I wrote this Saturday morning and shared it with some friends.
Lauren (my 16 yr. old) and I were very glad we went. It was nice being surrounded by people who shared the same concerns and hopes. Three highlights:
The crowd was extremely patient with each other. Twenty thousand people on concrete in 80 degree heat and there was no shoving, yelling, pushing. People looked the other guy in the eye and said "excuse me" when they stepped on another's toes, people said "Sure" with a smile and moved when touched by another from behind.
A very poignant moment. After the sun went down, a surplus searchlight was used for lighting pointing directly into the crowd near the stage (which is where my bus was). When the entourage came onstage, this blinding light was turned on. After a while (while Mrs. Edwards was speaking) the crowd tired of the pain from the light and chanted "turn off the light". Sen Kerry first figured out what was being said and asked Gov. Rendell to fix it. Mrs. Edwards saw what was transpiring.
Her words were something like: "We are trying to reduce the output of the light; but you need to understand that we want the world to see you. I understand that the light is discomforting. In order to win this election, we have accepted the grueling schedule and very limited sleep. In order to help, can you accept this light?"
No attempt at authoritative crowd control; no displeasure at having her remarks interrupted. Just a plainly spoken reminder to fellow adults of the terms of the contract. If this is reflective of their approach to life (which, given the spontaneity of how the situation unfolded, seems a defensible assumption), then the campaign and Presidency seem destined for success.
Finally, we were ALL struck by the Republican response (presence); especially given the fact that central PA is a Republican stronghold. They had organized 6 college students to stand at the exit. That is right 6 kids. And 20,000 people walked by them smiling and not bothering with them while politely parting to pass them by.
I HOPE Mrs. Edwards and the crowd response to the Republican effort will become metaphors for the campaign.
My daughter and I have decided that we cannot assume this will continue. Certainly, any Republican operative knows it is not good when 20,000 people wait patiently on concrete for 4 hours in 80 degree heat. I suspect they are beginning to fear this threatens not only the Presidency, but the Congress as well. So they will fight hard, and fight to win.
Lauren and I are going to do the same.