I don't care if you run or not, Senator, I'm campaigning for you.

[Carolina Voice]

It was a rather nippy evening in Charlotte, North Carolina... late fall... week before Thanksgiving and many people are already making plans for the holiday. But even with that, unexpectedly large numbers turned out for the Senator.

The smiles, the whispers, the intense looks and determination to find a spot came with the night. The bookstore had recommended that patrons arrive early.. an hour to an hour and a half early but even then they had already begun to arrive and most of the seats were taken. The signing was in an 'upscale' area where people are use to celebrities, some of them are even celebrities in their own field. It was a moneyed area, old money, new money, money. The sort of people that have an auora of 'not being impressed'. But, they were impressed tonight. This crowd certainly put to rest the neo-con argument that all of Edwards supporters are women. This audience had a very large percentage of men. When I look at some of the photos I took, it seems to be almost 50-50 and that is very good too.

The room kept getting fuller and fuller. Every spot seemed to be filled in the standing room only crowd. Then, two women (one elderly and one middle aged) decided to nest down right under the podium. I couldn't believe my eyes! They had two shopping baskets each, turned upside down for stools and they were actually touching the podium. I tried to tell them politely that they wouldn't be allowed to stay there but they just looked at me as if to say 'We don't intimidate easily.' And they stayed. So, I pointed them out to one of the busy 'Edwards caravan' who convinced the ladies they were not going to be sitting underneath the podium.

The Senator was a little late arriving, but nobody seemed to really mind. I talked with a number of guests about One America and other related things. I had my 'Edwards' pinback on and one gentleman asked where he could get some. I told him where I thought he could get them and he was so intense in his concern that he might not be able to get one that I pulled mine off and gave it to him. You would have thought I had given him my first born son. So, I said 'Now, don't forget to vote Edwards.' to which he responded 'I intended to anyway, but I definitely will vote Edwards now.' One vote down and only a few more to go. I made a friend for life. He was a retired school administrator.

The moment Senator Edwards entered the room, the crowd became mesmerized by his presence. He explained that he would speak briefly, take questions and then sign the books because he didn't want anyone going home without their book being signed. When he explained that he would make no money from the books but rather it would go to Habitat for Humanity and other worthy causes, he got his first big round of applause.

He discussed how the book came into being, the war, how he thought withdrawal should be handled, the many mistakes of the current administration (not individually, but overall) and re-establishing respect for the America in the eyes of the world. He talked about energy conservation and the environment. He told us how China is building one coal burning plant per week and how America is suffering the environmental damage from it. Then, he asked for questions.

There were several good questions, but the one that would be voted 'best question of the evening' by the audience was the one from a lady who danced into it as if she were a politician herself. She said "Senator, I watched Jon Stewart earlier this week when you appeared on his show. I suspect many of us watched it. Jon Stuart asked if you wanted to make an announcement and you didn't. Senator, there were lots of people watching that show and I can understand your decision. Now, tonight, here, there are fewer of us and it is more intimate. Would you like to make that announcement now?" Applause. Applause. Thunderous applause. Laughing by the Senator. Laughing by the audience. More applause. The lady was a charmer, but it didn't work. (Wait, maybe I could say it did work and we could get the word out. :>)

These questions were getting tougher. The Senator was already beginning to understand this audience wasn't composed of 'Bush Rejects'. We were no dummies... (or is that Rummies?) (I'm shameless getting to smilers out of one source.) So, the Senator (being the next Decider) quickly went to the next 'hand waver'. The lady said she wanted to express appreciation for the new book and that her mother's story was the one on page 34. A man asked a question that evoked a somewhat in-depth response about bio-diesel and energy. And then, the finale question ... or statement. The gentleman simply stepped up to the mike and quite emphatically said 'Senator, we all hope you run for President. But, frankly Senator, I don't care whether you run or not, I'm campaigning for you!' He brought down the house.

Then, we went to the signing. Everyone waited patiently to speak with the Senator. I gave him two bumper stickers that I had designed and he seemed delighted by them. He asked if he could keep them and of course, I agreed.

Overall, I think he would agree... it was a very good evening. It was a marriage made in heaven. This audience loved him and they didn't hold back. I have two more events tomorrow, so I will give you updates then.