Rare visit boosts spirits of midstate Democrats (HBG PA)

[Born Free]

The Patriot-News ( Harrisburg Pa.

For midstate Democrats, days like this are rare.

John Kerry's stop in Harrisburg tonight for a rally at the Capitol -- with vice presidential nominee John Edwards and movie star Ben Affleck at his side -- will be the first visit to the region by a Democratic presidential nominee since 1992.

"Normally, this is a part of the state where we just get skipped and overlooked, and it's even hard to get materials," said Gail McDermott, chairman of the Cumberland County Democratic Committee. "So this is just icing on the cake and very motivating. ... It's one of those times that's going to remembered for years to come."

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There's a reason for national Democrats' nonchalance toward the midstate: In the eight-county region that includes Harrisburg, York and Lancaster, Republican voter registrations outnumber Democrats' 584,782 to 320,554. Other parts of this swing state offer far more fertile ground, but McDermott notes that midstate Democrats can have an impact on the statewide results.




on edit, sorry forgot the link:

http://www.pennlive.com/news/patriotnews/index.ssf?/base/news/1091179287253400.xml

or printer format:
http://www.pennlive.com/printer/printer.ssf?/base/news/1091179287253400.xml

[Born Free]

1. confession: I did not go to the rally

There was a 2-3 hour wait in the heat to get through security etc. and I just finished my first 5 day cycle of chemotherapy Friday morning so stayed home. If my health conditions had been different I would have been there. I saw part of it on the local news, it looked like a lot of people were showing up.

[hang a left]

2. Here is to hoping that you recover fast and well. n/t

:-)

[clydefrand]

3. You will recover and

John Kerry will win. I feel optimistic for you. Bless you today and throughout your recovery.