By Jen Thomas
12:00PM / Saturday, January 12, 2008
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| Sen. John Kerry speaks with the city's Director of Cultural Development Megan Whilden during the "Berkshire Creative Energy Showcase." |
PITTSFIELD - More than 200 Berkshire County Democrats made their voices heard at a rally on Friday night and their message was clear - America needs change.
Joined by Sen. John Kerry, Lt. Gov. Timothy Murray and members of the Berkshire delegation, local Democratic supporters gathered at Spice restaurant to demand a new direction for the nation, which would begin by electing a Democrat into the White House.
"Together with a Democratic president, we're going to be able to finally move this nation forward," said Sen. John Kerry during a speech punctuated by the crowd's cheers and shouts of agreement as keynote speaker of the Berkshire Brigades' Democratic Campaign Kick-Off.
"It's going to take a Democratic movement."
Though he endorsed Ill. Sen. Barack Obama at a rally in South Carolina on Thursday, Kerry called upon county Democrats to support the party in general because "it's not about partisanship or ideology."
"It's coming to be one of those critical moments in our history where we get to register our hopes for the future. No matter what happens at the end of this, I know the Democrats are going to get together and select a Democratic president," Kerry said.
Specifically naming the Iraq War and global climate change as key issues in this year's presidential election, the senator said a Democrat in the Oval Office would give the Congress the power it needs to truly facilitate change.
"Now more than ever, this election is about common sense, about our country, about how you move everyone forward together," he said.
Sen. Benjamin Downing spoke passionately about endorsing Barack Obama for president. |
As part of the night's event, Kerry toured the "Berkshire Creative Energy Showcase," a demonstration of the Berkshires' leadership in both the creative economy sector and in developing alternative and renewable energy sources. Shown tables hosted by, among others, the Topia Inn, Barrington Stage Company, Berkshire Biodiesel, the Center for Ecological Technology and the Williamstown Theater Festival, Kerry commended the region for its ability to look ahead.
"The creative economy and renewable, green energy is not jus the future of the county; it's the future for the country," he said.
Lee Harrison, the chairman of Berkshire Brigades and executive vice president of Berkshire Biodiesel, said electing a Democrat president would be "the end of our long national nightmare."
"It is one year and nine days from Jan. 20, 2009 - that's Bush's last day in office and that marks the end of this nightmare because we're going to elect a Democrat president. Have no fear; it's going to happen," Harrison said.
Following pleas from representatives for each major Democratic candidate - including rousing speeches from Rep. Daniel Bosley, D- North Adams for N.Y. Sen. Hillary Clinton and Sen. Benjamin Downing, D-Pittsfield, for Obama - the rally's attendees named Obama their choice candidate in a straw poll.
Lt. Gov. Timothy Murray advocated grassroots work to recruit more voters in 2008. |
With 91 votes, Obama took the honor. Clinton received 63 votes; Edwards, 36; Dennis Kucinich, 15; Mike Gravel, 1.
Saying he's supported Obama since his 2004 run for Senate, Downing told the audience he was "inspired" by Obama's message of change.
"We are the party of change. I think that this time, with these challenges we face, we don't need the same old, same old. We don't need the solutions of yesterday. We need change for tomorrow," he said in his speech.
"There's a lot of work still to do, but we have a real chance to be part of an Obama sweep in February (in the Massachusetts primary)," Downing said after the results of the straw poll were revealed.
For Harrison, Friday's rally is just one step to a whole new world.
"We cannot go on in the way we are for much longer. We need to have change - for our children, our grandchildren and our environment. And that change will come in the form of a Democratic president," he said.
