John Edwards Came To Town (and Pudentilla's Virtue was Rewarded) - a True Story
We drove down to Lewiston this afternoon to pick up our ticket for the John Edwards appearance. Some sleep-deprived, harried-looking staffers asked us if we would phone bank because everyone was so busy organizing Edwards' appearance. It was a beautiful sunny 75 degree day. We hate phone banking. We said yes.
Two phone calls later, a sleep-deprived, harried-looking staffer asked if we would go to the site to help set up. We said yes, and many unfolded chairs and taped up signs and later we were rewarded with a primo seat. Which was fortunate, because the place was packed. People had driven in from towns all over Maine, and Maine is a very big place to be doing that in. Lots of older guys with VFW regalia. Lots of middle aged teachers and mill workers, most of whom are losing or have lost their jobs. Lots of college aged kids, some in college, some not. Lots of everyone, really.
Lillian O'Brien, the godmother of Lewiston politics and Maine State rep (who wore pink today, to remind all the young women in the audience of all the progress women have made because of Democrats), Peggy Rotundo, Maine State Senator, Tom Allen and Mike Michaud (our congressmen), John Baldacci (current governor) and Angus King (former governor, independent, who supported Mr. Bush *DODO*) last time) spoke. King was really the best. Best lines: "Anyone under 35 who votes for Bush needs to get their head examined." "People ask me why I decided to get involved. I say it's because I couldn't take it anymore." "Everyone needs to get one friend who doesn't vote to vote. Humphry lost by one vote per precent. We can't let that happen again." This from a politician who runs as an independent and who voted for Bush last time.
Johnny B. Goode enters to rapturous applause. The younger people in the section next to mine yielded their spots on the rope lines to members of the older generation who wanted to shake Edwards' hand, take his picture and tell him to give Bush hell. It was the sweetest damn thing Pudentilla has seen since forever.
He was preaching to the choir, and said nothing folks who have been following the campaign haven't heard. He did add a beautiful homerun shot on Bush's claim that he would have repeated the "Mission Accomplished" thing if he had the chance. People were on their feet as often as they could be. The speakers, including Edwards had to repeatedly tell people to sit down. Applause ranged from intense to thunderous. Spontaneous booing and hissing at Bush's name. People were pumped.
We believe that the SCLM has failed to notice the intensity of the support Kerry/Edwards is receiving from traditional Democratic constituencies. These people would pretty much have done anything Edwards asked. Nor were they pre-screened.
Pudentilla slipped away avoiding a request to help clean up. For penance she will phone bank on Tuesday.
Moral of the story. TURN OFF YOUR COMPUTER AND GO VOLUNTEER!
*DODO: Doesn't Obey Direct Orders
