Tipton Iowa Rally report

[Rambis]

Well there were way more people there than could get in. We were the last people to get seated and there was a line 4 blocks (estimate) long and 4 people deep that never got in at all.

Quick stories...
One older lady handed Kerry a letter, he open it and read it and then said ok we can talk about Iraq. "I was hoping it was a big check"


A University of Iowa student who was a diabetic thanked Kerry for supporting stem cell research. Kerry described how her pancreas was not producing enough insulin and how stem cells are different than liver cells, heart cells etc. Try that one GW? I think not.

Another gentlemen asked Kerry to explain to his son that Kerry wouldn't take his guns away. This man had a picture of Kerry and a sheriff hunting pheasants (Kerry bagged two). Side note from Kerry... while they were hunting the sheriff said,"do you see that house across the street over there? We busted that house about 3:00am and sitting next to his bed was a AK -47. Kerry, "Folks we don't need our law enforcement guys going to a bust and not know what is on the other side of the door" Kerry then signed the picture to this man's son and gave it back to him. Kerry went on the explain the cat and mouse game that bush and delay played with the assault weapons ban etc. Very good!


One prescription drug story.... An older retired gentleman told a story about how his drugs cost 2,000 so he went to the VA where they can negotiate the cost of drugs with the government and he saved 1,000$ Kerry went on to describe how GWB put in the bill that the US government can't negotiate drug prices and how we will put everyone under a system where we can negotiate the price for all Americans.



I am sure I have left things out but you have heard a lot before. He did talk about farmers issues and corp farm bills that I do not know about etc.

[madmax]

1. Thanks for posting your report

You do a better job than the talking heads. I'm always inspired by DU'ers who are up close and get to see what is really going on and then share it with the rest of us. :hug:

[WI_DEM]

2. Good Report

[cheshire]

3. Thanks, He really does get it. His heart is matched by his brain. so is

Putz's the difference is Putz's are emptry and Kerry's are Huge.

[cyberswede]

4. Photos from today's town hall meeting

The town hall meeting format was so different from that of a rally - it was pretty conversational much of the time. Kerry seemed very at ease, and not as formal as he seems when he gives a speech. He was very well-received and there were several standing ovations in response to his points. Several people also shouted out comments (positive ones, not heckling). At one point, he left the central area and moved among the crowd answering questions, including 3 from students from the middle school where the event took place. I think the students' questions seemed more substantive than many questions I've seen the press throw at Kerry. :P

Finally, there were some pro-Bush protesters across the street from the school - a whopping 8-10 people with signs. At one point whil we were in line, we couldn't even see them because one minivan parked on the street completely blocked them from view. :boring:

Anyway, here are some photos - sorry some of them are grainy! :)

[Rambis]

5. My wife folks- FYI There were 8 bush supporters across the street

It was funny they could all fit in the photo one of them took and they were obscured from view by one minivan:+