Who Here (Besides WillPitt) has MET Sen. KERRY?

[liberalpragmatist]

By met, I mean the full range of things - chatted, met with him as a Senator, or even just shook his hand.

What were the circumstances? How was he? Tell us about the experience. I know a girl who shook Kerry's hand the other day at a Missouri rally.

[cheshire]

1. So what did she have to say? I ddn't know he was coming to CA. I missed it

[liberalpragmatist]

10. She said it was great

Of course, she didn't actually get to talk to him much, but she said that she and much of the crowd - much of which was college students - were relatively short, so Kerry made a big joke about it. She said he's even taller in person. He anyway was going down the line, so she shook his hand and said "thank you, so much" and he just said, "well, you're welcome," smiled and continued down the line.

[FARAFIELD]

2. I MET HIM

My daughter and I met him at the WWII Memorial Dedication. I happened to be walking by the entrace they had blocked off for him and were in the right place at the right time. He shook my daughters hand (she is five) and mine, and told her she had a pretty hat!

[napi21]

3. Not me! I live in Ga. and far enough away from Atlanta that there's

no chance! That's OK though. I realize he can't go to EVERY town in the Country. I watch him every time he's on TV somewhere, and I think I can tell what he's like. I can also tell what Shrub is like, and I never met him either!!!

[alittlelark]

4. ME!!! In Albuquerque last summer

2 houses down from my Dad's. I saw KERRY signs as I drove up. I was returning from our cabin in CO and was grungy, but I took my son, and went to the house. Kerry was giving a speech in front of 70+/- people. My son and I got to 'meet' him afterwards....

At the time I was a Deaniac that liked Clark as well. I DID NOT think he would get the nomination.

[Demi_Babe]

5. I met him

when he came here to Charlotte. He was brilliant. Very tall and slender...very good looking in person. TV does NOT do him justice. He has a huge presence when walking into a room. Very much a "leader" demeanor (that rhymed). He shook my hand and smiled...he has a great smile. I KNEW I was shaking the hand of our next President. I felt it in my gut and my gut is NEVER wrong!!! :D

[zulchzulu]

17. You go grrrl

Yeah, he is a handsome, tall dude. I'll never forget being at a rally with this women who wanted to see Kerry in person. She's probably 23 and sort of punked-out on the outside.

She was screaming like she was seeing John Lennon in 1964 when the Beatles came when he shook her hand. I also helped her get a large poster of him on a Harley that she was ecstatic about getting.

Not that all that matters, but like you said, TV doesn't do him justice.

[whalerider55]

6. a few times

have over the years (i'm a MA resident) met him at events, heard him speak... walked with him a little while at a walk for hunger once.

not the warmest guy in the world, but you really get a sense that he is smart, thoughtful...

he has shown courage, and as a Kerry observer for 22 years, I gotta say he learns and grows. he could really be a terrific president, once the dust settles.

whalerider55

[NEOBuckeye]

7. I briefly shook his hand at the recent rally in Akron

[gasperc]

8. Saw him at the Warren, MI rally in April

got within three people of him so I could have him sign my rally sign. I got Gov. Granholm, Carl Levin, Debbie Stabenow, Sander Levin's signiture. I spotted Max Cleland talking with some people in the back, I told him how mush I appreciated him speaking out against the Iraq war and felt our our credibility in the world was shot. He nodded his head and gave me a hug!!!! That was cooler than "Meeting" Kerry. I shook Clinton's, Hillary's and Al Gore's hand. I always hoped to get on the inside of politics but as I married now and as much as she loves Kerry, she HATES politics. She hopes Kerry wins but is very, oh well if Bush wins he wins, your not going to pout about it. Nah, but it'll probably make me more radically political.

[loveable liberal]

9. havent met kerry, but shook weasle colemans hand....

was totally amazed at how completely and absolutely soft his hands were. I mean soft palms. those things havent seen an honest days work ever!!!!

[Marymarg]

11. My daughter did

When she was an intern for Sen. Moynihan. She attended some event in which Sen. Kerry spoke. When she reached the Capitol to go back to work, she ran into Sen. Kerry and told him how inspired she had been by his words. He was very nice to her and thanked her, asked her name and said he was glad to meet her, and gave her a "lift" on the Senators only elevator. She was very much impressed with him.

[Sydnie]

12. I have met him twice. I was a state delegate to MA Dem Convention

and met with him both times at the convention in the 90's. I have a great pic of one of the meetings. He is dressed in his suit and I have on my "Boot Newt" tshirt. He is really fairly quiet in person but you can see the wheels spinning in his head and he doesn't miss a word of what is being said around him.

[olddem43]

13. I shook hands with Sen. Kerry on two occasions this year.

Furthermore, I also shook hands with Sen. Edwards twice. Got to the rallies early to get a good spot at the fence.

[KC21304]

14. I have. Feb 13th in Madison when Wes Clark endorsed him.

When those wonderful pictures you see of Kerry and Clark together were taken I was in the front row. After the rally both Kerry and Clark stayed to shake hands and give autographs.

That was the day after the Drudge intern story hit. The rally was kind of thrown together at the last minute so there was not a big crowd. Clark had dropped out two days before I believe.

When Kerry started shaking hands my daughter told him about my name here on DU and how long I supported him. He gave me a hug and a peck on the cheek.

Clark was great too and I told him he had to take the VP when offered, but that's another story.

Of course I didn't come down from the ceiling for a few weeks.

The next day Max Cleland came to the Labor Hall in my city so I got to talk to him.

[zulchzulu]

15. I've met him about half a dozen times

During the Iowa primary, I followed him all over the state and met him personally and talked for at least a minute or so each time.

I even his staff one day around on the day of the Wisconsin primary when he was in Madison, WI last February and got to meet him and talk for a while before he took off at the airport.

Let me tell you about my perception of the man. He is funny, quick-witted, genuine, concerned with issues I care about as well as being a tall dude that has a "leadership" quality. He mixes well with all kinds of people and is especially dedicated to talking to vets, asking them where they served, how their benefits are and such.

I've met his daughters Vanessa and Alexandria, Teresa and even had dinner with Chris Heinz (as well as a bunch of us) and all I can say is that they are all very decent, intelligent and thoughtful people.

Mostly though, I KNOW John Kerry IS going to make an excellent president with a lending ear to progressive issues that need to be addressed immediately (OK, after he takes the oath!).

One of my favorite photos of John was when I brought my Bush doll with a "Bye George!" button on it that he signed while campaigning in Iowa last January. He asked me where in the hell I got it ...I told him and he just laughed for a good 10 seconds and then autographed. Oh, it's NOT for sale!

[Riptide]

16. No, but I met President Clinton three times...

when I was in high school in Arkansas. Once, I was waiting at my school for my parents to pick me up, and then Governor Clinton had just finished giving a speech. There were very few people left, and he came over, shook my hand, and was very funny. We were in NW Arkansas, repuke country, and I told him I was a democrat. He smiled and whispered to me, "I think you and I just might be the only two in this whole county."

When my dad picked me up, he told me his friends in the state democratic party said he would run for president one day. At the time, I just laughed.

I wish I could meet Kerry, that would be awesome, too!

[liberal N proud]

18. My 17yr old met him at a ralley and go this autograph!

She was able to get up front, while I stood back.
She met Bill Clinton when she was 5 so maybe she is good luck!

[AlCzervik]

19. Me, many years ago in Massachusetts

very nice, actually talked to my sister and i for awhile.

[kerryistheanswer]

20. Met him a few times

I interned for Kerry in DC back in the dark days of september-january. I went to several of the events in the area, including a fundraiser with he and Al Franken. I was standing along the stage when Franken was making some funny jokes. One of them was quite obscene so Kerry started laughing and looking quite embarassed. He stepped off stage and stood next to me with his arm on my shoulder. It was a funny moment - I didn't really know what to say so just continued to look straight ahead.

I also remember meeting and shaking his hand during a DNC meeting last October. It was after one of the best speeches I heard him give. I would say it was the during the turning point of his campaign when he reclaimed the label of being the "Democrat from the Democratic Wing of the Party". He made some jabs at Clark and Dean but it was most memorable because he showed real passion and determination.

Peace.

[Zan_of_Texas]

22. Cool.

I haven't met him.

Could I get a point or two for sitting next to Barbara Jordan for an hour, and having her give me a gentle poke in the ribs about something funny?

[goclark]

30. 5 pts. and a star for you!

Barbara Jordan was brilliant!

[Bread and Circus]

21. He waved to me once, then his camera-man tripped and fell...

Theresa acted as if it was an assassination attempt, ducking for cover. The camera guy was ok.

This happened right before the Detroit Fox Theater debate.

Kerry waved to the Clark supporters on the corner, I was one, with a great smile and enthusiasm. I said "go get 'em John".

And that's as close as I got.

He's really tall.

[In Truth We Trust]

23. I did and it was during the Clinton GHW debates in richmond in '92

I am a transplanted family man originally from Middlesex County Mass. where Sen. Kerry was my local prosecutor and eventually Senator. 14 years ago I moved my family to NC but while on a business trip to VA I found myself speaking with a genuinely solicitous and very well informed JFK. He assured me that the Dems would prevail in '92. Mr. Kerry is a fine man with strong character who will bring TRUE honor and dignity to our White House.

If you believe in foreshadow or karma or the right alignments in the stars then ponder the Mass/Carolina connection. That was the Superbowl matchup to start 2004 and on the other end it will be the winning combination to end the year.

[lupita]

24. Shook his hand, but no words... still, I was thrilled! n/t

[foo_bar]

25. met with him as a Senator

my boss won some SBA "MA Small Businessperson of the Year" during the dotcom splurge, so Sen. Kerry came to pay his respects. My impressions: he's kind of shy for a politician, almost introverted. He listened more than he talked and made jokes at his own expense, so he's something like the anti-Bush.

[CalebHayes]

34. I met his chief of staff when he was a senator a few weeks after 911...

It was at a banquet in the Senate heart building. I knew from then on he would be our nominee. I would later find out that, that building had anthrax in it at the time.

[cindyw]

26. I shook his hand July 2003. My husband spoke to him.

He asked him if he felt overwhelmed by all he was going to have to do and Kerry said "All that we are going to do".

I met THK when I volunteered at fundraiser. She came and thanked us all and took a picture with us. I spoke to her and told her that I was one of the early johnkerry.com bloggers. She knew who I was asked if I had read the story about kidsforkerry. I thought it was really neat to hear that she then got the girl to speak at the convention. Then I got a letter thanking me with her signature. It was pretty neat.

[Walt Starr]

27. I've never met the man, but I would now crawl on broken glass

cross country if he said he needed me to do it.

[diamond14]

28. talked Kerry at the Kerry National Headquarters in DC several times

Kerry stops in whenever he has the chance....shook his hand at the George Mason University Kerry rally, when he won the Virginia Primary, and got his signature for my uncle, a Korea Vet and also got Max Cleland's signature....they BOTH stopped when they exited the stage, because I asked for signature for a VET !!! and they both wrote a note...


got my picture taken with Kerry at the Crystal City, Virginia rally in July...Virginia raised $ 1.7 MILLION that night ! Go Virginia !!!

[Southern Patriot]

36. I saw him speak & met him early on before the primaries...

He came to Columbia, SC and spoke on the steps of the law offices of one of his big supporters.

This was before somebody told him that speeches weren't a substitute for Sominex. The crowd was small--- around 50-60 people. I can't remember much of what he said. He was way behind in the polls and didn't appear to be gaining any traction nationally.

After the speech he worked the crowd and I hung around until there was an opening when I could talk with him. I told him "Senator, no matter what happens with this" --- gesturing around to indicate his nomination bid---"we must win because if we don't they'll stack the judiciary with judges serving lifetime appointments. How are you at filibustering?"

Kerry laughed at that last question. As best I can recall he never answered it but gave me the impression that he wasn't going to think about failing--- or filibustering.

I think that was the last day that Kerry has set foot in SC--- and I don't blame him a bit. As a former governor said prior to the Civil War: "SC is too small for a republic and too big for an insane asylum."

[Caution]

29. On a number of occasions

Various political rallies in MA. He was very gracious on each occasion, only once was I able to talk to him more than an "honored to meet you" "honored to serve as your senator" basis. I asked him what he thought about Ollie North walking free and he replied that the most important thing was that the truth get out about the whole affair in the end.

[IowaGuy]

31. A few times...

Got involved early on as a volunteer here in IA - access was much easier then - he talked to a small group of us (about 12 people)at the Drake diner after the IPBN debates, met and shook his hand at other various events...wouldn't claim to be his best buddy or nothin' but seen enough of him to know his TV persona is much stiffer than the real thing. He's got an easy smile and looks you right in the eye. Theresa is somethin' else. a really bright intellect that listens very carefully to people and actually talks to them, doesn't just recite canned scripted campaign phrases (I guess thats what meakes her dangerous, but thats also why we love her here.) Also met his brother Cam, nice quiet, gentle intelligent fellow. Talked with Max Cleland down at Kerry HQ in DM one night. I was already on board w/ Kerry at the time, basically over environmental issues and IRAQ, just his general resume. Max talked a lot about Vets issues, something I never really thought a lot about, not being a vet, but the more I found out about whats been happenin' with them, the more I'm sayin' that just not right and has become another big issue with me. Ate breakfast with Wade Sanders (served in Nam w/ Kerry - has known him a lot of years). At that breakfast, on ones ide of me was Wade, the other side was Peter Yarrow (Peter, Paul and Mary - also the Godfather to JK's daughter). They were both real interesting guys. Shook hands with his daughters, stepson, all-in-all, feel very fortunate to have gotten up as close and gotten the access I have. Wish it was logistically possible for the whole country to get the kind of access that we get her in Iowa. If you ever get a chance to work for a presidential campaign (volunteer or otherwise) I'd highly recommend gettin' here to Iowa and doing it...event if its only for a long weekend or a week. It will be worth it.

[underseasurveyor]

39. Iowa is a great place to get up close and personal

Living in a very rural area as I do when Sen. Harkin has town meetings, it's easy to get a minute or three of his time.
Same holds for the campaign season earlier this year where there maybe 30 people + or - that attend these events so getting up close and personal is not a problem compared to larger cities where perhaps 100's attend.
So this year I got to shake hands and make a personal comment or three;-) with John Kerry, John Edwards and Howard Dean when they visited the NW part of the state. I wish I had my camera for the first two but I did manage to get a picture taken of me with my son with Howard standing between us. Had my Rage Against The Machine T-shirt on:evilgrin::thumbsup: And because I wore that shirt the local reporter said he "just had to" ask me a few questions :-)
When and if I can ever get my scanner working again and if I get brave enough to post my own picture on the net, I'll post the pic or put it in the gallery some time.

[Delarage]

32. Met him in Delaware

At a IBEW union hall during the primaries. I shook his hand, and he kidded around with my friend because he was wearing a Steelers coat. He then signed the back of my voter registration card and said "I hope it doesn't invalidate it!" (I had nothing else on me that he could sign and I had worked too hard to get through the crowd to come away empty-handed). He also signed the above-mentioned Steelers coat.

He seemed pretty cool (and tired)--I think he visited 2 other states that day.

The only other presidential candidate's hand that I shook (also in Wilmington, DE) was Bill Clinton. And he went on to win 2 terms. I have officially given Kerry the power to win. I'm exhausted.

[JohnKleeb]

33. I know hes a patriots fan but I wonder if he likes the steelers

Teresa has ties to the pittsburgh area as we know.

[Dr Fate]

35. I sure did- around this time last year.

Shook his hand, etc.

This was in SF, & everyone was really hot on Dean at the time, so there were only so many people there...

[partygirl]

37. I have but only briefly.

My parents give major money to all the Democrats (individually) plus to the DNC and lots of other Democratic groups and causes. They have been successful and both inherited lots of money too.

My parents are on the "early supporter" list for just about every major politician so they go and hobnob a lot. They have even put on events for some of the politicians. I also met Gore (actually lots of times I think 6? I would have to look at my scrapbook, honestly Gore was never that memorable.).

I met Clinton twice and I LOVED him the most. He is the only politician so far that has been especially cool to meet. The first time, I met him, we flew all the way to Hawaii to go to an event for early supporters (my father only goes to these, cause they are small and intimate plus they pull out the REALLY good liquor for the people that have given lots of $$$ from the beginning). Clinton is a master of conversation, he is so much fun it is like talking to a friend! And he loves movies! Especially action movies he talked a lot about them. I am not into action movies but would go with him anytime.

[a new day]

38. I shook his hand in Seattle

in February. There was a crowd of 1,300 in a ballroom at the Sheraton Hotel, and after his speech, he pushed through the crowd and, amazingly, came right up to me. I thanked him for coming to Seattle, and he thanked me for coming to his rally.

[LittleClarkie]

40. How angry...

Those of you who've met him and know the "elitist phony" label the oppostion has hung on him isn't true ... it must make you nuts to listen to people like Rush and others.

I want to jump up and down yelling, "Emperor! No clothes! Look! Look!" at the Bush supporters.

I do wish more people would take that good hard look at him. Maybe that's why he always wins at the last second. People need time to discover him.

And I do think it helps to have veterans around. Even on the television, you can see him warm up incredibly whenever he's surrounded by them, like instant kinship.

Now if we can just get him good and mad in time for the debates, he should blow the stuffin's out of Bush. He's always a better speaker when he's got his dander up.

[tritsofme]

41. I met him at a fundraiser very briefly

earlier in the year, shook his hand and told him good luck.