Live Blogging Kerry

Live Blogging Kerry

3:18 - lots of applause and introducing. Curious to see if we can get any actual organizing done; there's a big difference between starf***ers and worker bees. Looks like about 200 here, along with a couple TV cameras.

3:22 - Off-year caucuses. January 16. Typically only us party faithful show up in the non-presidential year. Going through the mechanics and trying to get all the other local progressive groups interested.

3:24 - Local candidates discussing organizational directon of the Dems.

Kerry changed plans; after the speech he's working the room rather than taking questions. Curious.

3:32 - still folks trickling in. Getting into the details of what needs doing and the "ask". Attentiveness seems reasonable. Another TV camera showed up, this one from local broadcast.

3:41 - praise and applause for the worst staffer we've ever had.

3:42 - "He's not going to be very late." When you're the last stop on the schedule you start to operate on Campaign Standard Time. Someone just interrupted the speaker to correct the grammar on a handout.

3:46 - Congressional Candidate David Loebsack getting ready to speak. Cheers for him, boos for his BA at Iowa State.

3:52 - Loebsack speaking; reciting a litany of the Democratic social programs that have made him what he is today. Audience is liking it. Now going on attack against GOP control.

3:56 - "Expanding the ladder of opportunity." Nice phrase. Loebsack wraps; no mention by name of opponent. Introducing more local politicos. A few minutes of stall before Kerry arrives.

4:10 - Still on hold. More TV cameras sighted, usually a good sign.

4:19 - Holding some more. GOP spy sighting but he's behaving himself. So far.

4:24 - ARRIVAL. Makes a recount joke AND an Ohio joke. And a Harriet Meirs joke. Tieless, the tanned, rested and ready look.

4:29 - Jokes over, into the meat of the speech. Speaking from floor level in the middle of the room, in an in-the-round style.

4:33 - Some standard issue applause lines, with post-Katrina updates. Jacket comes off (hope it stops there).

4:34 - Audience silent, rapt. Last time I saw him was caucus season when we were spoiled. A Schaivo - based slam at Bush getting a big applause.

4:35 - Here comes Iraq... "troops deserve leadership equal to sacrifice." Now talking about the dollar cost. But all of a sudden a transition to education? Education as national security, sure. But the war section feels incomplete. No mention of GETTING OUT.

4:38 - trying to get a call and response thing going without much response. Not so much his fault as the audience. Now getting back to the ostensible "organizing" purpose. Ohio/Blackwell reference gets good response. Sleeves not rolled up yet.

4:42 - Sounds like a wrapup. Crowd's peaked at about 250. Invoking as many civil rights heroes as possible.

4:49 - That's a wrap. Ends by donating some books to the school we're in. Oops, encore on the ostensible "organizing" purpose.

4:52 - Starting to work the room, a few people sneaking out. GOP spy positioning himself.

4:59 - Kerry addressing a table with one of the local progressive orgs across the room from me. Local TV guy trying repeatedly to do his standup.

5:03 - Down to about 100 folks left, each waiting for their Moment of Glory. I had my lifetime share in the Clinton years so I'm doing this and helping sign up precinct people. Spy just hanging back and taking pictures. (His identity was independently verified by two sources - so I meet Journalist standards). Just told the local TV guy I was blogging; he seemed disinterested. Of course, 1000 people will see his standup for every one of my readers...

5:11 - Elvis is leaving the building.

5:12 - Mass exodus from the building.

5:18 - Down to the most faithful of the faithful, staying after to do the clean up. Signing off.