From Columbia, SC "...when you become President and you WILL become President..."

[Carolina Voice]

(The Columbia, SC Town Meeting from the Announcement Tour. 12-30-2006)


From Columbia, SC "...when you become President and you WILL become President..."


Every person was focused.

It was the Fourth stop for Senator Edwards since he announced his candidacy in New Orleans for president of the United States. The crowd was united as I haven't seen in recent years.


He signed tickets, shirts and other items supporters brought.


The Harold Brooker Ensemble - The finest gospel I've ever heard...


Young supporters meeting the Future President..


Explaining a point.


Time passes quickly and he leaves for Chapel Hill and another event.
This stop was held at Brookland Health and Wellness Center which is the recreation center part of the Brookland Baptist Church. It was a good hearty southern welcome mat that was out...ready to receive all with open arms. It felt right. It felt right just like Senator Edward's campaign feels right. I love the state of South Carolina just like I love the state of North Carolina. It takes us back to the time when people cared about people and the government wasn't your worst enemy.

The crowd gathered early, all seats were filled and there was standing room only. I'm not good with numbers and I haven't heard a figure, but my best guess is 1500-1700 people were there according to the Charlotte Observer ... on a Saturday afternoon just before the New Year.


While we awaited the appearance of Senator Edwards we got a treat of a lifetime. We were absolutely spellbound by the vocal performance of the Harold Brooker Ensemble... and I really do mean spellbound. Growing up in the south, I've heard good gospel music all of my life but this wasn't just good, nor nearly the best I've ever heard it was THE best I've ever heard and I am a connoisseur of gospel or as some say spiritual music. People who hadn't 'rocked' in years were moving in time to the music and clapping their hands. I wouldn't want to be too presumptive but if I were expecting an inauguration in the next year or so, I would surely book this group NOW. I cannot overstate how good they were.

Then, The Reverend Charles Jackson introduced Senator Edwards to the audience and there was that big affable smile and the audience was focused and attentive. The Future President spoke first explaining various positions and later took questions from the audience. He received numerous standing ovations with scatterings of 'Amen' throughout his speech. He received a particularly hearty standing ovation when he said he wanted to be perfectly clear that he unequivocably rejects any escalation whatsoever of this war. The agreement was unanimous. There was no question on that issue.

The Future President received another standing ovation when he said it is time for America to be patriotic about something besides the war.... and another when he talked about universal health care. Then he said we have to be there for each other... and, restore America's place as the great light for the world. It was standing ovation after standing ovation... there was hardly any need for chairs anymore. In a standing room only audience, everyone was standing.

He said we have to invest in public education, improve public schools and teach our students science, math and technology and become a leader again to the rest of the world.

When it came time for questions and answers one supporter from Orangeburg, SC said her son was killed in Iraq November 2, 2003. She asked 'Senator, when you become President and you WILL become president, will you start bring the troops back home?' He responded with a very compassionate 'Yes... and there is nobody in this country, nobody in this room that doesn't honor your son, you and your family for the incredible sacrifice you have made.'

Then another woman told the Senator that she was a military veteran and her son was serving his second tour in Iraq. Her concern was whether the Senator would support mental health care for the soldiers who served in Iraq. She said she could see the change in her son and that he wasn't the same person as when he left to go to Iraq. The Future President answered that Active Duty and Veterans deserve our support. He went into a variety of military issues that need to be addressed and ended by saying we need to support those who have been mentally scarred too. He mentioned that the Bush Administration requires veterans who need health care to come in person and pay a fee of $250 to register. He said 'My feeling is that they pay their fee when they put on their uniform.'

He answered questions about the Patriot Act, illegals, Impeachment for George Bush, and other things. He concluded by saying that America has to regain the respect of the world. When he went to China it was hard to speak out because they didn't want to hear from a country that had the record of mistreatment of prisoners that America now has and the record of spying on American Citizens that George Bush now has.

One supporter asked: The Bush administration constantly violates Women's rights on Freedom of Choice. The Supreme Court is probably ripe for taking that away. What will you do to protect Rowe vs Wade and to protect women's right to choice? Answer: Rowe Vs Wade is a Constitutional Choice. I think you have good reason to be concerned. I do think due to the age of some of the justices, the next president will be able to nominate two or more, so that is important. We need judges who will protect Roe vs Wade as that is a court decision. Judge Alito is a particular threat to women's rights.
It was a crowd that was engrossed in the topics being discussed and the poignancy of the moment. They weren't ready to go home, but I got the feeling they were ready to vote.

On the way home, we stopped at a restaurant. I still had my Edwards button on my shirt when I passed one of the waitresses. She leaned over and said to me 'I love your button. He's got my vote too.'

Columbia, SC Town Meeting Video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yw2UXvFAZHs

Pre-event Entertainment - Harold Brooker Ensemble
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yw2UXvFAZHs

[SaveAmerica]

1. I've been to an Edwards event, it's like standing in a big ray of hope

Thanks for posting this.

[SCDem]

2. Unfortunatley my bubble burst when he started speaking

I was so excited to be there and enjoyed the atmosphere and the fellowhip and the beautiful choir. I had been pumped up about his campaign since he announced - he was focusing on we needed to do as individuals no matter what time a year or political election cycle it is. I really liked that. But when he spoke there in Columbia I left really sad. Sad for me that I wasn't excited about him. For him founding and having a Poverty Center I thought he'd talk more about poverty in the US, in SC. But instead it seemed like he was too focused on poverty in Africa - almost 1 in 4 children in SC live below the poverty line. Why didn't he talk about that? I left disappointed... not in him but more for me that he wasn't the candidate I thought he was going to be. I'm still holding out hope that I can get excited about him... I'll just have to put my energy elsewhere until then.

Two other people I was there with felt the same way so it must not have been just me.

[SayitAintSo]

3. I was there and came away disappointed too

He wasn't at the top of his game. He gave too many Kerry-esque answers. He seemed to be not "on his game" and prepared with his answers as I have seen him in the past. He bears watching now. He gives a great speech (Two Americas....yadayada) The big question for me is can he communicate his positions clearly where folks come away with an answer they really understand. With this wide a field - he will truly have to differentiate himself. I didn't see it at this gathering.