Just returned from Kerry/ Edwards Believe in America Tour in Greensburg PA

[PA Democrat]

It has been raining and overcast all day today but it did not hamper the enthusiasm for the thousands that turned out.

Line-up of speakers:

Joe Hoeffel (Dem candidate for Senate running against Arlen Specter)
Ben Affleck
Governor Ed Rendell
Congressman John Murtha
Teresa Heinz Kerry
Elizabeth Edwards
John Edwards
John Kerry

I'll update you on the crowd estimates after I see the local news, but they were overwhelmed by the turnout. People were standing on a hillside above the rally area (in an overflow area) for as far as you could see, despite the lousy weather.

Kerry was relaxed and personable, walking around the stage as he spoke. He appealed to local sportsmen (this is a big area for hunters and fishermen) to elect someone who would preserve the environment. Talked about how many lakes, rivers and streams were so polluted that you cannot eat what you catch.

People were so fired up. I have never seen this level of activism and enthusiasm and I have lived here my whole life.

[PA Democrat]

1. Teresa was great

She was still talking to people in the crowd more than an hour after the rally was done, while everyone else from the campaign had gone into a restaurant to eat.

My son and I got her autograph. She was encouraging people to boycott the Tribune Review the paper who employs Colin McNickles, the editorial writer that Teresa told to "shove it."

[calimary]

2. Now THERE'S a girl who won't take this shit anymore, and will fight back.

We should ALL take a cue from her.

[City Lights]

5. Ya got that right!

:thumbsup:

[VolcanoJen]

24. Isn't Teresa warm, enchanting, engaging, and wonderful????

It's ancient now, but I had a similar experience back on July 7, when I had the wonderful opportunity to meet Teresa at a rally.

VolcanoJen's Excellent Kerry-Edwards Rally Adventure! (I met Teresa!!)

It simply amazed me, the time she took to answer every question on the rope line. She's not just a face-person.... she's a thinking person. I can't wait until she's First Lady!!

[blm]

3. I LOVE Greensburg.

Mr. blm and I spent a couple days there and discovered great little antique shops packed with fair priced finds and the best horror movie shop I have ever seen in my life.

What a great day for that town to be part of the campaign trail.

[PA Democrat]

4. Yes, it is reminiscent of small town America

Greensburg is the county seat of Westmoreland County and the entire county has gradually turned Republican. I think people are waking up, though, realizing that Bush's spiel about "family values" is nothing more than empty rhetoric.

I met one woman who told me she had voted Republican all her life and had just switched parties and that she would be voting for Kerry.

Another woman with her two teenage daughters told me that as a Catholic, she was disgusted by how the Republican were using the issues of abortion and gay marriage to try to get the vote of Catholics.

There were tons of college students from 2 local CATHOLIC colleges.

The tide is turning. I think we can win this one.

[blm]

6. Heh. Your report keeps getting better and better.

I hope you remember more. ;)))))))))))

[PA Democrat]

10. I took my 15 year old son and he was thrilled

Here is what he has to say about the rally:

I am so glad that I went to the rally. The crowd was huge, I talked to one of Kerry's campaign workers while we were waiting to get in and he said that the turn-out was fantastic! They had been expecting over 5,000 already, so I can't wait to find out how many were there.
Kerry and Edwards were both very relaxed. They didn't stand at the podium, but walked all over the stage with the mike.

There were some students protesting the underfunding of AIDS assistance, and some kids were protesting while Kerry was talking. Kerry just looked at them and they went quiet and acted very embarrassed. But Kerry said "No, no, this is America. You have a right to say what you think." He then talked about how he'll fight AIDS when he's elected.

Later, after the rally, I got to meet Teresa Heinz Kerry. She was very nice and talked to people and signed autographs for over an hour after the rally.

It was a great experience. Even though I didn't get to meet Kerry or Edwards, I'm pretty sure Kerry saw me when I waved to him.

[NewYorkerfromMass]

30. Thanks for the report. I've been to Greensburg myself

when a nursing home there was expanding, I worked as architect on the additions.
It's a great place. The old courthouse is beautiful- a grand domed edifce- it indicates quite a history.
Interestingly, Clinton spoke there exactly 10 years ago too.

[NightOwwl]

7. I'm so jealous!

I am so hoping this will be the biggest landslide in history.

[shawmut]

8. I love hearing these reports

Thanks for posting! :thumbsup:

[PA Democrat]

9. There was a group of college students down near the stage who were

chanting something protesting the US's lack of action on AIDS in Africa. Someone must have tried to quiet them because Kerry stopped his speech, and said this is America and you have the right to be heard. One of their group made a statement which he responded to pledging more assistance in fighting the global AIDS crisis.

[MO_Dem]

13. I'm so glad you reported this

I saw a bit of the event on CNN, and I remembered it being Kerry who was speaking, and then stopped to give them encouraging words. Later, a CNN reporter was talking about this particular incident, and she said it happened while Edwards was speaking, and that Kerry noticed the "protestors" while Edwards was speaking.

When I heard that reporter, I thought to myself that one of us is crazy, because I thought it happened while Kerry was speaking. Now, I KNOW that CNN tells lies!! I wish I could remember which one it was. All I can remember is that it was a female.

[PA Democrat]

14. Actually, I think it happened when Edwards was speaking and again

when Kerry was speaking. But the key is that they treated them with RESPECT. They were not hailed off to a "free speech" zone.

[MO_Dem]

17. I didn't see Edward's speaking

but I did see the part where Kerry stopped what he was saying and spoke on the issue of AIDS. It seemed to me the reporter was wrong. Maybe I was wrong, and only saw "the half of it". Anyhow, I agree, Kerry handled it respectfully and honorably.

[RamboLiberal]

18. I was at the rally and it happened while Edwards was speaking

first. The students held up some signs and some in the crowd holding Kerry signs tried to move in front of them to block them. I think everyone at first thought they might be Bush or just some whacko distruptors. Edwards had to interrupt his speech and Kerry came over to say something to Edwards and Edwards then said to the ones with Kerry signs not to block them they had a right to air their views.

Then the same people unfurled a banner when Kerry was speaking, and again Kerry said they had a right to speak, and he understood what they were saying and then went to telling the crowd about a Aids bill he helped put together that was now gathering dust in the House cause the Repubs were blocking.

Fantastic rally!

[MO_Dem]

21. Thanks!

Okay, now I'll admit that I was wrong in my impression and assessment of the CNN report, and I probably should say I'm sorry, but I'm still so peeved at their coverage of the convention that it isn't easy. So, I'll just say that maybe they didn't lie this time. How's that? (heehee)

[SoCalDem]

25. Th enext time someone protests, he should invite them onto the stage

with him, so they could have the "attention of the whole crowd" to say their piece, then shake their hand, and ask them to stay right in front , where everyone could see the,..He could then tailor his remarks to include some of their "issues" ..in his own way of course"..

That would impress upon the protestors that they need not scream to be heard..and it might imtimidate them a bit, soi they might actually start to listen :)

IT WOULD GET PRESS TOO.. :)

[Mayberry Machiavelli]

11. Basically, Kerry is a good candidate, and a good man. I have optimism

that he will be a good president.

[PA Democrat]

12. A group of people I was near was leaving from the rally to go protest Bush

who was appearing later today in Pittsburgh. BTW, In this "Republican" county, I saw not a single freeper protesting Kerry. But while we were waiting in a line that stretched 10 blocks to get into the rally, there were a bunch of cars driving past with big anti-Bush signs. People were laughing and cheering.

Everyone was in a really festive mood.

[yardwork]

15. This is wonderful news!

It makes me so happy to read this. Thank you for posting.

[Chango]

16. Good for Greensburg!

I used to live there back in the 50's when it was a bastion of blue collar Democrats and immigrant families. There's never been a town that was more torn up and abused by corporate greed and destructive development, as Greensburg was later. I once delivered the Greensburg Tribune Review, which later became the Scaife Daily Liar.

I'm glad to see Kerry getting a warm reception in my old hometown!

[RamboLiberal]

19. Gotta tell you about Vanessa Kerry coming to the rescue

Near where I was standing which was probably 20+ standing rows back in the crowd an older lady was fainting. People in the crowd were holding her up and screaming that help was needed.

John Kerry in mid-speech noticed this and called for someone to come to her aid. Vanessa Kerry was standing at the back of the stage and with no hesitation quickly left the stage, waded in to the crowd and with a couple of security guys came to the aid of this woman.

I think that more than words illustrates the family values of the Kerry fmaily. After assisting the woman Vanessa went back to the stage where one of the Teresa's sons (I forget whether it was Andre or Chris) offered her his jacket and asked how everything was.

[Shopaholic]

20. Wow--what a great story!

But I bet not a single one of the networks will even so much as mention it.

[Media_Lies_Daily]

22. Thanks for the report! This is an EXCELLENT thread! Kick!!

[VolcanoJen]

23. FANTASTIC thread! First-hand accounts are so encouraging!!!

Thanks for helping us to live vicariously through you, PA Dem!!

:dem:

[Justice]

26. Thank you for posting

These posts from the rallies on the road are great, I almost feel like I am travelling too!

[bleedingheart]

27. I was volunteering for Kerry! Estimates are as high as 20,000

it was pouring...and yet they came!!!!

It was great!!!

[PA Democrat]

29. Yes, it will be interesting to see what the media reports

There were people standing up on the hill above the rally for as far as I could see.

I just saw that Bush and his supporters are nice and cozy-dry inside of the convention center in Pittsburgh. I guess the Bush campaign realizes that not many people will stand outside in the pouring rain for hours to see bush.

[0007]

28. Great account