Hi Guys! Did you see the speech in NH?

I haven't seen what C-Span taped yet, so I wonder if they showed long, long minutes of people eating. (That must have been riveting TV.)

We had fun! I have a real live picture now of me with the Senator. (And people here said it would never happen. Hah!) I really liked the New Hampster people, they wre very wicked nice. (That meal though. Geez, I should have opted for the veggie plate.)

I also had an unbelievable time today at Faneuil Hall at another rally (at which I was locked into my seat and thus couldn't meet up with Karynnj. My bad. I'm sorry.)

Sigh! Long day. I think I have now officially met half the political population of Massachusetts and they are, for the most part, wicked nice people. And I'm wicked tired.

are you going to post the pic with the Senator here ?

we watched on Cspan, but they switched to the Chimp giving the radio address and something else while people were eating. we did see a bit early on with the kids and the pic they took. and a bit after the event when he was going around shaking hands, and talking to the people. i wish we could have seen more of it. but they ended it after a while.

but the speech was very good.

did you get to ask KErry anything ? what did he look like up close, smell like etc ? did you see the eyes up close ?

I learned a very valuable lesson today. Never, never, never mix too high-powered events in the same day. Not a good thing. I was a bit drained this evening from the other event.

Ahm, I went to the private reception with the Senator. I stopped to talk to two staff people who were at the DCI event last week and I complimented them on their presentations. (Oh, and on being up early in the morning on a Sunday and having, like, brain cells present and everything. I was very envious of that.)

I went into the hall where the Senator finally appeared to shake hands and take pictures. I followed the poor man around until every other person in the room had a picture and all the New Hampster folks had spoken about New Hampster concerns and then cornered the poor man and got a pic of him with me and my hubbie. (Nice pic.) It was not my best moment. I must have had a look of desperation on me because the other folks were sort of being really nice and saying, "Don't worry he has to turn around eventually and then you can ask for a pic." One man in front of me was talking and talking and talking with the Senator while I was just standing there waiting. Finally a NH person taped the man on the shoulder and made him leave. Ah, then I got a pic. But my brain was not in good working order so all I could say was that I had driven up from Mass (all six miles of it, what an ordeal) and he thanked me for coming. Then my husband talked to him for 10 seconds, then the New Hampster people reasserted their territorial rights and reclaimed my Senator. (Ahm, it was not my best moment. And, ahm, he is wicked tall. )

Sigh!

on transportation while you all dined. Senator Kerry was fabulious. I could have listened to him all night. He was absolutely clear and passionate.

I looked for you, but didn't see you at all though- to bad to, I wanted to point you out to the family.

You guys successfully evaded the cameras. Send me the pic, I'm dying to see your new cut.
The Senator was wonderful, as usual.
Tell us more.

well that I sort of left right away to go outside and find LevensonK and her wonderful hubby! We saw them right away. (Yeah!) Then we went outside for a second cuz that reception room was hot. (Okay, maybe it was just me.)

I was told that the cameras were on us, but C-Span wasn't picking up the feed at that point cuz nothing was going on but the munching of rubber chicken. (Burp)

Glad you made it home ok. You poor woman must be exhausted! Good thing you didn't have that far to go. It was great seeing you and Ann and meeting your hubby. I'm still digesting a lot of the speech. Don't anyone ever say we Dems don't have a message. 10 points, clearly laid out - how hard is that to comprehend?
Guys, I swear, the senator looks more handsome every time I see him :-)

I adored the line about Brownie being the competent one in that Administration.

And yes, Sen. Kerry looked great! He said, in the reception, that he felt great too! He seemed very relaxed, especially when two NH people in a row called him Sen. Kennedy. What is up with that? I didn't think he, of all people, would have to get a friggin name tag, but it is New Hampster after all.

I am not sure about the section of the speech that dealt with religion. My Jewish husband was a bit startled when Sen. Kerry refered to, (paraphrased) Our Lord Jesus Christ. Ahm, gotta think about that one and that whole paragraph. The crowd liked it, but it was a bit odd for me as a reference. (Needs work.)

I wasn't sure how to take that, either. As an atheist, I tend to get nervous when values and such are equated with christianity or any religion for that matter. He did list atheists as one of the various groups at one point, though, so I'm not worried.

The part of the speech about Katrina and the equating of Brownie with various other loser jerks in this Admin was good. The ten points we need to get right was good.

But the pan-theists are not a big voting block and I would delete this part of the speech next time. Ahm, it was ahm, a bit, ahm, confusing. I didn't get it at all.

Also, did you notice that the room erupted in applause at the line, 'We must withdraw from IRaq" so people missed the qualifying comments about a 'stable Iraq.' That seemed important to me, but it got cut off, at least to me. (Maybe it was heard on C-Span.)

but the fact that people did not wait to hear the qualifier of 'stable Iraq' speaks volumes about where they stand on the issue. I honestly believe that people have reached the point of 'get the fuck out of there, NOW'. JK has some work to do explaining to people that, yes, we need to get out, but it's in our, and everyone's best interest and security to leave a stable nation behind. Sort of lay out possible scenarios of what might/could happen if either path is chosen.

Democrats have lost all patience with this war. They want our troops out of there. The Dems have little patience for the explanations that we have to think this stuff through. (Not thinking things through is why we are in such a bad position in Iraq right now.)

This is a tough sell for Sen. Kerry. I don't, for one second, believe that he 'wants us to be there' or believes that this Admin has done one damn thing right over there. (Top to bottom, planning to implementation to after-math. They are obviously imcompetent boobs and I am glad our Senator pointed this out.) But people have to hear about the bad options in Iraq and how we do have to withdraw in stages and how we can't just decide to pack up and go tomorrow. (That is just not going to work.)

I like hearing JK talk about this. It does make me feel both better and worse. Better because I think he would do a much, much better job of trying to end this war, worse because he can't do it and we have to suffer through Fearless Leader and his parade of brain-dead morons.

OTOH, it's so nice to be in a room full of happy Democrats who are all on the same page. Mixed feelings.

On the one hand, I want Iraq to be stabilized before we leave, on the other I have my doubts that anything is still salvageable. At least by us. I really believe we are way past the point of being able to stabilize that place. We may have to bite the bullet and pull a Vietnam - everyone out, admit defeat, and hope someone more capable will fix our mess - or not. If/when a civil war breaks out, we will lose many more troops there and will have to choose a side. Then what? Ugh..too much to think about this late at night.
I'll just reminisce about beautiful JK, and the fact that we all got to see him again. However; that tie simply has to go! I swear if I see that one more time, I will personally go out and buy him a new one. :-)

I don't like that tie. I like the blue ties. (And the green ties for St. Patty's Day.) That tie does have to go.

And yes, he does smell nice. Like fresh linens and such. I detected so many smiles tonight. It must be nice to be in a room with that many friends.

'bout that guy that sat between us. I think between the two of us, he won't be repeating RW talking points again. I think we, ahm, made him stop. Nice kid, but, geesh, pick a side junior and don't start repeating the other sides talking points. Sorry about that LK.

Guy seemed nice enough. And you're right; he needs to pick a side. Well, he has already added me to his e-mail list, so the education about the big no no of right wing talking points can continue. Umm, didn't you talk to him about being sick of Dem infighting not even 15 minutes prior to our conversation?

It's not a discussion, just a straight up listing of events in the Merrimack Valley area. I like the list a lot. He was solo at this event, and I have a big heart and I didn't want him to sit all alone, so, geez, I asked to sit at our table and all. (This is what Democrats do. We all have ridiculously large hearts. Sigh.)

Snarky bastid Masshole. Clean up your act. Ferchrissakes, we know lots of other people from other worthy states who would love to take MA's Sens off your hands if you don't want 'em. Ya spoiled little bastid. Bite me!

Okay, I'm just throwing this in, but after I watched JK, I watched Bill Maher that I had taped from Friday night. John Burns of the NYT was on, and the audience was still, listening quietly, as he lay out what was happening in Iraq. Here is a link to a lot of what he said:

http://www.editorandpublisher.com/eandp/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1002157326

Relevant to what JK was talking about:



The big headline, though, was that he felt our efforts in Iraq would probably "fail". Somebody on Kos called this a "Walter Cronkite" moment, but the media is so fractured now, who knows.

Anyway, we'll see what the military/administration decides on a troop drawdown. I didn't know that this was the crunch time now, but it is.

I liked the inclusion of all religions, even the lesser known. I think it made a point. I was a little squeamish when he started on religion, but I think it was appropriate and not too much.
The ten points was excellent.

You had to strain to hear it. I was very focused on that, because a call for immediate withdrawal would have been new, so I did hear the 'stable Iraq' but I'm not sure everyone in the room heard it.

My gripes are itty-bitty. This was a happy and upbeat appearance and a funny one to boot. It was a relaxed event, and I am glad I went. (Well, anytime I can see folks from this forum is a happy time. Throw in one tall Senator and I'm just tickled pink to be there.)

I have heard Sen. Kerry do a better job of making an appeal to existing Dem values and of working in the part that he has reread the New Testament and not found any reference to screwing the poor and such. I just felt that was not as well written as the rest of the speech.

Then 10 points went over very, very well. That was great!

I saw the speech and it was good. Do you think the religious talk may be pressured from how the country is divided (i.e. moral values, gay marriage, abortion)? Do you think this is a Rovian trap (It's a GOP, religious right issue).


I hope that Kerry will make a speech on Iraq soon. It is so ugly over there. I too think that it's time to get out of Iraq now!:hi:

it just needs some re-writing. It was not a seemless statement and some of it sounded like he was making it up on the spot. I am not sure that the Senator is fully comfortable with this yet as a written speech. It could use some tightening up. (As a written and spoken bit of communication. It is obvious from how he votes and his actions that he believes in what he said. However, the speech and this paragraph need some doctoring.)

It's just startling, as a long-time Mass voter to hear Sen. Kerry (or any Mass pol) talk about 'Our Lord Jesus Christ.' He's a practicing Catholic so it's not a question of belief, it's odd to hear a Mass pol say this in a political speech. Jarring even. That's a regional bias in all likelihood. I can't recall hearing him say this before. It took me aback for a second.

I think just saying, "Jesus" or "Jesus Christ" would go down better with more people, including the non-religious. The "Our Lord" added sounds specifically Catholic to me. Best saved for speaking to Christian groups.

"Our Lord Jesus Christ" talk as well. I head Jimmy Carter (who I love) say basically the same thing on Larry King a while back (except I think he added "and Savior ...") and I was uncomfortable with that too even though I know he truly puts his beliefs into action every single day.

Not being particularly Christian myself, I'm always uncomfortable with this type of language (and assumption, I might add) in a public setting, while I'm perfectly fine with it in a private setting like at a gathering of my extended family (most of who are very religious).

I think this is a fine line JK has to walk. While I certainly don't doubt his beliefs, the inclusion of "God talk" at this point may be bring calls of pandering from reporters and others who don't study the ways of John Kerry quite as closely as we do. I think you're right Tay, he really needs to work this out and get it right before (and if) he decides to run in '08.

Having said all of that, I'm not nearly as uncomfortable with JK or JC saying something like this as I am with * or Bill Frist, or Sen. Barfbag, etc., etc., etc. saying it. I know that neither Kerry or Carter have any desire to make the US an official Christian nation - the others, I believe would, if they could.

I'm glad y'all had a great time by the way!

I was much more comfortable with what JK said. He was very inclusive and didn't actually say "our Lord Jesus Christ". Not saying "our" makes all of the difference in the world.

have been a biblical scholar. He's obviously read all those religious texts and I'm certain he gets pretty pissed when the Rethugs try to co-opt Jesus.

Did anyone else hear Senator Kerry say he got a kick in his ASS? (Or was it a goose by TayTay to which he was referring. Sorry, TayTay...couldn't resist.) I heard him say it loud and clear and chuckled. He talked about his ass and Jesus in the same speech. And it worked! Only John Kerry could pull that off!

the best thing about it was it was so natural.

Globe artile posted here.

I just under-mis-represented his height and had a tiny, tiny, split second of untowardness that ahm, will be forgotten after a good night's sleep and then I will never remember it again. (Shit!)

Did you just say you'll forget it AFTER a good night's sleep? Hmmm...
And you're assuming we'll let you.
:rofl:

royal bunns, so to speak! Makes me rather curious how she knew where her hand was...must have gotten a pretty good feel to be able to distinguish...the ah, curvature.

This is sooo funny being that it is from someone as straight-laced as our TayTay and with her hubby present no less. No, TayTay, we will never let you forget this one.


:evilgrin:

None of your supposing is accurate. And my husband was there and teased me something fierce about it in the car later on. :blush: And I didn't notice, ahm, actually, I just noticed what wasn't there. (Back) For 1/2 of one split second. Cheesuz, you make it sound like I lingered. I most assuredly did not. (Woman, we do not need to be that intimate with out Senators in Massachusetts. A handshake will do in most circumstances. The very idear of this is, ahm, unsettling.)

you and not your husband! hehee

That would be...




a lot worse!

We all know how they try to paint those as unpatriotic and immoral. :sarcasm: I agree, only he could pull that off.

OK to me. It was more to point the hypocrisy of Republicans who are always claiming the moral high ground. JMO.

Not many people realize how much of a wonk Kerry is on scripture and on religious text in general. He could probably hold his own with anyone outside of academia on this subject, which is why I have no problem with his reference to religion and Jesus Christ. The specific line about the teaching of Christ not containing reference to taxing the poor for the benefit of the rich is getting old though. Maybe that's just because we have heard it so often. IMO it is a little corny and he should lose it or rephrase it. The reference to religion is important though because these right-wing, immoral bastards are quoting religion and using Jesus to further their own selfish goals. If this pisses me off (lapsed Catholic), it certainly must piss off JK.

The first few times they were quoted here, it was longer and didn't work as well. As others have said, with "reports" from low key Kerry events posted here, we are seeing potential themes as they develop. On that thing in particular, he has changed it a few times - with the same core point - I actually liked the way he said it in NH before the Nov election at the other event that you and Tay Tay attended.

Even so, at least from 2004, I think Kerry does vary what part of his message he gives far more than others - I suspect because he really does have a broader agenda.

I thought it was a great speech, and was glad some of the Kerrycrats could come to show him support (and, of course, the NH Dems). Did he recognize you guys from December? Or does he meet so many people that there's only so many people's faces/names that can be stored in one brain? Just curious.

in New Hampshire and it is like everyone in the room was a rabid Kerrycrat! Good to see. He was obviously very relaxed and happy. Sometimes I feel sorry for the "person" when the "senator" gets mobbed, but you could see how happy he was last night. There were many close friends of his there and he clearly felt at home (well as much as anyone could with C-Span following them around with a huge camcorder).

After a bunch of us phoned or emailed C-Span, they put Gore's speech on heavy rotation.

When we make requests, it does get attention.

and thanks for the suggestion!

:patriot:

I'd never given a politician $$$ before, but I sent hundreds to John Kerry in 2004. Concerted action means lots more.

I am so jealous of you MA people. He is fantastic and that has to be the best place to have a rally ever. (Tay, I am so glad you posted about the rally because it was great. I'll be back in MA, so I'm sure we'll meet up.) I really liked McGovern as well.

I agree that the MA people were great. (They were even nice to the annoying Lyndon LaRoche people, who claim they are the true descendants of LaRoche.)

But the odds were 99-1 against seeing you, once we saw the lay of the land, so to speak, at Faneuil. We only got in the Hall because we were there early. My husband and I did manage to meet up with the Greater Lowell contingent, including the nice person who runs the blog "Left in Lowell.'

That rally was amazing. Everyone has hopes and dreams for their home state (or else they should. Regional pride and pride in your place of birth is great and a noble thing. Well, as long as it isn't blinding or keeps you from seeing the truth and recognizing the need for change.)

I grew up in Greater Boston during the whole busing crisis. I remember all the little things that separated the good people of Massachusetts along racial lines. That hurt so much it can still bring me to tears to even think about it. (The Great Commonwealth of Massachusetts had a sort of break-down in the '70's over busing and related issues. It was a horrible thing and I have never gotten over it.)

What made yesterday so incredibly special is that Mr. Patrick is not a 'black candidate' for Governor of Massachusetts. He is a highly intelligent, motivated, poised, articulate and energetic candidate for Governor of Massachusetts. For the tiniest of moments, for just one beautiful second of bliss I could believe that we can move beyond the politics of group identity and racial identification and all that and just see a wonderful human being who has great plans for my State. That filled my soul to such an enormous degree. It was so wonderful, so very, very wonderful. I think that moments like these, those moments of pure belief that are so rare in politics, are the true reason I am 'still here.' They nurture me and make me believe, even in the face of the KKKarl Roves of the world and so forth.

I am so sorry I missed you Karynnj. I am so glad you got to see this moment of Massachusetts politics at it's very best: inclusive, enthusiastic, hopeful and full of promise. That is a great and joyous thing.

I realized it was likely futile finding you - when I noticed that there were many women wearing blue and that there were many people who looked sort of like my too vague memory of what you looked like from the posted picture of you with Matt Kennedy. Gee, lots of people who look Irish in Boston.

We were in the balcony and had a great time talking to the couple next to us. (After the where are you from question, he asked in a slightly wary voice, "what do you think of Hillary?" He was not unhappy with my answer - that my husband was ok with he and I wasn't - that I really still wanted Kerry to run. He, like it seems half of MA, did some canvassing in NH. (About Reilly, he thought he was so bad that he could lose while if Patrick wins the nomination, he will very likely win because he is great. )

Patrick was fantastic and likely has the very best life story ever. How do you beat living in a South side of Chicago tenement with one bunk bed for his mom, sibling and he to share - sleeping on the floor every third day? He and his wife were incredible.

The hall was amazing as the clapping and stomping of feet reverberated. It was also amazing how good the acoustics were when someone shouted something out - and it could be heard. I am so glad we went.

(All the mild intra-state kidding aside) there were just thousands of Mass folks who went to NH from 2002-2004 for Sen. Kerry. I don't actually feel all that out of place at a NH dinner for the Senator in NH. I worked in Nashua, not Mass for that campaign. I knocked on doors in Amherst and held signs at Library Hill on Election Day. Just about all my actions were in NH. So, I guess, in the tiniest way, I have a right to some small measure of pride for helping to turn NH Blue. That really feels good.

Now NH, about your Senatorial and Congressional people. Gawd, they just suck. At the Kennedy kick-off there was a Vet who said that Sen. Kennedy's people had fielded calls from the Londonderry unit that had been sent to Iraq. This unit was on it's way home and was experiencing problems with where they would land and how quickly they would get home to their families in Southern NH. The Sens from NH did nothing for them at all. The Londonderry folks picked up the phone and called Teddy. That unit landed in NH and got home to their families quickly not because of Sens. Sununu and Gregg, but because Sen. Ted Kennedy gave a friggin damn and pulled strings for them. NH has to stop trying to have it both ways: electing 'fiscally conservative' nationals and relying on the 'first in the nation primary' status to enable it to borrow Sens from another state to get real problems solved. This is dishonest. NH 'borrows' my Sens all the time, but then goes and elects Judd Gregg, who is a friggin waste of space. NH needs to get it's own great Dem Sens. (Okay, rant off. I love deeply and am annoyed by NH both at the same time. Sigh!)

For a spit second, and I did see the back of
someone with long red hair.

Kerry was great.

It was kinda crazy on tv tho. I don't think C-Span realized how long everyone was going to be eating for. (What did they serve?:))

They were reserved seats for people who had bought the whole table. The tables without numbers were for the two and singles and so forth who attended the event. The tables without numbers were around the edges of the room and thus harder for the cameras to show.

If I had it to do over again, I never, never, never would have sat near the window. I think this froze LK. (There was a real cold breeze that just seemed aimed at her.) Sigh! Live and learn. I would be surprised if we got on C-Span at all because of the table placement. (I should have sat nearer to the entrance to the hall. Who knew?)

I woke up this morning with a stiff neck, sore throat, and no voice. That was one mean draft. The reason that window was open was so C-Span could run their cable outside. We had to have made it on TV for a short while, because I remember the angle camera panning over our table during JK's speech. I saw it coming and hid behind the health care lady's and hubby's bulk. lol

Tay were you wearing a black jacket and white blouse/sweater? It was a long camera shot, and I couldn't tell for certain. Didn't notice anyone else who looked familiar.

I figured that would be the easiest way to spot them but alas, no DU Kerrycrats to be seen. :(

You caught me.

picture taken. I'm only thankful this is not a larger photo. Note to self: never have your photo taken next to a skinny person. LOL!

You're not leaning in close enough to him!

I just want to take your head and put it on his shoulder
:P

Other than that, you look beautiful, and he looks happy.

The photo did force me to realize I've become quite a porker these past couple of years. As of today, I'm a recovering couch potato!

JK was laughing because I told him that I wanted a photo to post over my desk to torture a repug who still has a Bush poster over hers. He said something like, "You go get em!" It made me feel proud to be a fiesty Dem!

Aw shucks about that head-on-shoulder comment. He's such an authority figure to me, I'd never do that! I'm a little afraid of him to be honest. Not that he's scarey or anything. He's a sweet human being, but because I respect him so much, I'm rather intimidated by the senator. He could be Marcus Aurelius or Andrew Jackson straight out of the pages of history. Guess you could say I'm in total awe of the man. He's like a statue come to life. Funny, huh?

and that he deeply respected that Sens. Kennedy & Kerry had taken a stand. That was very nice. And it was before those speakers referred to Sen. Kerry as Sen. Kennedy. That was funny.

sitting on the internet;
watching c-span...
We should start a Kerry diet. Find out what he does, and stick to it.

I don't know how I would act if, and hopefully, when I meet Kerry.
Knowing me, I would look him straight in the eye, and then trip, and
then say something stupid. Haha. Good thing I live so far away.

I saw what Marvin bought for him to eat at that bakery in Manchester back in Nov. I cannot eat cupcakes and sweets and pastries and get skinnier. That is a mystery for the ages as to why it works for him, but it is not transferable. (Kids, do not try this at home. It doesn't work for the normal metabolism.)

published his secrets on how to stay slim.

You never know where he is going to show up next, so be ready, meeting him is just a matter of time. And you'll do just fine when you finally do meet Senator Ken...er Kerry. ;)

Transfer ability to stay thin to all of the ladies (and quite a few gentlemen as well) and his ability to grow lots (and lots) of hair to all of the men - he would be President for life!

Hmmm...if he ever quits politics he can run the "Kerry Hair Growth and Weight Control Center for Fat and Bald Americans." hehe

EVERYONE looks gorgeous next to that handsome man! Seriously, you both have great smiles. You match!

of course JK does also. you should make the pic larger. it really is a nice pic. the smile on both of your faces is sweet.

and JK kind of looks like he is trying to lean in close to you. luck you.

and you both share something in common, a gorgeous head of hair. :-)

Question ?

What was he refering to about the boy named Griffin ?

who made all those phone calls for him in '04.

Now, was he the kid that the Senator was hugging after the dinner? You know it should be said over and over how much kids were a part of his campaign, I haven't seen that much involvement since JFK's campaign.

I liked when after the kid's coat (like Kerry's in 2004) was pointed out, Kerry said something about not finding his - I think ) Kerry really was good talking to him.

for the NH chapter of Kids for Democracy. (Which started out, of course, as Kids for Kerry and was just too good an idea to let idle in the dirt. We know who their first love was.)

Check back to this web site for pic updates soon:

http://www.kidsfordemocracy.org/New%20Hampshire%20Chapter.html



I mean seriously. Check out the Mass Chapter Page. We know who they loved first:

http://www.kidsfordemocracy.org/Mass%20Chapter.html

I envy you (all of you) being photographed with JK.

What gorgeous red hair.
Both of your smiles are wonderful. This will outclass the Bush picture so badly.

What are the odds? Sounds like you had a great time! I am super envious! What a beautiful pic!

And I am insanely jealous, because I haven't seen him since December.

OMG! Did he remember you from the birthday party? Did you remind him who you were? Did you tell him that Vektor longs for his, er...leadership?

:-) (Excellent pic! I am so happy for you, and all of you guys who got to go.)

man was in demand. Many of the people in the room were friends who seemed to know him quite well and TayTay and I didn't want to intrude. There were a lot of NH specific conversations and I was very happy to see how much of a keen interest he is taking in NH politics. He's going to help keep the state blue. We also met Paul Hodes who is running against Charlie Bass for Congress.

I don't know how good the senator's memory is expecially when you consider the hundreds of people he would have met in the course of the past two months, but there were two of us from Boston and later, when LevensonK and hubby arrived, there were four of us. I wouldn't doubt if JK wasn't wondering, "Now, where have I seen these people before?"

I taped RTTWH and I hope to watch it tonight. From the comments here it looks like JK gave another great speech!

Sounds like everyone who went had a great time even if not much time to speak to the Senator.

:toast: