Just returned from John Kerry Rally in Boca

[streakr]

What a commanding presence! It was thrill to see our next President.

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

1. Details, please!

Size of crowd? Response to Kerry's speech, which I heard was awesome?

[streakr]

3. Awesome speech

He reiterated support of Israel which is important around here. I'm not Jewish but my volunteer duty for the campaign has been transporting little old Jewish ladies to early voting. Two of them wanted to adopt me!

The crowd was at least 10K maybe double. I was close to the front and could not even see the end of the crowd. The screening took hours and I have never seen that many people wait so patiently for so long.

Orlando Sentinel endorsed Kerry...first Democrat since 1964!

streakr

[annabanana]

8. what was the nature of the "screening"?.....................n/t

[streakr]

12. Screening with metal detectors n/t

[kdmorris]

4. I've never seen so many people in one place!!

There were literally tens of thousands of people there. We waited in line for three hours and we got there "early"! We were never screened, since Kerry was getting ready to come on stage and they decided they wouldn't have time to do everyone, since the line was sooo long. So, at the end, they just told us all to go in and to HURRY, or we would miss it.

What a GREAT speech, plus we got the added bonus of getting to see Rob Wexler too. Teresa talked for about 10 minutes. She is so hard to scream at. She is so dignified and gentle that when she says something that you might normally cheer loudly for or scream about, it almost feels like you are doing something wrong screaming that loud. Like, if she can get her point across in such a quiet, beautiful speech, shouldn't I do the same? She started it with "Hello, AGAIN, Florida". Made me laugh.

Mostly, it was a beautiful day, and it was wonderful to be with so many people that feel the same as you. Kind of like a huge group hug. There were a couple of incidents with Bushies trying to upset the whole thing, but seemed like the Boca police finally put a stop to all of that. (Mainly because one of the Bushies threatened to run over one of the people in the street). Oh well, that particular person ended up with several new Kerry stickers plastered to the back of her car, as well as one that read "There's dirt under every Bush".

[faithnotgreed]

11. what great details. thank you... poor bush supporter

heeehee

[snowbear]

2. Yeah, really... get back here....

Yoo hoo... :hi: Details? Color Photos? Full Scoop? :)

[hangemhigh]

5. Kerry/Boca

I was there today also and this was the first political event I've ever attended. I am a reformed Republican. The size, energy and collective anticipation of the crowd was really an inspiration. There were a handful of student Bushies and one deranged old man screaming that Kerry was a baby killer but he didn't make anything off of the crowd. I heard that the count was around 12,000 but more wouldn't surprise me. Teresa's remarks were spontaneous and warm, John was outstanding. What a treat to launch a more politically active life by seeing the Kerry's!:bounce:

[karlrschneider]

9. WELCOME to DU!

:toast:

[faithnotgreed]

10. hey - were glad youre here... thanks for the report

[newyawker99]

17. Hi hangemhigh!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[msongs]

6. woulda been nice to

be there with you all.

Msongs
Riverside Ca

[faithnotgreed]

7. you know it! welcome.... were glad youre here

[floridaguy]

13. This thread just made me feel warm and fuzzy all over!

:grouphug:

[floridaguy]

14. Pleeeeeeeeeeeease send pictures! (n/t)

[kdmorris]

15. I'm with you!!

I need pictures (even though I was there). My daughter forgot her camera, so we didn't get any.

[jefferson_dem]

16. Here are a couple pics for you.

[helpisontheway]

18. Gosh it is beautiful there

with all of the palm trees..

[Samurai_Writer]

19. I was there!!!

I drove 1 1/2 hours to get there, stood in line for 2 1/2 hours, and then was so far back I could hardly see the stage. But man, was it awesome! Teresa and John Kerry both are energetic speakers. I am still on an adrenaline rush from it!

I took tons of pictures, but since I was so far away (and standing under a tree with a huge palm falling in my face), I didn't get many of Kerry. I did get some great shots of the crowd, though, and will be putting them up later tonight.

Peace,
Bella