Frank Barbaro, John Kerry, Peter Cooper

Aug 24, 2004

I got an urgent call last night from my friend Ray Whelan. Ray works for the Barbaro For Congress campaign. Would I meet Frank, Liz and Ray at Cooper Union tomorrow morning at 8:30. It seems there would be a photo opportunity with Frank meeting John Kerry. Senator Kerry would be speaking in the Great Hall of Cooper Union - in the same hall that, in 1860, Abraham Lincoln spoke as a candidate. It's said that Lincoln's speech propelled him into the White House.

Stacey and I awoke early and boarded the B train for Manhattan. When we reached Cooper Union there were our friends. And about 2000 other people, some with the tickets needed for entrance, others without. It was 8:40. Little did we know that Senator Kerry, with his busy schedule, would not arrive until noon! But meantime, there was plenty to see. Major Owens, the dynamic Congressman from Brooklyn, approached Frank to say hello and chat awhile. Sonny Hall, the Inernational President of the Transport Workers Union stopped to give Frank a warm embrace and greetings. Many others who knew Frank from his years of public service stopped to reminisce.


Many people stopped by to say hello.


Representative Major Owens greets the next Congressman from the 13th CD.


Sonny Hall, International President of the Transport Workers
Union, talking with Frank Barbaro outside Cooper Union.

Inside it was more of the same - a wonderful crowd of Black and white with lots of labor representation, Democratic activists and just plain supporters. Gerry Nadler, the progressive Representative from the West Side of Manhattan, stopped to talk to Frank. Later he introduced elected officials sitting in the audience. When he introduced Frank the audience responded with, (what I thought was), greater enthusiasm than anyone else. He's greatly respected for his 26 years in the Assembly as a staunchly progressive and principled legislator.


Representative Gerrold Nadler poses with Frank for my camera.


Frank rises to a very enthusiastic applause when introduced by Gerry Nadler.

And then the man that we were all waiting for finally arrived. First, George Campbell Jr., the president of Cooper Union, welcomed all and reminded us of the history that was represented in this hall: not only Lincoln's historic speech but four other campaigning presidents had given speeches there. The founding conventions of the NAACP and the Red Cross took place here and many other important events in the formation of a more humane New York City were held at Cooper Union. It truly has been a crucible of democracy in our city and country. After those remarks President Campbell introduced John Kerry.

Kerry gave an impassioned speech which very clearly, in my opinion, set out a very distinct and opposite view from those of the current occupiers of the White House. He pointed out that Bush and Company have go to use "fear and smear" because they dare not address the real issues on which they have failed so miserably: jobs, health care, the environment. To be balanced, he still has not opposed the war on Iraq (a big mistake I believe) but said he could pursue it in a "smarter" fashion. How do you smarten a failed and tainted policy? The Bush diktat of endless war and naked aggression should be rejected not corrected.


Cooper Union President, George Campbell Jr., introduces the next President, John Kerry.


John Kerry at Cooper Union speaking from the very same podium
that Abraham Lincoln used in 1860. Lincoln went on to win the
White House. Hopefully, Kerry will follow in his footsteps.



John Kerry greets Frank after his speech. "Good luck on your campaign. "

Truth be told, John Kerry sounded and looked Presidential.

Are there weaknesses in his positions? Well, yes.

Is he 1000%, or more, preferential to four more dangerous years of the Bush gang? Hell, yes!

There should be no question or doubt on that whatsoever.

And so I say -- All out to elect John Kerry for President! That should be the goal of every progressive, every American who cherishes our democracy and wants to preserve it. Nothing less than that is at stake on November 2nd.


Click the photo above to go to SMUGMUG and see more photos
from today's Cooper Union event.



Be there....this is the time to march as no other time before!

P.S. - While you're at it - make sure you march against the Bushies this Sunday.

DON'T BE CONFUSED - THE MARCH IS LEGAL AND PERMITTED!
Remember, despite the court rulings against the rally (which was scheduled for after the march in Central Park), the march, itself, is legal and permitted! The march gathers at 10 am on Sunday, August 29th at Seventh Avenue and 14th Street (and takes off up Seventh Avenue at noon). Click here for more details on Sunday's march.