Kerry Rally in Allentown

[sage1]

We just returned from the Allentown fairgrounds where thousands, thousands greeted John Kerry with vast enthusiasm. It was incredible. Have no fear, brothers and sisters, the faith is strong.
I was stunned by how many young people are volunteering for the campaign. And Kerry was right on point- strong, talked mostly about health care and the economy, but got in digs about the gun bill that's about to expire- (The Baker Bill?)
There were a few feeble protesters, but the crowd was diverse and strong. They had a system of card colors- red cards to vets and labor folks who sat on the stage behind him. Blue cards were the "infield" folks, or groundlings around the stage.
The volunteers were great, handing out free water to the throngs as we waited and waited to be seated.
AFter the event finished, we repaied to a cozy little cafe for drinks and snacks, and lo, it was a Kerry crowd in the cafe. Kerry was the topic of conversation! There was a reporter from a big city paper in line to eat too, so we all had good conversation.
Kerry folks are the ones who don't check their brain at the door.

[faithnotgreed]

1. great post sage - welcome to du!

do you know if allentown (labor etc i imagine) is typically democratic or republican?

thanks it sounds fantastic!

[blm]

2. and not one of you forced to sign a loyalty oath....

sounds like real democracy.

[blue neen]

3. Glad that you had such a great experience. Would love to see Kerry, too.

Welcome to DU!

[DoBotherMe]

4. Here's a link to a pix of the rally

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x788283

[otohara]

5. Paper Says 13,000

sound about right?

[sage1]

7. More on the rally...

The police at the event said the estimate was about 15,000.
I was so glad to be there. There was a huge Secret Service presence, and we all had to be searched from top to bottom.
But there were no loyalty oaths to sign.
Yes, Allentown in very blue collar, pro-labor, and many vets.
Don't lose heart, folks, there's an underground strength in the masses.
As we used to say in the '60's- Power to the People!
I'm touched by how Kerry reacts to the adulation of the crowd-
they scream and wave and shout and dance around. And he just stands there incredulous, beaming. Did he lack love as a child?
I don't understand how folks say he rambles and doesn't come to a point. I think he did very well.

[otohara]

9. Exellent - You Give Me Hope

after a couple of brutal days of CNN & other media whores saying it's all but over...nothing to see here - move on

[AmerDem]

6. Kudos from Wilkes-Barre

He is going to get good mileage from the assault weapons issue. It's going to be a good week! Thanks for the report.

[kstewart33]

8. Great post--thanks for the pick-me-up!

Maybe we're in the running after all.