VolcanoJen's Excellent Kerry Dayton Rally Adventure, Part Deux (long)

VolcanoJen

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Wed Oct-20-04 02:36 AM
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VolcanoJen's Excellent Kerry Dayton Rally Adventure, Part Deux (long)

It ended the way it began.

There's a lot to be said for being an Ohioan these days. The entire country makes fun of our lone Great Lake, our weather, our location, our sports teams, our perceived hick lameness, and, of course, Cleveland. But, if you're a political junkie, the kind who travels to Iowa in the early winter of a presidential election year just for fun, there was just nothing like Ohio in the fall of 2004.

It's about time we felt this pampered by the candidates, this adored, this special. It's our turn to have a little fun.

John Kerry announced to the world his choice of John Edwards as his running mate on July 6, and the next day came to Dayton, Ohio to show off the next Vice President. In the waning days of the campaign, with two weeks to go, John Kerry came back to Dayton, by himself this time, to ask again for our votes, and to thank us for our support.

I was so thrilled to be a part of the July 7 rally in Dayton (that time, like this one, with my sweet mom, DUer Kukesa). So much naive hope for a sunny campaign -- the conventions hadn't begun, the campaign was enjoying its summer vacation. It wasn't really as ugly back then, as Swiftie. There was a contrast between the exuberant July 7th rally and tonight's at Dayton's minor league ballpark, Fifth Third Field. The crowd, over 10,000 strong, seemed more anxious tonight, more on edge. More passionate, outspoken and fearless. It must be because the setting was a ballpark, as it felt just like Game 7. Tension. Excitement. The smell of hot dogs. The stadium looked gorgeous with bunting, abundant signs, confetti, big-screen dance-cams and blaring music. It felt like an event, through and through. It felt important. Big. Game 7.

Kerry walked out of the dugout and directly to the pitchers mound, where he waved to the surrounding infield crowd and the folks packed into the stands, before making his way to the podium. It had to have been a triumphant moment for him; he was bursting with the confidence of a well-tuned, world-class athlete. When he spoke, after a warm introduction from American hero John Glenn, and after making a few comments about the Red Sox (GO SOX!!), his first words were about the hope that he saw in our eyes, the way he could feel that we were counting on him, and he promised us that if we worked as hard as we ever have for the next two weeks, he'd live up to our expectations and win the Presidency. He could feel it. Easily more than any of us there could have imagined. He fully recognizes the pressure he is under, the hope he represents to us. It's exactly the kind of quality that will make him an excellent President.

He spoke about a woman from Ohio who told him, weeks ago, "We've got your back." He said tonight, "I've got your back, if you put me in the White House."

Having been at the rally, it's especially fun to see that Kerry's making a few headlines for tonight's appearance in Dayton. The best part of his speech was where he truly mocked Bush, from the first debate: "It's so hard." He just didn't let up. The crowd hooted and hollered in agreement, and then he said "Mr. President, I'm very happy to relieve you of the hard work." It was the highlight of the night, as the entire crowd jumped to their feet and started chanting "KERRY! KERRY!" His reaction was proud and brash, as he could tell he'd hit a chord. He took off his jacket as the crowd continued chanting, rolling up his sleeves. It's a great line, it's a great moment, and I hope he continues to use it. I was very happy to see the line, and crowd description, appearing in a few of the linked-to articles. The media noticed it, for certain.

The speech was over far too soon... while most of me wants this election to be over, tonight, all of me wanted the moment to last. As Kerry exited the stadium, working the rope line, handsome in the rugged fall jacket he had put back on as the typical Ohio autumn night grew colder and damper, he looked confident, rested, energized, ready. Before ducking into the dugout, he stopped right in front of us, triumphantly waved, and the moment was over.

It ended the way it began. Thank you John Kerry, for coming back to Ohio again and again, for spreading your optimism and hope and confidence, and especially for bringing Game 7 excitement to Dayton.

We've got your back.

Some luscious photos of the event -- the Kerry advance team should pat themselves on the back for such a photogenic event! The first photo below is especially beautiful, don't you think?

Star-gazing comment for political junkies: We were seated in a "Women for Kerry" section in the first rows behind the third-base dugout. Stephanie Cutter and a cell-phone addicted aide sat for about twenty seconds in front of us before rushing away. Just before Kerry came out, Mike McCurry and Marvin Nicholson (Kerry's personal assistant, of "Staffers" fame) were standing right in front of us. Marvin is very tall, and movie-star handsome in person. Mike McCurry is just as cool as a man can be. It was a thrill to see him, and both of them looked excited and impressed at the rally turnout.