Dem-onstration of support

A capacity crowd greeted Sen. John Edwards with a boisterous dose of brotherly love Monday night as he strode onstage at the Sheet Metal Workers Local 19 Hall.

The Democratic vice-presidential nominee was in town to drum up support for his running mate, Sen. John Kerry, who is locked in close races with President Bush to win over Pennsylvania and 11 other swing states.

A Gallup poll taken earlier this month found that registered Pennsylvania voters favor Kerry over Bush by a slim margin, 48 percent to 46 percent.

Still, some who attended the rally believe the tight presidential race ultimately will give way to a strong Kerry victory.

"We already have the vote, no question. It’s just a matter of protecting it," said state Sen. Vince Fumo, alluding to the Democratic Party’s decision to retain lawyers in a preemptive move against Republican interference.

Rochelle Washington, a ward leader from West Philly, agreed with the senator’s conclusion.

"I really think they’re going to take off and carry this state. It’s up to the women, and they’ve got us," she said.

While a Kerry victory was the main topic of conversation throughout the night, others offered effusive praise of Edwards, the man widely regarded as the more charismatic half of the ticket.

Known for his toothy smile, shiny hair and Southern drawl, Edwards was a hit with both men and women in the admittedly biased crowd.

"I think he was just wonderful. This was my first [political rally], and he made a magnificent impression," remarked Joan Flores, a West Philly resident. "You could really feel his electricity. The Southern hospitality really inspired people, too."

Aside from Fumo, Edwards drew a host of other local Democrats, including Mayor John Street, U.S. Rep. Bob Brady and Electricians Local 98 chief John Dougherty.

The regular folks in the audience of more than 1,500 paid $150 apiece to see the North Carolina senator speak. At least one man, concerned he was not getting his money’s worth, defended his right to Secret Service agents to muscle in for photos.

The blue-collar workers in the crowd appreciated Edwards’ emphasis on "bread-and-butter issues," according to Ken McDougall, a union leader from Norristown.

"He covered the important topics — labor issues, troubles at home and abroad — and he did it with total sincerity," McDougall said.

Edwards touched on the war in Iraq as well, even as Bush supporters outside of the hall at 1301 S. Columbus Blvd. proclaimed that voters must "Drop John and John" on Election Day to keep America safe.

"Our boys don’t need a flip-flopper as a commander-in-chief," said one Bush supporter, who identified himself as a Catholic against Kerry.

Catchy slogans aside, the Bush supporters largely kept to themselves.

The lack of confrontation was a sharp contrast to an August Bush rally starring Rudy Giuliani in the Italian Market, which featured several screaming matches.

"Altogether, it was a great night," said Germantown native Susan Pray. "Edwards reached a lot of people, and we’re all going to work together to get rid of Bush."