Cross-posted at my blog The Fray
A friend of mine who is supporting Deval Patrick headed over to the big rally in Boston for his campaign today. She called to give me a little report and left a message on my voicemail.
I would say there are thousands of people here, handing out call sheets, saying it’s the biggest phonebank ever in history.
Later I called her back as Deval Patrick had just started speaking. She told me that organizers said there were about 5,000 people at the rally. Before her phone’s battery died I got to hear and transcribe a bit of his speech. DISCLAIMER: Most of this is paraphrasing, because I’m a pretty fast typist, but not that fast.
The Big Dig is billions over budget but it took a human tragedy before paying the administration paid attention. Now we learn the administration is under federal scrutinity for misleading the public. If i had her record on the big dig, I’d change the subject, too.
Let’s talk about leadership experience. In government and business I have managed thousands of people, across multiple continents. Kerry Healey has not. . . If i had kerry’s record on leadership i’d change the subject, too.
Let’s talk about crime. Let’s talk about crime honestly. I’m the only one in this race who has sent anyone to prison. I’m not a criminologist. I’ve represented victims. My family have been victims. I don’t need to be lectured by anybody.
She wants to divide people, we want to bring people together. We want progress. Hers is the politics of fear. Our is the politics of hope.
I have to tell you, politics reached a new low last week when my sister and her famly got dragged into this campaign. The sad fact is that it’s probably not over. The Healey campaign has created a climate that things like this are going to happen again. Here is a family that has prepared itself and lived as model citizens these last thirteen years.
What Kerry doesn’t understand is that leadership sets the tone. Healey has set a tone of nastiness and negativeness.
I insist that kerry healey stop trying to change the subject. Based on that record, can anyone do any better in the next four years than they have done in in the last four years?
My sister and brother-in-law are here, standing tall. Let me assure you they have diane and me right beside them and their kids. We are as flawed and unfinished a family as anybody. We have our moments like any other family. Forgiveness and grace is what makes a family stronger.
Darn that cell phone battery!
hlpeary says
The tv news gave little coverage…and CH 5 noted there were a “few hundred” at the rally…that did not sound right to me…although I couldn’t be there I knew at least 100 or more who were going into Boston from 2 towns alone…
<
p>
Can someone give the press a more accurate crowd estimate? Obviously a CH5 reporter was not there in person and the cameraman got it wrong….
mary-ellen says
I was there. I thought thousands. The Boston Globe just posted an article that said police estimated there were 5,500 people. It was fantastic!