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Alicia and I went to the Kerry/Edwards rally in Des Moines last night and had a really great time, considering. The “considering” part, by the by, had nothing to do with the company and an awful lot to do with other situational elements. For starters, the rally was (of course) outside. I am verrah grateful to Alicia for talking me into bringing a coat, because it was ~cold~ outside. And then there was the chronometric* problem. We arrived at the fairgrounds around 5:15 and got back to the car around 10:30. We were standing, outside in the cold, that entire time. I had parts go numb I didn’t even know I had until their absence rendered them conspicuous. And the most annoying part? Kerry and Edwards didn’t even take the stage until almost 10. Prior to their appearance, we had music, music, other politicians, music, and even a musical intermission to the music.

Despite the cold and the standing and the music (my God, the music), we left happy. It was a fun time. I got to shiver within fifty yards of people like Josh Hartnett and Hal Ketchum, and within a few feet of local politicians like Senator Harkin and Governor Vilsack. We were also briefly within lunging distance (I’d say six feet) of John Kerry, John Edwards, and their respective wives, Teresa and Elizabeth. If the Johns end up in the White House, I’ll be able to say I’ve stood within a few feet of them. I’ll probably leave out the lunging part.

It was also cool to feel the emotion of the crowd. Ever since the VEISHEA riots earlier this year, I’ve considered crowds (mobs, whatever) to be an organic being, comprised of individuals, but ultimately a singular whole capable of acting and feeling as one. During the riot, those feelings were of camaraderie, but also of tension, anger, and expectation; we had an enemy, and it was us against them. The rally was, thankfully, different. We still had an ‘enemy’ of sorts, of course, but that enemy was not present and was therefore more an idea than anything else. As such, camaraderie and single-purposedness (not in the negative sense) were the overwhelming emotions. I felt I was surrounded by 15,000 friends, and was not afraid to smile and speak to the people next to me.

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Oh, and they were really pushing people to push people to vote, so… vote! I was impressed they didn’t tell us ~who~ to get people to vote for (maybe that was implied…), but I wouldn’t have told you anyways. You’ve minds… make ‘em. I think voter turnout is going to be surprisingly high this election, which is a cool thing.

Linkage

Unregistered: DelcareYourself. That’s where I registered a few months ago. It’s pretty easy to do, though you still have to print something out and mail it. I have an absentee ballot sitting next to my computer, since I have class all day the 2nd.

Interesting: Video comparing President Bush’s eloquence ten years ago to what passes for it today. I have this linked in my miniblog, but I’ve the feeling most of you don’t read that.

Bipartisan: Flash movie equally insulting (and hilarious) to both parties. It’s awesome. And NSFCW (Not Safe For Conservative Workplaces).

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* I had this word in my book review, and Quinn made me take it out. Since then, I’ve been jonesing to use it. Huzzah!