Excitement in Tempe!
Posted : October 14, 2004 at 9:14 am [America/Los_Angeles]
Spent the day in Tempe yesterday, and will blog some more (along with photos) upon my return to California.
In Tempe, Arizona, the streets last night resembled the aftermath of a college football game in which the home team won by a landslide, as the intimidation brought on by increased security yielded to the serene joy of finally having a Presidential candidate who listens to the people: Senator John Kerry.
Kerry supporters streamed up and down the main street for hours after the debate, from the debate watching party/celebration in Tempe Beach Park (beach? yes, beach) to the university, and then back again, all smiling. Kerry spoke to a huge crowd in the park after the debate, to chants of Kerry! Kerry! We love you! If you love me, he said, here is what I want you to do: get out the vote, or words to that effect.
An interesting observation: for once, protesters (well, those with a Kerry sign) were not arrested as the Bush motorcade drove by - even though one Bush supporter fully expected it to happen and even warned the crowd. Is freedom finally returning?
The media showed their true colors (will write more about this later) in spite of Michael Moore’s admonitions, earlier in the day, to be truthful and to apologize for past lies. MSNBC, set up across from the Memorial Union, featured talk of trivialities and criticism of details in Kerry’s statements, while students in the background joyfully waved pro-Kerry signs. And still the talking heads droned on, oblivious to the story of what happened in Tempe last night. It was significant that the TV personalities’ backs were turned to the actual crowd behind them. Is this who the media are? Do they listen as little to the people as a certain, hopefully almost ex-, President?
Note:
Turns out, I accidentally left my digital camera at a friend’s place in Tempe. So, the snaps that I took during my trip will have to wait 
- Anand
Category: United (or not) State of American Politics 2004