OK, so I must qualify....I only had a few minutes with John Kerry, but the two of us shared a stage at a HUGE rally in Canton, Ohio today.
First, the brief details, then a more in-depth description......
- I got to speak at the rally and my speech "hit a home run" (not my own words)
- Three other speakers referenced my race in their speeches.
- Multiple media interviews.
- I got to meet with Senator Kerry for a few moments after the event.
All week, we have been planning for this event. On Wednesday, I was invited to speak at the rally and gladly accepted.
We spent a LOT of time crafting the perfect sppech, and were still working on our literature until 230am last night. This morning, we all arrived at the site of the rally at 7am.
The expected crowd was about 2,500 - and by 11am (the scheduled start), there were WELL over 3,500 people in attendance, and the fire marshall ordered the doors closed. Several hundred were left outside.
I was scheduled to speak second, and when my time came, I bounded onto the stage with a lot of energy and began my address to the crowd.
(note - a full video of my speech will be available on my site this evening, and hopefully Kos can post it too).
I began my speech with a reference to the 7 protesters outside......"While the people outside are chanting 'four more years', I say it's 'four more MONTHS" (HUGE cheers for that!)
The speech felt SO great. I have never spoken before a crowd of nearly 4,000, and the nervous feeling never did hit me. I'll post a transcript later. Several loud cheers came during my time onstage, and the loudest came at the end ("It's time to let America be America again. My name is Jeff Seemann, and I am going to be YOUR next Representative in Congress. Thank you!")
Following my words, the next two speakers made reference to my energy and the need to remove Ralph Regula from office while placing a good Democrat in the House. Meanwhile, I was along the right side of the auditorium shaking hands with everyone along the barricade.
During intermission, I worked the crowd. TONS of union members, educators, Timken employees, nurses, librarians, young people, old people, etc etc etc. Everyone I spoke to offered their help, promised their voe, and spoke of the need to elect me to Congress. This day did more for my election effort than any other day in my campaign's history.
John Kerry took the stage with Senatorial candidate Eric Fingerhut, and the two began their comments. Both delivered with passion and energy. Of course, John Kerry spoke of the extreme importance of Ohio, and he pulled out his "lucky Buckeye", which he carries with him wherever he goes.
Following the speeches, Kerry worked the crowd at the front of the stage. When he got to me, I introduced myself and he stopped to chat for a few seconds. He urged me to make jobs my #1 issue (in my district, I'd be a fool not to). I promised him I would, and he wished me luck.
I left the area to shake as many hands as I could (with that many people heading leaving at once, it was easy to connect with a LOT of people). But as I was shaking more hands, I was approached by a Kerry staffer and asked NOT to leave.
I was going to have a few moments with Senator Kerry as he left the building.
When he left to go to his motorcade, we stopped and chatted briefly. He offered his support and I promised to help him turn our country around as a Congressman under his Presidency. We exchanged with small talk, and he extended his fist as we "pounded" our fists together in a goodbye.
He has since left Canton, so I am safe to disclose that he went to the Pro Football Hall Of Fame following the event, while I went to a local restaurant with my staff to celebrate.
We knocked one out of the park today. There are SO many more details to disclose, so feel free to ask away if you like.
Also, i hate to turn this day into a "daily nag", but I'm still taking contributions atmy website. Don't forget to add .01 so I can track it as a Kos donor! - http://www.jeffseemannforcongress.com
Oh, and my day's not done. We're handing out Voter Registration forms at the local theatre all day, and my whole staff is seeing Fahrenheit 9/11 at 1030pm tonight!
Exhausted, but ready for election day,
Jeff Seemann