Tipton Rally Report

[Rambis]

Well there were way more people there than could get in. We were the last people to get seated and there was a line 4 blocks (estimate) long and 4 people deep that never got in at all.

Quick stories...
One older lady handed Kerry a letter, he open it and read it and then said ok we can talk about Iraq. "I was hoping it was a big check"


A University of Iowa student who was a diabetic thanked Kerry for supporting stem cell research. Kerry described how her pancreas was not producing enough insulin and how stem cells are different than liver cells, heart cells etc. Try that one GW? I think not.

Another gentlemen asked Kerry to explain to his son that Kerry wouldn't take his guns away. This man had a picture of Kerry and a sheriff hunting pheasants (Kerry bagged two). Side note from Kerry... while they were hunting the sheriff said,"do you see that house across the street over there? We busted that house about 3:00am and sitting next to the suspects bed was a AK -47. Kerry, "Folks we don't need our law enforcement guys going to a bust and not know what is on the other side of the door" Kerry then signed the picture to this man's son and gave it back to him. Kerry went on the explain the cat and mouse game that bush and delay played with the assault weapons ban etc. Very good!


One prescription drug story.... An older retired gentleman told a story about how his drugs cost 2,000 so he went to the VA where they can negotiate the cost of drugs with the government and he saved 1,000$ Kerry went on to describe how GWB put in the bill that the US government can't negotiate drug prices and how we will put everyone under a system where we can negotiate the price for all Americans.



I am sure I have left things out but you have heard a lot before. He did talk about farmers issues and corp farm bills that I do not know about etc.


Remember, Terrorists will kill you and your children if you elect John Kerry. I am George Bush and I approved this threat!

[petersjo]

1. Thanks for the report

I live 10 miles west of Tipton, but was unable to be there this morning. How wonderful to read that there was such a large crowd for Kerry. I'm sure the people who got stuck outside were disappointed, but just the fact that they were there is important. Thanks again for reporting to those of us who couldn't make it.

[Bluzmann57]

2. Got stuck outside

The policeman at the corner told us that we may not get in, as they were cutting it off at 1800. Heard most of it outside and heard some young people ask thoughtful questions about Iraq. Also heard a young lady ask about beef inspection and she made more sense as an 8th grader than bush ever has in his life. There was a lady who pointed out that people will get kicked off of medicare because of the proposed privitization of Social Security. See, here in Iowa, we have a lot of elderly people and these issues are very important to them, as well as this middle-aged wannabe retiree. All in all, not a bad day, even standing outside on a beautiful Iowa morning.

[Rambis]

4. Bluzmann57 bummer

We were literally one of the last people to get in and we got there at 7:00am. folks that were volunteering were beaten there and some got there at 5:30am. They were told to be there by 6:00am. I hope people outside were not too upset? Now that I think about it I should have given up my seat because I voted for Kerry already.

[rurallib]

6. Volunteered

I ran into some others who were stuck outside. None were angry, just disappointed that they missed this opportunity. I was shocked to see the line two blocks long at 7:30.
I imagine Kerry will be back, since Iowa gave him his first victory. Just remember to get there real early next time.

[emulatorloo]

3. Thanks for this report

I wanted to get out there but couldn't- glad to hear about the great crowd.

[Blue Gardener]

5. Hope the local news reports the crowd size accurately

They tend to underestimate for Kerry, overestimate for *.