Back from the Edwards rally in Las Cruces, NM.....

[Gloria]

I was posted near the entrance for the A & B tickets and handicapped, to try to get signatures and info for volunteering. Was told I wouldn't get many because these people were already active enough to have special seating, but I managed to get about two dozen signups!

The Secret Service set up the place with barricades, etc. but frankly the law enforcement presence was less than stellar. It was easy to wander in and out of places for quite a while...things seemed to tighten up just before the main event.

The "traveling press" spewed out of somwhere about 12:10 and then Sen. Jeff Bingaman and Gov. Richardson spoke briefly. Richardson is a charmer alright and has lost some weight. He intro'd Edwards. Edwards came on in a blue blazer which he promptly took off, since it was blazing hot in about 95 degrees and brutal sun.

He referred to Bush's speech earlier this AM her at the Pan Am Center.
He said there were new figures about losses in health insurance and he said Bush didn't talk about that. He also recounted how Bush said that he should be reelected so that he can continue doing good work. Edwards said "I don't know how much more good we can take!"

His speech was basically his convention speech. He finished about 12:35. I was standing about 25 ft away, directly in front of him near the press photographers. He was shaking hands with those in the front.
But I never saw a place clear so fast...it was just darned hot and most had been waiting for a couple of hours.

All the local press and TV vans from El Paso were there and once again I have to say, these people cover the news????????????? We're not talking about Walter Cronkite here, folks...........

My friend had to skip it because of a Dr.'s appt., but saw some TV coverage. Some of the local newsbreaks were showing live coverage.

Reports are that Bush finally got maybe up to 12,000, but my friend says she figures more like 7,000 in a 20, 000 seat arena. But Bush had a WEEK's notice, accompanied by huge headlines. We pulled probably a couple of thousand just in a couple of days.

The crowd seemed very enthusiastic. Edwards was a bit hoarse and seemed a bit sunburned. His energy level might have been a bit down, but it was very hot and he acknowledged that and I think the crowd appreciated that.

[rumguy]

1. Sounds good

I bet Las Cruces is hot this time of the year!

Is Las Cruces a repub or dem area mostly?

[Gloria]

2. Well, it's a mix...a university town surrounded by army bases and

missile ranges!! Big influx of Repugs to NM in general lately....lots of retirees, for example. Indian reservations are going to be big areas for Dems. Lower half of the state where we are, CD 2, lots of military and ranchers. This is the key area for NM, particularly Dona Ana County where Las Cruces is located.

[rumguy]

4. How big is the university?

Does LC have a university-town feel to it? How big is the town?

I'm actually thinking about moving to NM within the next year (I lived there for a short while in the late 90s).

[Gloria]

5. New Mexico State has about 16, 000 students...I don't know if

that includes graduate students. They just came back this week.
It's one of the leading recipients of grant money for research.

I come from the NYC metro area and I never had a problem adjusting to LC!
It's very diverse, even though there is the usual redneck population. Lots of non-mainsteam churches, for example. But, lots of people coming in from California, as well as colder climes.

LC has grown to about 85,000. It feels like a big town, rather than a small city, if you can understand that. Easy to get around. PLENTY to do...loads of organizations and clubs. We have a Peace Center and active political scene.

Frankly, I love Las Cruces! After years of miserable breathing problems in NJ, I am thriving here....sometimes I forget that I ever had bronchitis and things like that.....I love being about an hour and half from the cool mountains, too!

Track down the Las Cruces website and you can get an info packet from the tourism center. Plenty of info on the city site as well....

[Cha]

3. I love this quote from Edwards!..

"I don't know how much more good we can take!"

There should be an ad that asks bush ..What "good" are you talking about, lamebrain(o.k. not this word)?


Thanks for neat report, Gloria!