All aboard for a political spin (huge crowds for Kerry/Edwards)

[UpInArms]

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/chi-0408020133aug02,1,741526.story?coll=chi-newsnationworld-hed

(free registration or try www.bugmenot.com)

BOWLING GREEN, Ohio -- The 13,000 people who jammed North Main Street on Sunday afternoon had been waiting more than five hours under a blazing sun just to see John Kerry and John Edwards talk about their campaign for the White House.

Since he left the Democratic convention in Boston last week, Kerry and his entourage have been met by crowds so large that they have spilled down streets, around corners and up to the decks of open-air parking garages. At least a few people have passed out at every stop, from Scranton, Pa., to Wheeling, W. Va., to Zanesville, Ohio and beyond.

"When a campaign is hot, crowds are bigger no matter what you do," said Matt Bennett, a Democratic consultant who has worked on the last five presidential campaigns. "The crowds that Kerry has gotten so far have been extraordinary for August. These would be truly respectable crowds for October."

<snip>

She said the campaign put together a site in Scranton built for 3,000 people and the sheriff estimated that 17,000 showed up. "We are now calling ahead telling people you've got to build your site bigger," she said.

Of course, Bush also is drawing large crowds, as most presidents do, with 5,000 to 10,000 people routinely attending his rallies.

...more...

Don't you just despise reporters that entitle their article "spin" and then proceed to do just that?

[Frances]

1. It's true that this article is not as objective as I would like for it

to be. It also fails to report anything that Kerry/Edwards actually said at the rally the way the paper in West Virginia (another thread) did.

The West Virginia paper reported what Kerry/Edwards said about the local situation (investing in cleaner coal to lessen our reliance on Saudi oil and to keep good jobs here in the U.S.)

However, in spite of the spin, it was hard for the reporter to keep out of the story the fact that people are really enthused about our team. The story did end with a quote from a man who said he'd come to see the next president of the U.S.

[diplomats]

2. The numbers speak for themselves

I was at the Harrisburg rally. It was amazing.

[Tempest]

3. Bush's spinmeister on the talking head show this weekend

One of Bush's spinmeisters was on one of the talking head shows this weekend (sorry, don't remember which one), and he was trying to convince everyone that 5,000 is bigger than 15,000.

It was funny as hell watching him try to spin Kerry's large crowds and Bush's smaller ones.

[PCIntern]

5. the guy also tells his wife that his 2 1/2 inches

is bigger than her first husband's 8 inches...

It's all in the 'spin'.

[Arugula Latte]

10. Heh heh

Good one! :thumbsup:

[PATRICK]

6. I said before

This is one inevitable advantage Bush cannot match, the media cannot forever suppress(though they try!). At the very least it MUST be insured the local media do not bury it. Once they remark on it it pushes toward the top media with more pressure.

[leftchick]

4. if aWol* actually drew 5,000 to 10,000 idiots to hear him sputter....

Don't you think they would actually show the crowds? Every event is so scripted and tightly managed to make sure just SUPPORTERS are allowed. I have never seen more than a few hundred. Except of course when he spews to those captive Military audiences. Pure Lies...

[PATRICK]

8. From photos

it may be my bias, but I see pretty hardcore unlikable types of people(and assorted kids) by their eyes and faces. that may be imagination at work. Moving pictures would tell more. Bush's hardcore and those who haven't seen anything except Bush media can guarantee a few modest gatherings, but they worsen it with fearful control and Bush's ineptness without a script on the stump.

Aren't they drawing back a bit from military audiences? I think they want that controlled element to disappear at will and that can backfire if perceived.

[Arugula Latte]

12. I went to a Bush protest once

There were hundreds of "antis" on the street and a few "pros."

You could tell the difference by the look in their eyes. It's hard to explain, but the pro-Bush people had this dumb, cowlike aura. It was so easy to see there was not much in those brainwashed little heads of theirs.

[Bullshot]

15. The pictures I see in the papers of Bush's campaign stops

are tight pictures of Bush with the audience immediately around him. Several of the Kerry campaign pictures are wide angled and show the sheer size of the crowd. If they did the same thing with Bush's appearances, it would be obvious that Kerry is bringing them out and connecting with more people than Bush could ever imagine.

[jn2375]

7. Harrisburg rally est. changed upward to 25,000

our Harrisburg Sunday paper said the police raised the crowd est. to 25,000 up from the 20,000 first reported. Yeah!!!!! I was there and I can guarantee you there were easily 25,000 if not more....

[newyawker99]

9. Hi jn2375!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[progressivebydesign]

11. oh, "of COURSE, Bush is drawing large crowds, too"

All handpicked, pre-screened, invited people drawn from all over the area. Routinely attending his rallies.. really..??? would we ever know the truth?? I have yet to see a rally for Bush beyond a thousand or so people.. you just can't screen 10,000 people.. you can't. AND NO ONE gets in to see Bush or Cheney without being handpicked, vetted, and screened. (or in Cheney's case, without signing an endorsement of Bush/Cheney.

[NMDemDist2]

14. most bused in from fundie churchs and military bases I'd guess n/t

[Catt03]

13. Since the media

both print and television, refuse to show the crowd pictures, it is good to post them here when you get them.

And thank all of you who have.