I went to the Chris Carney Rally in Cameron Park, Sunbury, today. Chris has been hitting spots in my county like crazy this weekend on his "Pennsylvania Values" tour. He was joined by the very wonderful Max Cleland.
Chris was running about ten minutes late, so one of the campaign volunteers entertained the crowd with a little juggling. She seemed like a natural performing for all those people, except for the fact she had completely lost her voice from the previous rally stops.
Chris Carney arrived and assisted Max Cleland up to the gazebo. Max started first. He was very energetic and a big crowd-pleaser. He mentioned the senior citizens behind him:
"We picked up these chorus-girls at the bar. I'm a big believer in the here-after. And I know what I'm here after."
He continued with his introduction of Chris Carney in a great blend of humor and hoorah.
I think Chris has come a long way in developing his stump speech. Remember, this race only became competitive when allegations that Don Sherwood choked his mistress became public. The early days were filled with a lot of talk about values and how Sherwood had none, and some voters had begun to tire of all the negativity, but at today's event, Chris had solidified his message into some rock-solid plans to change the country.
"If you run a ship aground, you don't 'stay the course.' You change the course."
It was even more amazing as the newspapers had just broken the story that Sherwood had paid his mistress off to keep the assault story quiet until after the election.
Chris brought his message of "change the course" to most of the issues which face Pennsylvanians. On prescription medications, he told of how some senior citizens literally have to make the choice between heating oil and medication in the winter time. This is something local candidate Antonio Michetti has also heard while talking with area voters. Don Sherwood passed a bill to make it illegal to import generic prescription drugs from Canada. Chris asked the crowd who that really helps, and the crowd eagerly shouted their response.
On Iraq, he actually has a plan to withdraw from Iraq. He pointed out quite correctly that as far as the current situation is, we're neither winning nor losing; well, except for the hundred or so US soldiers who die per week. That's what "staying the course" has got us. Chris is also a counter-terrorism officer and a Lieutenant Commander in the US Naval Reserves. His day job is fighting actual terrorists. Unlike the cowering Don Sherwood, who tells us if we don't stay in Iraq, the terrorists will win and we won't have to worry about roads or hospitals.