***COMPLETE COPY AND PASTE FROM MY DIARY AT DAILYKOS -- SO TIMES AND WHATNOT ARE OFF***
A few days ago, I recieved an e-mail from JohnKerry.com alerting me that John Kerry would be in Austin, Tx, the morning of Saturday the 17th of April for a townhall meeting promoting his "Kids First" legislation that, if passed, would enable the 11 million uninsured children in this country to finally have decent and sufficient coverage.
And since I'm only a one-hour drive from Austin(San Antonio), I jumped at this chance. I even convinced my conservative friend to tag along on the ride by quipping, "Hey, don't worry, you don't have to sign a loyatly oath or anything!"
Event was slated to start at 10am sharp, but with the crowds still pouring until well after 1015, things didn't offically kick off until 1030 or so. Needless to say, those already seated were getting a bit anxious waiting for the late-arrivers to file in and for Kerry to finally make his appearence. Then, at last, Kerry comes from behind the curtain:
As you can see, Mr. Kerry recieved a well deserved standing ovatiaon that lasted nearly 10 minutes. I felt as if I were at the opening cermonies of the Olympics with the sheer amount of flashbulbs popping off around me. Once the crowd settled down, Mr. Kerry delivered a 20 minute opening speech that was truly uplifting and interrupted on many occasions by overwhelming applause.
Some highlights from his opening remarks(All culled from my shoddy ass memory...so forgive me):
- It's time for Democrats to get over the 2004 election, and instead, make their voice heard through the grassroots to truly force action.
- Absolutely eviscerated Tom DeLay and Bill Frist over ethics and use of religion to divide the country. (DeLay was mentioned MANY times during the whole event -- I think Democrats have their posterboy for 2006, and it's already started)
- Carried Austin rather handidly and lost Dallas 49-51%. San Antonio went 44% for Kerry, with basically NO SEMBLANCE of ANY democratic campaigning during the lead up to the election.
- With that, more focus needs to be paid to the southern states and admitted that Democrats are behind the ball when it comes to their counter-attack against the last 20 years of Conservative punches. (I think everyone let out a big "NO SHIT" when he said that...)
- He's tired of his colleagues voting against their respective districts best interests, then pulling the wools over the eyes of the voters when it comes to their reelection campaign.
- Scaring voters into the booth IS SIMPLY NOT APPROPRIATE, wouldn't be acceptable in Iraq or Afghanistan, thus why does it pass off as politics here? Where's the democracy in America?
- Asked what kind of administration that places so much stock in "Family values", and their religion chest-thumping, would continue to cut taxes for the rich, yet overlook the healthcare problems. Whose values are those?
- In a light moment, he said if any of the families in attendance wanted someone to blame for high insurance, blame him: "I had surgery before, during, and after the campaign...so you're looking at the problem!"
- George W. Bush could change the political climate of this country in a heartbeat if he were so inclined, but that's not in his best interest, so he doesn't.
- "To be honest with you all, I was hoping the only Presidential nomineee coming back to Texas would be Bush."
- Very positive on the Iraqi elections. "My problems with the war are how, when, and why it was needed in the first place."
- Didn't mention anything about 2008, but routinely brought up 2006 as his goal to change America, and that he, along with other Democrats, needed the continued support from the grassroots level. "It's time to get active, folks. Nothing will change unless you get out there and make your voice heard."
- "The republicans HATE the fact that your voice can be heard on the internet. They hate the fact you can donate to our campaigns via the internet. Because, then, you don't have to deal with the elected officials themselves who contiunally paint a different picture that of their actual career in DC." (paraphrase, of course..)
- Recalled the "Dirty Dozen" in Cleveland back in 1979, (IIRC..). The people were so angry at the toxins in the river, so upset at the lies, that they finally organized, stood up, and DEMANDED changed. Seven of the 12 elected officials were voted out in the subsequent election.
- Decried the Nuclear Option and vowed to fight it off until the end. "Right now, Republicans are trying to stack the already predominantly conservative courts with even more radical choices."
He then talked at lenght about his KidsFirst legislation and what, precisely, it entails for Americans. Unfortunately, I can't remember much of this as in typical Kerry fashion(ARghhhhhh), he seemed to ramble on. But sure enough, you can head to JohnKerry.com and have his website to the legwork for you! :=)
Now, at this juncture, he handed the show over to a local ER doctor who detailed some very sad stories on familes, children, their lack of insurance, and how it greatly affects all the parties involved. "I was breaking rules so that a mother who just told me, 'I can't have this test done -- it's too expensive,' could have the vital CTscan done for her son."
Once she was done, Kerry opened the stage for questions and answers which lasted about 45 minutes. He's one caveat, though, was that questions encompass the KidsFirst legislation. Ha, who does he think we are? Republidrones? Needless to say, the first few questions were about Iraq, Immigration, and the just passed Bankruptcy Bill.
The immigration questioned caused a chorus of boooos to rain down on the poor mother who asked the question. "Will your legislation specifically target LEGAL americans? We have kids being passed up because their illegal counterparts are being fed through the system, taking loopholes, as if they're legal citizens. How can you make sure this won't be a problem?" Mr. Kerry had to quiet the boooo parade, then as he began to answer, a lady stood up and said, "To the mother who just asked that question, consider this: Illegal aliens pay 8 billion into social security with no HOPE of getting anything back -- so be careful!" Kerry then began to belabor the point that politicians are too damn chicken shit afraid to do anything about the immigration problem, and that the only way anything will be done is by making our voices heard.
Another lady took the mic and lambasted the Democrats who voted "YES" on the just passed Bankruptcy Bill and said, "How can this party say their for the peoples interest yet let this terrible bill pass through the halls of congress?" This was met with grand applause, and Kerry thanked her for the question. He stated that while he did, in fact, vote "NO" on the legislation, he can understand why some of his colleagues voted for it. "If the only voice they hear is that of support, then they're not left with many options. However, if they sing a different tune come election time, and try to paint this a victory for the people when cleary he/her didn't care to find out what the people, in fact, wanted, then come election time, it's time to get rid of them."
Nearing the end, JFK thanked everyone for showing up, admitting that he had not expected such a crowd and was truly surprised. He also made sure to take a jab at the BushCo carefully choreographed and orchestrated townhall "meetings", by saying, "I trust no one here had to sign a piece of paper to be allowed in, right?"
Finally, he told the crowd not to wait "until the nominee is selected" to begin actively working for the party. In what seemed to be taken from Howard Dean's playbook, he also said it's vital that we focus on the continual campaign; not just the 8 month one during the general election.
Here's some more pictures from the event:
I've probably missed a lot of details, but it's been 12+ hours since the rally, and I haven't slept since my 630am wakeup call, so I'm a little on the fringe. So please excuse any spelling or grammar mistakes or any other glaring bombs. What can I say, a college student waking up at the crack of dawn on a Saturday morning after a Friday night full of partying probably isn't the best thing for memory...but what can you do? Anyway, I wanted to ask a question, but there wasn't nearly enough time for JFK to answer ALL the questions that ready to be fired off.
Lastly, I'd like to thank the UT-Austin Democrats for coordinating this great event, and for all the volunteers who kicked into high gear to find extra chairs as the crowd continued to grow. Sure, the event started late, but everyone had a seat and was able to hear JFK. So, folks, Texas isn't that bad now, is it?
A few days ago, I recieved an e-mail from JohnKerry.com alerting me that John Kerry would be in Austin, Tx, the morning of Saturday the 17th of April for a townhall meeting promoting his "Kids First" legislation that, if passed, would enable the 11 million uninsured children in this country to finally have decent and sufficient coverage.
And since I'm only a one-hour drive from Austin(San Antonio), I jumped at this chance. I even convinced my conservative friend to tag along on the ride by quipping, "Hey, don't worry, you don't have to sign a loyatly oath or anything!"
Event was slated to start at 10am sharp, but with the crowds still pouring until well after 1015, things didn't offically kick off until 1030 or so. Needless to say, those already seated were getting a bit anxious waiting for the late-arrivers to file in and for Kerry to finally make his appearence. Then, at last, Kerry comes from behind the curtain:
As you can see, Mr. Kerry recieved a well deserved standing ovatiaon that lasted nearly 10 minutes. I felt as if I were at the opening cermonies of the Olympics with the sheer amount of flashbulbs popping off around me. Once the crowd settled down, Mr. Kerry delivered a 20 minute opening speech that was truly uplifting and interrupted on many occasions by overwhelming applause.
Some highlights from his opening remarks(All culled from my shoddy ass memory...so forgive me):
- It's time for Democrats to get over the 2004 election, and instead, make their voice heard through the grassroots to truly force action.
- Absolutely eviscerated Tom DeLay and Bill Frist over ethics and use of religion to divide the country. (DeLay was mentioned MANY times during the whole event -- I think Democrats have their posterboy for 2006, and it's already started)
- Carried Austin rather handidly and lost Dallas 49-51%. San Antonio went 44% for Kerry, with basically NO SEMBLANCE of ANY democratic campaigning during the lead up to the election.
- With that, more focus needs to be paid to the southern states and admitted that Democrats are behind the ball when it comes to their counter-attack against the last 20 years of Conservative punches. (I think everyone let out a big "NO SHIT" when he said that...)
- He's tired of his colleagues voting against their respective districts best interests, then pulling the wools over the eyes of the voters when it comes to their reelection campaign.
- Scaring voters into the booth IS SIMPLY NOT APPROPRIATE, wouldn't be acceptable in Iraq or Afghanistan, thus why does it pass off as politics here? Where's the democracy in America?
- Asked what kind of administration that places so much stock in "Family values", and their religion chest-thumping, would continue to cut taxes for the rich, yet overlook the healthcare problems. Whose values are those?
- In a light moment, he said if any of the families in attendance wanted someone to blame for high insurance, blame him: "I had surgery before, during, and after the campaign...so you're looking at the problem!"
- George W. Bush could change the political climate of this country in a heartbeat if he were so inclined, but that's not in his best interest, so he doesn't.
- "To be honest with you all, I was hoping the only Presidential nomineee coming back to Texas would be Bush."
- Very positive on the Iraqi elections. "My problems with the war are how, when, and why it was needed in the first place."
- Didn't mention anything about 2008, but routinely brought up 2006 as his goal to change America, and that he, along with other Democrats, needed the continued support from the grassroots level. "It's time to get active, folks. Nothing will change unless you get out there and make your voice heard."
- "The republicans HATE the fact that your voice can be heard on the internet. They hate the fact you can donate to our campaigns via the internet. Because, then, you don't have to deal with the elected officials themselves who contiunally paint a different picture that of their actual career in DC." (paraphrase, of course..)
- Recalled the "Dirty Dozen" in Cleveland back in 1979, (IIRC..). The people were so angry at the toxins in the river, so upset at the lies, that they finally organized, stood up, and DEMANDED changed. Seven of the 12 elected officials were voted out in the subsequent election.
- Decried the Nuclear Option and vowed to fight it off until the end. "Right now, Republicans are trying to stack the already predominantly conservative courts with even more radical choices."
He then talked at lenght about his KidsFirst legislation and what, precisely, it entails for Americans. Unfortunately, I can't remember much of this as in typical Kerry fashion(ARghhhhhh), he seemed to ramble on. But sure enough, you can head to JohnKerry.com and have his website to the legwork for you! :=)
Now, at this juncture, he handed the show over to a local ER doctor who detailed some very sad stories on familes, children, their lack of insurance, and how it greatly affects all the parties involved. "I was breaking rules so that a mother who just told me, 'I can't have this test done -- it's too expensive,' could have the vital CTscan done for her son."
Once she was done, Kerry opened the stage for questions and answers which lasted about 45 minutes. He's one caveat, though, was that questions encompass the KidsFirst legislation. Ha, who does he think we are? Republidrones? Needless to say, the first few questions were about Iraq, Immigration, and the just passed Bankruptcy Bill.
The immigration questioned caused a chorus of boooos to rain down on the poor mother who asked the question. "Will your legislation specifically target LEGAL americans? We have kids being passed up because their illegal counterparts are being fed through the system, taking loopholes, as if they're legal citizens. How can you make sure this won't be a problem?" Mr. Kerry had to quiet the boooo parade, then as he began to answer, a lady stood up and said, "To the mother who just asked that question, consider this: Illegal aliens pay 8 billion into social security with no HOPE of getting anything back -- so be careful!" Kerry then began to belabor the point that politicians are too damn chicken shit afraid to do anything about the immigration problem, and that the only way anything will be done is by making our voices heard.
Another lady took the mic and lambasted the Democrats who voted "YES" on the just passed Bankruptcy Bill and said, "How can this party say their for the peoples interest yet let this terrible bill pass through the halls of congress?" This was met with grand applause, and Kerry thanked her for the question. He stated that while he did, in fact, vote "NO" on the legislation, he can understand why some of his colleagues voted for it. "If the only voice they hear is that of support, then they're not left with many options. However, if they sing a different tune come election time, and try to paint this a victory for the people when cleary he/her didn't care to find out what the people, in fact, wanted, then come election time, it's time to get rid of them."
Nearing the end, JFK thanked everyone for showing up, admitting that he had not expected such a crowd and was truly surprised. He also made sure to take a jab at the BushCo carefully choreographed and orchestrated townhall "meetings", by saying, "I trust no one here had to sign a piece of paper to be allowed in, right?"
Finally, he told the crowd not to wait "until the nominee is selected" to begin actively working for the party. In what seemed to be taken from Howard Dean's playbook, he also said it's vital that we focus on the continual campaign; not just the 8 month one during the general election.
Here's some more pictures from the event:
I've probably missed a lot of details, but it's been 12+ hours since the rally, and I haven't slept since my 630am wakeup call, so I'm a little on the fringe. So please excuse any spelling or grammar mistakes or any other glaring bombs. What can I say, a college student waking up at the crack of dawn on a Saturday morning after a Friday night full of partying probably isn't the best thing for memory...but what can you do? Anyway, I wanted to ask a question, but there wasn't nearly enough time for JFK to answer ALL the questions that ready to be fired off.
Lastly, I'd like to thank the UT-Austin Democrats for coordinating this great event, and for all the volunteers who kicked into high gear to find extra chairs as the crowd continued to grow. Sure, the event started late, but everyone had a seat and was able to hear JFK. So, folks, Texas isn't that bad now, is it?
