Tuesday, September 11, 2007

I met John Edwards!


I know I'm a bit late in reporting this, but college life has been tough. I am constantly busy. I have school at UWM, my job at American Serb Hall, and my internship at U.S. Senator Herb Kohl's office. So, I apologize in being late.

Anyway, what happened was pretty cool. John Edwards was campaigning in Milwaukee, at my place of work -- Serb Hall. So my boss (a Republican) told me Edwards was coming. He told me he would let me in free and I could bring my video-camera. So I did. I showed up and hour early and waited. Edwards, naturally, didn't start till 45 minutes after he was scheduled, even though he was in the building. While we waited, I looked around to find a good vantage point for video-recording. My boss, who was supervising the event, told me what door he was coming in, so I staked out there.

When he finally came out, it was fantastic -- I got a great shot of his entrance and some lovely video of him shaking hands with people. In fact, on my video, you will see a close-up of stomach as he shakes me hand. You can also hear me say, "Good luck, Senator." Original, I know.

Anyway, he started his speech and I videotaped the entire thing -- it was a wonderful speech. He really has put together a good campaign. Also, I took a lot of pictures that night. I shook his hand three different times, each hoping for an autograph or a photo with him. Alas, I got none. The masses were just to hard to get through.

When he left, I felt a tad disappointed that I didn't get a photo with him...

...Until the next morning when I checked to see what our local media had to say about the event.
The picture at the top is me and Sen. John Edwards. It is from the TMJ4 (NBC affiliate here in Milwaukee) website. This is the photo they used to report the event. Needless to say, I am quite happy. I got a photo with him after all. I'm also in the TMJ4 video for about 3 seconds.

As soon as I get the video onto my camera, I will upload it here and you will be able to watch it. However, I have an older camera and I have to get a friend to help me get he video off of it first. When I post the video, I will repost this entry.

I can, however, post a few photos from the event...

...A picture of the TV as the local FOX affiliate reports life.
...My one cell phone picture that is worth posting,,,
...Giving his speech...
...This is kind of a funny photo...
...Edwards was kind enough to sign autographs for awhile...
At the end of the event, I watched him drive away and realized that, potentially, I had just met the President of the United States. I also realized that when my parents or relatives would tell me they met Clinton, or Reagan, or Mondale, or whoever -- they met them at events like these. And these events are fun and easy to go to. Considering how early this ridiculous 2008 race is, I am very excited -- I intend to go to a lot of political rallies, Democrat and Republican.

On a side note, one of the managers at Serb Hall apparently asked Edwards, "If you get the nomination, who will be your running mate? Hillary?" To which Edwards responded, "Oh, Hell no."

I heard this secondhand -- it's not official, but I don't doubt the source.

One last thing this even helped me realize: it is too late for Al Gore to enter the 2008 Race. So I need to stop pretending and pick a candidate. And my candidate is John Edwards.

Here's the story from the local news media (Today's TMJ4), video is on this page...
The election is more than a year away - but candidates for president are already targeting Wisconsin as a key state. Democrat John Edwards was in town Monday night.

Three years after winning Wisconsin as John Kerry's running mate, John Edwards is back for another round.

Some issues are the same. Some have changed.

“We don't need a surge in Baghdad,” Edwards told the Serb Hall crowd. “We need a surge in New Orleans!”

Edwards voted for the Iraq war, but now says it was a mistake.

"I think it's time for Congress to do what the American people put them in charge of doing and that is to bring an end to this war," Edwards said.

He's also critical of General Petraeus' report Monday that hints at progress in Iraq with the troop surge.

TODAY'S TMJ4's Charles Benson: "Do you think there's any value to the Petraeus report that adds value or trust to the debate over whether we should be in or out of Iraq?"

John Edwards: "The problem with what Petraeus is saying is he's not addressing the underlying question: What are we doing to make any political progress in Iraq?"

Most of the issues Edwards talked about are familiar to Wisconsin voters from his presidential campaign in 2004 and he hopes that will help him in 2008.

Charles Benson: "What do you think of this state given that the presidential primary could be over by the time you come back to Wisconsin?"

"The flip side to that is that the presidential primary in Wisconsin could be critical," Edwards said.

We should know in about five months.
LINK: John Edwards Campaigns In Milwaukee

MSNBC also reported on the event...

Link: John Edwards in Milwaukee

ABC's affiliate, WISN, also reported on the event...

LINK: Edwards Gets Endorsement, Cash During Milwaukee Campaign Stop

VIDEO: John Edwards' Campaign Stop in Milwaukee (It wasn't working for me)

FOX's affiliate, MyFoxMilwaukee, also reported...

VIDEO / LINK: John Edwards Visits Milwaukee (Notice the FOX-style subtle salute to Ronald Reagan at the end)

The Edwards campaign team also noted the event here (more pictures).

First, Michael J. Fox, now Edwards, who's next?
-Mr. Joseph

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