So, W. visited Canton, Ohio today, re-affirming its status as the "political epicenter," or as other pundits like to refer to it as, "the bellwether county in the election's most critical state.
I showed up early to do my part for Jeff Seemann's Congressional campaign, which is headquartered ironically enough 2 blocks away from where the Preznit spoke.
The following is my account of the days activities:
The President was scheduled to speak at approx 10:30 A.M. After reading the entire Joe Trippi book (cover to cover) I woke up at 8:00 after 2 hours of sleep.
Quick shower, throw on some pants and my Jeff Seemann for Congress T-shirt, and I was out the door. Driving down Market St. in front of the Civic Center (where the President spoke), the main drag in Canton covered both sides of the street for more than a block. I slowed down, honked, and raised my first in excitement for the outpouring of support for our next Commander in Chief.
I parked at Jeff's campaign Headquarters and walked up the street, actually I ran up the street I was so excited.
For a "sleepless city," the people were sure awake this morning. Shockingly enough, the Secret Service was letting us do our thing, gaurdingly. Some sat in the lobby of the Civic Center others keeping us away at a reasonable distance. But the crowd grew. 200, 300, 350, 400, crowding the sidewalk in front of the venue.
425, 450... In Canton, Ohio of all places, chanting "Kerry, Kerry, Kerry!" "Three more months, three more months!" Goosebumps...
At about 10:00 AM, when the crowd had swelled to over 500 the Secret Service and "white suit officers" sprung into action, pushing the steel baracades toward the people. What happened next re-affirmed my commitment to the Jeff Seemann for Congress campaign.
As the officers were literally pushing back with the baracades, forcibly moving a crowd that was getting excited, Jeff stepped in. After a brief discussion with the officers, he turned to the crowd and said something to the effect of, folks, let them do their job. By being here right now we are doing our job, and on November 2nd, we will all do our job in electing John Kerry.
Cue eruption of applause
The people moved back, there was no violence, there were no arrests...
While several members of Jeff Seemann's staff had already been working the crowd, passing out business cards, literature, registering people to vote, and registering throngs of people to vote - I had the obvious sense that W. wasn't going to enter the building from the place where all the baracades were, where all the protesters were.
Let me digress for a moment and tell you about the organization of Democrats on this afternoon. There were people along the motorcade route for miles in each direction, reporting in location and direction the motorcade was heading.
The President was supposed to come up Market Street and pull into the back of the Civic Center which was completely baracaded by steel, busses, and agents.
As the calls came in, we knew they were coming in the back way, down Cleveland, which runs parallel to Market. If you understand Canton, you will know after getting off the interstate, it is the only way that makes sense. Word traveled and people mobilized.
So, I headed down Market Ave., toward 12 street and made a left toward Cleveland Ave. I looked left and saw a run-down alleyway that led to the back of the Civic Center that did not have baracades of anything stopping me from heading that way. As I made my way, some guy calls out further up the alley, "Can I help you, boy?"
I responded, "did you just say can I help you, boy?"
Now, I am not a boy. As a matter of fact I am 27 and was a United States Marine. His response to my question was, "yes, what are you doing back here, boy?"
I got frustrated, and responded, "Well I didn't see any baracades and wanted to get close enough to tell the President he changed my life, and because of him I am working as hard as I can, everyday between now and Nov. 2 to elect John Kerry." It was the first thing that popped into my head.
He told me to turn around and head back from where I came, that no one was allowed back this way. Reluctantly, I did. And he followed me back to the entrance of the alley way.
By that time, people were walking down 12th Street toward Cleveland Ave, about 1/2 of the 500 I had estimated when I left where lined up down 12th starting at Cleveland Ave.
Just then, the sirens came on. Police cars started moving and we all knew we were right, the motorcade was on its way.
The first thing W. must have seen when he turned that corner was men, women, children, black, white, young and old with Kerry/Edwards signs, homemade signs (outsource bush, liar, who would jesus bomb?), and one man who stood at attention and offered a one-finger salute to the President.
After the motorcade passed, there was a few minutes of excited Kerry chants and we headed back to the main entrance.
I will keep the rest brief, but there is so much more to share.
By the time I arrived back on Market Street infront of the Civic Center, the "free speech zones" were set up. But, in an incredible lack of intelligence, they had set one up under an overhanding roof that connected the Civic Center to a Museum next to it. The place served as an echo chamber
So, people flocked to the echo chamber. What ensued was about another hour of chants, exchanges of appreciation for the candidate we have representing our party, and an awakening of a city that has been "asleep" for some decades.
We went on to continue registering voters, acquiring volunteers for Jeff Seemann's campaign and meeting people.
By the time the Bushites has left the Civic Center, our numbers dwindled to around 150-200. There was some chanting back and forth like a high school football game. There were some heated exchanges, and even one incident where a lady was apparently pushed. This was no good and left me with a bittersweet taste from what was an exceptional experience for both me, and Jeff's campaign.
So, now I am back at campaign HQ. Couldn't wait to share the you folks and wish all of you could have been here.
Hope you enjoyed it.