RALEIGH -- "Johnny B. Goode," the unofficial song for the John Kerry and John Edwards presidential campaign, blared from the loudspeakers no fewer than three times at a July 10 rally, each time injecting some life into the wilted and sweat-soaked supporters at North Carolina State University.
Elizabeth Smith, 57, hummed along and the gold chain bracelet on her ankle swayed as she tapped her foot to the lyrics: "Maybe someday your name'll be in lights Sayin' Johnny B. Goode tonight."
It took thousands of free bottles of water to rev up the crowd. A mini air-conditioned tent was set up in back of the crowd, and organizers added a misting tent several hours into the rally to help supporters cool down. Still, health officials on the scene said dozens were treated for dehydration and more than 10 people were transported to area hospitals. The 96-degree heat didn't deter the crowd from supporting the duo, even if the humidity did mellow the mood of the rally. "The heat that we're feeling right now is nothing compared to the heat that Kerry gave George Bush when he picked John Edwards," said Lee Jones, 50, as a drop of sweat fell from her perfectly coifed hair. She stood near her daughter fingering one of the placards that organizers handed out before the Democratic presidential hopefuls arrived and that functioned as fans for the overheated enthusiasts. "It was awesome! I got to hold his hand for, like, five seconds," Duke junior Nicky Cederblom gushed. She sheepishly admitted she had fallen for Kerry's charisma as well as his politics. For Cederblom and her friend, Duke junior Julia Hueckel, a Kerry-Edwards ticket marks a chance for North Carolina voters to affect the presidential election. Young voters at the rally said domestic issues like health care and the economy would draw them to the polls. In his stump speech, Kerry called for "less greed" in health care and a higher minimum wage. But it was Edwards, who graduated from N.C. State and is a first-term senator from North Carolina, who drew many of the supporters. "Hell, the last time North Carolina had someone going toward the White House, most of us weren't even born," said Christopher Carroll, 33. The loudspeakers boomed songs over the heads of the tired crowd, signaling the end of the choreographed rally as Kerry and Edwards dove into the masses of people near the stage to shake a few hands. And as people started to file out of the Court of North Carolina, the chorus echoed through the emptying quad. "Go, Johnny, go! Go! Johnny B. Goode."
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