RIDICULOUS turnout for Kerry in Akron, Ohio.... insiders detail of event

[ShaneGR]

I realize there is another thread on this, but damnit, I volunteered and helped (somewhat) organize the dang event. I want my anonymous face-time! You lock I'll cry.

Ok, first off. We screwed up. We got word from the Kerry camp that they wanted to come on Wednesday of THIS week. Only had 4 days to organize, schedule, etc. etc. This included the University rental, police, media, volunteers, etc. etc. So what did we screw up on? We didn't think with only a few days notice so many would show up. Our space was too small, but never fear, we'll get it right next time.

The police officer I talked to said somewhere between 4000 and 5000 people showed up. In the end, we got 2300 in the door. Lets just say the Secret Service is a slow pain in the arse. People waited in line for an average of an hour and a half to get in. The line stretched about 300 to 400 yards long (5-6 people wide)

Since I'm with the College Dems and helped with the event, I got to stand on the stage when Kerry spoke!

My thoughts on his speech:

Kerry spoke for a LONG time. What can I say, he's not exactly a tear down the roof speaker... but he hit his points on energy (No he didn't talk about Peak oil but he said he hoped to have 20% of America's electricity from alternative sources within the next 20 years), foreign policy, domestic economic issues, JFK Style "volunteerism", healthcare, and talked at great length about his plans for all of them. Some big applause but in general the crowd went nuts everytime he said the following "Bush" "George Bush" "This Administration", etc. etc.

Kerry isn't exciting, but he will definitely do. Ohio doesn't give a crap who the Dem is, just as long as his last name doesn't end in Bush.

Some side notes, Jeff Seeman (Formerly the artist known as AWD) talked his way onto the stage at the end. I recognized him from his picture. I didn't introduce myself as SGR2 because I like being SGR2, not a real person in real life. Ahhhh, anonimity!

And oh yeah, the "Ohioans for Bush" organization showed up. Funny story, there were about 30 of them standing next to the line of people heading into the door chanting stupid slogans like 4 more years, Kerry sucks, etc. Someone got so annoyed by this megaphone they had that he brought out a real snare-drum to bang away on every time they started with the megaphone chants. FUNNY stuff. Finally about 6 they gave up and began retreating into the distance when the crowd outside began chanting.....

"EIGHT MORE MONTHS"
"EIGHT MORE MONTHS"
"EIGHT MORE MONTHS"

[KittyWampus]

1. Thanks For The Account. So You Can Tell Your Friends

you stood on the same stage as President Kerry!

Very cool!

:)

[Lydia Leftcoast]

2. Eight more months!

I love it! :7

[ShaneGR]

4. Yeah, we were standing at a window when I heard the chant

Brought a big smile to my face to see the Repugs walking away in panic. I don't think they had any idea how many people would show up.

[DyedNTheWoolDemocrat]

3. Sounds exciting! I can't wait for an opportunity to meet Kerry in person!

[katieforeman]

5. Welcome to DU Dyednthewool!

[Nicholas_J]

27. Kerry

Is extremely magnetic in person. In South Carolina, at the debates, the crowd around Kerry was enormous even back then. I also spoke to Dean at that event, and while he was personable when you speak directly to him, I didnt find him particularly striking on a personal level. When you hear Kerry in person, he projects a sense that he is having as personal conversation with every individual in the crowd, so he does not come across as a poliitician, but as a person with the same concerns that you have.

[katieforeman]

6. Eight More Months!

That's great. I'm starting to feel really good about OH.

They should put out some new Kerry signs every month- 7 more months , 6 more months etc. Kind of a countdown to regime change.

[dsc]

7. Seeman had a right to be there

just like Brown did. Seeman's district, if he wins, would be next door. I would presume that Cafaro was welcome as well (she is the candidate for Ohio's 14th which is Ashtabula, Lake, Geauga, and 6 townships in each of Summit, Cuyahoga, and Trumbull counties).

[ShaneGR]

8. Didn't say he didn't have a right to be there

When did I say he didn't. He "talked his way" onto the stage is factual, he had a right to be there so they let him up.

[dsc]

9. sorry I took talked his way up

to mean like when the con man talks his way into the house. BTW was Cafaro there, if you met her you would know as she is very striking?

[ShaneGR]

15. I do not believe so

If you mean the girl running against LaTourette? She could have been there though.

[NEOBuckeye]

11. Rep. Tim Ryan was seemingly nowhere to be found, either.

I was kinda surprised that he didn't make an appearance with Sherrod Brown. They both represent the two halves of the city of Akron -- split into two seperate districts by the GOP, of course, out of anger for our status as a Democratic stronghold.

I must say that there does seem to be a general disconnect between the Youngstown Metro/Mahoning Valley area and the rest of Northeastern Ohio. But given Youngstown's political history, I'm not entirely sure that that is a bad thing. Capri Cafaro is actually the protegé of former Rep. Jim Trafficant and a member of the infamous "Mahoning Valley Mafia."

ON EDIT: spelling

[ShaneGR]

14. Ryan has been MIA in Summit County since his election

But he's a statistical lock forever in that district.

[NEOBuckeye]

16. Really

With the base of his support in heavily-Democratic Youngstown, Ryan really doesn't need to count on Akron for much more.

But as a resident of his district, I still don't particularly relish the idea of Akron's fate in Congress technically being tied to Youngstown's. We're both Democratic cities, true. But the similarity ends there. The difference in the direction that each city has taken since the Rust Belt days couldn't possibly be more stark in comparison. Next to Columbus, Akron may be the most viable city in Ohio today. It is certainly among the most stable of the major Ohio cities, if not the most stable in terms of population. Youngstown, meanwhile, is in danger of falling below Canton in population, having seen a mass exodus of its population since the total shut down of its steel mills. That city is dying faster than a flower bed of daffodills on a chilly spring night in Ohio.

[NEOBuckeye]

10. SGR2: You were on stage, eh?

That's cool. I was in the back, near the entrance with a couple of friends. But anyplace in the house was a good place to be, so long as you made it in there.

No, Kerry is not an awesome speaker. That was Akron Mayor Don Plusquellic tonight. (Oh, how much I wish he would run for Ohio Governor. He'd destroy any GOP challenger!) But Kerry was wonderful in that he said everything that he needed to say, and that, as you suggested, is all that matters to Ohioans right now.

Personally, I don't think Kerry has to worry a great deal about the Akron/Cleveland/Northeastern Ohio metro area. We're all ex-industrial, pro-labor, pro-union Democrats who will pretty much support anyone who directly opposes Bush. When he comes to Ohio, Kerry should direct a lot more effort towards winning the GOP-dominated southern Ohio areas, particularly Cincinnati, Dayton and Columbus metro areas. I think that's where the real fight in our great state is going to take place. Cincinnati is still pretty Republican, and Columbus, although it is starting to lean Democratic, could still go either way.

When he does come to Akron again, hopefully, the Summit County Dems will get access to the JAR Arena. (*nudge, nudge*) :-)

[JI7]

12. Kerry should show up Ohio many more times

i'm sure kerry plans to fight hard for ohio, maybe more so than florida, and will be showing up many more times throughout the campaign.

[K8-EEE]

Eight More Months!! LOL!

Awesome report...thank you so much for sharing with us, and for helping to organize the event. Definitely sounds like a ripping success! Congratulations!

[Name removed]

13. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Northwind]

17. Small clarification

Jeff Seeman (AWD) did not "talk his way onto the stage."

He was invited to attend and be on stage a few days ago. I know because he announced it on PFC.

AWD is playing in the big leagues now, kiddies.

[liberalnurse]

20. I find it really obnoxious that a fellow

Ohio Democrat would be so repugnantly loose with assumptions when talking about another Democratic Candidate, Jeff Seemann. I am so sick of how folks here at DU talk before and insult our candidate before they have any facts!

Jeff Seeman is our Democratic Candidate for the US Congress in the 16th Ohio District. He is running a strong campaign against a 30 year republican! I admire his passion and dedication to "We the People". Ohio needs him so very badly.

He deserves our respect......especially from Ohio Democrats on this board. I am ashamed of the behavior I have seen.

[Northwind]

21. My!

What an amazing sig you have!

[Capn Sunshine]

23. The better to actually enjoy a website my dear

:evilgrin:

[slinkerwink]

25. do you like my sig too?

;-)

[liberalnurse]

26. I had some friendly instructions.....

Damn....it looks GOOD!

[ShaneGR]

28. Do you even bother to read entire threads? See post #8

Jesus, you people are pissing me off.

[rasputin1952]

18. great report sgr2...

Thanks for all of the info.

some 60 pinheads eh? I saw on CNN this am that the "anti-protestors" pro-bushies in, #'ed in the fives...LOL

:)

[Gin]

19. 8 more months.....thats great....

good slogan on a sign for the dems to make.

[zbdent]

22. Even Fox 8 in Cleveland had to begrudgingly admit that

there was a huge turnaway crowd. And this was about 6pm.

Of course, they didn't want to be bothered with estimates, nor did they really say how few Bush supporters there were . . .

[Capn Sunshine]

24. EIGHT MORE MONTHS!

This HAS to be sent everywhere immediately! It's EXACTLY what we need as a chant!

This will be sweet at the protest this weekend.

[maisey03]

29. Cool!

I hope he comes to the Columbus area sometime. I live in South Central Ohio, and our voter turnout was really low at the primary. We need some motivation!

[ShaneGR]

30. I'm sure he will be there

He'll be in Ohio a LOT.