Okay, here's how the rally went:
A few Pennsylvania Democrat bigwigs warmed up the crowd while Edwards was hanging out with some locals who lost their jobs due to factory closings. I got there pretty late, so I was glad for the delay! (I couldn't get out of work early enough.)
It was pretty damn hot, and because I had come straight from work, I was wearing nice pants and shoes and a button-down blouse, but they did pass out free water (an EXCELLENT idea). AND, even though I had peon tickets, I got to stand right up front (if there had been seats, I maybe would have been 6th or 7th row). I got a placard to wave, some of the local volunteers were signing up people (including me!) to volunteer...it was VERY well put-together.
The president of one of the local unions (who also got laid off recently due to a factory closing) introduced Edwards, and he delivered his recent variation on his "Two Americas" speech...and he was AWESOME. He was very warm and engaging and a wonderful speaker. The sound system was even good. And although he mentioned Bush and Cheney once or twice, it was just sort of in a "don't vote for them" context--no mudslinging. You could just see all the old ladies getting starry-eyed.
When his speech was over, he got down from the stage and chitchatted and shook hands...with ME!!! For real! (I mean, not just me, obviously, but I got to shake his hand!!!) He was very sweaty, and for the rest of my story, you'll all have to head to PLEBAJJ (j/k).
Anyway, it was a fun way to spend an afternoon.
Now go post about it in PLEBAJJ 
