Bobby's Blue State

Democratic Campaign '04: My Inspirational Moments

During the Summer of 2003, I made the decision that I would support Senator Kerry out of the field of Democratic contenders. In the Fall of '03, I started volunteering and had the opportunity to hear the Senator speak in DC. And I even got to shake his hand. Once the Senator captured the nomination, I attended fundraisers and helped out when I could. Here are my inspirational moments from campaign '04:

March, 2004; DC - Attended a fundraiser. Barney Frank was the principle speaker. A very witty man, who tells it like it is. I'm glad he's on our side.

May, DC - Fundraiser featuring Teddy Kennedy. Wow, to be in the same room as a legend!

June, DC - Fundraiser featuring Teresa Heinz Kerry. She is an honest and warm woman. Very gay supportive. Something most in the other party could never be.

June, New York City - Fundraiser at the Waldorf-Astoria. I met Howard Dean and Harvey Fierstein. Senator Kerry spoke. Of course, in the photo I had taken with Howard Dean, my eyes were closed. :(

July, Boston - The Democratic Convention. I had the opportunity to attend the final night. WooHoo! I hid out for a while in the DNC Volunteer skybox, until they kindly hinted that other guests must be rotated in. I got the message and proceeded to my seat in the nosebleeds. Loved the Willie Nelson performance. The Senator's acceptance speech was awesome, but damn those balloons.

August, Chicago - I spent a long weekend in Chicago. Kudos to the Windy City: Kerry signs everywhere I went. This is true Blue country!

September, Northeast Pennsylvania - Home for my dad's Birthday. My octagenerian dad displayed his Kerry signs in the front yard (the first set mysteriously disappeared). Some of the "Holy Catholic" neighbors whispered about how a good Catholic could display those signs. My dad proudly said to me that he just ignored the whispers, as he fretted about how all those young military men and women were dying in Iraq.

October, Cleveland - Vote for Change concert. Wow, Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band and REM on the same bill. I was in heaven! And duets to top that off. Bruce sang "Man inthe Moon" with REM and Michael Stipe sang "Because the Night" with the E Street Band. Kudos to Cleveland: Kerry signs everywhere I went in the city!

October, DC - Vote for Change concert finale. All my favorite bands from the last 30 years played: Bruce and the band, REM, Pearl Jam, Dave Matthews Band, John Mellencamp. Not to mention Jackson Browne, James Taylor and the Dixie Chicks. What a show...words cannot describe. But how bout that Eddie Vedder/REM duet on "Begin the Begin."

October, Vancouver BC - While vacationing, I met a bunch of Canadians. When I told them I volunteered with the Kerry campaign, they each thanked me and said we are counting on you. Wow, gave me goosebumps.

October, Port Angeles, WA - While vacationing through Washington State, I traveled through a small town called Port Angeles. Figuring it was like most small towns - very conservative - I was surprised when I saw as many Kerry signs in people's yards as that other candidates.

October, Seattle - Kerry volunteers everywhere and Kerry signs throughout the yards and windows of the city. Kudos to Seattle! Another true Blue city.

October, Philadelphia - The town was charged up for Kerry. I met volunteers of every persuasion: Black, White, Asian, Latin, young, old, gay, straight. Kerry signs everywhere. People walking to work with Kerry buttons: Women for Kerry, Seniors for Kerry. Taxicabs with Kerry stickers. Restaurants and stores with Kerry signs in the window. Kudos to Philly! A true Blue city. Also attended rallies and heard inspirational speeches from Governor Rendell, Barney Frank, and David Catania.

I drove back from Philly on election night, so happy and hopeful...

posted by BBS @ 8:16 PM