| U.S. 7th Congressional Candidate Jim Newberry remarked: "No Democrats in Southwest Missouri? You've got to be kidding." An estimated 10,000 people attended a rally to hear Senator John Edwards at Springfield's Southwest Missouri State University last Sunday evening. The event drew as many or more people than were in attendance at a Bush event at Hammons Field in Springfield at the end of July.
Democratic vice-presidential candidate, John Edwards, currently a U.S. senator from North Carolina, vehemently defends John Kerry in Kerry's bid for the presidency.
In his speech the vice presidential hopeful emphasized the importance of Kerry's service in Vietnam as an indicator of Kerry's "strong, decisive, and courageous" leadership. Edwards talked about Kerry's war medals and the experience that resulted in their being awarded. He told of how in one instance Kerry, wounded and under fire, pulled a fellow solder out of the water and saved his life. This explanation countered the argument of some Conservatives that Kerry did not deserve some of his Purple Heart citations because he wasn't wounded badly enough.
Edwards' speech, although varied somewhat from his past speeches, sounded much the same. He emphasized the plight of the poor, the squeezing of the middle class, progressive taxation, keeping American jobs in America, and the importance of values. Some in the audience would have liked to have heard more plans and less talk. "They have them. Why not talk about more of them?" was the prevailing attitude.
Jim Newberry, addressing the crowd from the platform, was born and raised in Springfield where he currently practices law. He is running for the 7th district seat in Congress currently held by Roy Blunt. The scene pictured seems reminiscent of an old fashioned politcal rally.
Edwards was greeted by about 20 protestors, one dressed in a giant waffle costume. The waffle apparently signified the Republicans' contention that Edwards' presidential running mate, Senator John Kerry of Massachusetts, shifts with the political winds and has ambiguous stands on issues. They've called this "waffling" or "flip-flopping" on the issues.
A recent Bush campaign commercial cites Kerry's vote against the $87 billion for Iraq as an example of Kerry's waffling. However, the explanation offered by Edwards was that Kerry supported an amendment that would have changed how the bill was funded, and that the Bush Administration itself threatened to veto the bill if the Democratic amendment to it passed. The amendment ultimately did fail and Kerry voted against the bill (and its method of funding) in protest.
Nancy Farmer of St. Louis, calls herself the "independent voice of Missouri." In 2000 she was elected as the first woman to hold the office of state treasurer in Missouri. She opposes Republican Kit Bond for the U.S. Senate seat.
Before Edwards came out to speak, U.S. Senate hopeful Nancy Farmer, currently Missouri state treasurer, and the candidate for Missouri Secretary of State, Robin Carnahan mingled and spoke with the crowd. Various other State and local Democratic candidates were introduced to the crowd, some given the opportunity to speak.
An invocation given by a local clergyman contained religious sectarian language that would have made any religious minority feel as an outsider. However, most bowed their heads and seemed to appreciate the Christian prayer.
After his speech Edwards shook hands and visited with the crowd. His personable style and energetic presence filled many in the crowd with excitement. Some female rally attendees also indicated an appreciation of Senator Edwards' physical appearance. Time will tell if such energy and appeal will translate into enough votes to flip-flop Missouri into the Democratic column.
Photos and commentary by Seth Jackson
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