Posted on 09/29/2004 6:17:42 PM PDT by Former Military Chick
Need more evidence that the Kerry campaign is a little nervous about New Jersey? John Edwards made an appearance in the Garden State yesterday. And according to Steve Kornacki of PoliticsNJ.com — I checked that site daily back when I was writing for the Bergen Record — Edwards' appearance had some major glitches.
The 1,000 or so Kerry-Edwards loyalists who had overstuffed a ballroom at the Robert Treat hotel in downtown Newark had been advised to arrive at 3:00, with Edwards's slated to appear at 4:00. It’s customary for politicians to be late, and when Bonnie Watson Coleman, the Democratic state chairman, grabbed the microphone to quiet the crowd at 4:30, the faithful were simply revved up for some old-fashioned rally-the-base rhetoric. Watson Coleman had no trouble delivering the red meat, and had Edwards taken the stage immediately after her warm-up act, his visit today likely would have been a rousing success.
But he was nowhere near. Event organizers frantically worked their phones seeking updates on his travel progress as rumors spread that he might not show up until 5:30 or 6:00.
And so, to mollify the crowd, the microphone was passed around. From Watson Coleman to AFL-CIO President Charlie Wowkanech. Then to Assembly Speaker Albio Sires. And to Senate President Richard Codey. And Essex County Executive Joe DiVincenzo. And Trenton Mayor Doug Palmer. And Congressman Donald Payne.
When all of the bodies on the stage had apparently been exhausted, Watson Coleman handed the microphone off to Secretary of State Regena Thomas, who, from somewhere in the sea of Democrats on the floor, proceeded to spend fifteen minutes exhorting the audience to join her in increasingly bizarre chants.
By 5:30, Watson Coleman, who had gamely played the emcee role, seemed out of tricks.
“The man is on the way,” she assured the audibly restless crowd. Then Watson Coleman urged attendees to hang around, promising that program would resume shortly.
Some listened. But dozens flooded the exits, some apparently to catch a breath of fresh air outside, others for good. Bottled water was distributed to the Democratic leaders on the stage, many of whom, with nothing else to do, yakked on their cell phones and fashioned fans out of their event programs. In a wise move, James actually tossed a few water bottles to parched audience members.
At about 5:50, a woman named Kristen Breitweiser was introduced. A 9/11 widow who has been traveling with Edwards, Breitweiser, in a measured but nonetheless emotional voice, charged the GOP with politicizing the terrorist attacks at their convention and chided the Bush administration for fighting the creation of the 9/11 commission. Antsy and irritated moments before, the crowd was transfixed...
But when Breitweiser finished, there was still no vice-presidential candidate, and the exodus resumed.
It wasn’t until 6:15, when members of the national press corps assigned to Edwards's campaign trooped into the press area and the candidate’s Secret Service detail took its position, that it was clear Edwards had arrived.
By that time at least twenty percent of the original crowd was no longer present, and, after standing for so long, much of the enthusiasm had been drained from those who remained. A number of state Democratic dignitaries, including Codey, had to leave because of other commitments.
Edwards uttered his first word to the audience at 6:22 — nearly two-and-a-half hours after he was originally supposed to start — and then spent twenty minutes warmly reciting his stump speech.
It didn’t go off without a hitch, though.
Spotting Breitweiser behind him on the stage, he called the 9/11 widow forward and began to tell her story to the audience.
“I’m going to let you hear from her in a few minutes,” the North Carolina senator said in his syrupy southern drawl.
“We have!” the crowd shouted back in unison...
In the back of the ballroom was a platform for members of the media. Plenty of New Jersey newspaper reporters were present, as were NJN and News 12. They were joined by the big boys of the broadcast media — crews from all of the New York network television affiliates, who, together, represent the dominant source of information for two-thirds of the state’s residents.
The New York television reporters were set-up to do live-shots on the early evening newscasts — 5:00, 5:30, and 6:00 — which, under the original event schedule, would have included clips from Edwards's speech, along with the image of hundreds of cheering, flag-waving Democrats urging him on.
Edwards's visit still received coverage on the late-night newscasts and it will feature prominently in the newspapers on Wednesday, but staged media events are all about maximizing exposure. In that department, the event seemed like a blown opportunity.
“Tell me about it,” grumbled one frustrated Democratic operative shortly before Edwards arrived. “His only visit to New Jersey and this is what they do.”
There’s also the matter of all of the grass-roots Kerry-Edwards supporters who walked away in frustration; Democrats may have a tough time convincing them to pitch in for the last month of the race.
Weather, traffic and unforeseen problems can certainly be used as excuses for Edward’s tardiness. But several state Democrats said it took what amounted to begging to convince the nationals to add the rally to Edwards's schedule, which had originally included on a fund-raiser in East Brunswick tonight. If true, that’s a pretty clear indication that New Jersey is still only an ATM state to the national Kerry-folk.
They do need money, of course. But what the Kerry campaign shows no signs of understanding is that they also need votes in New Jersey.
I still think New Jersey will remain in the Democratic column this year. But it sounds like the Kerry campaign isn't trying that hard to keep it there.
[Posted 09/29 10:48 AM]
At both of President Bush's Wisconsin visits in September, he was early! CLASS versus CRASS
Edwards and the widow Breitweiser. Hmm....
They say we use 9/11 as a prop but they use it as what again?
NJ is ready for Bush
That is probably right about Kerry carrying NJ, but also right about how Democrats take voters for granted when they think the electoral votes are all sewed up.
Being an NJ person this is such great news. Edwards should have claimed that the train didn't stop in Newark and went all the way to NY Penn before he realized it. But even that would not account for being over 2 hrs late.
I know this state won't change its stripes over night but I sure would like to think that Kerry and Edwards would spend a bunch of money here and waste their resources shoring up their base.
I understand the Bush is extremely punctual, which I always take as a sign of respect for others.
I always found it very telling that Clinton could never bother to show up on time, and was known for keeping crowds waiting for inordinate amounts of time. I see Edwards is the same way. So typical, all these Kumbayah Democrats always mouthing platitudes about how much they care, but when push comes to shove, they can't even be bothered to show up on time for people. Shows how little respect they have.
Reminds me of Stevie Wonder, who is notorious for being hours late -- always singing about love but having no feeling at all that other people's time is important.
Such typically elitist behavior makes me sick.
"It's over Johnny"
I suspect that the Widow Breitweiser is getting well paid for doing this shtick. Her group was said to be getting money from the Heinz Foundation last fall. It looks as if she is now on the foundation or DNC payroll.
Edwards pulled the same stunt recently in South Carolina and half his audience left before he got there LOL
Homestate Crowd Walks Out on Edwards
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1228773/posts
The land of Bush-bashing-Bruce? Say it isn't so! ;')
if polls still show it neck and neck come election day, and our side is smart enough to release some well timed corruption and sleaze information against McGreevey the week before the election - Bush can win it. The McGreevey effect is a strong component in the NJ race.
Isn't that his running mate's next conquest?
...with more effect, too.
What does this Breitweiser dame look like? Maybe she's the reason Edwards has been two hours late to all his rallies lately.
Suspicious minds want to know.
And where is Elizabeast? She hasn't been on the campaign trail lately, has she.
Is Edwards a budding Bubba?
Hope you are right, but NJ is tough.
"NJ is ready for Bush"
I like that, I think it would be a good bumper sticker.
Just like a lawyer, always late, always disappointiing. Wait till the last minute to do things. Not know what they are supposed to know. Yep, he is a tort lawyer.
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