From John Kerry:
Crowds of supporters and huge numbers of volunteers -- that is what I saw this Labor Day weekend. Today I want to take a moment to tell you what is happening on the campaign trail in states like Ohio.
In Springfield, I spoke to a crowd of 18,000 people who had gathered for a midnight rally at the end of the Republican convention. An amazing 20,000 filled Firestone Stadium in Akron, and thousands came out in Steubenville. Senator John Glenn, who traveled with us all weekend, said he had never seen rallies this size before October in presidential elections.
Even in small cities like Bellville and Mt. Vernon, hundreds of people stood outside for hours merely for a wave as our bus passed by. Huge signs reading "Ohio is Kerry Country" popped up across the state; they were on houses, hanging off of highway overpasses, even posted on barns and tractors. You can feel the momentum out here.
Some of it might have to do with the incredible number of volunteers who are working to win Ohio on November 2 every day. Thousands of people are working every week -- making phone calls and door-to-door visits to undecided voters and to people who might need help (or just a timely reminder) to get out to vote. This is the work that wins campaigns -- and Ohio is a workshop in high gear with eight weeks to go.
People are working so hard in Ohio because it is one of the many states in our great nation where the failures of the Bush administration could not be more clear.
It is also one of those states that quite possibly could decide the election this year.
If you are looking for a way to make a special impact on this election, one way is to go to Ohio -- or another state where extra volunteers are needed. If you are interested, and can spare a weekend or even more time, then click here:
johnkerry.com
We did not spend all of our time in Ohio at rallies. On Saturday, I met some steel workers from Steubenville who have been hurt by the Bush administration's policies towards the U.S. steel industry. Yesterday, I started the day in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania, on the front porch of Dale and Jody Rhome, listening to their concerns and the concerns of their neighbors. One neighbor is a 77 year-old woman who has had major surgery on her throat. She had to return to work just to be able to afford her prescriptions. George Bush was supposed to help women like her. Instead, the only people Bush's plan benefits are executives at big drug companies.
It was also an honor to spend part of my Labor Day with great American union leaders like Richard Trumka, Secretary-Treasurer of the AFL-CIO, and Cecil Roberts, president of the United Mine Workers of America, Leo Gerard, president of the United Steelworkers of America, and Reg Weaver, president of the National Education Association. It is important to remind ourselves what Harry Truman once said: "Whenever labor does well...the whole country does well."
Labor Day has always marked a milestone in presidential campaigns -- it is the moment when many in the public begin to pay attention, and everything we do matters even more. We have less than sixty days until Election Day, and there is a lot of important work to be done no matter where you live.
In the next 56 days, John Edwards and I will crisscross the country to share our plan for a stronger America. But at the same time, an unprecedented volunteer effort is taking place throughout this country. One of the most exciting ways you can join this movement is by signing up to travel to a key battleground state. Ohio and other states can use weekend volunteers -- but also people who can work full time between now and the election. If you have ever wanted to be an integral part of a presidential campaign, this is your chance. And take it from me, there is nothing more exciting than working in the heart of a presidential campaign.
Sign up to be a traveling volunteer here:
johnkerry.com
If you have already signed up, take the next step and e-mail your friends, and ask them to get involved.
Thank you,
John Kerry |
