Salon: "Springsteen, With 80,000 people and the future of the nation...

[Bush_Eats_Beef]

...in front of him."

http://www.salon.com/news/feature/2004/10/28/kerry_springsteen/index.html



Oct. 28, 2004 | MADISON, Wis. -- The presidential campaign comes rushing toward you in a million shrill words, a noisy, cross-country game of tit-for-tat played through TV feeds and the sharp remarks of a hundred sniping surrogates. It's loud and it's relentless, or at least it was until Bruce Springsteen stepped onto a small stage here Thursday afternoon.

With 80,000 people and the future of the nation in front of him, Springsteen played a wistful, acoustic version of "The Promised Land" then quietly offered the most eloquent stump speech of this long presidential race. "I've been writing about America for 30 years," he said. "I've tried to write about who we are, what we stand for, what we fight for. I believe that these essential ideals of American identity are what's at stake on Nov. 2."

Springsteen talked about the choice facing America on the recent "Vote for Change" tour benefiting America Coming Together, but this time he delivered his remarks with much more of the world watching. Hundreds of journalists from around the globe hung on Springsteen's every word. And with people jammed through the streets leading to Wisconsin's State Capitol, the city of Madison literally stood still to listen.

Springsteen ticked off a long list of the things that matter: economic justice, a living wage, a "sane and responsible foreign policy," civil rights, and "the protection and safeguarding of our precious democracy here at home." He said: "I believe that John Kerry honors these ideals. He has lived our history over the past 60 years, and he has formed an adult view of America and its people. "

[ALago1]

1. He makes me proud to be from Jersey!

Go Bruuuuuuce!!!

[jefferson_dem]

2. That's freaking beautiful! Seriously. I love this country!

[joanne]

3. Bruce ROCKS!!!!

:yourock:

[OldLeftieLawyer]

4. In my long life.........

I could never have imagined The Boss up on a stage with a Presidential candidate.

Steve Earle was right: The revolution starts NOW!!!

[Waverley_Hills_Hiker]

5. 80,000 people?....On, Wisconsin..!

and way to go, Bruce.

Man, this sounded great.

[PopSixSquish]

6. I Actually Teared Up When I Saw the Pictures of the Crowd

The Boss needs to play at the inaguration.

[WildEyedLiberal]

7. I watched the video of this...

... and I would've given just about anything to have been there. That was amazing. I got goosebumps when Bruce was talking, and when he started singing "No Surrender." John Kerry was relaxed, pumped, and in his element, too. He made this joke about how someone last year was mocking him, and saying that he'd be president when the Red Sox won the World Series, and then he gave this war cry, something like "WELL GUESS WHAT??" It was great. Oh, to have been there... John Kerry and The Boss, two of my favorite men in the world. No retreat, baby, no surrender!

[Beetwasher]

8. K/E Signs EVERYWHERE! If They Were Just There for Bruce, Why Is Everyone

holding a Kerry sign? Hmmmm???? Media ho's at their finest when they suggest most people came to see Bruce...They came for BOTH legends...

[Tansy_Gold]

9. Kick

because everyone needs to see that photo

[Doohickie]

10. The new Secretary of Labor

That's why he's called The Boss!

[RunningFromCongress]

11. Kerry has a gigantic hand

it must have felt pretty intimidating when Bush shook his hand @ the debates