The power of stories. Share JK stories here.

[ray of light]

Stories go with pictures. During the campaign, John Kerry did in fact reach out to the regular person. I myself saw him in the "Field of Dreams" and actually show up in one of the pictures near him. (lol) Indeed, I remember the star baseball quality our dear John had when he surely was the MVP! I also remember the cheers and the shouts of "You go, Senator Kerry" that made me chuckle. I also would like to thank the secret service who directed me and my daughter to a small parking lot when we arrived, but then refused to let us leave until 2 hours after John Kerry had left!

And so, I'm asking that everyone share their stories or newspaper clippings here, so we remember the things he did that were not fully appreciated or known by the general public.


http://www.jsonline.com/news/state/aug04/248581.asp

Kerry sips a beer, foams over job losses
Small-town stops follow Beloit talk
By CRAIG GILBERT
[e-mail]
Posted: Aug. 3, 2004
Monroe - On a trip that paid due homage to two local symbols - beer and cheese - John Kerry's cross-country caravan rolled through southern Wisconsin on Tuesday, with the Democrat promising to mend what he called the state's "hard-hit" economy and telling voters, "We're going to put money in your pocket."

After a town hall meeting in Beloit, Kerry made five unannounced stops en route to Iowa, from a sleepy street corner in Gratiot (pop. 252) to a brewery and a combination cheese store and bar in Monroe.

Some of those communities had last seen a presidential candidate 44 years ago, when John Kennedy campaigned across the state's rural southwest corner.

The last of Kerry's Wisconsin stops was tiny Cuba City, where President Bush's bus caravan passed through in May without halting, to the disappointment of some residents.

In an apparent display of one-upmanship, the Kerry campaign came to a complete stop in Cuba City, the self-styled "city of presidents." Its main street is adorned with shields and silhouettes honoring all 43 occupants of the White House.

Tuesday was the fifth day of Kerry's two-week, coast-to-coast march, and hotly contested Wisconsin was the eighth of 18 battleground states on the itinerary.

At his main event, the Massachusetts senator spent 20 minutes talking and 40 minutes answering questions before a crowd of 1,700 supporters in Beloit. Speaking before him were U.S. Rep. Tammy Baldwin and U.S. Sen. Russ Feingold, both Wisconsin Democrats.

'We can do better'
Kerry's big themes were the economy, the deficit and health care. He said his plans to provide health care coverage, increase college aid and boost manufacturing would improve the fortunes of middle-class families.

"The gap between haves and have-nots is getting wider. Not in my America," Kerry said.

With its net job losses under Bush, but a recent job rebound more robust than that of many other states, Wisconsin offers ammunition to both sides in the economic debate.

This is how Kerry described the state's condition at his town hall meeting in Beloit's Edwards Pavilion:

"Wisconsin has been hard-hit, like a lot of states in the Midwest and the rest of America. Your unemployment rate is up about 31 percent since 2001. It's not outrageous in its overall numbers, but it's meaningful to the people who have suffered. You've lost 72,000 manufacturing jobs, and you've lost jobs - net negative job loss in this state. Look, I'm not here to bad-mouth, but I tell you we can do better."

Kerry aides said later that he was referring to the increase in manufacturing unemployment in the Beloit area, which has had some of the highest jobless numbers in the state.

The region lost 13% of its manufacturing jobs from the beginning of 2001 to June of this year. The state has lost about 69,000 manufacturing jobs since January 2001.

But more recently, it has begun to regain some jobs. Among the 18 or 19 most-contested states in this election, Wisconsin is the most reliant on manufacturing. And during 2004, it has added more manufacturing jobs (13,100) than any other contested state, and added them at a higher rate.

"Kerry will talk down America's growing economy during his visit to Wisconsin," Rep. Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) said in a statement for the Bush campaign.

Ryan said Kerry's plan to roll back Bush's tax cuts in the case of high-income Americans would burden small businesses and "derail the economic recovery that has created nearly 59,000 Wisconsin jobs this year."

Kerry assailed Bush's record on budget deficits and said that "as president, I'm not going to be responsible for piling debt on our children's heads."

Kerry began his day in Milwaukee with a bike ride, leaving from the Hilton escorted by two Secret Service bikers, two Secret Service SUVs, police on motorcycles and police cars.

Beer and cheese
After the Beloit event, Kerry's day was filled with the kind of Wisconsin backdrops one would expect from a presidential visit. In fact, Kerry did one thing for the cameras that you won't see his opponent do: He drank beer, and Bush stopped drinking years ago.

On a visit to the Joseph Huber Brewing Co. in Monroe, Kerry sipped a richly hued Berghoff Famous Red Ale, and his wife, Teresa Heinz Kerry, sampled a lighter Solstice Wit Bier.

Moments earlier, the two stopped at Baumgartner's bar and cheese store in Monroe, a visit prompted by Teresa Heinz Kerry's enthusiasm for what she called "stinky cheese." She ordered a Limburger sandwich with raw onions and mustard on rye, and a pound of Limburger to go.

In the bar, Kerry chatted with patrons, signs overhead proclaiming, "Limburger, Don't Eat It With Your Nose." Maps of Switzerland and Wisconsin decorated another wall.

"I heard you were here, and I run right down," Peggy Miller of Monroe told Kerry.

Talking to a reporter, Miller recalled Kennedy's 1960 visit. "I was there, serving doughnuts and coffee," she said.

After Monroe (Green County), Kerry made unannounced stops in Gratiot, Shullsburg and Benton (Lafayette County) and Cuba City (Grant County), before speaking at a rally that drew thousands in Dubuque, Iowa.

Attention to region
Like Monroe, Shullsburg had its last personal taste of presidential campaign pomp in 1960, when Kennedy spoke at a theater.

Green, Lafayette and Grant counties voted for Al Gore in the 2000 presidential election, part of a Democratic tilt in southwestern Wisconsin that Republicans believe contributed to Bush's narrow defeat statewide.

As a result of that - and the proximity of swing states Iowa and Minnesota - both sides have given extraordinary attention to Wisconsin's sparsely populated southwestern corner. This was Kerry's second bus ride through Grant County in a month, with both trips taking him to Dubuque.

In Cuba City, Joe Goeman urged Kerry to come back "when he is president" to sign a shield for the city's presidential display.

"Don't forget," Goeman said.

Kerry told him, "It may be the party of the donkey, but I have a memory like an elephant."

[fedupinBushcountry]

1. First time I met him was Feb. 8, 2004

in Chesapeake, Virginia. Got there 2 hours ahead of time, and found a good spot right in front of the stage, this is also when we got our Veterans for Kerry bumperstickers. I have video of this event but have no idea how to post it. This event happened 2 days before our primary, my son arrived about an hour and a half later and could not get in, there was absolutely no place to park.

The thing I take away from it mostly is the little conversations I had with people around me. Everyone was so hyped, enthused, energized and totally inspired by John Kerry. He left that with everyone in that gym, he didn't disappoint thats for sure.

Heres a story on the event. The only thing I will add is that the crowd was estimated at 2400, and I believe that was correct.

PortFolio Weekly
February 17, 2004

Looking For The Real Deal
by Jim Newsom
On Tuesday, February 10th, Virginians had their first opportunity ever to play a major role in selecting a Democratic presidential nominee by voting in a binding primary. John Kerry was the beneficiary. Capturing his largest victory to date, the man many labeled ?too liberal? for the Old Dominion took 52% of the votes, nearly doubling his closest rival, John Edwards, and propelling himself ever more rapidly towards a date with George W. Bush.

Is John Kerry the ?real deal,? as his posters and campaign slogans proclaim?

A crowd estimated at 1,100 turned out on Sunday, February 8th, at Oscar Smith High School in Chesapeake to find out for themselves. Many among the assemblage were surprised to see so many Democrats gathered together in this Republican bastion, but even those who came only out of curiosity found themselves electrified by the anticipatory excitement buzzing through the crowd.

There was much talk about the need to reverse the course set by the Bush administration, and many held high hopes that the Massachusetts senator can provide a new and enlightened brand of leadership. A genuine sense of optimism palpitated through the bleachers and across the gym floor.

When Senator Kerry emerged, he received a rock star?s greeting. He didn?t disappoint. Coming across stronger, calmer, handsomer and more presidential than he does on television, John Kerry forcefully laid out his plans for the future of the country. It was an impressive performance.

Promising ?fairness for all, not privilege for a few,? he pledged to repeal the Bush tax cuts for the wealthy in order to invest in health care and education. He promised penalties for ?every Benedict Arnold CEO and company? that moves its main address to a mailbox in Bermuda to avoid paying taxes in the U.S. He vowed to ?cut the poverty of millions, not the taxes of millionaires.?

He spoke of the high cost of health care, and declared that every American should have access to the same coverage as Senators and Congressmen in Washington. He spoke of a college tuition tax credit and offered a plan whereby community service during high school could be traded for tuition at state supported colleges and universities.

And he promised to invest in alternative energy sources to create energy independence, eliminating the need to send American soldiers to ?fight in the middle east for oil in that region.?

There were applause lines aplenty: ??a country where the attorney general is no longer John Ashcroft;? a reference to the Bush administration as having ?the most arrogant, inept, ideological foreign policy in the history of our country;? and, ?Like father, like son, one term and you?re done!?

This former Navy man said, ?I know something about aircraft carriers,? daring the White House incumbent to make national security the main issue of the coming campaign: ?Bring?It?On!?

After igniting the crowd with his speech, he jumped off the stage and went from person to person, shaking hands, signing autographs, talking and listening as he worked the crowd. Most left the building inspired and invigorated.

The next afternoon, North Carolina Senator John Edwards came to Norfolk for an outdoor rally on Granby Street next to Tidewater Community College. A much smaller crowd of about 250 showed up to see the Vice Presidential front runner. And that seems to be what brought many in the audience out. Several said they planned to vote in the next day?s primary for John Kerry, but liked Edwards for Veep and wanted to size him up in person.


Pictures and the story can be found at this link:

http://www.jimnewsom.com/JohnKerry.html

[Island Blue]

2. I love this paragraph ...

"When Senator Kerry emerged, he received a rock star's greeting. He didn't disappoint. Coming across stronger, calmer, handsomer and more presidential than he does on television, John Kerry forcefully laid out his plans for the future of the country. It was an impressive performance."

I think that sums up JK's persona perfectly, and let's face it the man IS a rock star - there's just no doubt about that. I challenge anyone to name a bigger rock star in the Democratic Party today, with the possible exception of Bill Clinton. It can't be done IMO.

[k j]

3. Originally written for our small local newspaper

Community and connection on display at the Democratic National Convention
KJ’s Quill

What moment best sums up the five days I spent at the Democratic Convention in Boston?

The moment I shook John Kerry’s hand? Had my picture taken with Janet Reno? Listened to Carole King perform not 20 feet in front of me? The hours spent in the Fleet Center? Or maybe it was talking to the bartender, Francisco, at the Park Plaza Hotel.

Because when Francisco, a native of Haiti said, “It’s our party,” I knew he wasn’t just talking about the Democratic Party. He was talking about America.

Last week, citizens of Boston— waiters, bartenders, cab drivers, shop owners and riders on the “T”— opened the heart of their city to Americans of all ages, colors and religions who’d traveled from all over the country to participate in this great adventure called democracy.

Bedrock themes of democracy were present everywhere, as were the Boston police, who answered questions with a smile and gave directions to convention goers over and over again.

Protesters, with huge signs and bullhorns, marched freely down the streets. When a friend of mine, alone and overcome by the noise of the protesters and the sight of their graphic signs saying “God hates…” (as if anyone’s God hates) began to cry, within seconds a Boston cop was next to her with a reassuring arm around her shoulder. He reminded her that the protesters were simply exercising their right of free speech. My friend, a proud card-carrying member of the ACLU, squared her shoulders, said she understood, and thanked the officer for reminding her that this country of ours is big enough to hold everyone’s point of view.

Encounters with opinionated Americans went on all week. A group of us were eating at an outside café when a woman from a conservative radio station in Pennsylvania asked if she could interview us. We answered, “Sure! Pull up a chair,” and the five of us engaged in conversation, finding far more common ground in our views than some corporate media commentators would like anyone to suspect.

We talked to delegates, celebrities, national media people, children, students and veterans. We talked to people from Greece, Mexico and Ireland. We talked to Kerry supporters, Bush supporters and those who were undecided between the two.

It was a 24-hour a day on-going conversation conducted in the streets of the city, in restaurants, on the subway and in the stores. Everyone had something to say and there was always someone nearby ready to listen and at least another two people ready to offer an alternate point of view.

It was an American party in a thoroughly American city.

However, I must admit my bias, I love the city of Boston. I love its history and its sense of itself. I love its self-confidence, its wild drivers and its cobblestone walks.

But I especially love running into its abundance of first-generation Americans, each and every one I met registered and planning to vote.

I hope the citizens of our country answer John Kerry’s call, not necessarily to vote for him if their preference lies elsewhere, but to keep this national conversation going, keep it civil, and keep it positive; because this country, as Boston showed us last week, belongs to all of us.

[k j]

4. And another...

(Please give me some slack, newspaper writing is geared to the fifth-grade level!)

Revolutionary Women hold seminar to mobilize, engage, elect and empower women in politics
KJ’s Quill

Women. There were women everywhere at the Revolutionary Women “Mobilize, Engage, Elect, Empower” seminar on July 27 at the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center.

Short women, tall women, women with spiked hair, curly hair, gray hair and braided hair; women in groups, women alone, women carrying children, women with granddaughters in tow.

Women poets staged readings in the lobby and women dressed as Lady Liberties roamed the halls.

Revolutionary women, every single one.

The choices that faced me at the seminar were stellar and the decision over which workshop to attend difficult. Should I sit in on “Women and Public Policy,” or “The View from the Governor’s Office?” Out of the eleven choices, “Women and the Political Media” really tugged at me; but once I read Mary Beth Cahill’s name, I knew which room I’d be in.

Cahill is credited, rightly so in my opinion, with turning John Kerry’s campaign around last fall from one that was scattered to one that now operates with laser-like focus. And there she was, sitting on the dais with Donna Brazile, another women who has done hard time at the very heart of the storm known as a presidential campaign.

The first thing I noticed was how comfortable each woman looked in her own skin. They weren’t wearing “power suits,” like many of the other seminar participants, but clothes you’d see average women wearing in a grocery store or at ballpark, no fuss and absolutely no dry-cleaning required. The two women answered questions directly, clearly and with a sense of humor.

“It’s the most difficult thing you could ever imagine doing with your life,” said Brazile, speaking about her experience running Al Gore’s 2000 campaign. “I’m here because I want to see every child in America have a chance.”

“I’m in politics because I love it,” said Cahill.

She talked about John Kerry’s insistence on running his own race and how by doing that, the campaign defied expectations from the media, professional pundits and even other candidates.

She talked about the dark days of the campaign last fall, when Kerry’s poll numbers were in the single digits and the campaign found themselves on the donkey’s end (that bad pun is mine) of late night talk show jokes. John Kerry decided to opt out of caps, mortgage his house and literally go for broke. The campaign stayed well under the media radar and the candidate focused directly on talking one-on-one to the people of Iowa. It was a gutsy move and one Cahill was fully behind.

Gutsy moves are something all of the revolutionary women at the seminar knew something about. Each one of them, in their own way, defied expectations about what role they were best suited for. Each one of them decided where and how their abilities could best be used and cleared a channel, or two, or three, to get there.

At the rally in the afternoon, featured speakers included Sheriff Andrea J. Cabral, the first African-American female sheriff in Massachusetts history; Carol Moseley Braun, the first female senator from Illinois and the first female African-American Senator; Madeleine Albright, the first woman Secretary of State and highest ranking woman in the history of the US government; Representative Nancy Pelosi, the first woman to lead a major party in the US Congress; and that ever popular lightening rod, Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton, the first First Lady to be elected in her own right to the United States Senate. Each woman spoke of her experiences, hopes and passion for the political process.

Barbara Lee, president of Revolutionary Women said, “Just as Paul Revere’s role was different than Benjamin Franklin’s role or Thomas Jefferson’s role or Crispus Atticus’ role, you make a difference, whatever role you use. This struggle for gender equality, in the end, is essentially a patriotic struggle. A fight to make America stronger by showing it the way to new strength.”

Pelosi added, “These women have all made history. But it’s not just about making history— their leadership, their service— is about making progress in our country.”

It may be 2004, but women, a majority of the population, are still a minority in government.

I think Sheriff Cabral summed the event up well when she said, “Your vote is your voice.”

[TayTay]

5. Andrea Cabral? Wow! I adore that woman.

She is just wonderful. She was just exonerated in a probe of her department that I think was funny from the get-go. (She was too 'uppity' for some people. I think her legal troubles were invented to stop her from making real reform over at the Sheriff's department.)

Thanks!

[k j]

7. TayTay...

couldn't get in here last night to respond for some reason...???

Didn't know much about Andrea Cabral, but the conference was fantastic. Howard Dean was also there, the token male. I have pictures, but don't know how to put them on the internet.

[ProSense]

6. Really good stories here. Thanks for posting. n/t