So, who here has seen Kerry live and in person

[TayTay]

Just curious. I have seen him in person, but there were many years between when I saw him campaigining for the Senate seat (or Lt. Gov, can't remember) and when I saw him last week.

Anybody else seen him at a rally or whatnot?

[WildEyedLiberal]

1. I have seen him twice

Photos don't do his beauty justice.

[TayTay]

2. Where?

Rallies, house parties, caucuses, what? How many people? Did you get close. (Dumb question. The man would have been on crutches long before he was.)

[WildEyedLiberal]

7. Two big rallies

One was a post debate rally in St. Louis after the second debate, and the second was a big rally in Warren, Ohio three days before the election. Both time I was like forty feet away. I think 30,000 people at the Warren rally; thousands at the St. Louis one too.

NO I DIDN'T GET CLOSE ENOUGH TO SHOW HIM MY UNDYING LOVE. Pity. (Although the Secret Service might have taken issue with that.)

[elshiva]

4. Is it true that he smells wonderful?

I heard that on this board, but I've never seen him up close...

[WildEyedLiberal]

8. Not that close I'm afraid

PITY.

[elshiva]

9. Too bad!

Next time...:evilgrin:

[TayTay]

13. I wonder if Vektor has seen him live and in person

that might imperil the known universe. We should really find a way to get WEL, Vek, muse and a bunch of thers together with the Senator somewhere. That would be a hell of a public appearance. (LOL!) Nothing but cheering, raucous applause with hooting and foot-stomping. (Among other things.)

[TayTay]

10. LOL! I would never notice this

Because I am too wonky or something. I noticed that the Senator didn't have a written speech last week but was winging it. I noticed how he connected with the audience and how he couldn't leave because there were kids blocking his way who wanted to talk to him or shake his hand or get an autograph. But I never notice the more physical stuff. Something wrong with me, I guess. (I get the wonk right off the bat. The more human stuff takes time I gues.)

[k j]

85. One of my favorite memories...

Saw him arrive in Boston for the convention last summer. Took me forever, but I was able to shake his hand and talk to him for a second. Was amazed beyond belief at his power of connection.

Also saw him, and John Edwards, leaning out of their window as they left Boston and began their bus tour of America. Talk about big smiles. :)

[ginnyinWI]

3. Twice for me, too

One was a rally in Milwaukee for which we stood in line three hours! Theresa and Andre were also there--and that's when she said, "They want four more years of hell!" That day (well it was night by the time it was over) I got to within about six feet--and he looked gorgeous in the park's floodlights as he signed autographs and smiled and shook hands with everyone long after Teresa had given up and retreated to a car.

The other was an indoor speech on the UW-Milwaukee campus in mid-October--about 300-400 people, plus 14 TV cameras. Caroline Kennedy was there too--you may remember a news blurb showing her with Kerry--that was the day. I got a ticket because I had been working at our local campaign HQ. I got a handshake that day.

[JohnKleeb]

5. Finally will tuesday I hope

[JI7]

6. is it for a specific event or something ?

[JohnKleeb]

12. Bolton Confirmation Hearing

I happen to work that day.

[JI7]

26. oh, that's a place he will be for sure

there might be a lot of media around that day though so hopefully you will be able to get in. even ifyou can't just seeing him from a distant or walking by would be nice.

[TayTay]

30. This would be my ideal Kerry sighting

In a committee, watching him work over one of the Idiot King's moron appointments. I would love to watch my Senator take one of these guys apart. Use logic and common sense on him and get the guy to contradict himself. (Is it getting hot in here?) See him stare down a designated nominee while employing that prosecutor's demeanor to get the person sweating. (Yeah, sweating. It's hot in here.)

I mean really, the way he got Condi to admit that the Admin blew it with the AQ Khan network. (Oh my. Yes indeedy. They surely blew it. Oh yes.) And the way he looked at Bolton the Bastard when the idiot tried to disavow his disparaging remarks about the UN. (I saw that look in Kerry's eyes. The 'I got you' look. Oh my, oh my. Yes, have at 'em, by all means. I just want to watch while you do it.) Ahm, great camera angles that day. :evilgrin: :loveya:

Ah, I admire the man for his brains. Wonkiness does have it's rewards. And the look in his eyes when he has one of the bastard mole people cowering under that penetrating gaze. Geez. It just works for me. :evilgrin: :loveya: :evilgrin: :loveya:

[JohnKleeb]

33. You know maybe I should try to get out of class early that day

so I can head down there but I think my kid brother has pre school that day so my dad cant pick me up really. I'll probably get to work at around 1:50ish, hmmmm hopefully it will take me 10-20 mins to get to the room in the capitol. I copied and pasted the info btw, I am so going.

[Withywindle]

11. Yes, only once

At the Oct. 28 rally in Madison, WI. About 80,000 people, I think. But I was in the media pen (long story), so I had pretty good sightlines, and just by chance the path he took leaving happened to bring him within...oh, a foot of me! (Shaking hands all the way but I had an attack of the shyness) That's how I know he smells nice. :loveya:


He was energized, inspired, slightly hoarse and sweaty, and leaving a little trail of extra charisma glowing on the asphalt behind him.

[WildEyedLiberal]

15. "energized, inspired, slightly hoarse, and sweaty..."

Funny, that's exactly what he's like when *I* get done with him!

:evilgrin:

And he definitely leaves a little trail of extra "charisma" behind.
:evilgrin:

[Withywindle]

17. I had some sweet dreams that night...

...let me tell ya. :evilgrin:

[saltpoint]

16. Oh wow, you were at THE rally. That rally was on every --

-- website I looked at that day after.

That would have been the one to be part of.

Way to go, Withywindle.

[Withywindle]

20. It was incredible!

Downtown Madison was completely caught up in it all the way. Huge rock festivals only WISH they could make that many people that happy. Springsteen knew he was Kerry's opening act, and he seemed proud to do it.


Every single person there believed fervently that it was going to happen, in just five days. We had no reasons to doubt.

Edited to add: I don't live in WI; a friend and I drove up from Chicago. (where, of course, we weren't seeing a lot of candidates. Even the Barack-star was off campaigning for other people more than for himself. We got lonely.)

[saltpoint]

28. What a good idea to drive up from Chicago and see --

-- Bruce Springsteen open for Senator Kerry.

Bruce actively campaigned & supported Clinton over Dubya's daddy, too. He told one audience a week or two before the Clinto-Bush election, "Don't vote for that fuckin' Bush!"

Refreshingly partisan!

Well, if you were at that Madison rally in November, you were in the stream of history.

Bravo.

[elshiva]

18. What's he smell like?

[Withywindle]

22. It's hard to describe...

...a little clean active sweat, a little very tasteful aftershave, a little fresh shirt, a little something like fresh autumn air _should_ smell like but rarely does, a little warm.

You just know if that if you smelled it in a restaurant, you'd want to make sure you ordered that.

[elshiva]

24. Bwhaahaha! Reminds me of a wonderful smelling professor

who just was fragrant with Old Spice and sweet sweat...:loveya:

[ginnyinWI]

19. oh I could have gone to that one

but I didn't have someone to go with, and it would have been an hour's drive and then a nightmare to find a parking space, so didn't. A friend who lives in Madison did go, but got nowhere near the stage.

[TayTay]

23. Wow!

If and when he runs I will be seeing him in New Hampshire a lot. It will be back to house parties and standing in someone's back yard giving the stump speech and collecting checks. (I love this, btw. NH and Iowa are the strangest shows on earth. If you can get to them and take part, do it. It's weird but great!)

If anybody wants to help out in NH, I have free housing for ya.

[WildEyedLiberal]

27. I'll have me a degree by then!

I plan on throwing myself at Kerry's campaign, so we'll see where I end up!

[sandnsea]

44. Oh dibs!

I am so there. All I need is a spot on the floor. I'll even bring a sleeping bag and foam pad!

[TayTay]

76. IT would be my honor and pleasure to host you

I have two twin beds, two couches and plenty of floor space. Especially for Kerrycrats. (I actually can cook a little. Omelets are a specialty of the house. And pancakes with locally produced maple syrup.)

[saltpoint]

14. In Tampa, a couple of nights before the November election.

The Goo Goo Dolls played for around 45 minutes -- they were excellent, and of course, very pro-Kerry-Edwards.

Many Florida pols were there too -- Senate candidate Betty Castor, Congressman Jim Davis, and Sen. Bill Nelson.

When Kerry took the stage, he was greeted with more thunderous applause than all the others put together.

He was exhausted from the punishing pace of the campaign, but he reached down deep and spoke to us all from his heart and mind.

There was much more that night than just a bunch of anti-Bush voters. There was a well of welcome and respect and love for John Kerry.

Bush-Cheney cheated. Kerry-Edwards won. And next time, we're gonna kick their asses.

[Withywindle]

29. That's why that stupid...

..."we were all just ABB, nobody really liked Kerry" line makes me see red every.fuckin'.time. because it is such crap. I just want to say to those people, maybe you and your 30 best Internet-friends think that, but if they'd gotten out of their own cliquey comfort zone and really seen a gigantic crowd like this actually feeling like they're being addressed directly, that this IS someone they can love and trust and won't be slapped down for it--whether it's office workers taking a long lunch or a pack of multiculti teenagers blowing off school for it or a phalanx in matching union t-shirts making it a point to represent, and all of them cheering so joyously...

well, if they saw that with their own eyes, they wouldn't say that, would they? (Maybe they would still. Maybe they are that full of it. I hope not.)

[saltpoint]

36. John Kerry has some quality in him that inspires my trust.

I would have preferred that he had voted 'No' on the famous Iraq vote, but I'm not a one-issue voter. Or a one-issue citizen.

Russ Feingold voted for the nomination of John Ashcroft. I wish he had voted 'No' but he still has my respect as a brainy, resourceful, creative, and necessary public servant.

Past those singular votes, Kerry is a man of great passion for ideas and service. A welcoming heart with a big-picture mind. I LOVED our ticket in November.

John and Teresa would have been SENSATIONAL as President and First Lady. I would feel so much better right now if they were representing us instead of that cynical halfwit and his Stepford wife.

[sandnsea]

21. I saw him in Portland

At the small gathering downtown, not the humongous one in August. We were going to go to that one, but we would have had to get up so early to even have had a chance to get in. I figured it would be crowded, but when I saw that crowd on tv, holy snikeys!!! I was glad I wasn't having to fight that crowd to get in or out, but also sorry I wasn't there. Biggest political event in Oregon history.

The one I went to was awesome too. Sean Astin was there and Art Alexakis. I got there in plenty of time, but somehow kept getting shuffled back and forth across the street. For a while I thought I wasn't going to get in. Finally did, but far away from the stage. I was so bummed. But then... right up above my head... THERE HE WAS!!! (And Howard Dean too) I swear I jumped up and down like a little school girl!

It was a great event and I can tell you first hand, when JK spoke after Dean, it was all Howard who?? And Portland is mega Dean territory. No, I am not being prejudiced. I'm really not. He blew the crowd away.

I tried to stay and meet him, but we had a long drive home and I had to go. (See, so many people to meet him that I couldn't get close enough. Told ya' they loved him in Portland) Great day!

(KerryGoddess has a picture with JK. I'll let her tell that story though)

[TayTay]

25. The first Oregon one was the one right after the convention, right?

I heard that was humungous. It looked like the whole of the state had turned out.

Wasn't the biggest rally the one in Philly where Bill Clinton came back and they wre on stage together? I heard that was amazing as well.

It's too bad the media kept reporting that Kerry couldn't work a crowd. I thought he did fine. I thought his convention speech was one of the best I had ever seen him give and he seemed very pumped for it.

[ginnyinWI]

31. they were screaming for him in Philly

I wasn't there but saw it on Cspan. I think they were wilder for him than for Bill Clinton who was also there. It was like the Beatles or something. The crowd was going nuts, and I think the security guys were, too. A great rally. Was it 125,000? Incredible.

[JI7]

35. the Chimp didn't get much turnout

i remember not long before the election it was reported somewhere that an event in Florida had far less turnout than they expected and there were many empty spaces.

the same was true in some other places. when they did close up it might seem like the place is filled but when they showed a wider shot at least half the place was empty.

all the while Kerry's events always had to turn people away because of high turnouts and not enough space anymore.

i think this shows the effectiveness of Republican GOTV. and of course if you remember that Bill Bradley article not too long ago with the pyramid analogy. much of the republican structure is already complete and ready to work no matter who was at the top of the their ticket.

but Kerry on the other hand had to go out and work all the way from the bottom to the top of the pyramid.

[ginnyinWI]

62. yeah and when you look at it that way,

JK was like Superman, to have the success that he did. He got that many votes even though he was the head of a weak party that has endured relentless attacks from the right for at least a decade, or since Clinton became president.

[sandnsea]

34. Second one

The first one was in May. Right before our primary. It was about 5,000 in downtown Portland. Which was still big. There was the square that was fenced, and then all the streets for a few blocks. At one point he spoke to the crowd outside and they yelled, it was louder than the yells inside. Plus people hanging out of their windows above us. At one point a helicopter flew over and some guy was freaked out about it. I don't remember what JK said, but he was very reassuring and I thought it was just nice that he bothered to take the time to do that. And wave and talk to the people in the windows. Oh, and after I didn't get to see him in the line and left; I heard later that he greeted people outside too. I just missed out all the way around.

The second one was the big one in August. Biggest ever in Oregon, but certainly the Philadelphia one was much bigger. That was a great one too. The one in Portland, the thing about that one is he had appeared in both Southern Oregon at a rally, and Eugene at one of those front porch things. So people had a chance to see him otherwise, and he still drew 50,000 people in Portland.

Here's an interesting article about the Portland rally. No, the media never seemed to find the same people everybody else did. I get in a big email war about it with a Salon writer. Didn't do any good, but I tried.

http://www.blueoregon.com/2004/08/conversations_a.html

[TayTay]

37. I did meet a staffer last week who was in Boston on THAT day

That was extremely emotional. The people lined the streets from Beacon Hill to Faneuil Hall. Senator Kerry and his family didn't get thunderous applause, they got an outpouring from the heart. The people standing in line were giving the best tribute they knew how, they were there for him in the hour of need. As long as I live, I will never forget that. (Boston can be a bit on the cold side sometimes, I guess. This was an amazing and heartfelt tribute to the Senator for doing us proud. I know this is sad, but it was also wonderful, in it's way.) This is why the Senator is finally getting all the good stuff here, like the Kennedy Library honor and getting to fire the starting gun at the Marathon and stuff. It's overdue recognition for a job well done. (An he done us proud.)

That's why the whole 'Corsi is going to run for Kerry's seat' thing is nothing but a sick joke. The people here would crucify Corsi for his lies. It would be pure fun to take him apart and make him wish he had never ever heard of Massachusetts. Nobody messes with our guys like that.

[sandnsea]

39. Good to hear that

It sounds very emotional. That has got to be one of the worst days of my life. Honestly, I really can't think of many days that have been worse. I can only imagine how he and Teresa must have felt. Maybe it's all that love that he remembers that keeps him going.

[politicasista]

42. And all of us here.

:)

[ginnyinWI]

63. I'm glad to see that

From the outside, it's hard to understand MA not appreciating him fully from the beginning. But I guess that's human nature. I don't think people here in WI fully appreciate Feingold either. But he just keeps on working hard for us anyway. We have 72 counties in this state, and he visits each and every one of them once a year and holds a "Listening Session", because he wants to keep in touch with what we care about.

I got an email from our local Dem party head, who said that Sensenbrenner held one here recently too, and a bunch of Dems attended. He said of the meeting, "...let's just say the paint was peeling off the walls"!

[kerrygoddess]

49. Oh gosh I could write a book about meeting JK!

And THK and Alexandra and Vanessa and so could my daughter.

Too bad the Kerry blog is gone because a lot of my experiences meeting JK and attending rallies were chronicled there.

[wisteria]

32. I've been lucky enough to see him twice- both times during the election.

The first time was his first stop right after the convention. It was at our local train station. I wasn't expecting a very large crowd because the area is mostly Republican and I was astounded that more than 10,000 people stood in the rain for a chance to be part of the rally and hear John Kerry speak. John Edwards and his wife was there. Teresa and two of her sons were there as well as Kerry's two daughters and Ben Aflact (sp).I was lucky enough to be standing almost front and center along with two other members of my family. I will always remember this rally. There was a bit of confusion when John Edwards said "Hope is on the Way" and John Kerry said "Help is on the Way". (I'm still not sure which was correct). We even had a medical emergency which Kerry's daughter rushed off the stage to help with. All of this was fun and exciting,but the one thing I will always remember and the one thing that will always be with me is seeing John Kerry arrive on stage and seeing his eyes take in the large crowd. I have never seen such sincerity and honesty in someones eyes before. I felt he understood the magnitude of the position he was campaigning for and he was honored to be given the opportunity to serve if he was elected. He loves this country and his words spoke of this love and honor, but the look in his eyes made it all so believable.
The second time, was about one week before the election and was an entirely different style event. It was just John Kerry at a local college. He looked great-very presidential- and he was very confident. His speech was more polished and he touched on a lot of good points. The one thing he said that stuck with me was, and I can't quote him on this, but referring to young people educating themselves and becoming more aware of the issues that should concern them. In other words, thinking for themselves and making informed decisions. I really liked what he had to say.

Looking back, that he didn't win, this is such an injustice, he should be our president.

[politicasista]

38. I agree. He came here to Nashville once...

to speak to the American Legion. He arrived the night before. I didn't go because I had school the next day, but I saw it live and there was a massive crowd (it was around in the hundreds or more I think) chanted "Bush Must Go" but I remember other Tennessee Dems like Harold Ford Jr, and others were waiting for Kerry to get off the plane. Kerry just wanted to wave and say hello, but when he saw the crowd, he started going into his campaign routine (rolling up the sleeves, etc). Of course the biased media talked over Kerry so you couldn't hear what was being said.

the day after he finished speaking, there was a group of supporters lined up along the sidewalk waiting for Kerry's motorcade to pass through. Many would think since we are in the South we are all ignorant, but some "rednecks" are smart. They interviewed one who was a Vietnam vet saying that "he wanted a man in the WH who bled and served his country." I was in school so I couldn't go to either. I remember when Mrs. Edwards came to town for a fundraiser and only one media outlet covered it. (Sad isn't it?)

Sometimes I wished the campaingn would have let Kerry/Edwards spend time down here. Like Gore, Kerry carried Davidson County. They had lots of support down here. Unfortunately this red state is full of poor rednecks who just found out that Bush isn't one of them. You reap what you sew period.

[sandnsea]

40. I remember that first one

Vanessa and one of her brothers rushing off stage. Didn't Kerry make an announcement or something? And the rain, I remember the rain too. And some macho man joke or other. That was so exciting because we knew something amazing was happening, with so many people showing up.

It's funny you should mention the eyes. I was going to, but thought I'd blathered on too much. But that is what my husband noticed. Kerry made eye contact with people and when you looked in his eyes, you knew you were looking right into his heart. Sincerity and honesty, that's exactly what my husband said. And he's not political at all, and not particularly easy to get over on.

When he didn't win, I felt as if the planets were out of orbit and everything about decency and faith and honor had been turned right on its head. It is the worst kind of injustice for the entire world.

[politicasista]

41. I don't know why I feel this was all a setup

so that Hillary or someone else can run. I agree it is so much injustice here in America and the world. It's a joke.

[sandnsea]

43. Nah

Not Hillary. I saw Bill out there stumping, he was trying as best he could. Election fraud? Maybe. But after all these months, there's still nothing to pin on anybody. I honestly just don't understand what happened.

Well, some I do. Like when they kept saying there was no bump out of the Dem convention. A few months later I saw a big batch of about 10 polls. Kerry was up in almost all of them in August. But it didn't get reported. Stuff like that makes me mad, but I can at least see why there was a disconnect between the crowds and public perception.

But after the debates, I just don't get it at all. Everything pointed to a Kerry win, absolutely everything.

[politicasista]

46. Even the Packers--Redskins game and Nickelodean's Kids Pick the President

all favored Kerry. I don't get it either. I think the media played a starring role in Blinky's re-selection.

[JI7]

48. the Bin Laden tape

and the Russian school hostage thing. Kerry did go up in polls and was continuing going up but the Bin Laden tape did hurt him. especially with it coming after the school hostage thing. and ifyou remember the Republicans had been going on about how there will be another 9/11 if Kerry is President and that those who voted for Kerry would be at fault.

a few people(mostly married woman with children) got scared and went with whoever is viewed as more hawkish. when people are scared they don't always think logically. most people will admit that Iraq is a fuck up, that Bush hasn't been a great President, but Kerry is an unknown. and Bush's strength was mostly with the fact that he is a Republican and the perception people have of the party as being the one that is tough on defense issues. .

the thought that Kerry would take the troops out of Iraq and we will have another 9/11 hurt more than "i voted for it before i voted against it" the windsurfing, mary cheney, morals and values etc.

[sandnsea]

53. I know the theories

They just don't make any sense. Women went up 5 points for Bush all across the country? I never heard any women talking about the school kids and the election. The women I knew thought Bush was making a disaster of Iraq and had treated the troops horribly. I just don't know where these women came from, in every single state, or where the percentages equal to the Nader voters went. It really doesn't make any sense.

[JI7]

56. it was more of an emotional thing

while they agree with Kerry's criticisms they are still scared and in the back of their mind there is the thought that if someone threatens us they probably do want someone who wont ask questions and attack right away. i'm sure they didn't think Kerry would do nothing but it's just the fact that Republicans are viewed as more of Hawks and Democrats as more anti war.

and i do remember the Republicans bringing up the Russian School hostage thing a lot in those last few days.

and i also think the release of the Bin Laden tape was planned at that time for political reasons.

i think if people had known Kerry as they saw at the convention and especially at the debates for a longer period of time it would have helped him. it would have also helped to get out Kerry's background as prosecutor and in the Senate on going after corruption and it's links to terrorism.

[sandnsea]

75. I'm mostly blabbering

I haven't been able to talk about this since the election. Too much pain. I'm probably cycling through emotions that other people already dealt with.

I lived in Montana on and off since 1980. I look at those Bush numbers and I just think to myself, where'd they come from? It's just not religion there, it's not that important. Or it didn't used to be. They just voted to make changes in the Patriot Act and against racial profiling. They voted in a marijuana law. These are just not people who are afraid of terrorists, not the women either, believe me. They could still be suffering from kick the terrorists ass mentality and didn't get enough of that from Kerry. But I still think it's that politics of identity that someone wrote about. And the fact that local Dems won't stand up and fight against the charicatures that the national Republicans use to smear our Presidential candidates.

Like I said, I'm just blabbering. Getting it all out of my system.

[JI7]

77. i think you are right

"But I still think it's that politics of identity that someone wrote about. And the fact that local Dems won't stand up and fight against the charicatures that the national Republicans use to smear our Presidential candidates."


and what you say can apply to the part about people thinking Republicans are stronger when it comes to defense. a big reason for that is because their entire party repeats the same thing and people get it in their mind whether or not they actually understand it.

with Democrats you have some distancing themselves from other democrats. if you watched the Senate debates ALL the democrats were far superior and kicked the Republican asses. but they were also saying different things. while ALL the republicans repeated the same crap no matter where they were from. the democrats kept insisting that while they are a democrat they are also independent. all the republicans kept aligning themselves with Bush while the democrats never even mentioned kerry's name.

[ginnyinWI]

65. everything did point to a Kerry win

The polls, the president's approval rating, everything. It doesn't make sense that he should have lost.

And look at it this way--with the votes he got, ordinarily he would have won in a landslide. He got tons more votes than Clinton did, and more than Gore did. All those rallies showed a real, true outpouring of support for JK and what he stood for. He got something like 59 million votes! Remember how many print newspapers endorsed Kerry, even conservative-leaning ones. All this support, even with TV media slanted against him.

The one thing that made the difference was, I think, that Rove was able to do what he had been working on for four years, and that was to get the religious right out to vote. Otherwise they would have certainly lost.

That said, I also think it's highly likely that votes were manipulated electronically. It would be just too tempting for them not to want to hedge their bets.

That is what I feel counteracted JK's landslide. Rove's getting out the RR vote,to make it close, and the stealing of votes electronically.

[sandnsea]

72. After the election

I read an article about this mega electronic bus that had been traveling the midwest. It had all sorts of videos and voting information, etc. Very high tech. It went to all sorts of churches. And there were voter registration drives too. I remember one DUer particularly upset about a Vote Your Values pamphlet, and I admit I just didn't get it. But I didn't know about the bus, and voter registration drives either. It just seems to me like it was totally under the radar.

Considering women go to church more than men, even single moms, this could have been where they got that 5 point swing. Because they lost male voters in most states. That would make sense.

Which means local grassroots should have targeted day care centers, that's the only place I can think of where Dems could offset the church targeting of women. If that's what happened.

[wisteria]

45. Absolutely, I agree with you, decency, faith and honor faded away .

You are also right about Vanessa and her brother rushing off the stage. There was something else to, the group in the crowd that was promoting Aids research-I think. They kept on interrupting and Kerry actually took the time to let them speak and listen to them. He then offered them his opinions and solutions. Something you would never see Bush do.

[politicasista]

47. Blinky would have had them arrested

More injustice! :argh:

[wisteria]

51. I agree! n/t

[LittleClarkie]

50. A Wisconsin rally on November 1st

Stood in the rain for 2 hours. Couldn't feel my feet. Saw some kid with a guitar who wasn't half bad, then John Bon Jovi, and then John K. with his two kids. Vanessa kept hugging Alex like she was trying to keep her warm. There was a nice picture I have on photobucket of John hugging the two of them, with a Wisconsin for Kerry sign behind him.

I got half a handshake. Another woman who'd been annoying us all with an umbrella she wasn't supposed to have (she kept poking people by accident and letting the water from it run off onto our heads) shoved ahead of me to get a better vantage. She had good reason though. She had a son in Iraq. She told him so, and asked for his help. He said he would. When I turned around she was in tears.

Sometimes it's all the people who were counting on us winning that break my heart the most.

[wisteria]

52. Yea, I know what you mean.

I remember a young girl at an Edwards rally I attended. It was a couple days before the election. This little girl was crying as Edwards was speaking about a large turnout by young people making John Kerry our president. I asked her mother what was wrong, thinking maybe she was sick, and her mother told me this little girl had a brother over in Iraq and she was afraid for him. The mother told me she didn't know what her daughter might do if Bush was reelected. This little girl associated Kerry winning with bringing her brother home safely. I still wonder how this little girl is doing even now.

[LittleClarkie]

54. There is a six year old in my Sunday School class

who used to put down my Kerry button. I found out after the election that he had switched his "vote" when his grandpa said that Bush was stealing his grandpa's money. He hated Bush then. Cute that he was even into the whole thing. But then there was an eight year old at SS who was more informed than some adults I know. I think that had to do with her mother being informed and passing it down to her son. He was actually a decent little person to have a conversation about politics with. Kerry "voter" of course.

[ginnyinWI]

66. what's half a handshake?

could you go into that a little more? Just trying to get a little more of the good stuff--lol.
My handshake was kind of like that too--I was in the second row of people, and he was sort of doing both at once--talking to the front row people and shaking hands that the second-row people stuck out. He was talking seriously with the woman in front of me while shaking my hand, so I didn't want to say anything to interrupt. He was looking straight into her eyes while he talked in a very heartfelt way, like I've read others of you describe so accurately. I couldn't hear what he was saying to her, but it was about something sad.

[LittleClarkie]

69. It was more of a fingertip touch thing

Like you, I was in the second row with my hand stuck out. So I guess his attention was on someone in front.

My therapist was there too, and she said she was impressed by how he tried to stop and listen to people as he went.

I think it was Saracat who said that she had to drag him along at one point when they were at a meeting together? Or was that Sandnsea?

[saracat]

55. Seven times. Three times I personally spent a bit of time with him.

I have a couple of pix, and I got him to sign two of them. He does smell great . I don't know what he wears, but it smells crisp and like linen. That I know from a hug!.:loveya: :loveya: :loveya: The other four times were the rallies and the Presidential Debate in Phoenix

[Siyahamba]

57. Twice; in Warren and in Detroit

Both were during the 2004 campaign. In Warren I was far, far away at the other end of a very crowded gymnasium and caught glimpses of him between peoples' heads while squinting at the glare of very bright TV lights. In Detroit I was a bit closer in Joe Louis Arena but still halfway up in the seats.

[LeftyLizzie]

58. Twice.

The first time I saw him in June at a rally at the St. Petersberg/Clearwater airport. There were only about 300 people there (in contrast to later events) and he very kindly took the time to go around and shake everyones hands - I got a handshake and an autograph, but was too far back to get a hug. I also saw him at the Oct. 31st rally in Tampa, although there were so many people there that they couldn't all fit us into the rally area (even though it was outside) and there were several hundred of us who had to stand way behind the stage and just listen to what he said. I got to meet Teresa at a seperate event on Oct. 25 - shook her hand and got her autograph, but she was being bombarded and you could tell she was really tired and it was at the end of the day, so I didn't really get to say anything to her. I met Vanessa, along with Chelsea Clinton and Caroline Kennedy (Cate Edwards and Karenna Gore were there, too, but I didn't get to speak to them)at an Oct. 30 event in Tampa. Living in a big city in a swing state sure kept me busy with all the events, but I really enjoyed it, even though we "lost" Florida (though I'm still not sure about that.)

[TayTay]

59. I love these stories.

They are great. Thank you all for sharing them. You guys are so vivid and emotional in your retelling that I feel like I ws there with you.

Nice!

[ginnyinWI]

67. Yes, this is a great thread!

It helps us all remember how much love and support Kerry/Edwards had. And I believe a lot of it is still out there--it's just gone dormant for a lot of people who have given up hoping until 2008 rolls around. For most it's like, "oh well, what can you do? The bad guys won again." and then they go on to other things.

[Dr Ron]

60. Saw him in Grand Rapids

Links to posts on this here:

http://www.lightupthedarkness.org/blog/default.asp?view=plink&id=462


I see the link to the post on the old Official Blog no longer works now that it has been shut down. I'll have to get a replacement for that up.

[fedupinBushcountry]

61. Four times

The first time was during the primaries in Chesapeake Virginia, I got right in front of the stage and had a JohnKerry.com sign, as soon as he walked on stage he went right to me and gave the thumbs up with total eye contact. When he spoke, I never saw so many people so entranced to what he had to say, it was great. I got his autogragh after, and when he was trying to greet others behind me he leaned right into me so and I just let my head rest on his chest.

The second time was the Memorial day parade in Portsmouth, Virginia, we had like a night before alert that he was coming. Again I just happened to be at the right place at the right time, I was volunteering, and I happened to look up and there he was getting out of his car, he turned and our eyes connected and the next thing I knew he was talking with me. After the parade was over I met him again and got his autograph and told him I was a Kerryblogger and gave him a big HI from the rest of the bloggers, as he was leaving he turned to me again and said he loved the bloggers and to keep up the good work. Oh I also got Marv to sign his autograph, he blushed but we on the Kerry blog had a crush on him, he is a great guy. Also got Mark Warner's too, he is a good Dem but aliitle to much DLC in my opinion.

The third time was in N.C. right after he announced John Edwrds as VP nominee, I drove 200 miles to see them and it was well worth it and for the other 25,000 in the 95+ heat, to see the four of them enter was something I will never forget, boy what true leadership we are missing. Only got to shake his hand that day and also John Edwards but missed both Teresa and Elizabeth, just to many people.

The fourth time was right before the convention at the Nauticus in Norfolk, Virginia. I was volunteering and had to navigate the press people, so I didn't get a chance to get close to him that day, but the experience was still sweet, we had people overflowing even on the parking garage across the street and in the windows of the offices too. The best part about that day was when he entered to Anchors Aweigh, it brought tears to my eyes, and to see the thousnds of flags waving , I felt proud again of that flag which I hadn't felt since 2001.

[ginnyinWI]

68. welcome to the JK forum!

I was also on the official blog last year. This is my new home! :)

[sandnsea]

73. This is so cool!!

Woot! Woot! Kerrybloggers reunited. There is no force on earth like Kerrybloggers!

[kerrygoddess]

80. Ha Ha! An autograph from Marvin!

I love Marvin! He is such a sweetheart. He always took good care of me and my daughter at just about every event we attended, he made sure we got to see and talk to him even for a moment.

When we were in NH for the primary the first day there my daughter rode on the Real Deal Express with Marvin. She was so jazzed, sitting in the front seat with Marvin! Me, I got to drive behind the Real Deal Express!

It sounds like you had some great experiences. JK loves his bloggers!

One thing that really impressed me with JK after meeting him the first time, he always remembered me, even after meeting thousands of people all over the country.

That first day in NH he was about to speak and saw me in the front by the press and came over to shake me hand, saying "thank you, you've come all this way!". He knew I was there from CA.

[emulatorloo]

64. Four times during the Iowa Caucus

The first was at a VFW hall in January as he was starting his comeback. . .shook hands w him and spoke with him briefly. A small group, his speech moved me to tears.

The last time was right before the caucus - I drug a lot of people there to see him. Kerry was on fire, and the audience was right there with him. I was amazed at his charisma after having heard time and time again that he's "wooden and patrician." He stayed afterwords to talk to every person who wanted to talk with him.

[Vektor]

70. At a rally in Oregon.

OMG. *swoon*

[muse]

71. Me! Yesterday in Austin

Swoon.

I'll post pics tonight.

[Vektor]

74. YAY!

There is a little thread, courtesy of me, asking about you.

:-)

[ginnyinWI]

78. Well, we're up to 35 so far

Thirty-five "close encounters of the Kerry kind". And just think, that's only a small portion of the many appearances JK has given lately. Appearing before an audience must be as natural as breathing for him now.

[Corey_Baker08]

79. I Saw him at His Final at a Rally in Dayton

it was one of his last rallies in Ohio on October 19, 2004 at fifth third field in Dayton,Ohio. There was 15,000 + there and I was about 15 feet away from him.

It was my first political rally ever and it was the night the Dayton Daily News (major Ohio paper) endorsed John Kerry for President. That same day Dick Cheney was in Springfield, about 15 mins away holding a rally which drew only about 4,000 compared to Kerry's 15,000 plus.

What a day that I will never forget, so hopeful, so optimistic, sigh, what I wouldnt give for a tape of that rally.

Anyone have any suggestions for getting a tape of that rally, all the local news say there tapes are copyrighted so they cant distribute and media library.com say they dont keep tapes after 90 days.

[kerrygoddess]

81. Thanks for this thread TayTay!

I have a bunch of photos on another computer I can't access right now. As soon as I can I'll post some. They are from as early as Sept 03!

My first experience meeting JK was at a small rally for him in June 03 when he was in L.A. for the LCV forum. Then in Sept '03 I spoke about Blogging for JK, at a rally here in L.A. I was already writing for the Kerry Blog by then and had instructions to find Marvin and tell him who I was.

Marvin took me out the back door to introduce me to JK when he left. JK knew immediately who I was and had tears in his eyes when he said "Really? It's you," and grabbed me and hugged me and kissed my cheek. I was so stunned and I will never forget that moment for the rest of my life. My daughter in the car on the way said, "Mom, that man hugged you and he could be our next President."

Writing for the Kerry Blog and working with Dick Bell, I got to go to many events and I'm so grateful for those experiences.

Among my favorite memories was an event I could not attend so Marvin called me to give me a Blog story. It was when JK was on Leno. After Marvin gave me the story we chatted for a few moments and I mentioned that I was really bummed out that missed the event because it was my birthday the day before and I thought that seeing JK again was a great birthday celebration. The next thing I knew he put JK on the phone to wish me happy birthday! I'll never forget that one either!

So there are a few of my memories. I'm glad to read so many other great memories here from others as well.

[TayTay]

82. We need to preserve this thread somewhere

Perhaps it can be uploaded into a blog somewhere. There are a lot of great stories here. I should like to keep access to them.

[whometense]

83. Would it sound like bragging

:blush: if I said I'd seen him live and in person more than eight times? :loveya: Up really close twice.

[ginnyinWI]

84. not at all

I'm just happy for you! We all benefit by one's experiences through all the great stories, like those in this thread. But you've gotta spill! :)

[whometense]

86. Well, the number is vastly

increased because the length of time I've lived in Massachusetts and because I was a gung-ho supporter back in the dark days of mid-to-late 2003 when he was so charmingly being referred to as the "walking dead". Hmmph. x(

I first met him face-to-face when he was running for Lt. Governor (1982) and a friend hosted a tea for him that was attended by about 20 people, including me and my infant daughter. He struck me as an extremely serious person - but charming.

The second face-to-face was completely non-political. My husband and kids and I were walking around on Beacon Hill on a beautiful spring Sunday afternoon, at least ten years ago. My husband and kids were (as usual) being silly, and I was just kind of laughing at them and strolling along, when I saw John a foot in front of me, walking towards us. I did a double-take (probably looked really funny), and he smiled at me and said hi. I smiled and said hi back. And that was it. But I still remember it vividly.

It struck me in several ways that turned out to be really important to me. First, I noticed that he is enormously better-looking in person (:loveya:) than in pictures. There are good pictures of him, but most of them don't do him justice.

Second, he radiates (could it be CHARISMA??? No, I guess not, because I keep hearing he has none :P)

And third, and most important, he could so easily have pretended he didn't see me and kept walking. But he didn't. His smile was sweet and really kind of shy, like he appreciated that I recognized him. So every time some idiot talked about how stuck-up and aloof he is I'd remember that moment and know it just wasn't true.

[ginnyinWI]

87. what you experienced rings true to me

In person the softer side of him does show more than on tv. And I haven't even spoken to him, but just saw him speak. What a wonderful memory to have, whome! Thanks for sharing it. (and yes, it definitely IS charisma!)

[whometense]

88. You're welcome.

It's a very sweet memory. The other in-his-presence encounters go back as far as the VVAW 70's (once at a rally), and then numerous times in the course of the primary campaign. There were always opportunities to go to events - one of the perks of being a Boston-based volunteer. My favorites were a speech at the Manchester (NH) Public Library in December 2003 (where I met his sisters), almost exactly at the moment he was starting to gain momentum, and a huge rally on the Boston Waterfront with Jackson Browne.