Ted sent some pictures along for us after his plane landed in Boston very early this morning. While we wait for his stories to catch up with the pictures, check out these snaps that he took while rushing from one place to another in Chicago last night.

The Orangeburg, South Carolina newspaper, The Times & Democrat, reported on the 10-21-2006 rally that JK attended at South Carolina State University including some comments from attendees:

Kerry already was successful in convincing one audience member to take part in the Nov. 7 balloting.

Before, “I wasn’t sure if I was, but I know now, I’m going to go and vote,” said Philip Burt of Sumter, a freshman at S.C. State.

Aaron Haire of Orangeburg, a sophomore biology major at S.C. State, said Kerry “hit on everything the general community really is concerned about, what people are thinking but have not necessarily brought forward and said.”

“I’m glad he hit on the point about education (being) the key to success and the key to your future” and the problem of inequalities in education funding, said Haire, who is the son of City Councilman Bernard Haire.

Ulysses S. Jarvis Jr. of Orangeburg said, “It gives the college students a different view, I think, to meet political leaders in person rather than on television.”

They also reported that:

During his speech, Kerry acknowledged his friend, state Rep. Jerry Govan, D-Orangeburg, who played a key role in arranging Kerry’s appearance. He also acknowledged U.S. Rep. James E. Clyburn’s chief of staff in the audience. Clyburn was in Florida, stumping for fellow Democrats, Kerry said.

Kerry acknowledged platform guest Cheryl Footman, an Orangeburg resident and the party’s candidate for S.C. secretary of state. “We know from Florida and Ohio that secretaries of state matter,” he said.

As a Democratic stronghold in a state with early primaries by both parties, “Orangeburg is center stage” for presidential aspirants, said Govan…

Like many prominent Democrats who visit Orangeburg, Kerry found a friendly and enthusiastic audience. Despite a tight schedule, he lingered to pose for snapshots with admirers and even squeezed in a handful of individual private conversations.

And here’s a few more of the pictures that Ted captured…

Road Report from Ted Chiodo:

With 18 critical days remaining until the election, John Kerry swung through South Carolina to stump for local Democrats. South Carolina is a wonderful place filled with southern charm, committed Democrats and huge palmetto trees.

On our first night in beautiful historic Charleston, South Carolina, the small band of traveling staffers celebrated Marvin Nicholson’s birthday by going to dinner with the best damn story teller in South Carolina, Bill Nettles. Bill Nettles is a brilliant lawyer and a South Carolina native who joined up with our staff as we traveled the state (I snapped a great picture of Bill and his wife Zoe and their twin sons, William and Alex, with JK).

As usual, I was late to dinner due to battery recharging problems. If you ever drop by Slightly North Of Broad on East Bay road in downtown Charleston, I suggest the crab cakes (they were quite delicious). The dinner was a blast and Bill entertained all of us. After dinner the group decided to take a self-guided tour of Charleston’s finest drinking establishments to study the local culture and raise our glasses in honor of Marvin’s birthday. <!-more-> In the morning, after an early reveille, John Kerry headed to a rally with Congressional candidate Randy Maatta at Charleston County Democratic Headquarters. As Bill pulled into the parking lot, we could see that headquarters was full of cheering and energized Democrats. JK hopped out of the vehicle and was met by a smiling Randy Maatta and Judge Alex Sanders. Judge Sanders was articulate, funny, and decisive in his blistering critic of the current administration: “We are all loyal Americans, and we are privileged to live in a country like no other country in the world. For various reasons, mainly by accidental birth, we choose to live in the reddest of red states. We laugh today to keep from crying.”

Judge Sanders explained that Democrats must fight on, always laughing and never despairing in face of an out-of-touch Republican majority in South Carolina. With that, Judge Sanders introduced John Kerry to the cheering crowd.

JK began his remarks by thanking the crowd for their past support and asking them to once again take on the Republican smear machine. Electing Randy Maatta was a priority to the future health of our republic. Randy (who is a South Carolina native) will stand up for fiscal responsibility and represent values that favor the safety of children over the preservation of power. JK asked the crowd to reach out to those who were dissatisfied with the direction of the country. He assailed the president’s claim that Iraq is the center of the war on terror. It was Osama Bin Laden and not Saddam Hussein who masterminded the largest mass murder of Americans on our soil. It is a failure of leadership that America finds itself with 7 times the number of troops in Iraq as we have in Afghanistan. He ended with a ringing call to send Randy Maatta to Congress.

Road Report from Ted Chiodo:

10-20-2006: Hello from beautiful South Carolina with 18 days left till the 2006 election.

Today (after a somewhat late night celebrating Marvin’s birthday), JK and his travelling band of staffers headed out to a GOTV rally with Randy Maatta who is running for the 1st Congressional District seat in South Carolina. Randy, who is South Carolina true and blue, greated us at the Charleston Democratic headquarters. It was an excited crowd looking forward to claiming victory in 2006.

Stay tuned for a road report later….

Mahalo!
<!-more->

    -- Ted

When a flurry of misinformation flashed around the progressive blogosphere from Hotline’s post about a certain anonymously-posted website, truth-telling bloggers stepped up to set the record straight. Here’s what two blogs in particular had to say in response:

Taylor Marsh spoke for many of us when she said:

People need to do more than just pull out one number and run with it. It’s damaging to us all, but most especially to someone who is working his ass off in this cycle, regardless if you like or hate John Kerry.

As for whatever money he might or might not have in his own coffers, I think the fundraising above shows his willingness to work for the party, his colleagues and Democratic hopefuls. I also have to bluntly ask why anyone should be made to drain his or her political coffers dry when they’re working balls to the walls day in and day out in a given election cycle. Is the man supposed to give every last dime and be left with nothing going forward? Again, it’s not like he’s sitting on his ass watching the days tick by until this is all over.

What fund-raising, you might ask? <!-more-> Well, Taylor presents the best summary we’ve seen of just how much JK has done to make sure that we have a Democratic majority in both houses of Congress come election day. Be sure to check it out.

Taylor concluded:

Again, our top Democratic Party politicians owe the party a lot, especially when they have the clout to give it, but whether we’re talking about Hillary Clinton or John Kerry or Joe Biden, they do not owe anyone the gift of their own future, whatever path they might choose to take.

Pamela Leavey at The Democratic Daily also stepped up to the plate and made this point:

The truth is no one has done more for Democratic candidates in this election cycle than John Kerry (which Hotline alludes to but doesn’t give the full scoop) but evidently it’s still not enough as far as some are concerned. I find this curious because John Kerry was not sitting around dawdling months ago when success for Democrats appeared more like a fantasy than something attainable. No — he was out there working hard to raise money for Democratic candidates long before anyone else got the notion to get involved. He did not wait until this late stage in the campaign to pitch in and help like others have, because Kerry understands that “early money” counts the most and it is usually hardest to raise. Kerry’s team applied that rule of early support of Senate candidates on the top targeted Senate races.

and wound it up with this winner of a conclusion:

So let the chickenshits at HeyJohn.org come forward and tell us all who they are — because “No one has done more than John Kerry to support Democratic candidates”

Sounds like a certain senator we know!

So we’d like to tip our hats to Taylor Marsh, the Democratic Daily, and all the other online commentators who have taken pains to keep the truth flowing out there.

Our thanks to you all!

-- The JK Blog team

Road Report from Ted Chiodo:

10/18/2006: John Kerry and Gov. Granholm’s final event of the day took place in Flint, Michigan. It was a large rally in Genesee County supporting the veterans of Flint. The boisterous rally took place outside the Flint Coordinated Campaign office.

It was packed with veterans and Democratic supporters who have had enough with the current administrations’ rovian smears that Democrats aren’t patriotic enough.  One could feel the fighting spirit in the crowd—these Democrats were ready to sweep Michigan and Washington, D.C. clean. <!-more-> As I hustled to find a perch to get some video for everyone, the event began with opening remarks by the revved up Genesee County Treasurer Dan Kidde who handed it off to Michigan’s own senator (fresh from her victorious debate) Sen. Debbie Stabenow.  Debbie remarked that victory was sweet in the debate but will be even sweeter when she wipes the floor with her Republican opponent on Nov 7th.  The crowd replied with a standing ovation as she gave the floor back to Gov Granholm.

The governor quickly brought the choice in 2006 to the forefront and laid bare the Republican deficit of ideas.  She wants to make sure this was a grand slam year for Democrats, especially with the Tigers vying for their first World Series since the 80s.  She then turned the mike over to John who really brought home the choice before us in 06.

JK was passionate, clear and decisive in his vision for a democratic victory in 06, stating, defining our democratic values and ideas, laying bare the lies of the current administration and pledging to govern on the basis of the truth, is a strategy that will send Democrats to the majority this year. The video (available on the multimedia page) is well worth a look.

After the rally, JK spent time shaking hands, hugging, posing for pictures and listening to stories and generally, really enjoying the people of Flint and Genesee County who’d come out for the rally.

Well, I will be back as soon as I find a outlet…. Keep fighting!

Mahalo!

    -- Ted

Road Report from Ted Chiodo:

10-18-2006:  With 21 days left till America sends a blue tidal wave into DC, John Kerry spent the day in Michigan touring the state with Democratic Gov. Jennifer Granholm.  The day began around 9am in a sunny and crisp Detroit.  The land yacht was mighty full as we headed to Lansing, Michigan, home of the Michigan State Spartans, to speak at a dedication of the site for the Michigan Law Enforcement Memorial.

Gov. Granholm and John Kerry walked up the sloping grass to the future Memorial site where the Michigan Law Enforcement officers and the press had gathered. <!-more-> The program began with a benediction and all bowed their heads to pray for all of Michigan’s finest who made the ultimate sacrifice.  After the prayer I was able to jostle my way to the front to capture a great video of the Senator’s remarks.  The speech is well worth a viewing.

JK used his time to remind Americans the great sacrifice made by Police officers who are this country’s first responders.  These brave men and women need to know that their government fully supports their difficult and harrowing job.  Creating Memorials after the fact is not enough if American and this administration does not fully fund their effort.

No police officer should be injured or killed because their department wasn’t able to equip them with the latest protective vests or train them with the best techniques.  Their job is dangerous enough with out having to worry about having the money necessary to buy equipment, hire officers and train them.  It is an American value to fully support those who choose to protect and serve their communities at grave personal risk.

After the event JK went from group to group shaking hands and thanking officers for their tireless dedication to this country.

Look for my next report from Michigan, Mahalo!

    -- Ted

Road Report from Ted Chiodo:

Wednesday, 10-18-2006

John Kerry traveled with Gov. Granholm today in Michigan. Our first stop of the day was a dedication of the site of the Michigan law enforcement memorial. The site was just outside Capital Park, next to the Hall of Justice in Lansing, Michigan.  John Kerry talked for about 10 minutes on the sacrifice of officers who put their lives on the line each day they go to work.  That the sort of self sacrifice and bravery that law enforcement officers show every day is what American values really are. Gov. Granholm then thanked the officers and dedicated the site to all those officers who gave their lives in the line of duty for the great state of Michigan.

Stay tuned for the road post and video.

Mahalo!
<!-more->

    -- Ted

Road Report from Ted Chiodo:

10-17-2006: Our next stop in Iowa was at the Linn County Democratic Headquarters in Cedar Rapids, Iowa with Linda Langston.  The ice cream-fueled, traveling staff arrived at 3:05 pm sharp at the headquarters on Main Street.  John Kerry was met at the door by Peggy Whitworth and County Commissioner Linda Langston, who greeted us with smiles and hugs.  JK then chatted with a bunch of supporters and Democratic activists. <!-more-> Two of the people in the room were Peg Wilson and her son, Matthew Wilson.  Matthew was wounded last year in Afghanistan.  On October 9th of last year, JK stopped by the Wilsons’ Iowa home to thank him for his brave service to our country.

When Peg and Matt stood up to thank him for his visit, John replied, “It’s the least I could have done and I know everyone in this room is proud of you, Matthew, and wants to thank you for your brave service to our country.” The crowd gave Matthew and his mom Peg a hearty round of applause and John went over and gave them both hugs.

I surveyed the room and saw a great countdown calendar as well as munchies. The Linn county Dems had some great brownies out on a table in back of the room. I finished off 4 brownies (like the road diet? Ice cream for breakfast, brownies for lunch….) before I stepped outside and had a nice volunteer snap a picture of me in the door way off Main Street.

Back inside, JK was warmly introduced by a gracious Peggy Whitworth. John Kerry talked about Bush’s Katrina foreign policy that assures squabbling Iraqi politicians that the US is willing to sacrifice American lives because Iraqis won’t get on with securing their own democracy.

“No American solider should sacrifice his or her life because some Iraqi politician in Baghdad isn’t willing to do his job,” Kerry said. The crowd erupted with applause as John Kerry ended by asking them to get out and make it happen in 2006.

Iowa is a great state and I really enjoyed my time spent here today. Stay tuned for a road report from Michigan.

Mahalo!

    -- Ted

[Editor’s note: Cross-posted from Huffington Post]

Anyone who comes to Huffington Post has seen that the bloggers here have been the first to stand up and defend veterans from Admiral Sestak to Tammy Duckworth when they’ve been slandered. It should be a source of pride and testimony to how the blogosphere can get the truth out and deny lies a sliver of daylight.

But I need to tell you about a <a href=”http://www.huffingtonpost.com/dave-johnson/cbs-news-provides-free-ai_b_31824.html”>bigger effort that <a href=”http://www.taylormarsh.com/archives_view.php?id=24644”>many here at <a href=”http://www.huffingtonpost.com/james-boyce/let-the-voter-beware_b_31357.html”>Huffington Post have been working on very hard these last few weeks – and could use all of our help with from now to November 7th.

The Patriot Project has an incredibly important and concise mission. “Freedom of speech and the right to dissent are cornerstones of our democracy. The Patriot Project will defend any man or woman, regardless of party or affiliation, who is attacked or defamed and whose patriotism is questioned simply because they exercise their rights as Americans. This is our mission.”

That’s pretty damn fundamental in itself to who we are. But there’s a human face behind it. The fight is intensely personal to me. Veterans are running for office all over our country. A lot of them got interested in politics as part of my campaign, and some got involved in Wes Clark’s race. Some of us had disagreements for thirty five years—like me and Jim Webb, we didn’t see eye to eye over the war we fought in. But no matter where we came from, something much bigger now brings us together—we’re all a band of brothers now.

When I got off the phone with <a href=”http://blog.johnkerry.com/2006/10/swiftboating_never_again.html”>Patrick Murphy after the chickenshit attacks on his military record, something felt awfully familiar and it got me pissed off. I care about these men and women. They’ve got guts and they’ve got brains and they’ve got heart and I’m telling you they will change the character of this pathetic Congress, and I’m boiling mad watching people who didn’t serve attack those who did because they can’t win a debate on the merits.

But we need to take our anger and put it somewhere constructive – and the folks at Patriot Project have a very smart way of doing exactly that. They’ve been exposing front group after front group that have popped up this year just as they did in 2004, and they’ve been kicking the enemy right in the teeth.

From Bob Perry’s Economic Freedom Fund to <a href=”http://www.patriotproject.com/2006/07/the_swiftboatin.php”>”Vets For Truth” which has been attacking a once and forever Marine Jack Murtha, The Patriot Project has been fighting back. And <a href=”http://www.patriotproject.com/2006/10/the_patriot_pro_1.php”>fighting back hard.

Yesterday, I had the chance to send out an email on behalf of The Patriot Project, asking people to help do whatever they can to <a href=”http://www.patriotproject.com/contribute.php”>support their mission.

But if there’s one thing I’ve learned in politics, it’s that you need to ask and ask and ask again. I’m asking again here today. Please visit <a href=”http://www.patriotproject.com”>www.patriotproject.com. Learn more about what they’re doing and where they’re planning on fighting these final weeks. With our help, they will be out there from California to Pennsylvania and everywhere in between.

It’s up to all of us to say enough is enough. Stop the <a href=”http://www.patriotproject.com/2006/10/john_kerry_figh_1.php”>swift-boating. Stop the <a href=”http://www.patriotproject.com/2006/10/push_polling_wh.php”>push-polling. Stop the front groups that are created with single $5,000,000 donations from Texas tycoons.

Nitpick the campaign I ran all you want, question the tactics, I can take it —but above all the small criticisms, I know that I lost to two lies backed up by big money: a lie about Iraq and a lie about my military record. Pundits can feast on the little details, I’m busy this year making sure that no veteran loses to a lie in 2006.

Stand up for the truth by <a href=”http://www.patriotproject.com/contribute.php”>supporting The Patriot Project.