Back from Kerry Town Hall in Atlanta... [View All]

[onehandle]

Meant to get there an hour early. Got there 30 minutes early. Mistake. But a happy one. The crowd was HUGE! The line stretched all the way around the block for hundreds and hundreds of feet.

Apparently THOUSANDS had asked for entry in the last three days. I barely got to the front of the lobby of the theater, and could only see glimpses of Kerry's head. The crowd was Very upbeat and generally excited. I heard Rep. John Lewis and former Mayor Maynard Jackson's wife give great speeches (especially Mrs. Jackson). Senator Kerry was introduced by my Senator Max Cleland. The response to Kerry was wildly loud.

After Kerry gave a great stump speech, he took open questions from the floor. Totally random and Not preselected. I'd like you to imagine Bush fending this barrage.

They were on:
- Equality in benefits for all sexual orientations
- Meds for Veterans
- A GOP plant asking what Kerry had against Free Trade (the GOP insanity that outsourcing is good for America)
- An Eighth grade kid asking about the balance of resources here and abroad
(Kerry was impressed and said he was, "Eighth grade going on PHD")
- An older lady who described herself as a "recovering Republican" asking about his take on the Patriot act. She said that she was worried about being prosecuted for protesting the war
- Portability of Health Insurance
- Handling Iranian hardliners and possible nukes
- Concurrent receipt for military retirees
- Easing college tuition costs
- One gentleman complemented him on not being reactive and staying on point
- An 18 year old wanting a forecast of the economy in four years
- GOP plant number two on English as the primary language
- The effect of the current administration on State Taxes
- An Eagle Scout asked him if he would be trustworthy and a leader that we can look up to (ooh, that's gotta hurt, eh Karl)
- Prosecution vs. Rehabilitation
- How do we get out of Iraq

He handled that all with ease. Anyone who thinks he is "stiff" needs to listen to him off the cuff. He was Very powerful and charismatic. Presidential as Hell!

His best line was, "If you liked (the economy) under Eight years of Bill Clinton, then you're going to Love the first four years of the Kerry Administration".

Kerry promised the greatest grassroots movement this country has ever seen for a general election.

Again I cannot stress exactly how excited the crowd was.

Up the street near traffic were a half a dozen Edwards supporters with a banner. That's fine with me. We're still in the primaries, but judging by the crowds and enthusiasm today, Kerry is the guy.

Oh, and across from the theater in a park were four Republicans with one small hand made Bush/Cheney sign. Not impressed.

I almost forgot. I was interviewed by a reporter from the Boston Globe. (The media always talks to me for some reason. My wife says it's because I look "professional") I'll have to look to see if they quote me.