Not a Good Kerry Day in Denver ...

[earthside]

:mad: This was not a good Kerry day in Denver for the average ordinary supporter who attended the big convention kick-off rally hoping to see the next president and vice president.

While the television coverage of the Denver rally today was pretty good, I just have to relate that the event for REAL people attending was not good at all.

Now, there was a change of venue because of uncertain weather, but Kerry being an hour and a half late is inexcusable ... he and Edwards arrived in the city night before. Hey, these are the REAL people who are giving money and time to get Kerry elected. It is disrespectful to be that late.

Then, the scaffolding for the press blocked THE ENTIRE VIEW of the stage and Kerry and Edwards for two-thirds of the crowd ... Yes, two-thirds. Indeed, we all know that televsion is the most important thing in America. But this also was inexcusable. The scaffolding should have been in two sections, diagonal, to either side.

Many supporters left while Kerry was still talking. People with children, as I had, were put in a most uncomfortable situation. And not being able to see made it difficult to explain to the kids why we were there. And it's not fun to tell friends that, yeah, I went to the big rally but didn't even see a hair on Kerry or Edwards heads.

I've been an activist for many, many years and been to many, many presidential campaign events. So I'm not some naive newcomer who just didn't know what to expect. This was nothing for the Kerry campaign to be proud of.

My message to the Kerry campaign advance team: DON'T LET THIS HAPPEN AGAIN. You just cannot know how deflating it is to be treated as mere chatel of the campaign for the purpose of good TV pictures.:mad:

[the Kelly Gang]

1. I hope you tell them. I can understand how dispiriting it can be

when something like this happens

[dee33]

2. However, his speech sounds like a normal human being

I'm watching him on CSPAN from the denver rally. And for the first time, he's speaking like a normal person, with the right inflection... and like he is having a conversation with someone rather than pontificating.

Did someone give him speech lessons recently?

Dee

[NMDemDist2]

3. welcome to DU dee33

and yes I think he's had some coaching, he is improving daily IMO

:hi:

[Literate Tar Heel]

4. campaigning with John Edwards

is probably about the best speech coaching one could have

[Hoping4Change]

5. Hi there Dee33

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

[GalleryGod]

42. Yup. Meryl Streep of all people.

no lie.

[Hoping4Change]

6. I'd be really angry too. Waiting that long is just wrong.

[quaoar]

7. Kerry is indeed

notoriously late for every rally.

[DrFunkenstein]

8. That Wasn't My Experience At All - And I've Been To A Bunch

Anecdotal evidence, but what can I do?

[spooky3]

32. Clinton was notoriously late for everything.

Maybe it just comes with the territory.

[zulchzulu]

9. Kerry may have been at another event before that rally

I've seen it firsthand. It always takes longer to get an event to happen and now with security issues and right-wing nut jobs out there, you can imagine how carefully events have to be staged. I'm sure Kerry was at a previous event as well.

As for the stage set-up, who knows. As for people leaving early, who cares.

[CaTeacher]

10. sorry about that.

it sucks that you didn't even have a good view.

But, it is really really difficult to have all of these things come out perfectly.

[Kanary]

26. Perfect????

What did you hear in the poster's words that even suggest he's demanding *perfection*?

[flaminbats]

16. Kerry should care..

This event reminds me of something I read in Bob Woodward's book, The Agenda. Clinton was having a campaign rally in Macon Georgia. Thousands of locals were roped off at the event.

"Your people told us they didn't want any Macon people here," a state representative told Clinton right afterwards. "This is a national event." Clinton was furious and went over to the ropes, spending hours shaking hands in the summer heat. He demanded to know who on his staff had made the decision to exclude the Macon people, which he said violated all his principles, but none of his aides knew. He then directed one senior staffer to return to Little Rock and discover who had made the mistake. "I want him killed. I want him horsewhipped." Clinton was in a steady rage for three days, complaining to his staff about the utter stupidity and incompetence. Many remembered it as the angriest they had ever seen Clinton.

At least Clinton found this practice disgusting, and did something about it! He understood all those people were potential Clinton voters, not more cattle to be herded aside.

[Hoping4Change]

25. The reason for caring is that the people who attend rallies are

those who may want to get more invloved they are people you want to alienate.

[Myrina]

49. "As for people leaving early, who cares"

Are you kidding me ?

Who knows and who cares should the the uppermost questions on the advance-team's mind. The whole reason for the event is to reach the people who may/will attend, to energize them to 'go tell a friend' and leave a positive imprint in the community's mind about Kerry.

Shitty planning, a late candidate, and an un-family friendly arena for those in the undecided column will disengage more people than stage-front seats for the faithful.

It also speaks volumes to the Kerry camp's (and, by assumption Kerry)organizational skills - logic being: hell, if they can't put on a town hall meeting, how can they run the free world ?


Gosh, I hope you're not on anyone's advance team !!!

[osaMABUSh]

11. What the hell is a Bush rally like? Don't you have to be invited?

I believe you can't even get close to a Bush appearance unless you've been cleared.

[groovedaddy]

13. Who?

Why even make the comparison? Oh, yeah, because voters have to!

[Kanary]

27. oh hell yeah..... the inevitable comparison

Didn't your mother ever say to you..."Just because all your friends jump off a bridge, does that mean that *you* have to?"?

unfuckingreal

[groovedaddy]

12. Here's hoping...

that the Kerry/Edwards campaign is monitoring this board and has dually noted your experience!

[JI7]

14. that kind of stuff happens when you open your events to the public

clinton was known for being very late . but they have good reasons for being late if they are late. i usually don't attend political rallies and am satisfied watching on cspan or hearing from others if i don't feel like putting up with some of the things that come with attending a rally.

kerry could change things and do things like bush which closes off many people and where the events are much more controlled especially in terms of who is allowed to attend. but i don't he should or will do that.

[Kanary]

28. yes, we're down on our knees in supplication

thanking Kerry for not being a total prick.

:crazy:

[JI7]

33. yeah, wanting to make sure the plane does not have mechanical problems

is being a total prick. much better to risk dying so some people at an event they don't have to be don't complain.

[GalleryGod]

44. Thanks,17! Whatta dick

:argh:

[GalleryGod]

43. It's time for a GFY

:puke: nice retort

[neoSattva]

15. I was there too

and, although you describe the specifics well, my experience was completely different. We had a great time, people were excited and enjoying each other. There was some grumbling, mostly about the camera stands blocking the view. But most were understanding. Logistically they had a hell of a job moving the whole thing indoors and fitting everything into a relatively small concert hall. It was at the Filmore in Denver, so at least the sound was excellent, none of that annoying p.a. echoing. (The only other time I'd been there was to see Bob Dylan, who was also excellent.) Teresa took the blame for the late start. She flew in today and was delayed 2 hours with plane trouble. Security also delayed things a lot. That's a whole other story.

I had my son there, too. But he's 20 now, so much easier to deal with. I know having small kids at an event like that can be pretty rough. I saw a couple of parents leaving with their kids. Maybe I saw you. I do sympathize!

I met one of Teresa's sons outside, Chris I think. He was just hanging out on the sidewalk. I guess he was bored by the wait as well. He was very friendly, though. I gave him a bagful of NoDubya buttons that I make. I wish we could have talked more, but I had to get back in line to go in. Nice guy.

I expected John Edwards to be the best speaker, but Vanessa Kerry actually brought tears to my eyes with a story about Elizabeth Edwards helping her get her father's attention at a New Hampshire event - back when they were rivals. It was as if it's possible to disagree, and be in intense competition with someone, but still be friendly. What a concept! I guess I long for that more than I knew.

Anyway, you're right, it could have been better, but it was fine. I'll sacrifice my desire for a good view in order to get rid of Bush any day.

Enjoy your kids, earthside. It's weird, but they grow up.

:hug:

ps I love the growling 'smiley' face next to buddha on your post. He would understand completely.

[otohara]

36. Me Too

Shit happens - the weather has been a wee wacky this summer.

I felt bad for those who couldn't get. I was surrounded by enthusiastic happy people. However we were all glad when it ended.

Why they picked The Fillmore was a mystery - if they had 15,000 tickets requested - didn't make sense to do it there since only 3500 are allowed. I've been to the Fillmore many a time, there were more than 3500 people in there.

[GalleryGod]

45. In 1996 at Univ of Penna-we lined-up and waited 4 hours for Big Dawg

It's the folks around you that make the event.:bounce:

[Zorra]

17. Shit happens. Get over it. Have you ever been late for work?

Inexcusable? How do you know what reasons were behind Kerry and Edwards being late?

Have you ever been late for work when your kids were sick, or when the car broke down? What if your boss had the same attitude?

Get real. Sometimes things go wrong and are beyond your control.

[flaminbats]

18. Good question..

I have been late, but I try not to make a habit out of it. And on days that I knew I would be late, I always had the courtesy of calling my employer to explain why and let him know when I would be in. If someone takes a carefree attitude of being late, and does nothing to change..then they should be fired.

[Zorra]

20. Well, I see your point. But John Kerry and John Edwards are still

United States Senators. It is possible that they had important State business to attend to. Sometimes other things take precedence.

But I agree that courtesy, respect, and consideration are important in any amicable social encounter, and at the very least, the Senators could have telephoned and let the people running the event know that they would be late, so that the event administrators could explain it to the future constituents.

Unless, of course, there were security matters involved.

[Kanary]

29. what a sweeeeeeeetheart

your compassion is ........underwhelming.....

:puke:

[Zorra]

31. It seems that there are some people

that will take every opportunity to bash Kerry and try to make him look bad. But I am not at all saying that this was earthside's intention.

IMO, though, any bashing of Kerry is better left to the media and the GOP right now. They do more than enough of it for all of us.

There are about 100 days before the most important election of our lifetime. Most of us already realize that John Kerry is not the new messiah. But we also understand that it is critical that he is elected despite his imperfections. If he is not elected, we'll have a full blown dictatorship in the US with no way out. IMO, it will be more constructive to our needs if we bash John Kerry for actions we do not agree with after he is elected, if the need arises.

Do you think that Kerry personally designed and supervised the stage setup? Do you think he may possibly have been a little concerned about his wife flying on a plane with mechanical problems? Maybe a little compassion and understanding is in order?

I really do have compassion for anyone that experienced inconvenience because John Kerry's wife was late to an event because her plane was experiencing mechanical difficulties. I've been in somewhat similar circumstances with children myself.

But it does not appear to be appropriate to blame Kerry in this instance, because he does not seem to be culpable for the circumstances which caused him to be late in speaking at this event, or for the construction of obstructive scaffolding which I assume he did not supervise.

Sometimes things are better left unsaid until the reasons for a situation are clear. An email or telephone call to the Kerry campaign expressing concerns might be a more productive way of informing them of problems pertaining to visual obstructions which hinder people from seeing the candidates when they speak.

But everyone has a right to their own opinions, and the right to express them, even if they are arguably counterproductive to our only possible chance of saving our democracy.

[dsc]

34. There is a difference between constructive criticism and bashing

This post strikes me as constructive criticism. He lists specific, correctable problems and then provides solutions to them. Frankly I can't imagine this person was the only one who had this reaction. Even the Kerry defender who was there admitted that the specifics were well described. I don't think it is out of line to expect to be able to see the candidate at a rally.

[GalleryGod]

46. EX-ACT-LY ! Right On Point!

Yeah, and RFK, when I worked for him in Oregon and California Primaries was ALWAYS 5 hours behind:shrug:

[KBlagburn]

19. This is why he was late.

Kerry's kickoff started 90 minutes late because Teresa Heinz Kerry's charter flight from Boston was delayed with mechanical problems.

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=694&ncid=703&e=2&u=/ap/20040723/ap_on_el_pr/john_kerry

[Zorra]

22. Shit happens. n/t

[NewYorkerfromMass]

23. She won't be chartering with that plan again. nt

[LiberalManiacfromOC]

21. I saw it on C-Span

I'd be pissed if I were you too.

[trumad]

24. Oh please

I've got 3 small kids and you reap what you sow when you bring them to events like that... They were late because of mechanical problems with a plane...Shit happens indeed.... shhheeeesh

[dsc]

35. Just how are youngsters supposed to get interested in politics

if they don't go to rallies with their parents? I am way on the side of not bringing small children to adult centered activities but campaign rallies are not any such thing. That has to be one of the goofiest things I have heard.

[JI7]

37. i don't go to rallies and i got interested in politics when i was very

young. i'm 25 now, got interested long before i could vote. and i was never taken to rallies as a kid.

[dsc]

38. In fairness I didn't go either

but my point was that certainly no one involved with those rallies pretend kids aren't welcome. Politicians kissing babies is a stereotype for a reason.

[GalleryGod]

48. I don't think Little Kids should go...However..at a JFK Rally in '60

in the Levittown(NJ) Shopping Center..I got to meet JFK and Larry O'Brien!....these days they are Mob Scenes for CNN,FOX,and C-Span to close-down their camera lenses-so an airport hanger with 50 people looks like 5,000 on the Evening News ( Does ANYbody watch the EN anymore):boring:

[trumad]

39. Oh really... I've got 10, 9 and 7 year old kids

and if you go to a rally if thousands and stand there for a couple of hours, your kids are going to get mighty restless.... Trust me, I've been there.... It's only goofy if you haven't...

[Kanary]

30. Thanks for your report!

I'm really sorry for you, and all the others, who had kids there, especially. That's not only very hard for them, but it doesn't give them a very good start on being excited to be involved in politics!

"Hey, these are the REAL people who are giving money and time to get Kerry elected. "

And there it is, in a nutshell. There are many, many clues being dropped that we REAL folks aren't of much consequence in the campaign, or at least in the mainstream of the party. Guess who the real priorities are......

I wasn't aware that Teresa was that indispensable, to cause this kind of disruption. She's a good person and all, but..... really......

Kanary
edited to say..... I'm glad now I was unable to go.......

[Carolinian]

40. Well worth the wait! And a little extra time to meet more people.

I had a blast during the waits at the events that I attended. You sound like someone who really didn't want to be there anyway. Poor dear.

[GalleryGod]

47. She may have Been A "Hot Event Attender" & NOT the Activist She Implied

BECAUSE..a "long time activist" would've been to these cluster fucks MANY, many times..shall I list mine:
RFK: Usually 4 hours late
McGovern: Who Knew,Dude? WHENever George Showed Up!
Carter: 2 hours
Ted Kennedy: 3 Hours late
Gary Hart: The Best-w/i an hour of projection
The Duke: About 90 minutes..everything was screwed up at his Philly Rally in March and WORSE in Miami in the Fall..a tropical deluge
Big Dawg OR Al the Pal: The Bus Stops were the worst...the Philly stops (Melrose Diner) were life threatening MOB scenes

:nuke: what the hell you get the point!

[Cookie wookie]

41. Dean was late for rally in Atlanta

We waited in hot sun and all about fell over dead. This was last fall. The event was poorly coordinated so that they didn't even have anyone to be up on the stage to entertain us until after more than an hour of waiting.

What happened was Dean was meeting with student at Georgia State University, loves kids, and couldn't say no to another question so he just stayed and stayed.

He did finally show up, but when that happens it does feel like we the supporters are not being appreciated.

I loved Dean anyway and still do.

BTW: Think that the planners should be notified of the problems -- and who authorized the set up by the media. I'm automatically suspicious of the media and for them to block the view of the audience is inexcusable.

[neoSattva]

50. Let's keep our focus

This election is about how the world will be run for the next several decades - nothing less. Do you want to continue with 'might makes right'. With the biggest bully getting his way while pissing everybody off, and with smaller bullies like Al Qaeda getting the support needed to keep screwing with people? With people in need being ignored, used and degraded? With people of immense wealth growing even richer at the expense of the working people of the world?
~ or ~
Do you want to move toward a more compassionate, responsible, cooperative world?
With all the faults that Kerry and the Democratic Party may have, they are worlds better than Bush/Cheney in virtually every way!

Complaining once in a while is fine. Constructive criticism is valuable. Getting distracted by goofed up logistics is not. Let's keep focused on what is truly important, forgive the shortcomings of others who are working with us, and work like hell to move the country, and the world, in a positive direction - ie elect Kerry & Edwards!