Went to Kerry-Edwards rally, Ft. Lauderdale! They're ROCK STARS.

[seafan]

Man oh man oh man, I just got back from a sweltering mass of humans at the airport rally and I've not seen ANYTHING like the tremendous excitement over the Kerry/Edwards phenomenon. Not kidding here.

While waiting in line to have our small bags checked, people were signing petitions for guaranteeing a paper backup for our voting machines in November; others were promoting Democratic local candidates right and left.

I saw no disruptions, no Bush/Cheney logos, no heated discussions with any Bush people whatsoever.

The police were smiling and affable and talking to people both before and after the rally, which was unusual in my mind. There was no disruption at all anywhere... just a massive crowd of happy, convivial people... old folks, young families who took their kids out of school for this day, college kids, teenagers, one guy holding up a "Republicans for John Kerry" the ENTIRE TIME. Yayyyy!!

I've heard there were 2000+ people, packed inside the open hangar and massed outside. We were shoulder to shoulder and the roof nearly lifted when Kerry and Edwards bounded out of the plane towards us. It was deafening!

I will say this... both of these men are quite striking in their ease with each other and with the crowd today. Together, they are like a thing of beauty. Together, they a ignited a joyful optimism and hope today in this crowd... the very same sense of spirit that has been stolen from us and viciously ground into the dirt by the * catastrophe.

There is no doubt in my mind now that John Edwards was the right match for Kerry. There seems to be an electricity now in Kerry that John has ignited. I just can't describe how excited this crowd was to see them bound down the plane's steps together towards us, to hear them speak, and to press up next to the barriers to catch a touch of the hands of the many, joyful people waiting to offer our support and congratulations!

It was amazing. Electrifying. Just phenomenal.

I think we are looking at the two men who will guide, care for, support and protect the people of this country for the next generation.



:toast: :toast: :toast:

[bowens43]

1. I'll be attending the rally here in Raleigh on Saturday

were cameras permitted?

[seafan]

6. Yes, cameras were OK. Bags, pouches were not, though.

There was a very long line to get into the building made up of folks who needed their stuff checked, and the ushers finally GAVE UP at the end! They just wanted EVERYONE to have chance to get in!

We were finally just looked over and walked by a sniffer dog...that was it.

[newsguyatl]

23. where in raleigh is the rally?

i want to tell my mother to go.

[seafan]

24. Re: NC rally

From http://www.johnkerry.com/events/

Saturday, July 10 - North Carolina
A New Team for a New America Rally
Where:
Court of North Carolina (near the Bell Tower)
NC State University Campus
Hillsborough Street
Raleigh, NC

Gates open at: 1:00 PM

Tickets are required for this event. For locations to pickup complimentary tickets click here. To print your complimentary ticket(s), please visit:
http://www.johnkerry.com/northcarolina


Hope yer Mom can make it!!

[newsguyatl]

25. thanks!

me, too. she'd love it.

[livetohike]

2. Thanks for the great report

it's giving me goose bumps. A team to bring back optimism. Let America Be America Again!!

It's really exciting and I hope to be able to see Kerry/Edwards in person one day.

[spooky3]

3. This is SO wonderful to hear! Thanks!!

[Quahog]

4. Awesome report, seafan!

You should move this to GD, so more people can read it. What an uplifting scene you describe. Definitely helped me put the terror alerts and threats of canelled elections in perspective.

Thanks!

:yourock:

[lancdem]

5. That is so cool!

In contrast, Bush is coming to my county (which is heavily Republican) on Friday. Ewwwwwwww!

[SoFlaJet]

7. I'm jealous

I wrecked my car the other night and couldn't attend but your report gave me goose bumps thanks for going.BTW where can we sign on to the paper trail petition?

[seafan]

14. Try VerifiedVoting.org

http://www.verifiedvoting.org

It's set up by state. I didn't catch who specifically was handling the petition today as it didn't work its way around to everyone.

Or try calling some activist groups in your area for info.

[ShaneGR]

8. Energy and electricity....

Many people wondered why I was so intent on Kerry picking Edwards, now they know. A lot of people said Edwards energy was going to be a bad thing as a comparison to Kerry but I always felt that Edwards would actually wear off on Kerry and change Kerry's dynamic.

Thank god I was right.

[senseandsensibility]

9. Thanks for the report!

I got to see Kerry speak, shake his hand, etc. on June 23. He was very relaxed and funny then , so I don't think it's all Edwards' influence. I think the media is pushing that spin. However, I do agree that Edwards is wonderful too, and they seem very comfortable together. You're lucky to see them both!:toast:

[GBD4]

10. Cubans

You mention the Republicans for Kerry, how about the HUGE number of Cubans for Kerry signs? And, Univision (Spanish-language TV) was doing an interview outside afterwards with one of the Cubans for Kerry, so anyone who knows Spanish fluently should check out that report.

[seafan]

11. Wow! I didn't see them.... I was in the crowd pressed down front...

Saw lots of "Teamsters for Kerry" too!

Great to hear about the Cubans for Kerry!!

Lordy, * is in TROUBLE. LOL!

[calico1]

12. Thanks,

I'm not Cuban but I will check it out to see what they are saying!

[amandabeech]

18. Many Cubans are very upset with Bush.

Bush is trying to severely restrict the quantity and value of aid packages and cash sent by Cubans and Cuban-Americans to their relatives in Cuba, and are forbidding packages to aunts, uncles and cousins. I also recall that they are also reducing the number of visits from one per year to one every three years. The goal of course, is to reduce Cubans to absolute poverty so that they will throw Castro out. This is very, very hard-hearted. Bush has shown himself to be once again a compassionless conservative.

[mia]

13. Great report, seafan! We were there too!

While we were waiting along the front of the building (in the shade, thankfully), a lone guy stalked by with a home made-sign (Bush/Cheney 4 more years). He shot the bird to a couple of young girls who were trailing close behind him shouting "BUSH, CHENEY, FOUR MORE MONTHS", then everybody started chanting it. The guy was escorted, minus his sign, toward the parking lot. Then he came back again, walked up to the front, and after some commotion, left again, shouting "I made my point!"

[seafan]

16. LOL! Being the kind, thoughtful empathetic sort that we are....

DO WE FEEL SORRY FOR THEM YET??

:nopity:

[che lives on]

15. I watch his speech last night

He was great. One thing though, did anyone else notice how he kept touching his face? Just a little weird

[Claire Beth]

17. wooooo!

I am jealous. Wish I could have been there. :kick:

[SW FL Dem]

19. Great post

We were there too! The place was rocking, the energy was unbelieveable.
Even the sweltering heat could dampen the enthusiasm. I came away feeling so optimistic. Kerry and Edwards work well together and people are so motivated.

[GreenPartyVoter]

20. Glad to hear people are fired up. Hope that we can get them into office

and that they are open to listening to folks who want them to set a progressive agenda.

[TexasSissy]

21. You are so lucky to be able to experience this moment in time in person.

Thanks for the great, positive report.

[SW FL Dem]

22. Pics of the Fort Lauderdale rally

I thought this was an appropriate topic for my 1000th post. The pics aren't great. I was shooting from a bad angle (into the light outside) but they give you an idea of the event.

[Zorra]

26. Charismatic rock stars are so much more fun than slimy old buzzards.

And to top it off, Kerry and Edwards are also tough, smart, and capable.
:toast:

[NewYorkerfromMass]

27. This post is a thing of beauty!

Thanks a lot- I sensed the excitement by your descriptions and got quite a thrill myself.
They ARE electricfying and we WILL win!

[Wind Dancer]

28. That is so wondeful!

I am going to volunteer at the event tomorrow in Raleigh, can't wait to see them together!

:bounce: