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Rendell, Kerry campaign in Carlisle
Carlisle a buzz of activity Sunday afternoon in a day local party chairwoman calls 'historic.'
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Sen. John Kerry speaks to Barack Obama supporters during his stop Sunday afternoon at the Obama campaign office on the Square in Carlisle. Matthew O'Haren/Special to The Sentinel
Tionka Perkins, right, a Butler University student and intern at the Hillary Clinton Campaign headquarters in Washington D.C., listens to Gov. Ed Rendell speak during his visit to the Cumberland County Democrat Committee Sunday afternoon in downtown Carlisle. Matthew O'Haren/The Sentinel
Gov. Ed Rendell signs an autograph for Audrey Galiher, 11, of Boiling Springs during his visit to the Cumberland County Democrat Committee Sunday afternoon in downtown Carlisle. Matthew O'Haren/Special to The Sentinel
Marcella Siemon, left, a Hillary Clinton supporter, claps as Gov. Ed Rendell speaks during his visit to the Cumberland County Democrat Committee Sunday afternoon in downtown Carlisle. Matthew O'Haren/Special to The Sentinel
Amid the dozens of supporters packed into Barack Obama’s small Carlisle headquarters, each bearing his signature pins and stickers, the one on Dianne Bryan’s jacket stuck out.
She wore a 2004 Kerry/Edwards pin, a relic from the Massachusetts senator’s failed presidential bid.
“I couldn’t bear to get rid of it,” Bryan said.
The South Middleton Township resident, there with her husband, Roger Sterand, couldn’t have picked a better day to show her support.
Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., made not one but two campaign speeches on behalf of Obama in Carlisle Sunday afternoon, saying the senator from Illinois can unite the country.
The Hillary Clinton campaign, not be outdone, also made two stops in town.
Gov. Ed Rendell, who spoke in between speeches from Kerry, said the next president needs to be able to play “hardball” to pass the reforms necessary to keep America’s economy the best in the world.
Sunday marked the collision of two of the Democratic race’s most high-profile campaign surrogates in a county, and a town, that is normally an afterthought for state and national Democratic races.
“This is a great day for Cumberland County Democrats,” said Gail McDermott, county party chairwoman. “This is a historic day.”
Kerry first appeared at Obama headquarters, at 1 S. Hanover St.
He shook hands with most of 50 or so people gathered there to greet him, many Obama volunteers, before thanking them for their efforts in 2004.
“Thanks to you, I was able to win this primary and carry the state,” Kerry said. “I’m here to plead with you to keep that lucky streak going.”
“Pennsylvania,” he said later, “can end this so-called ‘interminable’ race.”
A Quinnipiac University poll of likely Democratic voters released Wednesday shows Clinton ahead of Obama by 9 percentage points, although her lead has shrunk in recent weeks.
Kerry said those critical of Obama’s age and lack of experience need to remember former presidents Teddy Roosevelt, John F. Kennedy and Bill Clinton, who he said were younger than Obama when they took office.
The senator then compared Obama to a former politician from Illinois who didn’t have much experience in Washington ” Abraham Lincoln.
“He had only two years of experience in Washington, but all the judgment in the world,” Kerry said.
As Kerry spoke, U.S. Rep. Allyson Schwartz, D-Philadelphia, stumped for Clinton at the party’s headquarters at 46 W. Louther St.
Rendell followed Schwartz and began by presenting the Cumberland County Democratic Party a $5,000 check for an air conditioner he promised to buy them in 2006.
The room, which was not much larger than an average high school classroom, was overflowing with people who sat through Schwartz’s speech and those Obama supporters who walked from Kerry’s event.
The crowd, McDermott said, was one of the two largest she had seen at the headquarters ” Rendell’s 2006 visit being the other.
The Pennsylvania governor said the country needs to change its health care system, economy and education if it wants to compete with nations like China and India.
But he questioned how to best achieve change, calling Sen. Clinton, D-N.Y., best prepared to deal with the pressing issues.
“You can’t do it just by wishing for it and making great speeches,” Rendell said. “You have to know how to play hardball.”
He added that the Democratic nominee also must be prepared to handle Republican attacks. Obama and Clinton have used only “conventional weapons” during their race, he said ” adding that Republicans will use “nuclear weapons” before November.
“They’re not going to pussyfoot around,” he said.
But Rendell urged party members to unite behind whichever candidate wins the nomination. He issued what he called a “gubernatorial edict” to all those present.
“If your candidate loses, you have 10 days to be (angry),” he said. “And on the 11th day, go with all of your heart and soul and support the other candidate.
“I’ll do you one better,” Rendell said. “I’ll only take five days.”
Kerry echoed Rendell’s remarks when he appeared at the headquarters for his second speech ” walking into the room just as Rendell left.
Standing on a chair in front of the same audience that had just listened to Rendell, Kerry said a Democrat needs to take office regardless of what happens in the primary race.
“Either way, we’re going to make history,” Kerry said. “Either way America wins, because we have two great candidates.”
