Just got back from the John Edwards rally in St. Paul. The Carpenter's Union hall was
packed, and fire code meant that there were hundreds and hundreds of people milling around outside (thank god it was 30 degrees and sunny outside..verrry atypical this time of year). Including me, but I was right next to the door. After he arrived, before going inside, he gave what I guess could be called "stump speech jr.", an abbreviated version of his main threads of argument, to those waiting outside.
This is the best part--rather than standing on a chair (which staff had provided for him), he hopped up on the flatbed of a pickup truck (it was a Ford, btw) to give his speech (I was right behind the truck). I think that's, like, called symbolism or something. Anyway, I would have had a hard time seeing Kerry doing that gracefully at all.
Funniest moment--a staffer gave him a bullhorn to help with the volume level. Alas, as soon as the staffer turned it on, the police alarm on it started blaring. A good laugh was had by all.
Everyone was really charged up. I expected the turnout to be good, but the amount of people there was rather incredible.
I think that it's not out of the realm of possibility for Edwards to pick up Minnesota on March 2. The caucus system with that one on one contact certainly helped him in Iowa, and I think there can be a stronger coalition with ABK folks within the caucuses.
So there you have it.