Were You Watching The Cleveland Kerry Rally? Did You Catch This Moment?

[AnIndependentTexan]

posted at Kerry/Edwards online forum by Choppin Broccoli

http://forum.johnkerry.com/index.php?showtopic=109477&hl=

I was watching the Kerry rally in Cleveland tonight on C-SPAN and saw a moment that basically described Kerry to a tee. I was wondering if anyone else caught it.

Kerry had finished his speech and had gone down into the crowd to shake some hands. The cameras tried to follow as best they could through the thousands of supporters, but couldn't really get that close. However, it seemed that a microphone was able to get close enough to pick up bits of conversation.

Kerry approached a very enthusiastic-looking young man, and you could overhear this guy say, "I'm sixteen years old, and I gave $1,000 to your campaign." Kerry responded with something the microphone couldn't catch, then the kid could be heard saying, "Swear to God." A couple of seconds passed, and it looked like Kerry was just going to give him the traditional "Thanks for helping out" recognition and then move on down the line. But a second or two after the exchange, Kerry (who could barely be seen over the raised hands of all the people between him and the cameraperson) could be seen taking off his tie and giving it to the young man.

I thought that was a perfect encapsulation of Kerry the man, and what he'll mean to this country. If we go out of our way for him, he'll go out of his way for us. Do you think Bush would have given one of HIS slack-jawed lobotomized lapdogs HIS expensive silk tie? NO WAY!!! But Kerry gave his to a kid who isn't even old enough to vote for him. What a great President John Kerry is going to be. Tomorrow can't get here soon enough for me. I'm giddy like a kid on Christmas Eve. I can't wait to get home and watch the returns come in tomorrow night. And not only should YOU not forget to hold me accountable for my March promise to deliver the State of Ohio to John Kerry, I won't forget to hold MYSELF accountable to my promise to dance in the street after Kerry wins. I've got my dancin' shoes all polished up. Kerry is going to win, he's going to win big, and there's absolutely no doubt in my mind about it.

[livinbella]

1. Yes, Kerry was spontaneous and sincere

Damn, he was good

[Toucano]

2. Kerry is SO my president!

Thanks for pointing this out.

[Kimber Scott]

3. I can feel it, too.

:bounce:

[OldLeftieLawyer]

4. Amen.

AMEN!!!

Kerry's such a mensch.

I love him.

[BayStateBoy]

5. Saw It As It Happened on C-Span...Wonderful

[cynatnite]

6. Way To Go, Pres. Elect. Kerry

We've got his back and he's got ours.

[cynatnite]

7. Way To Go, Pres. Elect. Kerry

We've got his back and he's got ours.

[Andromeda]

8. Kerry is REAL.

Just watching him makes me feel more secure. He has a very soothing voice and manner and I just love him -- and Teresa too. Of course, I can't leave out John Edwards and wonderful Elizabeth who is warm and intelligent and will make a great second lady.

[Hoffnung]

9. Can you ask them if they heard that volley of loud bangs at the rally

just before Kerry left the event.

[fishwax]

10. That's my president

Twenty four hours, and I'll be celebrating. :D

[SammyWinstonJack]

11. Kerry is the best!

He cares about us! He proved that when he came back from VN and listened to his fellow Vets and did what they asked him to do! End the War! I love John Kerry and he will make an awesome President! Kerry on! Kerry us Home!

[sandnsea]

12. I cried

What a wonderful man. That showed exactly who he is, I've never see George Bush even come close to having that kind of heart-felt response to anything. If we don't get him as President tomorrow, the world will miss a rare opportunity for true peace and hope.

[drmom]

13. I love it...I am going to be so proud to vote for him tomorrow!

[LTRS]

14. Kerry is indeed the real deal!

[Starlight]

15. I'd swear he said a thousand HOURS not dollars. n/t

[Merlin]

16. This is a great story! Thank you. n/t

.

[Bozos for Bush]

17. Yes, that was a great moment and we are going to have a great president

I caught a rerun on CSPAN 2-3 hours ago, and that moment was just incredible - we've got a real hero here, and hopefully tomorrow we'll have a real President.

[cheshire]

18. I love him like no other candidate. I'm sorry Bill, but Kerry is for me.

[Mandate My Ass]

19. Last week in Philly at the Clinton/Kerry rally

during a pause in Kerry's speech, a woman in the audience shouted, "I love you so much, John Kerry" which was picked up by his microphone and blared over the 100,000 member audience. He smiled for a few seconds, and then without missing a beat said back to her "In one week I'll show you how much I love you."

[Cronus Protagonist]

20. I look forward to the day when this is a dark memory

[Jade Fox]

21. That reminds me...

A good friend of mine says she became a fan of Kerry's watching him work
the audience after he won the Iowa primary. Some little gesture of his
made her feel like with Kerry we could have a caring, human adult for
a President again.

[Dem2theMax]

22. Thank you so much for posting this AIndependentTexan.

I didn't get to see it on CSPAN. And your description made me cry. John Kerry is a REAL human being. He's not like the faker in the WH right now. He truly is the Real Deal. Just think of that sixteen year old kid. He's going to have that memory for the rest of his life. John Kerry is more of a President without the title than that idiot in the WH on his best day.

But I can hardly wait for the title to go to the man who really deserves it. :bounce:

[KitSileya]

33. Can you imagine that kid....

..in 2044, telling how that moment made him realize what it takes to be a President and that's why he's running?

This is how the torch is lit, that is how people know they matter, and what makes them decide to strive even further to make this world a better place.

[PretzelWarrior]

23. wow. I'm humbled by the kid. can you imagine teen donors?

heh heh. as internet savvy as they are...as many who have burger king, starbucks jobs....they could easily be a good section of donors out there.

never even thought of that. $1000? wow. unless it was just his dad trying to give more than the $2000 max and donated in all his kid's names too. LOL.

[girl gone mad]

24. I caught it and thought the same.

Not only is Kerry a sweet guy for giving the kid his tie, but what a great kid. I heard a woman, I assume it was his mother, telling Kerry he had saved up his own money to donate.

I can't even imagine a 16 year old donating $1000 of his own money to Bush.

[Skinner]

25. That's a great story.

Thanks for sharing it.

[Paradise]

26. watched the rally but missed that inspiring encounter! thanks. :) nt

[Jersey Devil]

27. It was great! Kerry was practically diving into the crowd

The Secret Service guys couldn't keep up with him. He dove into the crowds of supporters off the stage seeming jumping down into them. Also caught that special moment with the kid and the tie and thought it was especially touching. You could see that Kerry was very tired but especially upbeat.

[tilsammans]

28. Wonderful story!

Kerry is the real deal. Not a pretentious puppet.

[Willy Lee]

29. Ahhhhh... goosebumps!!!

I am so excited and hopeful about OUR NEW PRESIDENT!!!!

[starbuck6446]

30. I SAW THAT!!!! Beautiful moment...

My first thought was oh man, EBAY! But then I came to my senses and thought glass case - heirloom, 44th President's tie!!

:)

[htuttle]

31. If the kid keeps the tie long enough...

...It will be worth more than $1,000.

See? Kerry isn't even elected yet, but the promise of it is already making people money!

;)

[Catfight]

32. That is the best story! President Kerry, you will be GREAT! n/t

[LuminousX]

34. It was this type of contact with JFK that inspired Clinton and others

to enter politics and make an effort to improve society.

[NewYorkerfromMass]

35. I love Kerry. eom

[Roxy66]

36. I saw it too!!! I was hoping others caught that.

That showed the world the man that Kerry is and the President that he will be!!

[newyawker99]

37. Hi Roxy66!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[mparker]

38. Great story

Like people here are saying, its the spontaneity of Kerry's goodwill that makes it all the more genuine. He could have run as a "war hero" in the early 70s, but instead made his path more difficult by being the anti-war hero. A standup guy from the looks of things. Certainly leagues ahead of Bush.

[lizzieforkerry]

39. I was just watching CNN

and they were showing Bush in a Rep HQ somewhere and someone handed him a shirt- well about 10 seconds later Bush put the shirt down and started walking out of the room- Not only did he not give these guys anything, he didn't take what they gave him! I was shocked! Anyone else see this? If they show it again it is the clip where a woman is hugging Laura in front of Bush.

Just another reason why I love Kerry! (and Hate Bush)

[Kahuna]

40. Kerry is a good man. IO never doubted that. He has a good heart.

Something the current occupant doesn't possess.

[Reciprocity]

41. Also Bruce gave Kerry his lucky guitar pick. Every little bit helps.

[osaMABUSh]

42. Also, Kerry doesn't miss a hand to shake !

I watched on C-SPAN many time Kerry work the lines and he sees all hands and makes sure he squeezes each one. Nice touch to pump up a supporter. I think Kerry realizes that a lot of people at the rallies especially those up close are working for the campaign and each of them represents, perhaps, dozens of votes.

Don't hurt to tall either!

[GreenPoet64]

43. What a WONDERFUL story !! n/t