My Evening with Gore Vidal and Eddy Vedder.

[Andy_Stephenson]

Du, you made this possible and my campaign will shift into over drive after tonight.

Gore Vidal was here in Seattle to give a talk. I was invited to attend so that was the call for funds. Gentry my campaign manager and I were met and warmly welcomed by Marilyn...the hostess.Around 6:15 Gore arrived. I am in awe of this man. A personal hero. OMG I met GORE VIDAL! Anyway, and as a side note. As we entered the Room...the kind lady at the door dropped her stack of tickets. On one of the envelops there was "E Vedder" ...I said "Hey Gentry" doesn't Eddy Vedder live in Seattle...and isn't he some sorta rock star? He says yes why...I said because he is on the guest list.

So back to Gore's arrival. There were books of his there for sale. Gore is an awesome presence. OMG I met Gore Vidal! I was not nervous. I told him I was The Democratic Candidate for Secretary of State.We chatted politics. Bev had asked me to send a message and I did. Bev have I got news for you darlin! Gore's face lit up like a Christmas tree. He said Bev Harris? I gushed yes. He is proud of you!!! Gentry was working the crowd like a madman by this time. I looked over and there through the door came Eddy Vetter....OMG Eddy Vedder! A rock star and a literary star! OH MY GOD! Good Contacts and firm allies! Holy freaking COW.

Eddy told Gentry he would be talking to Tim Robbins Sunday and that they had just talked about this very issue a few days ago. We also met some very influential people. All in all a good reception. Next Gore went into the main hall and spoke to a crowd I estimate to be about 500-600. He is quite an engaging man and his use of simile is astounding! He is grandfatherly and wise. Oh my god I wish I had had more time to talk to him. The end of his talk was question and answer.I asked him from the balcony. "Gore, we spoke earlier about the Black Box Voting Machines. What do we do if we can't vote the jokers out". He replied "Black Box voting...you want to explain or shall I?" I of course deferred to him. The urgency was present in his tone and manner. As he explained to the crowd what Black Box Voting was. This man is a GIANT! I am in absolute awe of the word smith he is.

After the talk...which is what I characterize the event as. Gore Signed books for as many as maybe half the crowd. Many had multiple copies of his books. He did not leave until every one had had an opportunity to have their book signed. My only regret this evening. I don't have a picture. But man oh man what a night indeed.

Andy

[KT2000]

1. Ooooh - thank you

for posting this. What a wonderful experience - you have this memory for the rest of your life. That is just great!

[Andy_Stephenson]

2. Yes but more importantly...

We have new allies in the fight against BBV.

[KT2000]

4. Absolutely

I don't know if you are a professional writer but your post was great fun to read and I enjoyed it thoroughly.

But the news that Gore Vidal is an ally in this is important. He understands it at its core and will be able to communicate it well to the uninitiated. With him it will not be a story about technology (that will lose the audience) but the potential end of democracy in this country.

We would do well to listen to how he tells this story and pick up some pointers.

[leftchick]

10. I love the Vedder Robbins conection...

The hollywood community could make the BBV issue mainstream and HUGE! Way to go Andy!! :bounce:

[Andy_Stephenson]

13. Me too...I have been trying to get a

connect to Robbins. Last night was trult amazing.

[dudeness]

3. Awesome stuff

Vidal is a literary and moral giant..

[Lost4words]

7. kick Kick KICK

:kick:

[greatauntoftriplets]

5. Great report!

What do you mean you don't have a photo? Get too excited or forget your camera???

[Andy_Stephenson]

19. Slaps head

yes I forgot it

[el_gato]

22. photo schmoto, you've got memories

thanks for the report

[Snappy]

6. Vidal and Vedder

Cool people.
Best with your campaign Andy.

[GOPisEvil]

8. Wow Andy! That's just great!

You're really picking up steam! :thumbsup:

[eyesroll]

9. Excellent! Way to go, Andy!

Eddie Vedder is actually my ex-distant-cousin-in-law. (He used to be married to Beth Liebling, who is my great-grandmother's first cousin's granddaughter.) And Gore Vidal just rocks!

:toast:

[RainDog]

11. Wonderful to hear

And Vidal and Vedder are two of my favorites.

I'm so glad to hear that they can bring their considerable contacts with influential people into the fight for the right to vote for a candidate of our choosing and not who the Bush junta appoints.

I wish Vidal would come to my neighborhood to speak.

[bpilgrim]

12. way to go andy!

what a treat and he knows all about BBV :wow:

i wonder how he keeps 'up-to-date'? the internet?

we are lucky to have him, you and bev fighting to get the truth out.

:toast:

peace

[gauguin57]

15. i just don't want anyone to forget

that four years ago, Gore Vidal publicly stated he didn't think his distant cousin, Al Gore, was the best man for president. He supported Ralph Nader -- and you remember how THAT whole election turned out.

I remember being surprised and appalled.

I always liked Gore till then. I haven't forgiven him.

[nostamj]

14. i am SO jealous

and proud of you!

Vidal is one of my all-time favs. i not surprised that he's up to date on BBV. he was certainly knowledgable about the entire FL fiasco.

great report! thanks!!

[tom_paine]

16. Good for you, Andy!

Luck to you, pal. Keep fighting and thanks for your BBV work!

:toast: :toast:

[loftycity]

17. I think he is great and his books are the best!

[Devlzown]

18. You lucky devil!

I'm a fan of both, but especially Gore Vidal. It's kind of funny seeing the two of them paired. Congratulations, and good luck with your campaign!

[SeattleRob]

20. Excellent!

:kick:

[joanski01]

21. Good going, Andy.

I'm so glad that you were able to get there. Good report!

[Room101]

23. I'm so jealous!

Gore Vidal is my favorite writer and political orator. Good luck with the patriotic work you are doing! :yourock:

[David Zephyr]

24. Congrats.

Congratulations on your campaign.

I've slowly gotten Vidal to sign almost all of his books that I have at book festivals over the years. He's very generous.