JK ROCKED Philadelphia

[GoneOffShore]

He was here on the steps of the Art Museum tonight at 6.
Possibly 2500 to 3000 people waited from before 4P in the on and off rain showers to hear him. And we had to put up with waiting to go through metal detectors (Oh, I hate that our country has come to this). The wait was worth it.
Kerry gave a good solid speech, about job losses, values, and strength to an exceedingly diverse crowd. The local unions - Teamsters, Laborers, AFSCME, communication workers, Carpenters - almost every trade was represented. And best of all, the median age was around 30. There were a lot of 18-20 somethings in the crowd, all ready to go out and Send John Kerry and John Edwards to Washington.
We're going to do it people. Make no mistake. Talk to your friends, your relatives, your colleagues about these men. We CAN get America back on the right track. We can get universal healthcare. We can tame the corporations. We only need the will to do it.

[GoneOffShore]

1. Pictures will follow tomorrow

as I couldn't stay up any longer.

[JI7]

2. great, someone else on du attended also and had positive review of it

the rallies are going great.

[GoneOffShore]

3. I havent' seen the other thread

do you have a link?
Thanks

[JI7]

4. here is the link to it

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x2083169

[bklyncowgirl]

5. We were there too!!

We got to the Bostom Museum around 4:30. The wait to get through the metal detectors was very very long and it rained most of the time. The crowd was good natured and patient. I have no idea of how many people showed up but the lines snaked up and down the famous "Rocky" steps and around the block. We finally reached security about six o'clock when they stopped and we were afraid we weren't going to get in. Then the word came down from on high and the boss security guy told the others to stop checking bags and let everyone in.

I suppose that Kerry's people were more concerned about him appearing on television talking to an empty courtyard than getting blown away by some assassin.

Kerry's speech was bold and the crowd was up for it. He was very much at ease, interacting with the crowd and joking at times. One funny moment was when Kerry said "and today when you leave these library steps.." and the crowd shouted "Museum". Another pol would have been thrown off stride but Kerry just laughed and said "It's been a long day."

At the end of the speech there was a series of loud explosions behind us. In our post 9-11 world, the first thought in everyone's mind was "Oh Shit" but it was only fireworks.

Note to Kerry campeign! If you're going to shoot off fireworks please tell people. I was ready to hit the deck!

Kerry spent around a half hour shaking hands and signing autographs. My 15 year old daughter and I did our best to get close. She did better than I did and claims to have gotten some good pictures but she's absconded with the digital camera so I can't post any here.

At any rate it was lots of fun, a feel good moment and I am incredibly psyched for this election.

[ellie]

6. Regarding metal detectors:

When Reagan came to Perrysburg, OH in the 80's on his train tour, everyone had to go through metal detectors to get close to see him. My sister's boyfriend had to stash his pocket knife, that he carried everywhere, in the bushes in front of someone's house. So I don't think having to pass through metal detectors is a recent phenomenon.