Posted on 6/3/2004, 4:42:26 AM by plushaye
DEAF DONKEY EARS
Perhaps even Sen. John Kerry is beginning to sense the total lack of enthusiasm for his candidacy. Kerry seemed alarmed by the complete absence of applause, or other audience interaction, he was receiving from a small crowd in Tampa, Florida, on Wednesday.
Kerry was there to accept the endorsement of a national union of emergency first responders, and to hold a "conversation" with local residents about his plans for protecting the nation from bio-terror attacks.
On several occasions, Kerry paused, seemingly expecting applause for his lines. For example, at one point he said, "I will do what I think is best for the country," then waited for applause that only developed after one of his advance staffers began leading a weak round of applause.
His lukewarm reception was so bad that Kerry lost his cool, telling his audience, "I know you don't want to be here anymore."
"That line actually generated more real cheers," says a bemused Florida Democratic Party official. "If this is the kind of response our campaign is getting elsewhere, we're dead. This was awful. He was awful."
Among the criticisms: beyond arranging for an audience, organizers did little if any preparation to warm the crowd up, to have it ready to cheer on a presidential candidate. "You have to give them something before the main attraction shows up," says the state party official. "These guys did not serve Kerry well. He walked into a dead room, and his own act didn't help."
Best Line: "If this is the kind of response our campaign is getting elsewhere, we're dead. This was awful. He was awful."
Lurch goes flop.
Best news on the home front that I've heard all day. Thanks for posting it.
"Empty Suit" bump.
Anyone have a Paladin or Cleric nearby?(D&D joke).
More union members held hostage.
You're welcome. It gave me a chuckle too.
JK really knows how to light up a room.
What is the chance of that being reported on SeeBS or any other major network? Why doesn't someone on FOX News pick it up? This guy is setting a world record on getting a free ride.
Yeah, but how can we spread news like this so all America knows it?
If his own base isn't excited about him, how does his campaign think he's gonna attract swing voters? Sheesh.
He needs "crowd prep" to get a cheer? I'll bet GWB doesn't need it.
Kerry gets dissed by a union audience.
Lib commencement speakers who badmouth the President get booed off the stage.
The voters are speaking. But the Dems and the media can't hear them...
Great news bump.
Sounds like you had a great time, and even got a handshake! I wish I had been there. I haven't seen a prez in person since Reagan in about 1980 or so and I still remember it like it was yesterday.
Dubya stopping to hug the older lady is something he would do from the heart, Kerry would have had it pre-arranged by and aide and made sure there were plenty of cameras around to catch it. If Kerry should manage to win, which he won't, it would sure be a lonnnggg borrrinng 4 years.
I know we would survive. This country survived Clinton and we survived years of Soviet moles in the government.
But the pain and the loss and the destruction............I can't even let myself think about it.
W will win. He has to. There are enough of us working and praying our hearts out that I think he will.
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