I'm going to see JK tomorrow

[whometense]

:)

Teresa too. And thousands (I'm sure) of his most intimate Boston volunteers.

The thank you party is tomorrow. I'll try to get some pictures if it's not too much of a crush there. This is how much I love John Kerry - I'm pretty crowd-phobic, but I'm going anyway.

Stories tomorrow. :loveya: :loveya: :loveya:

[GRLMGC]

1. How exciting!

I wish I was a Boston volunteer.

[JI7]

2. do you think you will be able to speak to him ?

i would just love to give him a big hug and kiss.

[whometense]

3. I really have NO idea

how many people will be there, or what it will be like. I'm excited though.

[WildEyedLiberal]

4. Tell him

I'll have his babies

:evilgrin:

[whometense]

9. Will do.

:evilgrin:

[saracat]

5. I am mad with jealousy.

Those of us who don't live in Mass don't get to see him anymore! Give him a big kiss for us. Theresa too and tell him we miss him!:loveya: :loveya: :loveya: :loveya: :loveya:

[Withywindle]

6. Oh SQUEEE!!

Lucky lucky!

Give him our love! (Well, if you think both you and he are up to it!)

I can't wait for your stories.

[TayTay]

7. Have Fun!

Have fun, and remember to post when the 'contact' high is still fresh tonight. We will be waiting for ya!

(I'll be looking for you on the evening news.)

[angrydemocrat]

8. Lucky, Lucky, Lucky!!

Wow that's not even fair LOL. Why can't we all be so lucky. Well make sure you tell him about all his faithful supporters that are fighting for him. I can't wait for the reports and the pictures. Have fun and remember don't forget all of us that aren't so lucky.

[whometense]

10. It's just payback

for all those dismal hours on the phone. Especially the cold calls to NH in the fall of 2003. :scared: that turned up nothing but angry repukes and had my daughter in tears.

Just kidding. ;-) I know all of you put in your hours too. It's just one of the benefits of being a constituent-volunteer. He needs us. But I'll be thinking of all of you and trying to memorize everything so I can tell you about it later tonight. :grouphug:

[ginnyinWI]

11. thanks, whome!

you will be representing the Kerrycrats! And we'll be waiting! :)

[TheDonkey]

12. Lucky duck! Have a great time

[sandnsea]

13. oh you lucky duckie!!!

Can't wait to hear all about it. And it would be great to get a first hand report and picture:

http://www.lightupthedarkness.org/blog

[whometense]

14. Ok, everybody - I'm back.

Anyone still up? I'm going to need some help uploading the pictures. I know how to post pictures from the web, but don't know how do put them up from just my computer.

Still composing myself. There were a lot of people there, but not nearly as many as I'd anticipated. When we left at 8:45 JK was still there shaking hands and posing for pictures and signing things.

Just as a start, Cameron and Diana and Teddy K were all there too.

[JohnKleeb]

15. I am up

I dont know how I can help tho.

[JI7]

16. you need to upload the pics on a site such as photobucket.com

you can do it for free there.

and once uploaded on there you can post on here as you would any other pics on the web.

[New Earth]

21. no

from what i have learned, i don't think DU accepts photobucket images.

well, at least it won't show up as the actual pic, it will just show up as "image" as a link to the pic.

[sandnsea]

52. I use photobucket all the time

You just have to use their image tags. You can see this, right? (Geez, that would be embarrassing if it didn't show up, ha)

[TayTay]

54. I saw it.. I saw the pic.

If our less-than-illustrious President saw it he would be wondering how the book ended. (And jealous, wow Kerry can read like whole books. In one sitting even. With people looking on, even. Damn!)

Love that smile.

[sandnsea]

59. Right side up even

I will never understand how people didn't take one look at a picture like this and instantly conclude this guy is the real deal. I never once saw puckerpuss connecting with kids like this, not even Laura and she should know better. Did you see her pics with that youth group yesterday? :eyes: Why don't people see the phoniness???

You remember Nancy with the inner city kids? Sure she was naive, but at least she looked like she was involved and really cared.

[whometense]

66. What a lovely picture!

He is just amazing with kids.

[whometense]

22. Ok, here we go...

[elshiva]

25. Lookin' spiffy as usual with the lucky tie, again.

Thanks whometense, you lucky, lucky person. Did you get to hug him or what? Any pics of Teddy K? How's the Lion doing, anyway?

[whometense]

27. No hugs, I'm afraid.

Almost close enough to touch him, but not quite. Lots of clamoring. Here's a picture of Teddy - kinda far away. He looked great - full of energy and enthusiasm. Sly dog - he worked in a reference to his reelection campaign.

[JohnKleeb]

28. you are so lucky

[GRLMGC]

30. Lucky!

I'm in CA. I'll never seen John Kerry!

[whometense]

67. California's such a big state

I imagine it would be hard to get close to him out there.

If he runs in 2008 you can be an early volunteer. Volunteers get a lot more opportunities to be near the candidate - especially before the primary season.

[GRLMGC]

68. Yeah, but it's CA

Nobody cares about CA. But if he runs again, I'll damn sure be the first to sign up to volunteer :)

[TayTay]

72. I imagine you would see him

SoCal, right. He will undoubtedly be showing up at rallies and such for whoever runs against Ahnold. He is headlining with Bill Clinton a fundraiser for the DNC next week in DC. (Feb 10th, probably on C-Span. Will post when I know.) Apparently he's still a big draw. So, I would bet on Kerry appearances in SOCal in the not too distant future.

[GRLMGC]

73. God I hate Arnold

I hope Kerry appears in SoCal. That would rule!

[elshiva]

33. Thanks again, can barely see him, but I get the idea.

He is still in fine form saw him giving a press conference a couple of days ago. Still talking about getting out of Iraq, good on him.
No hugs! Too bad. I guess there was too many people there who wanted one..so it wouldn't've been fair?

[New Earth]

18. i can help you

once you have them on your computer saved on file, go here: http://trenzhost.com/upload and register an account. this is a good host and it has almost no bandwidth limit.

once you are registered, go to the upload page and click 'browse' to select the files you want to upload. then click "upload".

after a few secones, it will tell you it is finished and you can see the pic that is uploaded, along with it's URL link.

you can then copy and paste that URL link into your post here.

let me know if you are confused or need more info. hope that helps.

[New Earth]

20. SHIT SHIT SHIT

for some reason trenzhost site is down.

try here for now: http://ripway.com

[whometense]

23. Thanks, Faye,

but photobucket worked. Not the best pictures ever, but not bad considering we had to hold the camera up in the air.

[whometense]

17. I'm not one of those fortunate people with total recall,

so I hope you won't mind if I post in dribbles as things come back to me.

First of all (and most important) he looked just wonderful.

Someone handed him a "Don't blame me - I voted for Kerry" bumper sticker, and he held it up grinning for the crowd.

Someone else brought him an "Armenians for Kerry t-shirt, and he posed with that.

And this is specially for TayTay - he made a special point of talking about OUSTING MITT. I knew that would make you happy.

[TayTay]

26. Yeah, that's my boy!

I will be caucusing with my fellow Dens a week from tomorrow. Presumably, we will be figuring out, in the months ahead, how to do just that.

So, you got into Copley (by 'T' or car?) and you went into that nice, golden hotel. (I like the Westin, it fronts a lot of glass .)

You stand outside the hall or are you in the open seating areas right away?

Who spoke first, did they do an immiediate intro or was there sequence of speakers. (You know, the buildup. Was he on time?)

And did the phrase, "Thank you all so much" accompanied with heart references come up?

Come, vicarious thrills here?

[whometense]

32. On TIME?????

You MUST be joking. No, he was over an hour late.

We took the T - we live just a couple of blocks off the B line. We went into the hotel and before we even got up the first step we saw my daughter's friend who interned for JK in NH. She was helping direct people to the Essex ballroom on the third floor - the small ballroom. (Oddly enough, my daughter played the cello there once when she was in HS.)

Then there was a long coatcheck line and long food lines. We got there about 15 minutes late, and the food already looked like roadkill, so we skipped that. Cash bar - $3.25 for diet coke. There was evidently a VIP reception downstairs with, presumably, an open bar.

Very mixed crowd. Lots of cleancut-looking young people. A fair number of old hippie types. Lots of bulky guys in suits who appeared to be local pols.

Some aide introduced Teddy, who talked about how proud he is of JK and said (honest, he did, whether sanctioned or not I do not know) that tonight was the first day of the 2008 campaign, when we really do get JK elected president. You can imagine how the crowd reacted to that. Teddy said more, but I'll write it down as it comes to me. He introduced Diana and Cameron, who waved but didn't speak. Then he introduced Teresa and JK. Teresa spoke first.

[TayTay]

34. And Teresa looks good?

I presume. She always does. And she spoke about .....
And then she said she was proud of MA because ....

Then she intro-ed her husband with a rousing line .....

And he opened up with a joke ....
or maybe a heart-felt line about .....

Come on kiddo, give me something here.

I have 5 posts to go before I hit 1000. Hit me. I want to go over the top on a MA JK post. Sounds right.

[whometense]

38. Sorry! It takes me so long to type.

Maybe I should type shorter posts that go up faster.

I'm gonna jump ahead a bit here because it's what I'm thinking about right now. When JK finished speaking there was a roar, and then the music came on - oh my god, it was No Surrender. I was really calm before that, but hearing that song made me well up. No one wanted to leave. I swear, no one headed for the door when he finished. The crowd was dense for over an hour after he was done.

I have to think about this some more. I mean, the room was full of people who would have given their right arm for him to win, and this was the official end. Everyone wanted to stay to be around him, but there was real sadness too. It's hard to let go after all that effort and all that hope.

[TayTay]

39. Campaignus interruptus

Happens to the best of us. 'Tis but a temporary thing, to be remedied at some future date. 'tis but interrupted, my dear, not cancelled.

I imagine it was a poignant event. Thank goodness he did this. It allows everyone closure on '04 and hope for the future. Sounds like a classy event for you (a classy lady) and for JK and Co. (A classy group for sure!)

So, he stayed and pressed the flesh a bit? Oh, I'm verklempt. I want a closure event too, but I got stuck between MA and NH. (Ouch.) and belong to neither world, I guess. Thank goodness for your kind reports. My obliged, my dear.

[whometense]

43. My pleasure.

Now I'm a puddle after having written all this. Talk about closure - how corny is it??, but I think this is the first time since November 2 that I've felt this utterly sad.

Not to worry, it is a good sadness, and it will pass. I'm pretty verklempt myself. But you know, under it all is this true pride that I put so much effort behind a man who is so absolutely worthy.

[TayTay]

45. Closure is a good thing

It also tells you that the past is past. Time to move on. And you don't have to drag all your old baggage around with you wherever you go. Clean break (well as clean as history allows) clean new start to come.

My sympathies. I understand. Sounds like an Irish wake, full of sorrow for what has passed, warm reflection for what it meant and the knowledge that life inevitably moves on.

[angrydemocrat]

47. I don't find it corny at all

especially when I'm doing it myself just from reading and looking at the pictures now that might be a little corny you were there.

[angrydemocrat]

41. That Would Have Been A great Moment

But also bring back the sad ones I would have cried if I was there I know I would have. I would say there was a few that couldn't help it and did.

[whometense]

62. Even some of the more

battle-hardened interns were tearing up. It was a tough night.

[TayTay]

64. Yeah, it's like the last scene in....

Return of the King

"Well, I'm back."

Sigh! Back home indeed. Not the way we wanted, but home is home.

[angrydemocrat]

35. Hell Yes!!!

They are already selling the John Kerry for President '08 buttons, bumper stickers, and sweathirts over at the John Kerry site under the link the campaign offices uses to order signs and buttons and all I will post it in a minute!

Here it is:

http://www.demstore.com/cgi-local/SoftCart.exe/scstore/Kerry/index.html?L+scstore+dgwh3897ff0aa70a+1107528563

Scroll down to the Constituency Catagories and click on Kerry Stuff only. The shirts sweatshirts are $20.00 for s-m-l and $22.00 for xl they were getting low on the sweatshirts last night when I looked. The buttons are $1.00 and the bumper stickers are $1.50

[whometense]

49. Haha!!!

Thanks for pointing this out. I did not know.

And you also reminded me of something else Kerry said - he was still telling people to go visit JohnKerry.com - laughing while he said it, but still keeping it active.

He also mentioned - with pride - the campaign's 3 million online activists. That's US!

[angrydemocrat]

56. You Got Girlfriend

And how like that sneaky bit on the buttons, shirt, and bumper stickers LOL. They have them under the the link that the campaign offices were using not on the link on his front page of his website.

[whometense]

36. Teresa was - Teresa.

She is such a brave lady. She talked about how wonderful it was to travel around the country and get to meet so many incredible people - she said a couple of funny things which I was trying to remember, but of course now can't. Maybe they'll come back to me. There were a number of professional photographers there - don't know who they were - news? or private?

She did say she'd gained a lot of weight but was working on losing it - which got a big round of applause (not sure why? but people meant well) She said that she would always be there to boost John up. A hint about 2008? I'm not sure, but it might have been. It seemed almost like she wanted to say something but caught herself before she did.

And then she introduced John, to deafening cheers. (Teddy got deafening cheers too.) Lets take a moment for the LLL - my god, he is really a beautiful man up close. We've talked about it before, but every time I get near him I think, wow, I have never seen a picture of him that did him justice. So :loveya: :loveya: :loveya: :loveya: for John.

He told a few jokes - he told that one about how according to the pollsters there are two million people in this room right now. And a little sad joke - he said, "I'm finally getting to have my party at the Westin." Sigh. (that was where the election night party was supposed to have taken place.) But there was no trace of self-pity. The mood was deliberately upbeat. He talked about how the campaign drew his family even closer together (he mentioned Alex and Vanessa and his stepsons), even though they were often spread out across the country. He mentioned the work of the local pols - mentioned several by name as examples. He talked about how wonderful it was to step off the plane in Ohio or Arizona or wherever, and see a face from home waiting to greet him there.

He talked about how close we came and what a wonderful job we all did (Teddy said this too, in his own way), and how we're not going to give up, but first take care of Mitt and of reelecting Teddy, before anyone starts thinking about 2008. But of course you can tell everyone's thinking about it, including - I'd bet the farm on it - JK.

[TayTay]

37. aaaahhhhhhh! That sounds nice

I'll quit pestering you now. Good. Pumped crowd, pumped pols, sounds like a good time was had by all.

I'm so glad you had a good time and thanks for putting up with my questions.

[whometense]

40. I'm happy to answer your questions.

They help me remember things.

At the beginning of Kerry's speech he said something like, "You might be wondering what we're here to celebrate." And some woman yelled out, "That you're still our senator!" That made him laugh.

It takes me a little time to get the distance to figure out what really happened. What is sticking with me now was the intensity. People were treating each other kindly - as if every single person in the room had risen from a dire illness and needed to be treated gently. Even JK had that in his tone, which touched me almost beyond words.

Remember when during the campaign he kept saying "It's not about me"? He said that again tonight, but in a way that was indescribably moving. It was like he was saying he was proud of the campaign, but he knew how every person in that room felt about how the election had turned out - and he knew it because he felt that way too. Not sorry for himself, but genuinely sorry he couldn't win for us.

Not to get too melodramatic. But how can you not adore a man like that?

[TayTay]

42. Awwwwh, Damn

I feel like hugging someone. Sounds wonderful. You had a roomful full of Massholes and not a single fight broke out. That's good.

Seriously, Awwwh. That went right to my heart. Thanks for sharing it.

Sigh! "Of all sad things of tongue or pen, These are the saddest, It might have been."

[whometense]

46. well,

here's a virtual hug :hug: . I know what you mean.

In a big room full of big Masshole egos everyone, for a few hours, was on the same page. Now that you mention it, that is an event.

Your quote is apt indeed. Man, he is such a classy guy. I believe he intended to stay in that room until every person was satisfied. Just like in Iowa before the caucus.

One interesting sidenote: I got the feeling watching them tonight that there's been a genuine power shift between him and Teddy. They are now equals for the first time. It felt good.

[TayTay]

48. Wow! Now that is good

You're right. Now it is JK telling people to vote for Teddy. I hadn't thought of that, but I think you're right. Now MA has two Sr. Senators in practice if not in name.

Oh, that actually must be nice. Kerry was in the shadows for so long doing all that investigative work. And Teddy was Teddy, the Legislative Lion of the Senate. If both were to have a news conference at the same time in the pre-2004 days, Teddy would have gotten coverage and poor John would have had to wait. Now, I do sense equality. Oh, that warms heart as well. This is so silly to say, but Mr. Kerry has indeed arrived.

Sweet!

[whometense]

50. Yes. See?

the advantages of posting. If I hadn't been rambling on here I don't know if that would have occurred to me.

But that's exactly right - Teddy could bump JK out of the spotlight any time he wanted to, but no longer. And Teddy seems to be absolutely fine with it. I get the feeling when he's doing his pump-up-the-crowd thing that he means it. He's really fond of/proud of John.

[TayTay]

51. Their relationship has come a long way

Teddy is such a larger than life figure. He is quite the kidder and he used to love to tease Kerry. (Their respective staffs had a rivalry as well. All in good fun.) Kerry has come into his own, he is second fiddle to no one, in MA or in the Senate. I saw him on the floor the other day during the Gonzales vote and he seemed just fine. Thi bodes well for a grudge match with Romeny, the weasel. Oooh, I love this.

I feel better. Of course, I didn't go through what you did tonight and the emotional rollercoaster that I'm sure it was, but I feel better. Relieved. Ready to face the future.

[whometense]

55. I'm really glad it helped.

:-) I'm feeling better too - tired and headachy, but better.

After all, it's very reassuring to see him all in one piece, wearing his lucky pink tie, and ready to take down SlickMitt. God, I hate that guy. Ever notice he has a kind of wolfish look to him? Too many teeth in the smile...puts me on edge.

[TayTay]

58. ah, it makes me sick to think of him

And all those stupid hair jokes. I am so sick of the hair jokes. (Once and for all, Kerry has better hair. Mitt's is phoney. I swear it looks like he's wearing a piece.)

Enough about him, yuck. This was a nice event. Teddy K and John Kerry in one room. You lucky duck! He is a beautiful man up close, ain't he. Very charming and elegant. Sigh!

[angrydemocrat]

44. That Reminds Me

Of why I love this man so much and he is and will always be my hero. I wish I could have been there. That makes me just want to hug him and tell him how much we all still love him and how special he is to all of us.

[whometense]

53. An interesting dynamic from tonight was

that we were all so happy to be in his presence. But he was equally happy to be in ours. It relates in a way to what we were saying a minute ago - and that column (Lehigh??) in the Globe a few weeks back. Kerry's been around a long time, but in the shadow of Teddy, and in the shadow of his own personality, in a way.

It's taken a lot of people a long time to warm up to him, but he is now loved. Once the Massholes love you, they've got your back FOREVER.

[TayTay]

57. And take any slights personally

That's so true. I felt this during the campaign, especially during the SBVT thing. It was like attacking family. (Come over here and say that you MFing bastards. I'll put my foot up your ass you say that again. Ohh, I so want that bastard Corsi to show his face here. I'll bring the rotten eggs. You bring the rotten tomatoes.)

Again, Massholes are marshmellows. We really are. Just don't cross one of us or you are going to regret it forever. Sigh! Nobody messes with family.

[whometense]

61. Absolutely.

If I start saving the tomatoes now they should be all ready for him in four years.

Ewww. Grossed myself out.

But,yeah. Corsi won't know what hit him. If he doesn't chicken out. If he has half - even half - a brain he'll think twice. It's like that guy who was quoted in the paper a few weeks ago - the head MA repuke maybe? Anyway, he was quoted saying they think Kerry is "vulnerable" in '08. Yeah. Right.

[angrydemocrat]

60. What Took So Long

I fell in love with this man years ago. And I'm not even from Massachusetts. I have literally admired and loved this man for 18 years what took Massholes so long to figure out he was so great. Dang how amazing is it that someone not even from there has loved the man longer than some who do live there. That's wild LOL. I seen it years ago.

[TayTay]

63. We were spoiled

Just all spoiled. Besides, we knew Kerry was doing a good job (he did get re-elected 3 times) but unless you were paying close attention you didn't know exactly what he was doing. The investigative work required you to closely follow an ongoing story that had a great deal of components to it. 'twas not easy. Probably not fair either, but there you go. (And we knew he supoorted more cops on the street, better education, etc.)

We did like him. (We elected the guy at the tender age of 41 to the only Senate seat that was going to come up any time soon. And Kerry was only Lt. Gov when he got elevated to the Senate. (That's a pretty good ride, 2 years up and out.) Teddy K is Senator for life. And we take our Senators very seriously here, they have to be wicked smaht and look presentable and do us proud and represent the very grumpy people of MA well. (I remember Ed Brooks and he looked he came from Central Casting - Senators Division too! That was an elegant man. Even for a Repug - okay a liberal one.)

[whometense]

69. You make some excellent points.

We do take our senators seriously. We want our senators to be people we can look up to.

Plus he had - somehow - earned the eternal enmity of the Globe and Herald, which didn't speed the love along either.

[TayTay]

70. Honestly,

If I ever run into John Kerry and have a chance to have a talk with him, my first question would be , "What the hell is up with you and the Globe. You're a liberal, they like liberals. They give you so much shit, then they always endorse you. What the hell did you ever do to the Globe." (Quick, send the Senator a note and say never have coffee with this woman, she asks odd questions.)

My personal theory was either steal someone's girlfriend, run over someone's dog or show up drunk at a funeral. My money's on the girlfriend. Those Globbies never forget. (And the funeral thing, well who among us.....)

[whometense]

76. Watching him tonight I was

thinking about this. Thinking about how he is called aloof and yet it's obvious to me at least that he wears his heart on his sleeve. Honestly, he's a very emotional guy. So how come they can't see it?

[TayTay]

78. Preaching to the converted

It's confusing thoughtful with indecisive. There is a difference.

I am very happy with JK tonight. Rest up big guy, you got a lot of work to do with those morons in the Admin. Stay home, get some rest, veg out and watch the Super Bowl. I think he's been busy lately. Needs some time off.

[angrydemocrat]

71. My daughter was talking to a friend of hers

that lives up there and she was telling her how there was more people starting to love John now. She was talking about some of those that have always had some doubts and all. I guess they are part of the crowd that didn't follow along and pay attention like they should have. But there are many that are just now starting to really fall for Kerry like we have. I have noticed so far the the glob and a few other papers are letting up on him now too. I mean they may still may have something negative once in a while but it has been nothing like it was or am I wrong? Because what I read is what is posted online the actual paper has a lot more to it I'm sure.

[whometense]

74. It does sort of seem that way right now,

but we'll have to wait for a while and see if it's real or just post campaign fatigue.

The Herald is a right wing rag (MA right wing, anyway). They'll never change, but they have no serious impact either, so it doesn't much matter.

[angrydemocrat]

79. Yeah I Figured That Out About The Herald

The shit the post in there is total utter bullshit in most cases. And it is rare I have ever seen anything positive about that damn thing. I use to get pissed all the time about the garbage they had in their's but when I learned a little more about them and that they don't have much pull or meaning to people their it don't bother me. I learned it has as much meaning and pull as Limpballs and inSanity anothers not much of shit unless you are a far right nut.

[TayTay]

75. What was the line that was used

by one of those close to the campaign.... It takes a while to warm up to Big John, but once people do they tend to be fiercely loyal.

Kerry is not an easy guy to just go up to and start spilling your life's story. He is a bit reserved and he does hold back a bit. (So do I. It took me whole days to open up in here.)

Kerry is one of those people that you have to pay attention to in order to understand him. He holds deeply intelligent and deeply informed opinons on the issues. This requires paying attention. I think it took some Dems until the debates to realize that this guy is worth a listen. A lot will stay loyal. He's, I guess, an acquired taste, not a first love.

Edit: That doesn't apply to WEL. Of course.

[whometense]

65. Well, not to be immodest,

but I saw it a long time ago too.

Here's one way to think about it. My daughter and I didn't get up close enough to hug Kerry tonight. We could have, if we'd pushed and shoved. But we both would rather give up the hug than act that way.

In a way, JK is like that. He is reserved and a little shy, but he has a lot of dignity and believes in himself, and just does what he does and trusts that in time people will come to value him as he is.

Well, between having to serve next to Teddy and in a state where politics is well known to be a BRUISING contact sport, it took a while. It's his style, and it works for him, and he couldn't behave differently if he wanted to.

[angrydemocrat]

77. I Guess It Would Be Hard Being Held To The High Standard

Of a Kennedey. But John as you said has his own style and I have always loved him and it's funny in a way because although I have never really compared him to Ted Kennedy I have always seen a little John F. Kennedy in him. But that was just me. When we lived in Florida politics was taken seriously there as well but here in Tennessee you might as well give it up so to speak. All these redneck assholes want to do is fight when you try to discuss politics. You find a few people like myself but not many. And those of us that are into politics and try to keep up with what's going on you will find also that 75% or more are not from this state we just ended up here. And many are on their way out of it just like me. This is the most screwed up state I have ever seen. Well hell look what we have for Senators that ought to tell you a little right there.

[whometense]

85. I just remembered what it was that

Teresa said that hinted at a run in 2008.

It was when she mentioned the weight she'd gained. She said it was worth it because of how wonderful it was.

Then she said, "I'd do it all over again," and then caught herself and added "to have that experience" But you really got the feeling she had started to say something else, about really doing it all over again, but caught herself.

[angrydemocrat]

87. I don't know about you

But I have been convinced he will be running again in 2008. And last night just tells me I was right. Because his daughters have said they would do it all over again, now you can add Teresa to that list, then you have Kennedys comment about this is the first meeting of the John Kerry for president committee of 2008, then you have them already selling the John Kerry for president 2008 bumper stickers, buttons, and sweatshirts, and of course John's actions and remarks. I have said it before and I will say it again John Kerry is running in 2008!

[angrydemocrat]

29. LOL

YES! I have a hoodie that says "Don't blame me I voted for Kerry" and I wear it all the time. And I love the ousting Mitt part as well I hate that bastard!

[livvy]

19. I wanted to meet him so much during the campaign.

I really didn't have much to say. I'm always a bit shy when I meet people for the first time. (God help them once I feel comfortable around them, though!) Really, all I wanted to do was look him straight in the eye and say, "Thank you." He is the first politician since McGovern that I felt I could trust. I don't know why. I wasn't all that thrilled with him when he was one among the many running for the Dem nomination, but once I started really listening to him, I was sold.
Have fun, and tell him there is one Michigan girl who still believes.

[whometense]

24. My daughter and are both the same way.

People just basically pick you up and move you out of their way to get close to him, and neither of us is the pushy type. But we got within a couple of feet of him, and I was standing right next to Cameron and a few feet from Teresa.

They should have had a receiving line, which would have been fairer and probably quicker - but that's not the dem way. Too organized. ;-)

The funny part about it being a home town crowd is the odd mix of rock star squeeing and the blase hey I can see him any time I want. But the crowd was LOUD, mostly, just drinking up his presence. My ears were still ringing when I got home after a long walk and a T ride.

[livvy]

31. Well, if you do get to meet him....

shake his hand twice, and give a double thanks for me!

[ginnyinWI]

80. what a great thread!

Whome, you are so lucky, and thanks for sharing. I agree he is very good looking up close (I've seen him twice in WI) I could have travelled a bit and seen him twice more--wish I had now. What makes him so attractive in person, I think, is the gentle but thoroughly intelligent look in his eyes.

Please post more memories as they occur! We are living vicariously though you:

How about any interactions between Theresa and John?

Did he give out any hints about the election fraud issue? Does he really think he got less votes?

Does Marvin still follow him around?

What was Theresa wearing?

Did he say anything about dubya?



:) I know I'm going to be reading this thread over a few times!

[whometense]

81. Hi Ginny!

You're my last post before bed - can hardly keep my eyes open, so I'll probably write more tomorrow. Don't want to shortchange!

One kiss between T and JK, after she introduced him. She did much better at the introduction than she did last time I heard her - which was last summer. She spoke about him with great affection and talked about how proud she is of him. She was wearing pants with a light brown tweed jacket and a scarf, and looked lovely.

Not a single hint about fraud. UNless you count that pollster joke. I was standing about two feet away from Cam after JK finishes speaking, and he had a lot of people coming up to him. He's a really quiet, shy sort of guy. I was trying hard to eavesdrop, but the room was too loud. I did see him exchange business cards with a young woman (presumably a young lawyer).

I was looking around for Marvin, but didn't see him - and he's hard to miss! People were handing things to JK, and he'd pass them back to his aides.

He didn't mention * by name, but mentioned his for-shit policies - "faith based health care, etc. More tomorrow, I'm f-a-d-i-n-g....

Here's tomorrow's Globe story: http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2005/02/05/keep_on_fighting_caring_kerry_tells_campaign_workers/

Pretty positive! Unless my weary eyes deceive me, that is.

[whometense]

82. And here's the Herald's

take: http://news.bostonherald.com/politics/view.bg?articleid=66998

[angrydemocrat]

84. OH HELL YES!!!!

"THIS IS THE FIRST MEETING OF THE KERRY FORE PRESIDENT COMMITTEE 2008" Kennedy declared as Kerry and his wife, Teresa looked on.

HELL YES!!!

[ginnyinWI]

83. it's really late for you--it's 1:17 here central time! n/t

[seito]

86. Thanks for the report

I am so glad that you had that opportunity. I would not have pushed and shoved through the crowd either. It would have been nice to shake his hand or hug him and personally thank him. He is truly a class act. I remember someone posted, just a couple weeks after the election, that a group of his supporters were having a party, and JK called them to thank them. He is a man that does what he does because he really cares. What a treasure. We should all be grateful that he is still serving in the Senate.

[whometense]

88. Thanks. I for one

am very grateful and proud that he is my senator.

I had one more thought about him last night as I was drifting off to sleep - and it was one word that just floated into my mind. The word was humility.

There is not one iota of arrogance about the man. Standing there last night talking to us I could feel how grateful he is to us, his supporters. He is aware of how hard we fight to protect him, and our love and support inspires him.

That thing about his having our back and us having his? It's real.

[TayTay]

89. What a sense of growth

That is truly why Presidential election cycles are so long. I am just now reading a book by WaPo writer Walter Shapiro called One-Car Caravan. It is about the pre-primary season in Iowa and NH. It starts out in 2002 and profiles Shapiro's dealings with all the major candidates. The Kerry he meets in the first few chapters is not the guy you saw the other night. The long, long campaign changes people. I think it teaches people humility. (Well, it didn't teach * anything, but Rethugs are allergic to humility.) Campaigns are such strange critters. I think this one restored Kerry to himself to a certain degree. He was uncertain when it began and his speechifying got so much better. Night and day difference, IMHO. Much better.

Fascinating book. It's not your typical, "first this happened, then that happened' recap of the pre-primary stuff. It is written to bring out Shapiro's impressions of what it is like to decide to run for Pres and how you go about it. I like it. The portrait of Kerry is both flattering and not, it gets better as it goes on. (I love the section where Shapiro meets Kerry on Beacon Hill, then accompanies him to Hanscom Airport for a flight to Keene, NH. Shapiro is surprised when Kerry pilots the plane. He is even more surprised when Kerry gets a cell phone call just before landing and answers it. Shapiro points out that in NY it is illiegal to even drive a car and be on the cell phone. However, Kerry hands the cell phone over to the other pilot and does a perfect landing at Keene. Nice story. Turns out all the cell phone calls were about Kerry's dying Mom. He was getting family calls about her condition from his sister and trying to launch a campaign.

Geez, the Kerry campaign began under dark circumstances. Kerry's Mom died in Oct 2002. He found out about the prostrate cancer in Dec 2002. He had the Globbies on his ass about their bio series and the ancestry thing in Jan/Feb and he had surgery and had to recover. Gawd, what a start. It's a wonder he didn't pull out. That must have been awful.

[whometense]

90. I read that book about

six months ago and LOVED it!!!!!!!! I went around recommending it to everyone I talked to.

I even wrote a fan email to Walter Shapiro, who is a very funny guy, and wrote me right back!

It gives you such a great picture of who those people were back then. Like you said, I'm sure they all changed. But maybe none of them so much as JK. But that fits who he is too - his character. He is a man who does not repeat his mistakes. He learns from them.

[TayTay]

91. Well, that settles it

I have a twin. I was at the bookstore and I had this gift certificate and I really don't want to read the Newsweek book because it looks mean and Shapiro is great, so, I bought it. It has been updated slightly to reflect the Dem Convention. So far, I am loving it. It's so personal. I think so many books that come out about campaigns loose sight of the people who run for office. They become these process books about who screwed up. I like the human elements. (I am the one with the Marvin obsession, remember. I just can't get enough of who the actual people are who run these campaigns and what they are like and why they do it and such.) The Kerry at the beginning of the book is so different. He has grown.

[whometense]

93. hahahahaha - twins!!!!

I'll have to get a copy to see the update. I love the way Shapiro writes. He doesn't try to soften anything, but there's a real humanity there. He writes about the human being behind the image, and I found it very illuminating.

[whometense]

92. Oh, and

my favorite part of the book was also about that trip to NH. I gave full credit to Shapiro for his courage in flying with someone as distracted as Kerry was that day. It is amazing he kept going.

Some of the most poignant scenes of the campaign were at the beginning in NH where he had trouble attracting even ten people to some of his events. We were at that foreign policy speech he gave in Manchester in December right as he was starting to gain ground on Dean. They booked the speech into the Manchester Library auditorium - a tiny place - I'm sure to avoid the embarrassment of too many empty seats. And when he came out the place was packed - people standing in the aisles, overflowing outside - people everywhere. You could see the joy and surprise on his face when he registered that.

[TayTay]

94. Awwwwh. Another heart touching moment

That's so nice. That campaign was nearly dead in Dec '03. Then, suddenly it was not. It must have been incredible to be there. And that is such a nice anecdote. I remember the scene in the Pelosi movie on HBO and the scene with JK in Iowa kicking stones around and just having to wait for the time to be right. I liked that one. And the time did become right. And I think it might again.

I did not do as much as I would have liked the last time. Next time, if the first primary is in NH, I want to do much more. (I will be kid-free and have extra rooms in my house if anyone needs a place to stay and volunteer in the Granite State. I live one mile from the NH border.) I followed everything avidly though and sent money.

[whometense]

95. It was an amazing moment.

We were there because of my daughter's friend who was volunteering in Manchester. She was trying to lure my daughter up there to work over her winter break, and invited us up for the speech and a tour of the campaign hq.

No one expected there to be such a big turnout. Teresa was there, as were both of Kerry's sisters. We talked to Peggy. Looking back, it was a kind of turning point and we just happened to be in the right place at the right time. My daughter was dating a repug at the time, which was getting to be a problem for her, and I was sneakily trying to get her involved in the campaign partly so she could make some nice young dem friends.

I claim no prescience.