“The Democrats are back, and we’re hot,” said state party chairman Joe Erwin, who looked out over the predominantly white audience and said, “You look a little too hot.”
The restless crowd was not amused.
State Treasurer Grady Patterson, sitting in the VIP section, kept looking at his watch, wondering whether it was worth staying around. At times he covered his ears to shut out the loud music of the rock bands that were entertaining the crowd.
Several people left, saying they were tired of waiting for Edwards. Erwin was visibly irritated.
“Sorry for the delay,” he apologized. Erwin asked the volunteers to open all the doors to allow the cool, fall-like air to come in. He suggested the crowd take a break and mingle outside where cooler temperatures prevailed.
Some took the cue and went home. The hall was about half-full by the time Edwards arrived.
When he did finally arrive, Edwards disposed of his jacket immediately and declared, “I told you I would be back.”
Kerry promised the same while campaigning for the S.C. Democratic presidential primary in February, but he has yet to return since he won the nomination.
State party officials don’t expect Kerry to set foot in this state. Tenenbaum certainly doesn’t want him to make an appearance between now and the election.
Edwards spoke to the rally for about 15 minutes. His speech was mostly a rehash of his acceptance address at the Democratic National Convention in Boston —critical of President Bush for the war in Iraq, job losses and spiraling health care costs.
Didn't Kerry go to South Carolina for a photo op at an aircraft carrier to start his campaign for the nomination?