Pics from Raleigh, NC KERRY/EDWARDS rally today

[dweller]

Crowd was estimated at 25k +, it was a beautiful but very hot day. I arrived late, ~3pm and it was impossible to get any closer to the stage. Sadly the PA system was not legible at the distance i was and most of the speakers (other than chants the crowd picked up) were legible.
I eventually gave up and left, my folks live about a mile away, and went and watched Kerry speaking live on a local broadcast station.

what a turnout for such a short notice!

i have a few more to post, but btwn my isp and photobucket where i am downloading, it's taking a while, so will add to the thread as i go.

peace,
dp

[DarkPhenyx]

1. Dude!

There were, like, people there. Lots of them! Sweet!

[notadmblnd]

2. You won't see anything like that for Bush/Cheney

It would take them years to get through the screening process for that many people.

[SoCalDem]

59. Hmmmm. how many busses would that take??

:)FUDick can't count that high :)

[DemDogs]

64. Screening process for Kerry rallies too

So these people came early too.

[xxqqqzme]

3. impressive....

Isn't it amazing that squatter cannot appear in public like this? He has got 2 B the 1st prez that will not appear in public. Amazing!

[Tarheel_Dem]

4. omg!

:wow: :yourock:

[Lex]

5. I swear, NC is going to be a BLUE state on November!

.
Today was nearly 100 degrees (105 with the 'humidity index') and this many people stood out in the sun for hours to see Kerry and Edwards!

Plus, John Edwards' Senate seat will remain Dem with Erskine Bowles winning it--last I heard he was 10 points ahead and the (R) challenger wasn't getting any traction against him!

Go Tarheels!

[proud patriot]

6. YEAH ! Now that's a crowd

:D

[shawmut]

7. Great to see

thanks for the pictures! :thumbsup:

[JNelson6563]

8. Zowie!!!!!!

MASSIVE crowd!!

Bush is so toast.

So let us toast. :toast:

Julie

[newsguyatl]

9. wow!

for the first time in a LONG time, i'm proud to say i'm a native north carolinian.

way to go tar heels!

[Hailtothechimp]

44. wow is right. This is a sight to behold.

These guys are going to take bu$h/Cheney down.

[dweller]

10. a few more...

this is my view of the stage, so i moved about to get a better shot...


and was able to get this one of Kerry, Edwards and the next First Lady, and First Lady VP
(in the --> circle)

:)
like i said, crowded..yeah, i had to go up from the crowd and stand above the porta potties for that shot...but then i noticed a commotion coming from the right of me...


dp

[Misunderestimator]

77. Posted in the wrong spot.

[Beloved Citizen]

11. AWOL W Chickenhawk can't do outdoor rallies

The anger of the American citizenry who would turn out to heckle his candy ass would be more than he can take.

[proud patriot]

18. Only at Millitary bases or Aircraft Carriers out at sea

:eyes:

[PopSixSquish]

12. 25K? OUTSTANDING!!!!

Guess this puts to rest the rumblings that Edwards isn't popular in NC.

[jpgray]

13. Bush could get a crowd of that size with his own come-as-you-please rally

Whether he would get out of it without serious injury is another story, if you get my meaning. :D

[LibDemAlways]

42. His handlers would never let him

appear in public. Aside from the obvious security issues, he can't form a coherent sentence. He'd start yabbering about "evildoersh" and be booed off the stage.

[oasis]

14. Inspiring. Thanks

[dweller]

15. this one is for ZombyWoof

looky here, we had our own freepers!


and this is why we WILL win...

(i have no idea what the guy with the handcart of stringie things is about, but maybe he's come to wrangle'em up)

25k+ of us, 6 of them...:D

may it be so in every state come NOV!

peace.
dp

[Lex]

16. 2 out of the 6 look like teenagers who were probably made to attend

[proud patriot]

19. Either that or noticed for the first time Dem ladies

maybe for the first time they felt like perhaps to be in
with the popular crowd they should rethink their choice .

[erpowers]

25. Guy with Flip-Flopper Sign is Stupid

Bush is one of the biggest flip-floppers in history. If he does not want a flip-flopper in the White House he should vote against Bush. To correct my title just about all of the people in this picture are stupid. At first glance I did not see the guy with the Whoopi sign. Whoopi makes sexual jokes and he says we have her values. Yet, he is still supporting Bush after he called someone an asshole and Cheney told someone to F himself on the Senate Floor. I recall the Republicans made the Senate, House, and White House scared ground during the Clinton impeachment, now they are willing to curse in the buildings. I would think these people would want to vote against Bush and the Republican party. At least some Republicans are opeining their eyes and turning against Bush.

[oasis]

37. Freeps are getting as scarce as hen's teeth.

[BrotherBuzz]

46. I think those stringie things

are freeper brains that unraveled. Get used to it, we'll see a lot more of them before this is done.

[diamond14]

53. LOL.....hahahahahahahaha....those freeepers are just so funny...

so amazing....and they look so out of place and so unhappy....there's just a sort of glum to their whole act...


it takes TWO Johns to flush out the criminal White House

[NMDemDist2]

63. they have there right of free speech, and heaven knows that had to

take guts

[Bunny]

70. Did they bring their own porta-potty?

:)

[fujiyama]

83. HAHA

Great pics! They look such a bunch of Morans!

Wow, what a turn out for that Kerry rally. Amazing. Gives me a lot of hope...and it's a nice thing to see before I got to bed!

Thanks for the pics!

[soup]

86. Notice the choice of footwear..

HILARIOUS!

'No flip-flops in the White House'
Are they protesting *jr's dress code?
Morans.

Thanks for the pics, these are great!

[Beam Me Up]

17. Totally AWESOME. Thanks for the photos. Made my day!!

:) :hi: :thumbsup:

[IronLionZion]

20. you have to be several hours early to get a good spot

I went to an Edwards rally in Rochester, NY 1 hour early and I still couldn't see him. And that was for the primaries. These guys will never come to this very blue state again.

*sigh* wish I was back in PA


oh, awesome pics! It's great to see so many people supporting them.

[AP]

32. Edwards gets a ton of money from WNY. He'll probably be back for

a money raiser.

[salonghorn70]

21. Thanks For The Pictures, dweller

I am just amazed at the size of the crowd.

:bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce:

[dweller]

23. i know, i didn't expect it

and really did try to push to the front. But those folks had been there since 1pm in the heat to have those choice seats.

My observations: there were so many people in the front of the stage that could most likely make out what was being said by the speakers, and were very enthusiastic in response. I just caught the reverbs and roar as it came back over the crowd, many, many
"K E R R Y ...E D W A R D S..." chants.

When they did finally show up, there was a great amount of applause and cheering, and i started moving around again for a shot or two. Never could understand anything that was said from the stage, so was glad to see it broadcast live on a local station where it was like you were on the front row.

great crowd, if they come back, they need to book a larger venue with better sound system. I'm not complaining since it was such a great turnout, and it was inspiring.

for the locals, it's supposed to be re-broadcast tomorrow (i was watching channel 14 on cable in Ral) so you might could see it there.

dp

[Vox_Reason]

26. Folks, believe it--today in Raleigh was AMAZING!!!

To use my buddy BartCop's lingo, today in Raleigh was HEEEUUGGGE.

I was among the 25,000 in Raleigh today, standing about 40 yards from the stage. You would not believe the energy in the crowd, and the response to the speakers was loud and proud. They expected 5-10,000, and 200 volunteers; they got 600 volunteers and organizers say 25,000. I believe it!

And when I say it was hot, let me assure you, it was. The "heat index" was likely about 100-105 degrees; several people collapsed and needed medical attention. "Doors" opened at 1:00, and the speeches didn't end until 6:30 or so, but people didn't want to leave!

Speakers were REPEATEDLY interrupted by cheers and supportive chanting. The smiles from the stage were many and heartfelt. The message was heard loud and clear and approved with raucous abandon.

And this is just July, folks! Look at these pictures!!

Search for my comments on threads in the Election 2004 forum from earlier today for more details and commentary.

A very proud NC DU'er

[Tarheel_Dem]

27. thanks for that rousing report.....

and welcome to DU. :hi:

[ncrainbowgrrl]

29. Yeah! Thanks for posting- I'm too tired. Going to sleep now- too many

hours in the hot sun.

I was one of the volunteers today- handed out bottles of water to lots and lots and lots of people. My back is sore. I am tired. I feel so good- I did something. The crowd was inspiring. Thank you John Kerry for picking John Edwards, and thank you John Edwards for allowing me this amazing opportunity to be part of history. And...a most special "Thank you" goes to the weather for holding off the t-storm just long enough to let me get back to my car after the rally!

Glad you took these pics, dweller- I didn't get a chance to see the full size of the crowd. All I can say is OMG, that is one <cheney>-ing large group of people!

[dweller]

30. great job rainbowgrrl24!!

come back when you've rested and post your notes on the rally.
Some little boy gave me a water, seems they were everywhere being handed out..

peace,
dp

[GainesT1958]

33. Thanks a bunch, DWELLER...

For some great shots--particularly given how far back you were today!:D :thumbsup:

Kerry really seems to be having a good time with the Edwards'--and he seems almost giddy talking about spending time with them. I think he's "Gotten his groove back", and it shows.

I managed to get a "blue ticket" from our county chairperson on the bus ride up I-40 today (from Wilmington), so I was about 50 feet from the stage. Even though it was HOT out there (until the nearby thunderstorm blew us a kiss of a cool breeze) it was fun, and that heat dampened peoples' enthusiasm NOT AT ALL!

I really do think we're going to carry this state this year, and help a load of local Dem candidates in the process. It suuure is a goooood feeling to have the "straight-ticket momentum" on OUR side around here for a change!

Plus, what a gooood feeling having these guys in the White House after the scum occupying it now!:D

Thanks so much again, DWELLER!:7

:kick:

B-)

[Endangered Specie]

67. ah, then big thanks for the water!

I went through so many odds are I ran into you.

I wish we had gotten a little rain towards the end, just enough to cool down in.

[Catholic Sensation]

40. the chants were more for the volume to be turned up

:P

[Hoping4Change]

88. Hi vox_reason

Welcome to DU. Glad you're here.:hi:

[patricia92243]

22. What is the normal turnout for such an event-25k sounds fGREAT

[DemDogs]

65. Someone said largest Kerry crowd yet

DK myself. Anyone?

[SW FL Dem]

24. All I can say is WOW!! n/t

[tewl]

28. wow those are great!

[supernova]

31. WHAT A THRILL!!

I passed out water and sunscreen to the crowd. We sure needed it. Unbelievable. I'll be able to write more tomorrow. Tired and frazzled right now.

Thanks for the wonderful pics dweller! :D :bounce:

[Wind Dancer]

34. What a great day in Raleigh!

Wonderful pics dweller, thank you for posting them! I still can't believe how many people were there.

:bounce:

I volunteered too and was lucky enough to be in the front row - there were 3 different teams responsible for keeping protesters from being close to the front. I had no idea when they asked us to volunteer for that we would be seated that close. I can't describe how exciting it was to see Kerry/Edwards up close, both were on fire and gave terrific speeches. I love Teresa and Elizabeth Edwards, too, they add so much to the campaign - I am still in shock. (didn't have any protesters in our area either)

The heat was unbelievable, several next to us were taken out by paramedics, we sat in the heat from about noon until 6:30, shook Kerry, Edwards and Teresa's hands. They actually look you strait in the eyes, It was an unbelievable experience.

I am still in shock, a day I will always remember.


:toast:

Thanks for the great pictures!

[dweller]

35. YYAAAYY!!!

glad to hear from someone on the front row!

i think my pix only show about 1/2 of the crowd, from the perspective of the white ticket area (why did they ever call it that? it was red, blue and white/internet ticket seating..) but there were as many to the left behind the trees that i couldn't even see in my lens.

what a day!
dp

[Wind Dancer]

39. I had no idea so many people made it!

When Edwards announced that 25,000 people were there, I couldn't believe it - your pics were the first I've seen of the crowd and just how far back people were.

It was so jam packed in the front when Kerry and Edwards came out, I couldn't see anything behind me. Your pics have been the icing on the cake of a great day.

Thanks again, dweller!

Also, 600 volunteers came last night to help, they we only hoping for a few hundred.

[proud patriot]

38. Wow FrustratedDemInNC

That's terrific

[Wind Dancer]

41. It was unbelievable, proud patriot!

It was a great day for all of us here in NC. I can't believe how lucky I was - this is one tired old lady.

[otohara]

36. Impressive - way to go Kerry/Edwards

and all the smart folks in NC

[SunDrop23]

43. Thanks for sharing them!

[Misunderestimator]

45. WOW! Great crowd pics.

I went to a rally earlier this week with 10,000 on just hours notice. The worm is turning.

[Protected]

47. That's beautiful!

Thanks for posting those shots.

[jackstraw45]

48. Send these to Kerry/Edwards!!! Should be on their website

and I bet they don't have pictures like this...GREAT photos.

Send 'em to the campaign!!

[dweller]

49. Done!

thanks :)

dp

[Vox_Reason]

52. Good on ya, Dweller!

So glad you posted these pics, Dweller, and even happier to hear that you passed them along to the campaign! My mother in law told me she'd heard that cameras wouldn't be allowed, so I left mine at home. I was kicking myself, because I was up very close and could have gotten some phenomenal shots had I had my camera with me.

It was very clear yesterday that the candidates and their wives were positively thrilled at the turnout, and they said as much.

I'm STILL buzzing this morning about how great the rally was yesterday, and I'm so happy that so many loud supporters were there.

Local paper's account is at http://www.newsobserver.com/news/story/1417047p-7541042c.html, including a couple of more photos and some sound clips.

[kodi]

50. great pix nice to see ncsu turn out for a local boy

i was told that kerry/edwards were to be on the brickyard behind d h hill, but those pix look like another spot on campus closer to the bell tower....court of carolina?

i had a friend who called who was there today. biggest crowd on campus since '83 ncaa celebrations...this time sober too.

btw; that's where i went to school and lived on cox ave behind the park, ('83-'86.)

[dweller]

55. court of carolina, correct

yeah, i grew up a few miles from State College, the campus was an old haunting ground.
I lived over on Ashe Ave for a short while in mid 70's, course it was known as 'hash ave' then :)
and my first experience with tear-gas was during a final 4 championship early 70's, the police used it to clear the celebratory crowds on Hillsboro st....we ran on to campus til it cleared, and then came back.

those were heady days.
dp

[Endangered Specie]

68. Those were the court of carolina (humanities)...

and it was never supposed to be brickyard, that would have been horribly hot and not enough room, plus thats the more conservative side of campus (engineering :( ).

[wildeyed]

51. These are great pics!

Thanks so much for posting them, and thanks to everyone who posted their observations on the day. I hope they come back, I so wanted to see them in person. I had a GOTV event scheduled that day and could not back out. But we registered 100+ voters, mostly dem, so I guess we did out part :-)

[wyethwire]

54. The South is no longer in the Bag n/t

[Tansy_Gold]

56. I'm stealing your pictures

to use as my desktop wallpaper! This is just tooooo effing fantastic!!!!!!!!

[dweller]

57. You can't steal my photos!!!!

cuz i give them to you free, as a gift! Enjoy...
:)
dp

[Tansy_Gold]

58. Thanks, dweller! Mega-thanks!

:hug:

I still get all teary-eyed when I think that it's really, really, really gonna be John Kerry and John Edwards. I've hoped and hoped and crossed all my fingers and toes for months.

My goodness, who can be depressed when looking at that crowd? When looking at those smiles?

Is it any wonder at all that the pukes have brought out the notion of suspending elections after getting a good look at this team? Unbeatable!

Tansy Gold, thinking now it's time to set up another gallery of pix for her screen saver, too!

[Athletic Grrl]

60. WOW!!!

I post on a certain ACC sports board which is full of NC State freeptards.

dweller, please let me borrow one of your pics to show them they have to seriously question the color of the Tar Heel state come November.

GO HEELS! :bounce:

[dweller]

62. help yourself!!

:)
dp

[SoCalDem]

61. 20 photos...and the coverage from WRAL tv site

http://www.wral.com/news/3515133/detail.html#

http://www.wral.com/news/3515133/detail.html

[jackstraw45]

66. Kicking

:kick:

[Endangered Specie]

69. To the people who couldn't hear...

everyone up front and speaking knew what was going on, the sound was on maximum, they didnt expect so many darn people! We up front tried to be quiet when they spoke so yall could hear them.

[Wind Dancer]

72. Endangered Specie, when Elaine Marshall announced a

child was missing, everything stopped and you could hear a pin drop. Everybody on stage looked quite concerned but fortunately, she was found immediately right behind us. Kerry whispered something to Elaine, I can't remember exactly the quote but it was spur of the moment and showed his great sense of humor. Do you know what he said? I think it was "See how quickly we are able to find anything missing?" What do you think? I don't want to misquote something so important, the crowd went wild and clapped at this statement.

[Endangered Specie]

73. It was "See how fast WE can find someone we're looking for?"

[Wind Dancer]

74. Thanks!

I wanted to have the exact quote!

[leyton]

75. So that's what she meant... huh...

Well, I was wondering about that.

[MidwestMomma]

71. That is beyond amazing...

Thanks for sharing.

What's that I feel stirring in my cynical ole political heart? Hark, I think it might be hope. :toast:

[nclib]

76. These pics are fantastic!

We went to the beach this weekend and I watched the 11 o'clock news to see how the rally went.

When they said there were 25000 people, I couldn't believe it.
25000 people. Wow! I expected 5000 to 10000. This is so great! :bounce:

[Misunderestimator]

78. Totally impressive PICS!! What a CROWD!

And here's one from my crappy camera phone at the Tampa rally on Wednesday, where I was lucky enough to get up front (after hours standing in line), just before I grabbed Kerry's hand:

[Lex]

79. Look at the mass of people wanting to shake his hand!

They are like rock stars.

Dubya and F.U. Cheney are so outta here.

[Misunderestimator]

80. And does anyone else just LOVE IT... that they are pushing HEALTH CARE?

It was always kind of a secondary issue with Clinton's campaign, up to Hillary to run it and Congress to squash it. Maybe having it as one of their central points will actually make it happen this time.

[gristy]

92. pullease tell me you had to go through awesome security

before you got that close to 'da MAN.

[AnnitaR]

81. HOLY SHIT!

Haven't been online all weekend due to moving to a new apt and I come back tonight and see this?!?!?

This is just amazing! My mouth literally fell open when I saw these pics! This was NC? No wonder Chimpy is already preparing to cancel the election!

Kickin' this for anyone else who may have not been online this weekend!

I'm grabbing this picks for my computer wallpaper too!

[Katie]

82. dweller ..Thank You so much for these pictures!

Just awesome! Wish they would put them on the DU homepage!

[Blue-Jay]

84. I just read this entire thread

and all I can say is WOW!

Thanks so much for posting those pics. What a wonderful thing to see!

[Swamp Rat]

85. Great pics! Thank you for this post!

:toast:

[DaveSZ]

87. John Edwards inspired me

He is an amazing man.

[NewYorkerfromMass]

89. Nice post, and here's a story

http://www.newsobserver.com/news/nc/story/1416819p-7540807c.html

[Tarheel_Dem]

90. thanks NYFM......

i thought this snippet was particularly interesting, considering she's a bush supporter.

Cleary also is up in the air. She went to a Web site recently and took a survey that showed she actually didn't agree with Bush at all.

"I went on presidentialmatch.com, and it turned out I am 90 percent Kerry," Cleary said.


i think the addition of edwards is gonna make n.c. a very tight race. and i think the news & observer underestimated the size of the crowd by about 10,000 (according to most published reports).

[NewYorkerfromMass]

91. You're welcome! and here's another nice one from Asheville

http://cgi.citizen-times.com/cgi-bin/story/regional/57875

[Tarheel_Dem]

93. thanks NYFM.....

another great article. you do get around, huh? i can't remember life before DU & AAR. i can't stomach what passes for news on cable, so this is definitely my refuge. there are so many well informed political animals on this site. i feel so much smarter, thanks to guys like you.


:toast: