WP: Across State, Kerry Backers Sense a Shift

[kskiska]

Echoing Warner's Words, Democrats Think Nominee Can Upend Decades of GOP Domination

Democrats who gathered last night in bars and restaurants and at small house parties across Virginia to watch Massachusetts Sen. John F. Kerry accept their party's nomination bubbled with anticipation at the possibility that, finally, their vote for president might just matter again.

Earlier, Virginia Gov. Mark R. Warner (D) told a national audience what he and the leaders of Kerry's campaign have been saying to pundits and reporters all week in Boston: that Virginia, which has not gone for a Democratic presidential candidate in four decades, is in play.

(snip)

Census figures show that more than one-third of the residents in some counties around Norfolk, which George W. Bush narrowly carried in 2000, are veterans. Many more active-duty military men and women from that region of Virginia are deployed in Iraq, Afghanistan and elsewhere.

Audrey Weston, 47, the wife of a naval petty officer who has served in Afghanistan and Iraq, said Kerry will carry Virginia because so many military families like hers are disillusioned with Bush.

"It's almost like they've been in a tunnel and they've just been awakened," she said.

more…
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A25872-2004Jul29.html

[slinkerwink]

1. can we dare to hope?

[Rowdyboy]

2. Just maybe

[Birthmark]

3. Yes, we dare.

We need to work hard for the next 100 days. The rest will take care of itself.

[JohnKleeb]

7. it will be reality

thats why though I need the money, I will not have a paying job during the fall school year, I'll be doing whatever I can for Kerry-EDwards and the Socas Campaign. You'd be surprised how liberal northern va can be, its alos the most populated part of the state and how a guy like John Edwards can get the southern part of the state, Kerry-Edwards wont win here like they will in states like Massachuetts, California, etc but I feel they can win much like how Governor Warner did.

[democrat_patriot]

30. Way to go JohnKleeb!!

Thanks for the sacrifice. I am going to my 1st volunteer meeting tonight to help John Kerry take back America!

I can feel the winds of change.

[kainah]

13. ALWAYS dare to hope n/t

[SquireJons]

26. There's always hope

Even here in Richmond VA. Of my 5 closest friends, I know that 3 of them voted for Dole in 96. I'm pretty sure that at least 2 of them voted for chimpy-boy and another voted for Nader in 00. Democrats are hard to find around here, even in my artist / pothead circle of friends.

But bush has changed all that. Of the 5, only one will be voting for shrub this time and Nader is out of the question now for everyone I know. Virginia is definitely in play. I don't know if Kerry can win the state, but it's gonna be damned close. My vote will matter this year. What a releif...

[grytpype]

4. I always love stories like this.

Let's hope the trickle of "awakened" Republicans becomes a flood that wipes Bush and Bushism out of Washington.

[2Design]

5. he has my vote

[Meldread]

6. I'm from Virginia and Kerry has my vote.

...and I intend to get everyone else I know to vote for Kerry as well.

[virgdem]

8. I'm from Va Beach and working for Kerry, and yes, we do sense a shift

in Virginia - it is in play and we will work very hard to turn red into blue. I was at the Kerry rally in Norfolk on Tuesday and I could not believe the turn out for Kerry. I was checking tickets and the line just never seemed to end. There had to be at least 2,000 people there. Simply amazing for this area.

[Zech Marquis]

17. not far from you

I'm seeing more and more people wear Kerry t shirts, buttons, hats, bumper stickers on cars, signs in lawns...and the usual freeps who'd be laughing at us Democrtas have been very very quiet..and looking quite concerned too :evilgrin:

[soothsayer]

19. yay! I'm in VA and will be happy as a clam if we finally turn Dem

C'mon Kerry, ride this wave all the way to the WH!

[SquireJons]

27. How was that rally?

It didn't get much media coverage, but I was very excited by Kerry's brief stop in Norfolk. I lived there for 8 years and went to ODU. I've lived in Virginia for damn near forty years and have never seen a Democratic candidate or sitting president step foot in our state. This despite the fact that we're right across the Potomac River. Hell, Clinton could have gone out for a cup of coffee and ended up in VA but in never happened and I don't understand why.

We are not Alabama or Mississippi. This is a fairly progressive state, with a large urban population. We should be a blue state, if the DNC would ever wake up. The choice of Edwards was an excellent start. The convention and Kerry's acceptance speech was even better. If the Dem's keep this up, Virginia could easily become a permanent blue state.

[Media_Lies_Daily]

9. Virginia is my native state...I'd love to see them vote for Kerry.

[Tight_rope]

10. I have so much hope...that Kerry can even take Texas...Hope is still alive

[icymist]

11. Yes Virginia....

There is a Santa Clause.

[drhilarius]

12. Another VA vote here.

[Judi Lynn]

14. Still in heaven hours after seeing the acceptance speech, I thank you

for posting this wonderful article.

Really hope it's safe to hope for Virginia's taking the step to a different and far, far better choice.

I'm so impressed by his complete competance. He's far better than we even hoped to believe. What an amazing convention, each night building upon the last and reaching a perfect launch Thursday night.

[Solly Mack]

15. all but 2 soldiers in my husband's company said they are voting for Kerry

They are pissed about Iraq and really pissed about Haliburton and KBR.

If Kerry were to drop KBR as a contractor, I know 100 soldiers who would kiss his feet gladly. :) These soldiers hate Haliburton and KBR that much. Can't stand Cheney and most don't think much of Bush...but even the ones who "like" Bush, are voting against Haliburton and KBR, so will vote for Kerry.

He told me when he got home this evening from the field. He took a "poll" of his fellow soldiers while they were out, and they ALL complained about the war for oil and making Cheney richer. My husband explained Cheney's "retirement" package from Haliburton to them while they were in Iraq. He also told them Haliburton would win the contracts (a no-brainer for those of us paying attention but a shock to those who weren't)...and when they did...the soldiers were livid.

Bush is toast. He really is...

[saigon68]

21. Halliburton has made many Millionaires $$$$$$$

THEY ARE HEADING OUT TO THE LINKS THIS MORNINHG TO GET IN 9 HOLES, BEFORE THEY HAVE A NICE BREAKFAST AND CHECK IN TO SEE HOW THE MARKETS ARE DOING

ya no kidding


meanwhile the black maid (with no health benefits) has been up for 3 hours getting ready to go to her $5.35 an hour job washing dirty sheets at the hotel.

[underpants]

24. That is great to hear

My wife and I are just waiting on the call to start working.

[0007]

16. Many folks in Texas are starting to turn also!

I went to a house party for John Kerry last night in Midland Texas, 40 people showed up to cheer Kerry and to raise thousands of dollars for his campaign.

Fahrenheit 911 packed 'em in also. Is this a sign that the times are changing for the GOP in Texas? I think so!

"Virginia is "a possibility for us." Similar arguments can be made for other southern states that President Bush won in 2000. North Carolina, Florida, Louisiana and Arkansas are Democratic targets."

The worm is turning.

[lanlady]

18. my Repug friends in Va are dispirited

Suddenly they're not defending Bush. One of my ultra pro-Bush friends has turned completely. Here in the northern part of the state where there are thousands of govt workers, Bush is an object of derision. I really believe Mark Warner is right: Virginia is in play!

[Gin]

20. Hope is on the way...another VA vote here.

g

[DancingBear]

22. Another Virginian here

Oh, he can carry this state - no question. Warner will be a HUGE asset to him, the military folks down south are not happy, northern VA is a Dem stronghold, and that speech last night put a lot of concerns straight to bed.

If K/E gets 1/3 of the military/defense vote here (and I am sure they will) this state is up for grabs. You'll know when it gets close - just watch Bush's campaign agenda. :)

[Rebel_with_a_cause]

23. A salute and "ready for duty" mean something to those Norfolk folks

Wasn't Kerry wearing his white naval uniform when he did that, or was it my imagination?

[SquireJons]

28. "Reporting For Duty"

Was the phrase... as in 'someone else may not have reported for duty.'

What a great leading punch. I also loved how he ended his speech: "I don't say that God is on our side, I pray humbly that we are on Gods side". And by quoting Abraham Lincoln, he defuses another pug propaganda ploy and probably infuriates the RNC while he's at it.

Way to go John.

[skooooo]

25. Oh god I hope this is true...

...The last 4 years+ years (with Republcian House for even longer) has been a


FUCKING NIGHTMARE.


Time to wake up, people!!!

[The Animator]

29. How cool would it be....

if their was a shift everywhere.

How cool would it be, if come election day, every state was blue. It can happen, I know it can. If we can get every registed democrat out to the polls in November.

[dolstein]

31. I'm still pessimistic, but at the very least Bush will have to spend $$$

to keep this state in the Republican column. And that alone is a pretty significant development.

It will be interesting to see which Southern states the DNC targets in its advertising campaign, which is supposed to begin this weekend. I've heard they may run ads in as many as 20 states. The Southern states that are theoretically in play are Virginia, North Carolina, Florida, Tennessee, Arkansas and Lousiana. But the best indication of what states are truly in play is to look at the states the campaigns and affiliated groups actually run ads in.

[carolinayellowdog]

32. Warner's popularity will be a help

especially since he followed a fiscally irresponsible, deceptive rightwinger of the Bush ilk. Turnout is key, especially among African Americans.

[goforit]

33. Yep......"the awakenning"......Thank you Michael Moore!!!!

"It's almost like they've been in a tunnel and they've just been awakened," she said.

It is time that the military be allowed to know what
their blood is going for.
And with Bush/Cheney............it is cheap oil for profit!!