Yellow Dog

Here's a quick recap of a perfect weekend trip north to two swing states.

1. Friday, October 1, 5:45 pm: John Edwards Rally in Erie, PA. Great crowd of about 7,000 Kerry-Edwards supporters gathered along the lakefront listening to the future VP.



2. Later Friday night at about 8:00: Vote For Change Concert with Bonnie Raitt, Jackson Browne and Keb' Mo' at the historic Warner Theatre in downtown Erie.



3. Saturday, October 2, 8:00: Vote for Change Concert with Bright Eyes, REM, John Fogerty and Bruce Springsteen at Gund Arena in Cleveland.



The Springsteen/REM concert-goers were obviously a pro-Kerry crowd, sporting plenty of Kerry-Edwards T-shirts, buttons and caps, some "Steelworkers for Kerry" shirts (and a few other creative no-bush slogans). Neither concert was overly partisan or particularly anti-Republican or Bush-bashing... well, maybe there was a little, but mostly it was just great music with a few short public service announcements about the importance of the upcoming election.

Here's what Bruce Springsteen had to say:

We remain a land of great promise. But, we need to move America move towards a fulfillment of these promises that she's made to her citizens: economic justice, civil rights, protection of the environment, respect for others and humility in exercising our power at home and around the world. These core issues of American identity are what's at stake on November 2nd. I believe that Senator Kerry and Senator Edwards understand these important issues, and I think they're prepared to help our country move forward. America is not always right. That's a fairy tale that you tell your children at night before they go to sleep. But America is always true. And it's in seeking these truths that we find a deeper patriotism. Don't settle for anything less. Remember, the country we carry in our hearts is waiting.

Springsteen Setlist:
Bad Day (with REM)
Man on the Moon (with REM)
The Star-Spangled Banner
Born in the U.S.A.
Badlands
No Surrender
Lonesome Day
The River
Johnny 99
Youngstown
Centerfield (with Fogerty)
Deja Vu All Over Again (with Fogerty)
Fortunate Son (with Fogerty)
The Promised Land (with Fogerty)
The Rising
Because the Night (with Stipe)
Mary's Place
Born to Run (with Mills and Buck)
Bad Moon Rising (with Fogerty)
(What's So Funny 'Bout) Peace, Love, and Understanding (with all)
People Have the Power (with all)

One final note. The bumper sticker count driving through Ohio from Cleveland through Cincinnati went 14 for Kerry, and only 8 for Bush. (A very good sign that Kerry has a strong edge among voters willing to damage their car paint.)