2000 and Gore had a big crowd.

There were two lines coming in and each snaked all the way down the campus mall at Carnegie Mellon and way down Forbes Ave. - probably a mile altogether. I'd say 5-10 people abreast in line at some points. Huge amount of young voters there for Kerry.
The security check wait was long but folks were in a good mood and the weather was dry and fairly warm (60 F).

A group was handing out names and phone numbers of prospective local voters so my son (13 year old) made some phone calls from the rally to encourage their support for Kerry.

Lineup - local politicos, Ted Danson, Franco Harris, Jon Bon Jovi, Teresa and JFK.

Danson (he said he went to school at CMU) spoke on the environment, Franco dissed * pretty bad over the war, etc., Jon Bon Jovi with guitar and a woman fiddler sang a handful of songs and got the crowd rockin. Teresa spoke briefly - sensing we all wanted to hear her husband. Kerry spoke for about 45 minutes. Very enthusiastic, very well received. Kerry stayed around afterward to shake many hands - including my son's who managed to work his way to Kerry. My son was impressed and honored when Kerry grabbed his hand and Kerry gave him a big smile.

[kath]

28. I went to CMU '74-'76. What's that big ol' building where Skibo used to

be??!
Cool pics -- I'd heard the campus has really changed. But I sure remembered that view looking across the Cut towards Forbes Ave. I still have dreams of being on that campus, and of being with my freshman year love - a good one that got away. :-( And I still think of Spring Carnival and Buggy every spring...


How awesome that 20K (!!!) showed up to see Kerry!!

[chookie]

26. I was there too!

Started standing in line 2:30. Wasn't it a great crowd? Gosh -- I love y'all. Ooops -- I mean "yins". Everyone was so nice and so positive and so enthusiastic and so well informed and fun. I met two lovely ladies -- one from Russia and other from Iran, and we had a fascinating conversation about the complex geopolitics of Central Asia, and how critical it is to stop Bush now! Lots of old folks turned out, and to those of you who were there with kids -- boy, do you have great kids! The kids were all smart and positive and I just loved them for their high spirits and civic responsibility so early in life.

I didn't manage to get up front like the people who have posted above, of whom I am insanely jealous -- I will tell you why I got stuck away from the stage even though I had a ticket and had passed through security after having arrived early below -- because it was such a great event and I don't want to bitch, just yet anyway.

RM -- I think I saw were you were -- kinda behind the bleachers with the cops holding you back, right? That's too bad, and I am so sorry that happened to you. But y'all sure took care of the flying monkeys who were there to disrupt. Yeah, I heard them TRY to start chants, but y'all shut them up right quick, and I salute you all!

It was wonderful to see all the energy and the outpouring of love for John Kerry. The people there are passionate about the issues he raised -- the war, the war-profiteering, the wacko economics -- and how they cheered when he talked about promoting science and new industries in America again! THESE are the folk who do the science and initiate or man the progressive industries, and we have all seen what President Pinhead has done leading us backwards! We KNOW we can lead, as we always have, for heavens sakes! -- we need a president with a vision of future possibilities -- not this retrograde plutocratic pirate war-mongering shit we have been subjected to these last few years with disastrous results for all but His Chimperial Highness's closest pals.

I yelled, I shouted, I whooped -- and so did 19,999 others there. It was really something to be a part of.

There were a couple of rowdies up front -- whatever they were saying was making Kerry laugh, because he stopped speaking at one point and said, 'gee, I'm getting a lot of suggestions about what I should do to George Bush -- some of them are a bit risque! Am I glad you don't have a microphone!" He was so relaxed, quite the master of the moment.

As for Mama T -- she is so loved here, has been for a long time, since she was the pretty and highly accomplished wife of our late great Senator, John Heinz. We all ADORE her.

BOY -- it was energizing and cathartic. Some of you who know me will probably know me as one of DU foremost pessimists, but these days, Kerry is so impressing me, and I have been so moved by the quality of good folk who support him, that I am starting to feel good about the future again.

<begin bitching> I arrived early with my ticket and waited for hours to go through security. Talk about the camel passing through the eye of a needle! They really kinda messed up on calculating the crowd size, and he crowd moved like a glacier in molasses in January drawn by underachieving anaemic sloths with rheumatoid arthritis who had been hitting the Ambien before setting out . The wait was simply GEOLOGICAL! Lines stretched in all direction for blocks and blocks and blocks and blocks. But that wasn't the worst of it. After FINALLY getting through security, I was instructed by a Kerry volunteer (young guy, shortish, curly brown hair) to "get back there on the lawn behind that fence -- NOW!" The stupido directed me to go where I ended up LEAVING the venue and found myself standing with people who did not have tickets and did not want to go through security. It was a vast distance from the stage. No one seemed to know where I needed to go to get back in, so finally I just said fuck it, and went all the way around and went through the long line AGAIN and through security again -- another 1.5 hours. That was a bummer -- although I guess I should try to control myself if i ever see that shithead again and at least wait until AFTER Nov 2 to rip his muttonhead off -- although maybe the Kerry campaign should send him to the Bush camp to sabotage THEIR rallies and piss off their supporters. The Kerry organization here, God bless them, are a little slow on the uptake and regularly infuriate me with how stupid and disorganized they can be. Despite my apoplexy-inducing run-in with the future Darwin Award winner volunteer who directed me out of the venue -- the bulk of the volunteers there were simply marvelous -- boy, did they work hard and keep our spirits up -- even those of us who had to go through security twice. <done bitching fer now>

[Cha]

29. I can imagine how excited and how much

fun you had regardless of the security probs..better more to show than what they counted on.

Glad you are feeling more optimistic about the future!

[One Taste]

30. Ugh..sorry to hear about your experience

They really weren't prepared for the amount of people that showed up.

When I got there at 1:30, there was one line along the right side of the lawn. Then they moved half of us to the left side where the second set of metal detectors were set up. We stood there at the front of that line from around 2pm-3pm, when it started to look like they were ready to let people in.

They then brought all the volunteers to the LEFT side of us, which meant we were between the metal detectors and the volunteers and people with special needs who needed to go in before us. The process of getting them through us took about an hour and a half. It was funny hearing a couple volunteers trying to ask us to just back up a few feet. The line went back into the streets of oakland! :crazy:

What I had heard prior to the event was that Kerry was to speak around 4:30pm...he didn't end up speaking until about 6:30 or so by my watch! Still was a great time, I'm about to make a thread with about 30 pics I took.:headbang:

[chookie]

32. We may have been in the same line!

I was closest to the Engineering Building (Doherty?) -- and yeah, the FIRST time I went in, we had to gangway for media and special needs and volunteers and giraffes and people named Henry and people with two left feet and people who were allergic to asparagus and people with bad haircuts, etc etc etc etc. At least I hope that was the only line that was THAT bad....

I know I am bitchin', but of course I know that the important thing was simply to be there en masse, and enjoy being with other sane Americans who are going to MAKE a good future for America and the world. As Bobby Kennedy said -- the future is not something you inherit -- it's something you accomplish.

I am proud to have been with you there tonight! Am looking forward to singing "Happy Days are Here Again" with you in about two weeks. :-)

[One Taste]

33. I think the Engineering building was on the right side..

as you were facing the two lines leading up to the metal detectors. I was in the one on the left for most of the time, although I started out in the right.

[FearofFutility]

36. I was in that pack of people

who had to move from the right side to the left. I couldn't believe it when they kept telling us to move back! By the time we got through the metal detectors, my legs were shaking from standing so long and I felt like I was going to faint. It was definitely worth it though and I'd do it again in a heartbeat!

[frank frankly]

31. i work at CMU and yes it was packed

believe it or not, Kerry was shuttled from his car through the library (where i work) to the stage on the lawn directly in front of the library.

very cool.

he was excellent, as always. I couldn't see him because i was en route to working the evening shift, but watched him via CMU TV.

20,000...WOW!

[VolcanoJen]

34. The Flipper-Costumed Dudes showed up in Dayton, too.

I wonder what they're paying them? Do they have to provide their own transportation?

http://www.daytondailynews.com/localnews/content/localnews/daily/1020kerry.html

Before the rally, the line to get into Fifth Third Field at times stretched from the main gates hundreds of yards around the corner. A box truck with "Vote the Bible" drove along First Street. Some rally-goers yelled at the truck, and laughed when a young woman ran into the street and slapped a "Bush Lied" bumper sticker on it.

Several anti-Kerry protesters wearing dolphin costumes held signs outside the stadium accusing him of being a "flipper" on issues.