Yesterday was great!
There were over 7000 people gathered at SMSU by the time Senator Edwards was showed up.
For SW Missouri that is unbelievable!
The tide is definitely changing here.
The event began a couple hours earlier with home town favorite bluegrass band, Big Smith, performing as people streamed in from all directions.
By the way, just about everyone got Jim Newberry literature as we had the place surrounded with volunteers.
All the Democratic candidates for local and state offices were introduced, then several speakers got to take the stage for a few mintues each.
Jim Newberry was the first to speak, and he REALLY got the crowd going with his opening comment, as quoted in the article that ran in the Springfield News-Leader:
http://www.springfieldnews-leader.com/today/0816-EdwardsLet-157120.html
"No Democrats in southwest Missouri? You've got to be kidding me," Newberry told a cheering crowd before Edwards arrived
Other speakers included U.S. Senate candidate Nancy Farmer and Robin Carnahan, daughter of late governor Mel and former senator Jean, who is running for Secretary of State.
It was REALLY a morale booster for Democrats ibn SW Missouri!
There were also other articles, including an AP newswire, about the event that featured quotes from Jim Newberry:
From Neosho Daily News:
http://www.neoshodailynews.com/articles/2004/08/16/news/news01.txt
---------------------------
From Joplin Globe:
Joplin Globe 8-16-04
'He will ... stand up for you'
Edwards says Kerry a courageous leader
By Wally Kennedy
Globe Staff Writer
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. - When Democratic vice presidential nominee John Edwards took the stage Sunday night, he took off his suit coat, rolled up his sleeves and told several thousand people, "We can make tomorrow better than today."
Edwards, in his second visit to Springfield this year, was greeted by a rowdy crowd. Rally organizers estimated that 10,000 people turned out to hear his 25-minute speech. The attendance number could not be confirmed by the U.S. Secret Service or Springfield police.
Before Edwards spoke, the turnout was the topic of speeches by Democratic candidates for state and federal offices.
Jim Newberry, who is seeking to unseat Roy Blunt as 7th District congressman, said: "No Democrats in Southwest Missouri? You've got to be kidding."
Speaking on the Quadrangle at Carrington Hall, Edwards said the nation should vote for John Kerry "because he stood up for his fellow soldiers in Vietnam, and he will be the kind of president who will stand up for you."
Edwards said Kerry would be a strong, decisive and courageous leader. "Is that not what we deserve in a commander in chief?" he said.
Republicans have criticized Kerry's record.
"John Kerry has flip-flopped so many times that this is just the same rhetoric," Paul Sloca, communications director for the Missouri Republican Party, said by telephone from Jefferson City in responding to Edwards' remarks.
"He voted for military action in Iraq, and then he said he was against the war, and most recently said he would have voted the same way. I think the people of Missouri deserve someone like the president, who has been consistent against the war on terrorism, and not someone like Kerry whose positions change with political winds."
A few minutes into Edwards' speech, protesters outside were heard chanting "Four more for Bush." They carried signs with slogans including "Kerry/Edwards: Unfit to command," "Welcome to Bush Country" and "Kerry/Edwards: Every Child Left Behind."
Edwards responded: "They deserve to be heard. There are 20 of them and thousands of you." After that, nothing was heard from the protesters.
Edwards said he and Kerry intend to run a positive campaign and would not take a negative approach. He asked the audience, "Aren't you sick of it?" The audience responded loudly, "Yea."
He said the Bush-Cheney campaign is seeking the highest office of the land by taking the lowest road to get there.
In talking about the economy, Edwards said 35 million people live in poverty, and that he and Kerry would help them by raising the minimum wage.
Responded Sloca: "John Kerry and John Edwards would also raise Americans' taxes. The president's tax cuts have this economy in recovery, creating 1.5 million new jobs in the last year. That's a proven record, and not the kind of empty promises that Kerry and Edwards are promising Americans."
Carolyn Kelly, of Springfield, said the Democrats received a warm welcome. "I was real happy to see this many people," she said. "He did a good job of letting people know what Kerry and Edwards stand for. For Southwest Missouri, it was a great turnout. People are hungering for hope."
Martha Campbell traveled from her home in Harrison, Ark., to attend the rally. "I definitely want John Edwards to be the vice president. He smiles," she said.
Marilyn McLean, of Rogersville said: "He made me feel proud to be American. I got to shake his hand. I feel so honored."
Edwards came to Springfield from Iowa and will stop in Willard today before going on to Atlanta, Ga.
----------------------------
From AP:
Edwards rallies supporters in Springfield
CONNIE FARROW
Associated Press
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. - Democratic vice presidential nominee John Edwards told a vocal crowd of supporters Sunday night in southwest Missouri that presidential nominee John Kerry will look out for working America, bringing them better health care, job security and educational opportunities.
"The truth is that what John Kerry and I believe is that tomorrow can be better than today," Edwards said. "We believe in hope over despair, possibilities over problems, optimism over cynicism."
The North Carolina senator spoke to several thousand people at an outdoor rally in the Quadrangle on Southwest Missouri State University campus in Springfield. Many supporters waved red signs that read, "America Can Do Better."
Edwards, who spoke in Iowa earlier Sunday, planned to stay overnight in Springfield. He then planned to meet privately Monday with a small group at a home in nearby Willard, to discuss economic policy before continuing his campaign swing in Atlanta.
It was Edwards' second visit to the university. He was the only Democratic candidate to visit the area during the presidential primaries.
Edwards' speech was interrupted by a small group of hecklers, but he quickly turned it to his advantage.
"The truth is that we want these folks to have a chance to be heard now because come November we're not going to be hearing from them any more," said Edwards, eliciting a hearty round of cheers.
Southwest Missouri has often been ignored by Democrats because of its heavy Republican leanings. But the area is getting more attention now that the outstate vote, which played a large role in helping President Bush carry Missouri in 2000, again could be a deciding factor come November.
Some Democrats, bolstered by the turnout, believe rural voters might be leaning back their way.
"I've not seen anything like it," said 78-year-old Leatrice Fetter, who volunteers with the county's Democratic Party. "I've been doing a lot of phone calling, and I get a lot of people who say they voted for Bush last time but they're not going to this time."
Edwards praised Kerry's record in the military, saying he has dedicated his life to serving his country.
"Your agenda is our agenda," he said.
Edwards touched on a theme that has been prominent throughout the campaign - the need to end the divide between the wealthy and the working class. If elected, Edwards said Kerry would push for a health care plan that allows citizens to get the medications and medical treatment they need.
He also promised tax credits for parents - whether they have small children in daycare or older children in college. He also said it was important to increase educational opportunities for all, as well as to offer businesses incentives to stay in America.
"Here in the Show Me State tonight, thousands of you showed up to show that you want a president of the United States who will actually stand up for you," Edwards said. "And I've got a guy in mind."
Republican Rep. Roy Blunt, who is from nearby Strafford, said Kerry's plan for higher taxes, more government spending and increased regulation would destroy Missouri's economic growth.
"Ranked the Senate's most out of the mainstream member, Kerry can try to mislead the voters he meets on the campaign trail, but the reality is that his priorities are not Missouri's priorities," Blunt said in a statement Sunday.
Democrat Jim Newberry, who is challenging Blunt for the 7th Congressional District seat, urged those at the rally to walk together as "citizen soldiers."
"America, we will bind your wounds. We will protect you. We will honor you. And, we will put you back to work," Newberry said in a speech before Edwards arrived.