This past weekend, my husband spent a great deal of time going to personal appearance events where we took lots and lots of photographs of Senator John Edwards and I then did Citizen Journalist reports of the events. We attended three separate events in North and South Carolina. It wasn’t that we didn’t have anything to do this weekend. Goodness knows, we have plenty of things we could do. But, we felt it was important for us to do our part in making others aware of the brilliance, sincerity, and honesty of John Edwards. We so badly need the John Edwards sort of integrity in the White House.
We went for years being 'too busy' to get involved in politics, but we did get involved to some extent in the '90s. We had always called ourselves Independents although we both moved over to Democrats a few years ago because as I say, 'my ethics would never allow me to vote Republican and I couldn't see the point of staying Independent'. Since I adamantly despised our former Senator Jesse Helms, there wasn’t much point in getting involved in politics until John Edwards came along. I listened to what he had to say, and then I decided I would give him my vote even if I had to hold his feet to the fire. I visited his web site so often, I was almost afraid they would start charging me a membership for going there.
During the time he was my Senator, I can only recall one time that we didn't agree. So, after giving him the 'benefit of my guidance' and after the vote was taken, I gave him the benefit of my 'final analysis'. He still responded in a timely manner with graciousness, courtesy, and sincerity, telling me why he had voted the way he did. One day although I felt silly, while I was on his site, I decided to write him and tell him how great he was doing and that he WAS representing me the way I wanted to be represented (with that one small exception). I can honestly say I never heard another person mention him for president when I first started talking about it. So, that is how I happened to be a Citizen Journalist following the Senators speeches and hoping it will turn into a campaign trail.
This weekend our journey began Saturday night in Charlotte North Carolina at Joseph-Beth Booksellers. We attended the Senator's book signing for his new book ‘Home The Blueprints of our Lives’. This book signing was held in an upscale area where the clientele was most likely a regular reader who knew all the best sellers and owned most of them. The smiles, the whispers, the intense looks and determination to find a spot came with the night. The bookstore had recommended that patrons arrive early... an hour to an hour and a half early but even then they had already begun to arrive and most of the seats were taken. This was the sort of people that have an aura of 'not being impressed'. But, they were impressed tonight!
The room became more and more full until it was completely packed... this was consistent throughout our weekend tour. The moment Senator Edwards entered the room, the crowd became mesmerized by his presence. He explained that he would speak briefly, take questions and then sign the books because he didn't want anyone going home without their book being signed. When he explained that he would make no money from the books but rather it would go to Habitat for Humanity and other worthy causes, he got his first big round of applause. It was the same at both book signings.
He discussed how the book came into being, the war, how he thought withdrawal should be handled, the many mistakes of the current administration (not individually, but overall) and the necessity for respect for the America in the eyes of the world. He talked about energy conservation and the environment. He told us how China is building one coal burning plant per week and how America is suffering the environmental damage from it. Then, he asked for questions.
There were several good questions, but the one that would be voted 'best question of the evening' by this audience was the one from a lady who danced into it as if she were a politician herself. She said "Senator, I watched Jon Stewart earlier this week when you appeared on his show. I suspect many of us watched it. Jon Stewart asked if you wanted to make an announcement and you didn't. Senator, there were lots of people watching that show and I can understand your decision. Now, tonight, here, there are fewer of us and it is more intimate. Would you like to make that announcement now?" Applause. Applause. Thunderous applause. Laughing by the Senator. Laughing by the audience. More applause. The lady was a charmer, but it didn't work.
Another lady said she wanted to express appreciation for the new book and that her mother's story was the one on page 34. A man asked a question that evoked a somewhat in-depth response about bio-diesel and energy. And then, the finale question ... or statement. The gentleman simply stepped up to the mike and quite emphatically said 'Senator, we all hope you run for President. But, frankly Senator, I don't care whether you run or not, I'm campaigning for you!' He brought down the house.
The second event was also a book signing but it was held at Happy Booksellers in Columbia, South Carolina. Happy Booksellers is a smaller, though still a fairly large, locally owned bookstore. This one was held at 2:00 PM on Sunday. Just enough time to get home from church in many cases, grab a lunch and come over to the signing. It, too, was well attended and we met a lot of fine, courteous and warm people. This was getting closer to the birthplace of Senator Edwards in Seneca, SC. less than 100 miles away. Many of them knew 'John' to. Often he was told someone said hi or they were friends of a friend. It was warm and southern and felt like it did when we grew up in the south... and when people cared about people. It made you ache for the time when respect and human decency were a given...
The Senator again spoke about priorities and the need for re-establishing respect for America. He spoke about leadership and how leadership solely by raw power wouldn't work. He talked about integrity in government and treating people fairly. And, he talked about the differences in our country a few years ago as compared to now and how 'America, we're better than that'. And, always... as always he talked about poverty in America and in the world.
The crowd was warm and attentive and adoring. Again, there was a question and answer session and you'd never guess what someone asked. The big question of the day was whether he'd run for President in 2008. That seems to be the question to grab and run with if you are the first to the mike. It always brings thunderous applause and smiles. The Senator assured us all that he is considering it.
When it came time for signing the books, one couple introduced him to their new son whom they had named for John Edwards and who is a fine namesake. The young John Edwards seemed less than impressed, but we did check and Senator Edwards had the book he was reading ‘right side up’. This is a noted improvement over Bush and his readings. Yes, America, we are better than that!
Then, we went to the grand finale on Sunday night at Rutledge Chapel on the USC campus in Columbia. Parking was a bear, but once inside Rutledge Chapel I found a seat... one of the few remaining and settled in. The chandelier in the chapel was gorgeous. I could imagine it had been there a long time. The hosts and hostesses were beginning to open folding chairs for the obviously good turnout. They opened two rows of chairs in front of the first row, in the aisles, in the wings and everywhere one would fit. There were nice red carpeted steps up to the platform where the podium stood. So, they allowed people to sit on the steps. They were spotlessly clean. Then, some students were allowed to sit around the stage area where the Senator was to speak. Yep, I think we were packed and ready to go. I could just imagine the person in the 'center' of the auditorium needing a drink of water. They could move everyone in the entire auditorium. And there is usually someone who will do just that. But this was a genteel group and they wouldn't think of such behavior. So, all was well. I would estimate there were between 400 and 500 people in the crowd. And, they hadn't announced it to the public for fear of not being able to accommodate the crowds.
This was a speech like no other that I have heard the Senator give. Don't misunderstand, all of his speeches are great, but this one was 'deeper'. He talked with a deeper, more compelling, gut wrenching conviction than I had ever heard before. He talked about how the adults of today always believed if they worked hard and applied themselves they could achieve success, but that it is much harder for the youth of today. He talked about how the Pell Grants had been cut and student loan rates were too high and it made it harder than ever for students to be able to afford college.
He talked about how it was shameful that the victims of Hurricane Katrina were still suffering with no relief in sight... and how it was the students who jumped at the opportunity to help last spring.
He told us how many things were skewed to benefit the rich and leave the burden of paying to the middle class .... and how a secretary might be paying more taxes than the boss. How the disproportionate share was an unfair burden and pulling the middle class down. The applause was loud and long.
Perhaps most importantly he talked about the importance of regaining respect for America on the world stage. And again, he talked about how raw power alone didn't make you a great leader. The world had to see you as a great moral leader.
It was a most moving speech. The audience, regardless of age was totally enthralled by what the Senator was saying. At times when he raised his hands into the air, it didn't require a lot of imagination to see him as another Martin Luther King or certainly another great leader. It was quite a contrast to what we are accustomed to seeing from the White House. It conjured up the warmth, the pride, the passion of the Kennedys and Camelot. It made you saddened that our children can't remember that era but encouraged that they could be on the verge of living the modern day version of it.
As Senator Edwards' speeches go, this one was rather long, lasting around an hour, but not one person in that audience was ready to leave. I don't think I would be overstating it at all to say it was a spiritual experience that we all shared but without any reference at all to religion as we know it today.
All too soon, the Senator finished his remarks. He had been interrupted several times with a rousing round of applause. Now, the Senator had spoken and the audience was about to have their say. They all came to their feet in a heartfelt standing ovation. The applause was loud and the applause was long. It lasted many times longer than courteous applause and was much more thunderous. This was an emotional applause of agreement. It was a ‘Senator, we'll see you in the White House sort of applause’. So shall it be.
AS I walked back to the car, the air had gotten a little cooler, but not cold. But, the heart had gotten a little warmer. I began thinking how proud I am to be an American and how we ARE better than this as I began humming America the Beautiful and thinking of what 2008 could hold.
With that, my husband and I wrapped up our ‘John Edwards weekend’ and headed home arriving around midnight tired be certain we had experienced a bit of history in the making. God bless America and God Bless John and Elizabeth Edwards.