Have any of you met John Kerry?

[GRLMGC]

I'm just wondering. I personally have not, being that I'm in CA and Presidential campaigns tend not to come here. So, has anyone here met him?

[New Earth]

1. NO

[seito]

2. I have never had the pleasure. n/t

[vinessa4freedom]

3. I wish

He's the kind of guy you just want to know.

[sandnsea]

4. Not me, but

I live in hobunk nowhere and it's kind of hard to participate in a manner that would allow that opportunity. But, I know alot of people who have and they all tell me that he's warm, funny and extremely personable; and that he actually remembers them when they meet him again. Yes, some have met him 2 and even 3 times!!!! Not me. :(

[JI7]

5. no, but i would love to give him a big hug

if/when i ever do meet him.

[saracat]

6. Yes. Four times. I really like him. I mean really as a person. He is not

at all pretentious., and he , like Edwards really likes to talk one on one.And he will ask what you think. Early on, this isn't to brag, he told me I was one of the only people, at that time, who told him the war vote could hurt and really cost him. He hadn't come prepared to speak on it but changed his mind and spoke extempore. Afterward we were both going from luncheon table to luncheon table talking to people, in my case just to kibbutz with friends, and we kept running in to one another. Finally he pulled me aside and asked,"What did you think? Was it good?" And I said not bad but in a brogue , I said "you know ,John , my Grandmother was Boston Irish and it seems you kissed the blarney stone and I'm not buying it yet". He twinkled and said,"You know, I actually do have an Irish grandmother" . I said" Obviously.".

Another time there were people frightened of him(shy) and he was working an event and getting "stuck" because he spent too long talking to people, and they couldn't get him to move on. I said , "For God's sake" , and grabbed the bottom of his jacket and tugged. I used that method to take him from person to person.There was a women who was appalled at me . This was way early in the campaign, and she said I didn't show sufficient "respect". I pointed out it got the job done, and he didn't mind. Which was true! He even gave me a kiss and thanked me when I walked him to the car. BTW, I wasn't even an official part of this event, so that shows how approachable he really is. Can you imagine doing that to Shrub?

Another thing I like about him is he waits in the buffet line like anyone else. We had had candidates who ordered special meals brought to him, but not JK,. He stood in line like the rest of us slobs. And he took longer deciding over dessert than even I did. He loves chocolate cake and polished off everything. I think they should have talked more about the desert preferences. He might have got the chocoholic vote!

[seito]

7. Thanks saracrat

It is so nice to hear from people that have actually had personal experiences with John Kerry. It just serves to confirm what we all feel. He is a descent, honest, compassionate man, that despite his wealth and fame, cares deeply about us and this country. He will make a wonderful President.

[JI7]

8. the Buffet line thing is true

i read about him campaigning in some area and he was just going around places campaigning and he went to eat at some place and they said they would set aside a special place for him but he said he wanted to just go through the regular line that everyone goes through including wait there.

[GRLMGC]

9. That's really cool

Thanks, Saracat.

[CBHagman]

12. Thanks for the personal view.

I like all the personal details and the fact that he was receptive and open.

To be blunt, I much prefer candidates (heck, human beings) with obvious appetites and visible humanity to these types who boast about their discipline (and you know who they are). One of the times I liked Bill Clinton the best was when he fell about laughing over something Boris Yeltsin had said. None of this dry, mirthless chuckling; he laughed the way real people do.

And if Kerry chows down like the rest of us -- and has a sweet tooth -- that puts me on his side even more!

[VTdem]

10. i never have but a guy on my hall

got to meet him in Boston and this kid doesnt even like politics! Needless to say im very jealous.

[GRLMGC]

11. Ugh

that sucks. The undeserving always have the best luck ;)