Update from Boston

[mdhunter]

Some of this may be a repost, my apologies.

Kerry had lunch at Union oyster house by Haymarket. They had closed down the street running parallel to the holocaust memorial when I went by. I missed it, but he apparently came out and shook hands up and down the barricade.

I spent the first part of my afternoon at K/E Boston HQ on Canal St. calling registered democrats and independents reminding them to vote and signing them up for a ride to the poll, should they need one.

The team of callers, numbering about 30 from my estimation, was calling North West and South Florida. I got South, and a list of primarily minority or elderly people. Only about 20% of my calls yeilded positive contacts and, of them, about 50% had already voted. Interpret that as you may. It's true that many people were out at work from 1-3 when I was there, but there were also tons of disconnected and no answer numbers.

From there I went, armed with signs and ballons, to Copley Sq. where there was a pretty good visibility event going. 30-40 people there as of then, more now, despite the cold. Generally upbeat crowd, not many passersby there, but all the media crews were. Nonstop interviewing.

They were setting up the main stage and the grounds for the event this evening. Sound checking a guy with a guitar, didn't catch who it was. TSA guys working the metal detectors, letting in a staff, press, and a few others where very upset with me for filming. I'm not sure why, given that I was on a sidewalk, not in the event and it wasn't like there were a dozen network cameras rolling nearby. Needless to say, I got yelled at three times.

Judging from the amount of secret service presence, black SUVs with Maryland tags and Kerry campaign people in suits, Kerry is staying at the Westin, a block away from the square.

It's getting cold out there folks. If you're just getting home from work, grab a hat and gloves before going out tonight.

'Tis all.

m