Just returned from the AWESOME rally in Fort Lauderdale!

[GBD4]

The Kerry/Edwards plane landed right in front of the rally so that the several thousand of us there could scream as the candidates got off and then Sen. Nelson and Rep. Meek gave the intros and what a great rally it was! Edwards spoke first and gave some great lines such as Bush can't do math: the budget numbers don't add up, he's dividing America, struggles in the middle class are multiplying, and Bush ought to be subtracted from the White House lol And Kerry has definitely improved since he was here for the primary in March. Extremely energetic and the floor was literally vibrating during one cheer it was so loud with Democrats rooting the Senator on. South Florida is ready to turn out big once again! :)

[Kolesar]

1. Kind of like the Beatles arriving for their concert at Shea Stadium

They arrived to screaming hordes at the airport. You know, the new guy kind of looks like Paul McCartney.

[MasonJar]

2. Sounds great! Thanks for sharing.

[spooky3]

3. That "math" line is terrific--I hope we hear it again. Thanks!

[flpoljunkie]

4. Thanks for the first hand report, GBD4!

Nice to see them both with their sleeves rolled up and obviously enjoying campaigning hard together in the sunshine state. Their chemistry is obvious!


Reuters/Jim Young

[seafan]

5. LOL, GBD4! I just started another thread!

Ya beat me to it! Man, it was just phenomenal!

If the mods lock my other thread, I'll copy my post over here.

GO, Kerry/Edwards!

:bounce:

[mia]

6. Thanks GBD4 - I just got back from the event too!

We were there wearing Betty Castor t-shirts.

What an entry! The Kerry/Edwards jet taxied on up to the hangar where the crowd was waiting. The stage was full of union members and veterans. I loved the focus on hope and optimism in the speeches by both Kerry and Edwards, and the way Kerry ended his with words from Langston Hughes' poem, Let America Be America Again.

At the end, while the crowd was still cheering, Edwards said to Kerry "that was a great speech!" (I read his lips.)

What a day!

[seafan]

8. I missed the taxi-up, but

think we heard the landing while standing in line for bag-check...LOL

The "Let America Be America Again" reference was incredibly uplifting as Kerry ended his words.

Ain't hope infectious??

:toast:

[mia]

9. it sure is!

:beer:

[SW FL Dem]

7. You beat me to it!

I was there too with my 13 yr old son. We just got home, but then we had to drive across the alley!

It was fantastic! I am feeling so oprimistic right now. We were about 15 feet from the stage. You could just feel the energy. The place was packed, the line to get in stretched around the block and many people were turned away. What amazes me is that so many people were willing to tolerate standing in line in the hot Florida sun for hours in order to get a chance to see Kerry and Edwards. The hanger was hot and humid but it didn't dampen the enthusiasm. The Tower parking lot was overflowing and many of the cars had Kerry bumper stickers.

I was amazed at the diversity of the people there. I was particularly pleased to see a lot of younger voters. It was wonderful to see so many people that share my views and concerns. There was one lone protestor walking outside the building with a crude hand made sign. Someone walked up behind him and stole the sign. He ran to a police officer and demanded she get him his sign back. It was pretty pathetic.

On the way out, Candy Crowley was getting ready to do a report. Her makeup was just melting. She definitely looks better on tv.

[Auntie Bush]

10. And she looks awful on TV!

I call her Pig Face. Does she look like one in person?

[SW FL Dem]

11. Pretty much sums it up.

My camera battery died or I would have taken a pic as I passed by.