I just got back from an Edwards rally. He was AWESOME!!

[PresidentObama]

I went with my undecided older brother.

We got there, and the Teamsters Hall it was in was pretty tiny. It looked like the gym of my old elementary school. But they packed at least 600-700 people in there to see the Senator speak. I didn't know it when we sat down at the time, but we were right next to the aisle Edwards entered the stage on.

He spoke for about 20 minutes talking about fighting for the middle class, of course being in a Teamsters Hall talked about unions, fair trade, ending the war in Iraq, and healthcare. My older brother said he was a lot better in person than on TV or in clips, and said he agreed with a lot of what Edwards said on healthcare specifically.

At the end, I got a picture with Senator Edwards. Don't have it developed yet, but I hope it turns out well. I was wearing my John Edwards t-shirt, and button. And I was smiling and shaking and I had a little tear in my eye the whole time listening to him speak. He had a bad cold, so he kept coughing. But he pressed on talking passionately and honestly.

Our John Edwards. After tonight, I'm sure--he's the only one!!

The adrenaline is just now dying down.

[The_Casual_Observer]

1. Seeing these candidates is totally different than reading about them.

They are all remarkable live.

[asdjrocky]

41. Really?

You've seen them all in person?

[Seabiscuit]

2. Sounds like a great time! John Edwards is the one!

:hi: :dem:

[PresidentObama]

21. He sure is. He's the President I could be proud of.

[ErnestoG]

3. Good for you. I like Edwards.

He will make an excellent VP.

[asdjrocky]

42. Nice of you to take this opportunity to dump cold water on someones great day.

What an asshat like thing to do. Keep in mind, I'm in no way saying you are an asshat. That's against the rules.

[Rhiannon12866]

47. I agree. Edwards should have been VP in 2004.

But now, IMO, he's our best choice for the top office...:patriot:

I saw Bill Clinton in 2006, campaigning for my congressional candidate, and I absolutely know the great feeling of seeing and hearing one of our heroes in person...:woohoo:

[Island Blue]

4. I'm glad you had this opportunity Kerry2008.

I saw all of the candidates (except Bidden and Dodd) speak at the Take Back America Conference last June and it was awesome! And you're right, JRE is a very passionate speaker. I have since decided to support another candidate, but I too am glad that I had to opportunity to here Edwards (and the others) speak.

[PresidentObama]

7. I wish I had the opportunity to hear all of them speak.

[Sarah Ibarruri]

5. Awesome man. nt

[Warpy]

6. I worked in health care off and on since the 60s

and was an RN for 25 years. I've been declared uninsurable for the past 20 years.

Edwards is the only one making sense on healthcare. Kucinich's plan to put everybody on Medicare had no prayer of making it through. Allowing people to opt out of expensive for profit insurance and choose Medicare will likely get the same thing accomplished through the back door. That's why Edwards is the best one on the subject.

[PresidentObama]

8. His healthcare plan is exactly what America needs.

[eridani]

15. Well, it's part way there at any rate.

I disagree with Edwards strategically on this, but at least he basically likes the idea of single payer.

[ashling]

9. My daughter was supposed to

go to that event, but she has been sick and worn ot from a hard day at work. I don't think she went. I know she will feel bad about that. I think I'll call her. She hugged him at an event in Tacoma in 2004, so she thought she would sit this one out.

[PresidentObama]

12. Really? Sorry she was sick. Edwards sounded and looked pretty sick tonight.

Must be something going around.

Hope she feels better.

She missed quite an event.

:)

[2hip]

10. Help spread his message

KEEP THE MOMENTUM GOING!

New Grassroots Fund Drive—Wednesday, January 30th
(Please give this link a kick for John!)

[PresidentObama]

11. Here's a clip of the event for anyone interested:

http://ozarksfirst.com/content/fulltext/?cid=16871

Great event. I'm glad I went!!

Go Edwards!!

[Nutmegger]

13. I'm green with envy!!!

I'm really happy for you. One day, I hope I get to shake his hand and capture that grand moment.

I know he probably won't be in my neck of the woods, but will be when he's the nominee.

R&K!!!

[PresidentObama]

18. I didn't get a hand shake, he did put his arm around me.

I tapped him on the shoulder and said "Senator, may I have a picture with you?"

And he said "Sure, where am I looking?"

I was so nervous I could barely point out my brother with the camera.

He pulled me in, and put his arm around my shoulder.

I was so damn proud at that moment to be an Edwards supporter.

Hearing him speak, and seeing him up close and personal.

President Edwards. Let's turn this dream into reality.

[bdamomma]

32. oh wow, maybe you'll catch his cold!!!!!

just fooling with you.

[MagickMuffin]

14. Woo Hoo, thanks for the report ;=D

I hope C-SPAN airs it soon so more people can see it.

[PresidentObama]

19. I hope so too. The local media has it on their website, link above.

They could get a tape from the local news media, they filmed it all. So yeah, I wish C-SPAN would run the tape and show the event. The energy in the room was great, and the crowd was good sized.

I posted a link above if you're interested in seeing a clip from the event.

[Triana]

16. Awesome! I'll be waiting for the photo! :) (n/t)

[PresidentObama]

20. Oh trust me, I'll post it. I hope it turns out ok!!

I used my old camera, we'll see if the pictures turn out ok when they're developed.

I'm keeping my fingers crossed, haven't used the camera in a year.

[smokey nj]

17. Thanks for the report!!!

[Control-Z]

22. How cool!

I sure wish he would come to my town.

[PresidentObama]

23. I hope he does. Everyone should get a chance to see such a talented and gifted speaker.

[Control-Z]

25. I'm in the OC

He's not coming here. I've checked. It makes me so sad. :cry:

I'm sure I would have no problem seeing the other two somewhere near but I'm not interested in seeing celebrities. They're a dime a dozen around here.

[lisainmilo]

24. Awesome!!!!

That is near me....I had to work tonight....I sooooooo wished I could have gone. I am glad to hear it went well! :bounce: :toast: :grouphug:

[FirstLight]

26. Too Cool!

I met someone once like that ( a pres, but we won't go there), and there is more to a good leader than just policy.

It's CHARISMA

John Edwards exudes it!

I'm so glad you got to see him, and ,maybe even bring your brother into the fold..! Good work!

Go JOHNNY GO!

[Yael]

27. Thanks for the report!!

[onehandle]

28. kick. nt

[PresidentObama]

33. And re-kick :)

[SammyWinstonJack]

29. I am so jealous!

:evilgrin: He will not be in my neck of the woods, so I will never have the privilege of hearing him speak live. Bummer!

[Shine]

30. Coool!!!! I'm so stoked to see him live in San Jose on Friday!

:woohoo:

[PresidentObama]

36. Awesome!! I hope you get to shake his hand, and get a picture.

This gay male thinks the Senator is quite handsome ;)

[Shine]

38. So does this hetero long-time-married woman!

in fact, I even had a risque dream about him the other night and now my hubby is jealous. ;)

[PresidentObama]

40. Oh dear. You go girl ;)

My boyfriend is jealous of the Senator as well.

I told him if he made a list of one famous person we could have the option of sleeping with...well you know where this is going...

Heh.

[asdjrocky]

45. Hey, I'll be there, with a bunch of people from Sacramento!

[bdamomma]

31. oh, did you yell for us!!!

[PresidentObama]

35. According the local paper I was in, the reporter said I was "raising my hands" in applause hehe.

The energy level was through the roof, and the voters really responded to John's message.

He got many stand O's, and the crowd was clapping and shaking their heads in agreement the whole time.

It was a sight to see for this Edwards supporter.

[PresidentObama]

34. I was featured in the paper too. Of course, she misquoted and changed what I said.

She said I was supporting Edwards because of education in the article. I ran off a list of positions and issues I think Edwards is strong on, and he nit picked education because I said I was a student. And she even got that part wrong too. But anyway, it was nice to make it into the paper. And I'm glad she featured me in the article with picture of me and all :)

[iris5426]

37. Sounds like an awesome experience...

I am super jealous!

[Yanez Houston Jordan]

39. I wish I could have been there!

[balantz]

43. Good for you!

I'm happy you got to see him!

[PresidentObama]

44. Here's what my undecided brother who went said about Edwards and the rally:

"I definitely enjoyed the rally, despite my lack of belief in the potentiality of having him get the nod from the DNC. All and all, Sen. Edwards gave a pretty solid speech. I noticed that when he is not being nationally covered, making pit stops in middle class venues, he is a little less repetitious (Less pointless banter and rhetoric) , stern, projects a more organized plan of attack as a presidential candidate and above all a much more average joe's candidate. After hearing him speak to a crowded union hall, he gets a half-nod from this voter."

I got that from his MySpace, he made a post about it.

My older brother is an independent thinking, leans toward the left kind of voter.

He was leaning towards both Ron Paul and Barack Obama.

But he said he liked Edwards speech, and liked what he had to say all in all. And said he was less rehearsed and more 'real' than the other two Democrats running. He seemed to feel a connection to Edwards talking about his past, and thought Edwards was putting his money where his mouth is when it comes to speaking about the middle class--because he understands the struggles we all have.

All in all, my brother before this event was open minded but didn't like Edwards all too much. After wards, he at least admitted he liked what he saw and is giving him a second look.

[smokey nj]

46. That's great news!!!

[Rhiannon12866]

48. Great for you! Thanks for sharing your experience... I envy you!

I'm in Northern NY and no candidates ever show up my way. *sigh* We're considered a "blue state," even though those of us in the north and west live in red districts... :-(

Sounds as if he was really inspiring. I've loved his appearances that I've seen on TV and on videos, so imagine that he was awesome in person.:woohoo:

But he does look tired. He's been campaigning non-stop, so I'm not surprised that he's gotten sick, since he must be rundown. :-(

Let's hope that he's able to rest up after today, so he can make it to the finish line. He's my choice, as well... And I'm so glad that you were able to see him.:hi:

[midnight]

49. John Edwards tugs at your heart because he has been

on both sides of the isle. He knows how to move from one side to the other, and he wants others to know too.