Big Crowd, Big Applause for Edwards (a crowd of almost 1,100)

[JohnLocke]

Big Crowd, Big Applause for Edwards
"From the Road" CBS News blog
December 29, 2007 11:06 PM
----
From CBS News' Aaron Lewis:

DES MOINES, IOWA -- After an exhausting day of questions about lobbyists and 527s, John Edwards energized the crowd of almost 1,100 people at East High School in Des Moines.

Yes, it was the same stump speech we've heard all day and all week and all month, but it was delivered with a particular gusto that played to the crowd size.

Edwards received several breaks in applause and standing ovations, with the most noteworthy recognition coming after his most recent addition to the stump: no corporate lobbyists in an Edwards White House.

But more overwhelming than the cheers was the silence of over a thousand people listening intently as Edwards solemnly rattled off the statistics: 47 million without health insurance. 35 million going hungry. 200,000 homeless veterans living on the streets.

But the silence didn't last.

"I mean really brothers and sisters, enough is enough."

(a couple claps echo through the room)

"It's about time to stand up and say enough is enough."

(The applause builds)

"It is time for us to join together an say we're gonna do something about this!"

(Explosion of cheers)

Edwards tickled his nose a few seconds as he waited for the cheers to fade, and all eyes - and more importantly, all ears - fell back on him. He quickly dialed down the emotions and told with tranquil anger of a girl who died after an insurance company denied her coverage for a potentially life saving liver transplant.

(More deafening silence.)

"And people say to me that they want me to sit at a table and negotiate with these people? NEVER! It will never happen, not when I'm President of the United States!"

(ATOMIC burst of cheers)

The ability to weave in and out of tone and emotion is what made John Edwards such a successful trial lawyer.

And tonight, he successfully made his case to a jury of over a thousand.

http://www.cbsnews.com/blogs/2007/12/29/politics/fromtheroad/entry3656758.shtml

[denem]

1. Great post - thank you.

Really gives me a feel for the event. :thumbsup:

[JDPriestly]

2. Edwards is the great communicator.

Reagan has lost the title. Edwards is the great communicator.

[JDPriestly]

3. Your description of how Edwards enthralls his audiences is great.

I have seen Edwards speak in person. It is quite an experience.

[napi21]

4. That speech he gave tonight was the Edwards I've been looking for

all along, but this is the first time I've seen or heard it! That was my one objection to John...he was too nice. I kept asking myself, how did this guy win all those court cases? He did excellent tonight, and I only HOPE enough Iowans heard the Edwards that was broadcast now.

[Inspired]

5. I was there and it was electric.

I didn't think anything could be better than John's Two Americas speech in 2004. His America Rising speech surpasses it.

I really believe that hearing this speech in person should be on everyone's list of things to do. Even if you don't support him, he will make you proud to be a Democrat.

[chimpymustgo]

6. Lucky for you, Inspired! I got to see him in '03, but not this time around, yet. Can you share

any more impressions about the reaction of the crowd?

:hi:

[Stop Cornyn]

7. K & R

[K Gardner]

8. K&R for a very inspirational post !

[JohnLocke]

9. Kick

[Kurovski]

10. K&R. (nt)

[ShadesOfGrey]

11. k&r

[frogmarch]

12. And another standing ovation...

from me! :applause:

K&R

[frogmarch]

13. Wish I were there with rocky!

Great photos! Thanks, JL.

K&R