I attended my first Kerry Volunteer Meeting tonight - it was PACKED!

[VolcanoJen]

Kerry's Ohio staff have arrived in a big way, and tonight kicked off the Cincinnati campaign with a rousing, packed meeting (at least 350 volunteers) at the Letter Carriers Hall. It was a wonderul, motivated, rowdy crowd of dedicated Democrats! I even met a fellow DUer there... ritc2750! Be sure to wear your favorite DU shirt to these events... you're sure to run into someone you already know!

I posted this recap down in the Ohio Forum, in this thread by ritc2750. Thought others might be interested to know that the Kerry Staff really has their act together in Ohio!

----------

Luckily, I arrived at the hall early, and found a spot easily. After sitting for a few minutes, ritc2750 came up to me, having noticed my DU shirt, of course! I joined him and the really fun gals at his table.

It was such an encouraging event. The place was packed to the gills, standing room only, loud and proud. The Ohio Kerry staff is amazing! I was especially impressed that our Ohio Communications Director is none other than Jennifer Palmieri, former Press Secretary to John Edwards. She's a very talented woman, and I'm proud to have her here in Ohio. Crystal King, Ohio Political Director, was fantastic, and gave a rousing speech. After helping to deliver Iowa for Kerry, she requested to be assigned to her home state (she's from Dayton!) for the general election. She informed the crowd that her brother is serving in Iraq.

An interesting tidbit from tonight: Kerry staff told us that they have already spent more money on television ads in Ohio than Gore did during the entire campaign in Ohio. It's not even Memorial Day yet, as they kept reminding us! As many may remember, Gore made a political error when he abandoned Ohio in October 2000, pulling all money out of the state.

Everyone who attended received a Kerry button and a packet describing the various volunteer positions available, along with a sign-up sheet. The event was well-organized, and several prominent local Democrats attended to show their support. It was just so energizing and fun!

Here's an interesting sidebar... there was a television cameraman and a sound engineer roving the meeting, filming the volunteers as we hooted and hollered and promised to win Ohio for Kerry. At first I thought it was the local NBC affiliate, WLWT. However, the camera carried only the NBC logo. During the speeches, I noticed Jennifer Palmieri chatting with a very attractive, familiar-looking woman in very back of the hall. It was Chris Jansing, from MSNBC. Perhaps she's on assignment, checking out the Kerry field operations in battleground states? If anyone sees or hears of such a report, please let me know!

Everyone... go forward and get to working for Kerry!! The energy is absolutely contagious. :D :D :D

[swag]

1. Very encouraging

Thanks for a great report.

[Wind Dancer]

2. That is wonderful!

I can't wait to get started.

[WFF]

3. I'm going to hear Kerry speak in Green Bay on Thursday

I'm really looking forward to this. I've never been to a presidential campaign speech before.

[Zomby Woof]

4. excellent report

And a chance to show you the new graphic I ripped off from CBS News.com :D

[VolcanoJen]

6. wicked cool graf!

Like my new avatar? :D

Thanks for the props everyone... Get out there and START FIGHTING!!

[Zomby Woof]

8. great avatar!

Goddamn, but he is the biggest puke-turd alive.

[VolcanoJen]

Absolutely the biggest puke-turd alive.

I explained to my new friends at tonight's meeting that I would vote for the straw in my iced tea before I'd vote for that smirky arrogant toad.

The entire room likely felt the same.

I didn't get to hear his creative pronunciation of Abu Ghraib until I returned home, but for me, that alone confirmed the feelings of every single table-pounding fired-up Democrat in that hall tonight.

[oasis]

5. National Association of Letter Carriers an AFL- CIO affiliate. They

will have a national convention in Honolulu July 19-23, a week before the Dem convention in Boston.

Past speakers and guest have been Al Gore, Tipper Gore, Reps Neil Abercrombie, Henry Waxman, Dick Gephardt and at our last convention in Phily 2 years ago, Senators Tom Carper and John Edwards.

Good report VolcanoJen.

[VolcanoJen]

12. The Letter Carriers were very gracious to loan us their space!

We cleaned and straightened up afterward, of course. It's a great hall, in a great old neighborhood, in a great city. :D

Thanks for the great background info, oasis!!

[RoyGBiv]

7. Thank You

Thanks for that report. It's great to see some positive energy at work!

[Tarheel_Dem]

9. thanks Volcanojen....

how exciting. i hope this satisfies those who have been so concerned that the kerry campaign didn't have an office in ohio. i think we can do this!!!!!!!!!

[kimchi]

10. Thanks for the report, Jen.

And thanks for being an inspiration to the lazy butts like myself!

[VolcanoJen]

11. Our local field director told us "I specifically requested cicadas...

... and humidity."

It gave everyone a good chuckle. He's Patrick Foster, a recent Boston College graduate and former Kerry intern. It's been hot as hell, and the cicadas are seriously off the freaking chain. You honestly have no idea unless you live in an infested area. I really feel for the kid. :D

[blm]

13. Ohio is going to Kerry, which puts him in the White House in Jan.

That's why the biggerwigs were at your meeting.

Ohio is ground zero. Kerry has been playing it quietly till now, setting up for the big push.