I met Michael Moore last night

[AWD]

He spoke in front of 3,000 people at the College of Wooster (Ohio), and was AMAZING! Great energy, hilarious talk, and downright energizing for anybody as serious as we are in politics.

The FIRST thing he said was "Wooster, Ohio...this is Ralph Regula's district, isn't it?". One of my campaign staff yelled out "not for long". So I got to stand up and be recognized as the Dem going after Regula. Nice way to start the night off, I might add. A little love for my campaign in front of a room full of my base voters.

Afterwards, I got to speak with him and he signed our books. I told him about my candidacy and my race (and that I ran one of his ficus trees against Regula in 2000) and told him that I could use part of his tax cut to help his race. He gave me his e-mail address and asked me to write to him. He's giving money to Dem candidates, so I knew it would be wise to hit him up for funds.

He shook my hand and thanked me for running.

You know, funny thing is....I didn't feel star-struck at all. I felt like I was talking to an old friend. I didn't realize that until later, but he makes you feel VERY comfortable.

By the way, he opened up a thought in my head....it's pronounced DEE-bold. He said "DIE-bold", and I wondered how many people didn't know that (I grew up in the shadow of the company, so the proper pronunciation was second nature)

[MSchreader]

1. I've always pronounced it DIE-bold

I guess that's because there was a family that lived across the street from where I grew up whose last name was Diebold and pronounced that way.

Martin

[RevolutionStartsNow]

2. Hey AWD, that's great!

Hope he sends you a few $$!

Congrats!

[ALago1]

3. That's great

Good luck on your campaign!!

[1songbird]

4. Congratulations

I get to meet him tonight at Xavier University hopefully.

[AWD]

6. A tip for you...

Jean Chretien is the PM of Canada
Ottawa is the capital of Canada.
And learn the countries that border Afghanistan and the countries that border Iraq.

[1songbird]

10. Thanks :)

[Paragon]

11. I'll be there, too

Should be a good time. Showed my sister "Bowling" for the first time last night, and she's coming with me.

[KG]

5. but, but, i heard MM hates democrats!

and he's going to give $ to candidates. well!

way cool, Jeff.

was nice meeting you in DC, good luck.

btw - you are the only politician to which i've donated!

[AWD]

7. He does hate Dems

He promised me money, but he's going to pee on it first.

Thanks. Nice meeting you too. You're the only KG I've ever accepted contributions from.

[jonnyblitz]

8. YAY AWD :)!

best wishes to you :hi:

I found Al Franken to be quite personable when I chit chatted with him for a brief moment also. I was at the end of a book signing line so I lingered a bit...

[AWD]

9. I did the same thing...

....hung out at the back (and he signed HUNDREDS of books) so I could have more time.

But first I went to his securrity detail and asked them if he would indeed sign everybody's book. He did.

[jiacinto]

12. Check your inbox

nt

[Lisa]

13. I've met several "celebrity authors" -- Moore's the nicest of the bunch!

He does put people at their ease. What I like most is the fact that he knows a lot, but isn't constantly using it to one-up other people. As an academic I have plenty of colleagues who always have a smug "you should have done your homework!" or "I'm better/smarter/more moral than you are, so there!" in the background, even when they are sharing information and being helpful. Didn't get that feeling when I was talking to Michael.

I know there are plenty of folks who don't like him, for his politics/notoriety/approach to research and filmmaking. While these criticisms are fair ones to make -- and from what I've seen of Moore, he'd agree that he's not above reproach -- I could work with someone like that, while I would be very wary of some other activists I know (even if I'm on the same ideological page as they are).

[AWD]

14. I agree...

What I like most is the fact that he knows a lot, but isn't constantly using it to one-up other people.

I agree...his choice of words impressed me. He said that there were no reporters there so "they can ignore the fact that we were here".

Bill O'Whiney would have said "so they can ignore I was here".