BERNIE.... BERNIE ....BERNIE!!!
Finished my canvass route around 4pm and headed back to the bustling noisy energetic World HQ.
Not a stellar door knock. I was in a poorer neighborhood with a lot of folks who should be voting indicating their lack of interest in caucusing. Those that were going were split between Bernie Hillary and undecided.. Its all important work .. but I like the Bernie numbers best
I arrived at HQ shortly after Bernie made an appearance there - for a quick stop in between a Waterloo event and a trip to Ames - and some HQ interviews with media - hence the satellite truck need. I dropped my papers - made the rounds with my buds..said hi to Stella from Greece - she seemed tired again...charged up my phone for a few minutes..to basic low level battery .. then headed to Grand View University SISAM Arena for the last official Bernie event before the official counting begins in Primary season. . Work is done - time for fun
I connected with Chris Lavasseur from Manchester CT who just arrived in Des Moines to work for Bernie and arranged to meet him there at the event and he found me in line inside the venue
I arrived early to get in the front of the line and go inside close enough for some good photos for posting here. I was near the entry door as the foyer filled up fast,
The first part worked - but alas - Chris and I were relegated to the stands behind the podium..We became "wallpaper" volunteer - you know..the happy animated background behind the podium and the speaker. We heard celebrities, staff, Jim Hightower, and others as they did warm up and an extra dance or two while we waited for Bernie to arrive...unusually late,,, from Ames.
We did get to see Bernie's walk in ...then his bald spot on the back of his head ...but heard every word and reacted as appropriately on cue as any good happy wallpaper volunteer should do...
The side effect for the bad view of Bernie and being wallpaper was.. we were probably in every podium camera shot during Bernie's speech that left enough space for wallpaper...
The "where's Waldo" version for political events.. Did you see me on the news?
The Arena is a basketball court - very limited seating ( we had wallpaper folk bleacher seats) most feveryone else stood for 2 hours or so..It was packed - beyond capacity ..at least a thousand people. And a really engaged crowd filled with volunteers and people committed to Caucus tomorrow.
After the speech - Bernie did the rope line. He now has a Secret Service detail so his rope line regimen is approaching the political norm - he is guided by his detail according to normal regimen:
Walk off the stage where you arrived go left around the line - go out the way you entered...
So after the speech I went over to the spot where he came in - everyone rushed to the left side.
Well After a few minutes hanging in my almost empty hand shake fishing spot I got to say hi to Jane Sanders - ( Jane says thanks to CT for the help) said hi to the kids ...and then Bernie came by.
FLASHBACK
Well, Back in July I met Bernie at a Citgo Gas station in Berlin NH after a small venue speech in a very hot art center in town. After his speech I headed out and stopped to gas up for my 4 hour ride home. Pulling in to the station right behind me was Bernie. They made a pit stop and a beverage break before heading to the next location - He walked by I said hi. He was moving fast and said hi back,
On his way out I greeted him again and he stopped for a quick chat. I told him I was from CT and we have a great team at work there. I handed him my Bernie Sanders CT Team business card - told him about all the great things were doing in CT and invited him to come there -"here's my card call me when you are ready" I said.
- he looked at the card looked away and did the proverbial second look and laughed - he said "I haven't been to CT yet" I said "you know how to find me". Can we get a picture - he said "sure"
He waved the card in the air as he walked away and proceeded to step over to his car... then stand a few feet away in what seemed to be a head clearing stare at nothing, by himself for just a few moment as he chugged down the green Gatorade he just bought in the Citgo Store. Then he headed off to Littleton NH and I headed home...smiling..
BIZ CARD PART DEUX
Well.. tonite at the rope line where I was waiting, he came by and I handed him my card again and said "Bernie, We met in Berlin NH and I gave you my card, here's another", I gave him the card.. He looked at it ...then at me .. then at the card again and let out a big belly laugh.." I rememba," he said and laughed again, held up the card turned and headed out the door..
A big thanks to Carlos Camacho who designed and printed our CT Team cards - they work well as props for good stories..and also to help folks contact us...
That's my version of having fun.
Oh yea - about the up close pix...my camera battery died - no selfies or pix of Jane or close ups of Bernie or the crowd outside after the event....hope my words can paint a few of the pictures for you.
One more day of work and play in the political epicenter of the world. Then the victory party,,which just so happens to be at the hotel where I am staying by the airport.
Blizzard update tomorrow...
Coming soon....the big day - #4 This is what its all about...
