John Edwards: Talked, shook hands, I got the autograph, and the W Post interviewed me [View All]

[Omaha Steve]

Edit for sp.

What a day. Senator Edwards was in Glenwood Iowa this morning. I took the day off and made the 1/2 hour drive. Marta couldn't get out of work today unfortunately. I arrived about an hour ahead of his scheduled time of 10:30. I killed time by mingling and explaining I crossed the river to attend etc... About 20 minutes before the program was to start, I was asked if I would like to sit on the stage, behind where the Senator would be talking. I couldn't say yes fast enough. I sat in the front-center of the two rows. I'm in a day glow yellow AFSCME shirt with an "Edwards 08 and unions, stand together" button on.

As the next "President of the United states" was introduced to the roar of a full room, he started shaking hands. When he got to the stage he continued to shake hands. He reached out for my hand. Over the continued applause, I told him I'm an AFSCME member. I got a smile and a look of approval. AFSCME will bring big $ and volunteers to the November cycle.

The Senator started his speech without a script. He talked for about ten minutes before starting a Q&A session. I took a couple of phone photos at this time. (I wish I knew how to DL these to my PC.) I believe he hit a home run with the crowd for his open honesty on all the issues.

When he got the signal it was time to wrap up, he started working the room. One of the aides I talked to before hand said follow me. I got to shake his hand again. I quickly talked about the labor movement. Then how I would work to get the two Nebraska AFSCME local's to endorse him BEFORE the January third Iowa caucus. Not much money, but great PR in it. He then was surprised at the photo I took to get autographed. He asked where it was taken. I told the story of seeing it in a Washington Post story of his summer vacation. I told him I'd find a way to get him a copy. I let him know a fellow DUer was kind enough to search the net to find just this photo for the occasion after I couldn't find it. I also mentioned of all the candidates, he leads the pack in funds raised by the DU by a huge margin. I hope to post a scan of the signed photo over the weekend. I have to wait on Marta to get a free moment. I have no idea how she does these things. :-) Here is the vacation photo.



I walked away with my folder and photo. I watched the delight in the eyes of other people he talked to and shook hands with. A young lady came over and identified herself as a reporter for the Washington Post. What a day doesn't say enough. She asked about the photo. I told her I stole it from the Post. She laughed and said it wasn't stealing. I started with how I voted for Edwards in the Nebraska May primary in 2004. It was obvious then Kerry would win the nomination. I voted hoping to get Edwards on the ticket. I covered how I had been supporting Gore until around June 20th or so. Once I decided he wouldn't enter the race, I got on the Edwards bandwagon and haven't looked back. I covered the other candidates and said nothing negative about any of them. We then talked about the Senator's Q&A session. There was a question at the end about the war from a younger fellow. Great answer. I wish I had the event on tape. I felt he had pleased the crowd of the red part of the state.

Should anyone see coverage of the event or interview, please PM me.

Regards,

Omaha Steve