TESTIFY about the AMAZING people's campaign for Kerry!

The post below made me cry -- I knew it, I just knew this was true - but because I didn't get to see all of it for myself I was starting to doubt. Thank you Flyarm! Please add your story to this thread. We did something AMAZING during the 2004 Presidential campaign - we really did! Now let's claim the prize!

From Flyarm: :kick:

I WAS A FLA DELEGATE TO THE CONVENTION , AND A POLL WATCHER AT LARGE, AND I CAN TELL YOU WITH MY OWN EYES AND EXPERIENCES THIS PAST YEAR AND THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE WHO CAME OUT TO WORK AND MOST HAVING NEVER DONE ANY THING PREVIOUS POLITICALLY I HAVE NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE HOW IT WAS HERE...AND NO WAY COULD BUSH HAVE WON MY COUNTY..NO WAY NO HOW!! AND I WILL SAY THAT UNTIL MY LAST BREATHING MOMENT!! IWAS OUT NIGHTLY GIVING SPEACHES FOR KERRY AND I HAVE NEVER SEEN SO MANY WANTING BUSH OUT AND KERRY IN..AND THE CURIOUSITY ABOUT KERRY AND THE RALLYS...IT WAS UNBELIEVABLE HERE FOR KERRY..PEOPLE WERE SO ENGAGED IN KERRYS CAMPAIGN...WE HAD THOUSANDS OF VOLUNTEERS...IN EVERY ASPECT OF THE CAMPAIGN...LIKE I SAID ..I AM 53 AND IN MY 53 YRS I HAVE NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE IT!! ACROSS THE BOARD..WE WERE EVERYWHERE VISIBILITY WISE AND WE NEVER SAW ANY BUSH SUPPORT ANYWHERE HERE!! AND IT WASNT JUST AT THE END OF THE CAMPAIGN IT WAS ALL THE WAY THROUGH IT...WE HAD MORE CANVASSERS THAN I HAVE EVER SEEN..WE HAD KERRYS CANVASSERS, MOVE ON'S, ACT , COMMON CAUSE...AND THERE WERE THOUSANDS OF THEM..NEVER SAW ANY FOR BUSH..NONE!!
WHEN I WENT OUT TO SPEAK ..I NEVER GOT OUT EARLY AS THERE WOULD BE SO MANY WHO WOULD WANT TO TALK FOR HOURS AFTER ASKING QUESTIONS..REAL QUESTIONS, AND DETAILS...I HAVE NEVER SEEN PEOPLE SO ENGAGED!!

BUSH DID NOT WIN FLA..HE STOLE FLA!!

...

I Was a fla delegate to the convention , and a poll watcher at large, and I can tell you with my own eyes and experiences this past year and the number of people who came out to work and most having never done any thing previous politically I have never seen anything like how it was here...and no way could bush have won my county..no way no how!! And I will say that until my last breathing moment!!

I was out nightly giving speaches for kerry and I have never seen so many wanting bush out and kerry in..and the curiousity about kerry and the rallys...it was unbelievable here for kerry..people were so engaged in kerrys campaign...we had thousands of volunteers...in every aspect of the campaign...like I said ..I am 53 and in my 53 yrs I have never seen anything like it!! Across the board..we were everywhere visibility wise and we never saw any bush support anywhere here!! And it wasnt just at the end of the campaign it was all the way through it...we had more canvassers than I have ever seen..we had kerrys canvassers, move on's, act , common cause...and there were thousands of them..never saw any for bush..none!!
When I went out to speak ..I never got out early as there would be so many who would want to talk for hours after asking questions..real questions, and details...I have never seen people so engaged!!

Bush did not win fla..he stole fla!!

even more important than 2000, they had to sucker punch all the new voters who really believe in democracy.

MTV even had to run an ad to counter the mainstream media reports that the youth vote didn't happen. Something like 20.9 million young people voted, more than ever before, so they ran a slogan with 20 million loud and the 20 crossed out and 21 put over top of it.

"they had to sucker punch all the new voters who really believe in democracy".


I couldn't agree more. What would be more discouraging to a new or young voter to know that their candidate didn't win. On the other hand, young people are all over the net, and probably have a pretty good idea what is happening.

I have said it before and I will say it again.

This generation Rocks!!!

:yourock:


You are the most informed group of young people in ages. I for-see protests emerging from college campuses across the nation. Fraud, injustice, tyranny and genocide will not stand. This is our America and those that wish to destroy it must be stopped.

I did GOTV by driving people to the polls. Elderly people were standing in line for hours. It was actually a party atmosphere. In a tiny precinct, the line were 2 hours at least. Several people I picked up had never voted before and couldn't wait to cast their vote for Kerry. It was beautiful.

I do not believe * won FL. I know he didn't win Miami-Dade, but I think he actually lost by a lot more than it showed. Early voting lines were at least 4 hours long in places, much longer in Broward. No way, no way did Kerry lose.

with a few staring ahead silent people.
My city had over 300 new registrants a day in the last weeks, and they did not register to vote to support * status quo.
My city went blue, according to Democratic Headquarters, in spite of the lines and the lack of machines. So I am a member of a blue city in a red state.
(no Diebold machines)

In NC all the early exit polls in the large cities were blue.
Man Date my Ass.

for all of your hard work. Do not lose faith or hope. Together, we will hold this administration accountable for what they have done.

I have never been more proud to be an American than I was in the months leading up to this election. There were so many people so eager to do whatever it takes to participate in our Democracy.

I cried as I saw those poor people waiting hours in line, in the rain. I wondered how many of the schmucks I work with would be willing to do that. People did not stand in those lines for "more of the same". You will never convince me of that. Never!!!

I grew up in the pathetic Reagan era. My generation could not hold a candle to the one that is coming of age. My hat is off to the youth. They proved that they are willing to sacrifice, and they are not all a bunch of spoiled lazy slackers.

I also must honor the elderly, the infirm and all of the other patriots that endured the harassment, and long lines to protect our freedom.

To everyone that voted... :yourock:

We will make sure that your vote is counted properly.

in Florida on election day. She was giddy with excitement, ready to pop the champagne bottle around 8 pm, after witnessing the huge enthusiasm for Kerry during the day.

Thanks for the article, IndyOp! :hi:

welcome to DU, i love your sig! but can you calm down on kicking for a little bit - i keep refreshing to see new posts and it's all your kicks! give your feet a rest! :silly:

I'm new to forums and don't get all the lingo yet. Sandy

to put a topic back at the top of the page. it's a good thing and thsi board needs it often, but it just seems today there have been more than i've seen and it's getting frustrating :(

negative thread. I apologize for disturbing your search.

When we are passionate about an issue or want to make sure that we have enough information to run with, we kick.

I like the idea.

Sometimes Freepers get involved in the discussion and want to calm us down.

We don't take too kindly to that so we usually kick more.:kick:

I think we need to take time to contemplate what an amazing thing is happening in our country. Amid all of the negativity, the people have started to take a stand. Sure, you don't see it on TV like you do in the Ukraine, but it is happening.

I know a lot of people are desperate, frustrated and angry. You should be. There are powerful corrupt forces that are desperately trying to maintain control. But they are few, and we are many.

We have a voice, and despite the propaganda machine that has corrupted the logical thought process of so many, our voices were still heard. Across the country, people came out in record numbers for a dream.

A spark for freedom and hope was lit this past year. We have not seen such a flame since the late 60's. This flame burns in the hearts of every American that chooses not to stand idly by and watch our country be destroyed.

This is America. As long as there are people willing stand up and say "no, you can not take my country and my liberty from me," we will continue to be a free nation. As long as there is hope, there will be an American willing to give everything to protect that freedom.

We must celebrate todays heroes and stand together.

Never give up and never surrender.

that has us all ready for a fight. We KNOW Kerry won. My own logic tells me that there just cannot be that many ignorant people--and my heart, my heart says it even stronger...no f*king way!! I have NEVER been so informed, passionate, willing to do whatever, for anything or anyone in my 47 years...(well, for more than a day!) This is not politics, this is passion, and we need somewhere to channel this so the outcome...whatever that is....will be positive.

Do not lose your passion. When the time is right, we must use our collective energy to take our case to the American people. The majority of Americans, as well as people around the world feel the same. We are more united than ever. Tyranny will not stand. This is not the America that the majority of us voted for.

Pledge now that you will not allow America to slip back down into the bowels of complacency for another four years.

Up until this election I have never gotten involved. This election I pulled out all the stops I agree Kerry should've taken Florida. I have a theory that explains a lot. Even the exit polls...
This is odd. Say you wanted to rig an election. How would one do it? What would be the easiest way to do it, without involving too many people? A good old fashioned "crisis." Scare people away from the crime scene so the dirty business can be done. Everyone knows that if Kerry was going to win he would need OHIO or FLORIDA or both. Those are the only two that would need to be messed with to assure victory for either side. In Ohio there was the famous "Warren County Lockdown" because of "terror" threats.  What about the less infamous "Bomb Threat" at the State Elections Office in Tallahassee the day before the election. I guess my point is this....... The only two places that needed to "fixed" (Ohio& Florida) both had a scare tactic applied to a government building the day of, or the day before the election.  If they both had the same "crisis" on the same day it would look odd even to people who are not avid news watchers.
         The State Elections Office in Tallahassee holds what? The main tabulating computers. It would actually be easier to hack in the main tabulating computer before the actual election because you can place "kernels" in place and never have to mess with it again, and you would still get what looks like "actual" results.  The Warren County Courthouse holds what? The optical scan equipment that can be hacked into and votes can be messed with from as low as the local level and as far as the state and national level.  By doing it this way you would actually have control before and after the election and you run a smaller chance in getting caught because your using to different modes at two different times.
         To get this done all you would need is 2 or 3 people in Ohio and Florida to get this done. Not an army of computer hackers. It seems odd to me that there were only two crisis in America that came up in right around the election and they were both in the most important of the battle ground states, and they both gave the opportunity to commit the crime. It also explains the exit polls.

Thank you,
       Stacy Lowman

There must be more people that have personal stories of the courage and passion that they felt during this past election.

I have a child in college (senior), and two 30 something daughters. They have never been involved in politics. But this election there was unbelievable excitement about John Kerry and John Edwards and they all three gathered votes for the ticket in any way they could. At my daughter's college, in every class, Kerry support was not only in the majority, but usually only two or three * supporters were in her normal sized classes. Of course, it was impossible to tell in the huge 150 student classes, but she said she was always seated around people who were for Kerry. Everybody my college daughter knew voted. Everybody. We live in a college town, so most students she knew voted in their home precincts; so, have no idea how out of town students voted.

The biggest lie and the worst is their saying that the youth vote didn't turn out. We have to keep fighting for these kids. They are despondent over this vote and our democracy. I believe someone, somewhere should do a survey of college campuses and put the truth to this lie. Living in a purple state (LA) there was only one chance to see one of the Johns (Edwards) who appeared at the Capitol Building in Baton Rouge. I couldn't go, but understand that there was a good turnout, even though the appearance was early in the morning. I know New Orleans was heavy with Kerry support, and I also believe that our vote was skimmed to put in Vitter and gather votes for the "man date".

We have to make a stand and must not let naysayers influence how we feel. Most have no idea what they're talking about anyway. They only listen to the news once or twice a week, and think they are keeping up. The ignorance in this country is abysmal. The dumbing down of America has been hugely successful and that, too, must change if we are to pull our democracy out of the grave. Carry on people, and gently reach as many people as you can with truth. They will not listen if you attack gang buster style. There are many good people who are republicans. We need to appeal to them. I believe a good start would be within the churches of this country, in the way of forums comprised of equal numbers of dems and pugs with a moderator who is a good speaker, first laying out basic things all good people believe in; such as, good health care, good education, jobs that will sustain a family, help to the needy and homeless, etc. You get the idea. Someone else please run with this idea, as I do not attend church and am generally homebound because of health. Love to all of you Kerry and democracy fighters. To not try is to give up on life itself.

Your story inspired me to star a new thread in honor of the youth.

It is critical that they not lose faith. They are a beacon of hope for an entire nation. One of the biggest travesties of this election is the blow that was dealt to the youth. We were all robbed, but us cynical seasoned voters saw this one coming. The youth were dealt a sucker punch meant to destroy any progressive movement within this nation.

I live in a blue city in a red state. I began working with friends on the campaign in November 2003. We drove to a meeting in a nearby city to learn about how they were working to unite Dems, Greens, Independents -- all under the same tent for the biggest election in our lifetime. We founded our own group in our town and met with people from different groups to learn about what they were doing so that we could share what we knew with everyone -- to keep groups from duplicating each others efforts. We held a forum at our local library that included the former mayor, a local minister, and a union leader. It was air repeatedly on our local cable access TV station for weeks afterwards.

I helped registered voters this summer at our local Farmer's Market (this turned out to be silly because the Dems, the Greens, and the League of Women Voters were all there every Saturday morning). I helped show films at the local library - "Unprecedented", "Outfoxed", Bill Moyers on the Media, Arundhati Roy.

I learned all about local and state voting laws and developed a packet to train people how to register voters (and answer questions about registration and voting early and so on). I led the big training session at our church and helped plan when & where we would go to register voters.

I walked door-to-door to deliver materials for a local candidate in our comissioner's race and for the local Dems. I donated to ACT, NAACP, MoveOn, and Kerry before the campaign and to Cobb/Badnarik & Nader afterwards.

I've spent the past 25 days reading statistical analyses and papers on voting machines and central tabulators. My back and my neck hurt after weeks of sitting all tensed up in front of this computer surfing for truth and spreading it to some people who want to hear me -- and to a bunch who don't.

What do I want after all of this?

I WANT US TO CLAIM THE ELECTION WE WON!
I WANT US TO CLAIM THE ELECTION WE WON!
I WANT US TO CLAIM THE ELECTION WE WON!

On behalf of the elderly man in Ohio who left the polling place after having to stand for about an hour, returned 30-minutes later with a chair, and sat for another 4 hours waiting to vote for KERRY -- all the while humming under his breath "Ain't gonna let nobody turn me around, turn me around, turn me around. Ain't gonna let nobody turn me around, turn me around, turn me around... "

I WANT US TO CLAIM THE ELECTION WE WON!

:headbang:

Thank you for the work that you do. The real heroes are not in the spotlight, but behind the scenes, walking the streets, knocking on doors, crunching numbers, doing research and standing firm.

The real heroes stood in the rain for hours with voters, fought back puke challengers, drove voters to the polling places, and encouraged the weary to endure the long lines.

The real heroes stood up to every obstacle placed in their way and said "Ain't gonna let nobody turn me around, turn me around, turn me around..." They waited as long as it took to exercise their Constitutional right.

God bless all of the heroes and may they have the strength determination and inspiration to keep up this fight. We must all join these noble heroes.

I lost my father this last year, so the stories of the elderly touch my heart very deeply. His family, like so many of his generation came to America to escape tyranny. To them America was the land of hope and opportunity.

For the elderly heroes, their sacrifice is one of selfless service for their children and grandchildren. I honor their sacrifice and I pledge that their voices will be heard.

just to volunteer for the Kerry campaign and MoveOn. I went out canvassing in Cuban neighborhoods who are strictly republican and talked to multitudes of Cuban republicans who were voting democrat the first time because of the war and because of Bush's policy that restricted them for visiting family in Cuba.
I saw Kerry speak when Bruce Springsteen sang a few songs in downtown Miami and I would say there were about 20,000 cheering people from all walks of life in attendance, including Latin Americans, African Americans, Haitian Americans and white Americans, including many wearing cowboy hats and boots who probably drove down from Davie.
And on election day, I volunteered for MoveOn and conducted exit polling at a precinct north of downtown Miami and at the end of the day, it was at least 18 Kerry voters for every Bush voter -- although the officials results showed less than four to one in Kerry's favor a couple of days later.
We were partying in the streets because all day we kept hearing how exit polls were showing Kerry several percentage points ahead.
I have no doubt that Kerry won Florida.
If Gore lost Florida by 537 votes last time and that is considering they stopped counting and thousands of voters in Palm Beach County inadvertently voted for Pat Buchanan instead of Bush, there is no way Bush actually received that many more votes this time.
After all, how many people do you know who voted for Gore last time suddenly decided to vote for Bush this time? On the other hand, how many people who voted for Bush in 2000 said enough of the Bushit and voted for Kerry?
In my circle of friends and family in Miami, there's at least 15.
We were robbed, folks.

We honor your hard work and sacrifice and we will not let this injustice stand. The * crime family will have to atone for what they have done to our country.

This whole thing makes me sick!

I came down for the rally from Broward, but not Davie, had my 2 teenagers with me - they had been helping me canvas the precinct for MoveOn, so we hadn't had a chance to get to any of the other Kerry or Edwards'rallies in So. Fla. The kids had a great time trading the bumper stickers and Kerry chachkies with others in the crowd. Bruce Springstein and Bette Midler were wonderful, gracious - what a thrill to be a part of the whole thing. We lucked out though - this had to have been the best way to see Sen. Kerry - with thousands of people of like mind - Everybody was mellow, people shared personal stories in the crowd while we were waiting. Kerry was inspiring and even with a voice that was showing a little wear, he spoke quite a bit in Spanish. He is one very talented, educated man that I think we will all be honored to serve, once he becomes our president.

In my precinct, there was no wait to vote on election day. I wonder if it had anything to do with the fact that it's a big repuke area - lots of SUV's and Hummers for the security moms, and crap like that.

In the meantime, being on DU is very therapeutic for me. Thank you everyone here.

We were robbed. The crime has been reported, evidence is being collected. It's only a matter of time, and suspects will be identified and arrests will be made. This all will unfold. It took Watergate 2 years to come out and we have the benefit of many smart people on the internet while Woodward and Bernstein were operating pretty much by themselves, plus "deep throat". Have faith folks.

Welcome to DU!!!

It is so nice to hear the positive stories.

Keep the faith.

"...and together we will change history" Senator John Kerry

County, FL and so did all my friends. When Edwards was here and they announced it on a Friday afternoon that he would be here for a rally in the park on Monday morning, the turnout was unbelievable. but when Cheney was here (about 3 times or more) they would announce it a week ahead of time and he wouldn't get the turnout Edwards did.

We need a re vote in this state!:grr:

What do you want to bet...when the rallies hit the street, the people are going to show up in Ukrainian proportions. We must not let the fire die out. The American people have stood up for something. We have all taken a stand, that complacency is no longer acceptable. The repukes and the corrupt corporate propaganda machine will not steal America, NOT ON OUR WATCH.

:grr:

I don't know how. I really want to discuss can people pick a precinct that looks funny? Preferably one where the dem GOTV was really strong like this post from Florida. Then get the ACT, MOVEON, Common Cause, local dems to get out their lists and get people to come in and do an unofficial revote. If you can get the poll books even better (if not, cicumvent them with the lists from GOTV). Then call people and get them to come in and revote. Get a couple of churches set up. Then have the people sign an affidavit that they are voting the same way for president that they did on Nov 2. Have whatever lawyers or Notary public whatever you need to make it a legal statement. Then they vote privately. Independent auditors watch to make sure the handling and tabulating of the votes is done fairly. See if the numbers vary widely from the so called official numbers.

Why wait for the Republican officials and courts say we can't recount? Why wait for them to stall on any investigations? Let's go straight to the voters. The Supreme Court handed the election to Bush even though Gore won. Let's not follow the same path this time.

Trudyco

I don't know how. I really want to discuss can people pick a precinct that looks funny? Preferably one where the dem GOTV was really strong like this post from Florida. Then get the ACT, MOVEON, Common Cause, local dems to get out their lists and get people to come in and do an unofficial revote. If you can get the poll books even better (if not, cicumvent them with the lists from GOTV). Then call people and get them to come in and revote. Get a couple of churches set up. Then have the people sign an affidavit that they are voting the same way for president that they did on Nov 2. Have whatever lawyers or Notary public whatever you need to make it a legal statement. Then they vote privately. Independent auditors watch to make sure the handling and tabulating of the votes is done fairly. See if the numbers vary widely from the so called official numbers.

Why wait for the Republican officials and courts say we can't recount? Why wait for them to stall on any investigations? Let's go straight to the voters. The Supreme Court handed the election to Bush even though Gore won. Let's not follow the same path this time.

Trudyco

I admire the people's work for the cause, but we were behind the wrong man, we were behind a COWARD. John Kerry didn't deserve all the time and sacrifice we put in for him.

After Kerry's inexcusable behavior only hours after the theft of election 2004, after all that cheap talk about 'bring it on', 17,000 lawyers to challenge fraud, I have no choice but to doubt EVERY aspect of this man's life. We were duped, we thought we had a fighter, we didn't.

We know how you feel about John Kerry

This thread is not about John Kerry. It is about the amazing things people did during the campaign.

Can we let this thread honor those heroes?

I like that this thread is related to stories from the field, from the many people out there working for the common good. Thanks Seito.