Real People Tour – Pennsylvania

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The 2004 Presidential Campaign “Real People Tour”.  The Real People Tour was a 10 state, 15 day traveling assignment covered by the Columbus Dispatch political team of Joe Hallett and Jonathan Riskind along with photographer James D. DeCamp, who tried to find the real stories and opinions of the ‘real’ people of America by traversing the presidential battleground states in the midwest and finding people in their element.  These are some of those stories.

 

Jonathan Riskind, right, interviews Kathy Trombacco, Erie, PA, at an anti domestic violence rally in downtown Erie, PA Sunday October 3, 2004 on day 10 of the 2004 'Real People Tour' of middle America. (© James D. DeCamp | http://www.JamesDeCamp.com | 614-367-6366) [Photographed with Canon 1D MkII cameras in RAW mode with L series lenses]

Jonathan Riskind, right, interviews Kathy Trombacco, Erie, PA, at an anti domestic violence rally in downtown Erie, PA Sunday October 3, 2004 on day 10 of the 2004 ‘Real People Tour’ of middle America.

Kathy Trombacco, Erie, PA, talks with us at an anti domestic violence rally in downtown Erie, PA Sunday October 3, 2004 on day 10 of the 2004 'Real People Tour' of middle America. (© James D. DeCamp | http://www.JamesDeCamp.com | 614-367-6366) [Photographed with Canon 1D MkII cameras in RAW mode with L series lenses]

Kathy Trombacco, Erie, PA, talks with us at an anti domestic violence rally in downtown Erie, PA Sunday October 3, 2004 on day 10 of the 2004 ‘Real People Tour’ of middle America.

Chuck Bardwell, left, and Tim Helsley celebrate a Pittsburgh Steelers touchdown at Scorchers Casual Eatery & Draft House in Erie, PA Sunday October 3, 2004 on day 10 of the 2004 'Real People Tour' of middle America. (© James D. DeCamp | http://www.JamesDeCamp.com | 614-367-6366) [Photographed with Canon 1D MkII cameras in RAW mode with L series lenses]

Chuck Bardwell, left, and Tim Helsley celebrate a Pittsburgh Steelers touchdown at Scorchers Casual Eatery & Draft House in Erie, PA Sunday October 3, 2004 on day 10 of the 2004 ‘Real People Tour’ of middle America.

Susan Jefferys talks with us at Scorchers Casual Eatery & Draft House in Erie, PA Sunday October 3, 2004 on day 10 of the 2004 'Real People Tour' of middle America. (© James D. DeCamp | http://www.JamesDeCamp.com | 614-367-6366) [Photographed with Canon 1D MkII cameras in RAW mode with L series lenses]

Susan Jefferys talks with us at Scorchers Casual Eatery & Draft House in Erie, PA Sunday October 3, 2004 on day 10 of the 2004 ‘Real People Tour’ of middle America.

Lee, left, and Sue Sedgewick fly their stacked kites on the beach of the Presque Isle State Park in Erie, PA Sunday October 3, 2004 on day 10 of the 2004 'Real People Tour' of middle America. (© James D. DeCamp | http://www.JamesDeCamp.com | 614-367-6366) [Photographed with Canon 1D MkII cameras in RAW mode with L series lenses]

Lee, left, and Sue Sedgewick fly their stacked kites on the beach of the Presque Isle State Park in Erie, PA Sunday October 3, 2004 on day 10 of the 2004 ‘Real People Tour’ of middle America.

Lee, left, and Sue Sedgewick fly their stacked kites on the beach of the Presque Isle State Park in Erie, PA Sunday October 3, 2004 on day 10 of the 2004 'Real People Tour' of middle America. (© James D. DeCamp | http://www.JamesDeCamp.com | 614-367-6366) [Photographed with Canon 1D MkII cameras in RAW mode with L series lenses]

Lee, left, and Sue Sedgewick fly their stacked kites on the beach of the Presque Isle State Park in Erie, PA Sunday October 3, 2004 on day 10 of the 2004 ‘Real People Tour’ of middle America.

Lee, left, and Sue Sedgewick fly their stacked kites on the beach of the Presque Isle State Park in Erie, PA Sunday October 3, 2004 on day 10 of the 2004 'Real People Tour' of middle America. (© James D. DeCamp | http://www.JamesDeCamp.com | 614-367-6366) [Photographed with Canon 1D MkII cameras in RAW mode with L series lenses]

Lee, left, and Sue Sedgewick fly their stacked kites on the beach of the Presque Isle State Park in Erie, PA Sunday October 3, 2004 on day 10 of the 2004 ‘Real People Tour’ of middle America.

Mark Vatavuk, a volunteer, pets one of the rescue dogs at a Dog Walk Athon for the Because You Care Dog Rescue Shelter on the Presque Isle State Park in Erie, PA Sunday October 3, 2004 on day 10 of the 2004 'Real People Tour' of middle America. (© James D. DeCamp | http://www.JamesDeCamp.com | 614-367-6366) [Photographed with Canon 1D MkII cameras in RAW mode with L series lenses]

Mark Vatavuk, a volunteer, pets one of the rescue dogs at a Dog Walk Athon for the Because You Care Dog Rescue Shelter on the Presque Isle State Park in Erie, PA Sunday October 3, 2004 on day 10 of the 2004 ‘Real People Tour’ of middle America.

Mary Wolf, holds her 14 year old Doxen 'squirt' at a Dog Walk Athon for the Because You Care Dog Rescue Shelter on the Presque Isle State Park in Erie, PA Sunday October 3, 2004 on day 10 of the 2004 'Real People Tour' of middle America. (© James D. DeCamp | http://www.JamesDeCamp.com | 614-367-6366) [Photographed with Canon 1D MkII cameras in RAW mode with L series lenses]

Mary Wolf, holds her 14 year old Doxen ‘squirt’ at a Dog Walk Athon for the Because You Care Dog Rescue Shelter on the Presque Isle State Park in Erie, PA Sunday October 3, 2004 on day 10 of the 2004 ‘Real People Tour’ of middle America.

Cathy Mowery Girard and her pup Junior talk with us at a Dog Walk Athon for the Because You Care Dog Rescue Shelter on the Presque Isle State Park in Erie, PA Sunday October 3, 2004 on day 10 of the 2004 'Real People Tour' of middle America. (© James D. DeCamp | http://www.JamesDeCamp.com | 614-367-6366) [Photographed with Canon 1D MkII cameras in RAW mode with L series lenses]

Cathy Mowery Girard and her pup Junior talk with us at a Dog Walk Athon for the Because You Care Dog Rescue Shelter on the Presque Isle State Park in Erie, PA Sunday October 3, 2004 on day 10 of the 2004 ‘Real People Tour’ of middle America.

Lilly Abreu, left, talks with Teresa Heinz Kerry at a political rally at the Teamster Temple (Local 249) in Pittsburgh, PA Monday, October 4, 2004 on day 11 of the 2004 'Real People Tour' of middle America. (© James D. DeCamp | http://www.JamesDeCamp.com | 614-367-6366) [Photographed with Canon 1D MkII cameras in RAW mode with L series lenses]

Lilly Abreu, left, talks with Teresa Heinz Kerry at a political rally at the Teamster Temple (Local 249) in Pittsburgh, PA Monday, October 4, 2004 on day 11 of the 2004 ‘Real People Tour’ of middle America.

Lilly Abreu talks with us at a democratic political rally at the Teamster Temple (Local 249) in Pittsburgh, PA Monday, October 4, 2004 on day 11 of the 2004 'Real People Tour' of middle America. (© James D. DeCamp | http://www.JamesDeCamp.com | 614-367-6366) [Photographed with Canon 1D MkII cameras in RAW mode with L series lenses]

Lilly Abreu talks with us at a democratic political rally at the Teamster Temple (Local 249) in Pittsburgh, PA Monday, October 4, 2004 on day 11 of the 2004 ‘Real People Tour’ of middle America.

Teresa Heinz Kerry talks at a political rally at the Teamster Temple (Local 249) in Pittsburgh, PA Monday, October 4, 2004 on day 11 of the 2004 'Real People Tour' of middle America. (© James D. DeCamp | http://www.JamesDeCamp.com | 614-367-6366) [Photographed with Canon 1D MkII cameras in RAW mode with L series lenses]

Teresa Heinz Kerry talks at a political rally at the Teamster Temple (Local 249) in Pittsburgh, PA Monday, October 4, 2004 on day 11 of the 2004 ‘Real People Tour’ of middle America.

Teresa Heinz Kerry talks at a political rally at the Teamster Temple (Local 249) in Pittsburgh, PA Monday, October 4, 2004 on day 11 of the 2004 'Real People Tour' of middle America. (© James D. DeCamp | http://www.JamesDeCamp.com | 614-367-6366) [Photographed with Canon 1D MkII cameras in RAW mode with L series lenses]

Teresa Heinz Kerry talks at a political rally at the Teamster Temple (Local 249) in Pittsburgh, PA Monday, October 4, 2004 on day 11 of the 2004 ‘Real People Tour’ of middle America.

Teresa Heinz Kerry talks at a political rally at the Teamster Temple (Local 249) in Pittsburgh, PA Monday, October 4, 2004 on day 11 of the 2004 'Real People Tour' of middle America. (© James D. DeCamp | http://www.JamesDeCamp.com | 614-367-6366) [Photographed with Canon 1D MkII cameras in RAW mode with L series lenses]

Teresa Heinz Kerry talks at a political rally at the Teamster Temple (Local 249) in Pittsburgh, PA Monday, October 4, 2004 on day 11 of the 2004 ‘Real People Tour’ of middle America.

Teresa Heinz Kerry signs a button for a fan after she talk at a political rally at the Teamster Temple (Local 249) in Pittsburgh, PA Monday, October 4, 2004 on day 11 of the 2004 'Real People Tour' of middle America. (© James D. DeCamp | http://www.JamesDeCamp.com | 614-367-6366) [Photographed with Canon 1D MkII cameras in RAW mode with L series lenses]

Teresa Heinz Kerry signs a button for a fan after she talk at a political rally at the Teamster Temple (Local 249) in Pittsburgh, PA Monday, October 4, 2004 on day 11 of the 2004 ‘Real People Tour’ of middle America.

Teresa Heinz Kerry talks with fans after she talked at a political rally at the Teamster Temple (Local 249) in Pittsburgh, PA Monday, October 4, 2004 on day 11 of the 2004 'Real People Tour' of middle America. (© James D. DeCamp | http://www.JamesDeCamp.com | 614-367-6366) [Photographed with Canon 1D MkII cameras in RAW mode with L series lenses]

Teresa Heinz Kerry talks with fans after she talked at a political rally at the Teamster Temple (Local 249) in Pittsburgh, PA Monday, October 4, 2004 on day 11 of the 2004 ‘Real People Tour’ of middle America.

Teresa Heinz Kerry listens to a supporter talk at a political rally at the Teamster Temple (Local 249) in Pittsburgh, PA Monday, October 4, 2004 on day 11 of the 2004 'Real People Tour' of middle America. (© James D. DeCamp | http://www.JamesDeCamp.com | 614-367-6366) [Photographed with Canon 1D MkII cameras in RAW mode with L series lenses]

Teresa Heinz Kerry listens to a supporter talk at a political rally at the Teamster Temple (Local 249) in Pittsburgh, PA Monday, October 4, 2004 on day 11 of the 2004 ‘Real People Tour’ of middle America.

Teresa Heinz Kerry listens to a supporter talk at a political rally at the Teamster Temple (Local 249) in Pittsburgh, PA Monday, October 4, 2004 on day 11 of the 2004 'Real People Tour' of middle America. (© James D. DeCamp | http://www.JamesDeCamp.com | 614-367-6366) [Photographed with Canon 1D MkII cameras in RAW mode with L series lenses]

Teresa Heinz Kerry listens to a supporter talk at a political rally at the Teamster Temple (Local 249) in Pittsburgh, PA Monday, October 4, 2004 on day 11 of the 2004 ‘Real People Tour’ of middle America.

Teresa Heinz Kerry talks with supporters at a political rally at the Teamster Temple (Local 249) in Pittsburgh, PA Monday, October 4, 2004 on day 11 of the 2004 'Real People Tour' of middle America. (© James D. DeCamp | http://www.JamesDeCamp.com | 614-367-6366) [Photographed with Canon 1D MkII cameras in RAW mode with L series lenses]

Teresa Heinz Kerry talks with supporters at a political rally at the Teamster Temple (Local 249) in Pittsburgh, PA Monday, October 4, 2004 on day 11 of the 2004 ‘Real People Tour’ of middle America.

Judy Wertheimer talks with us at a political rally for Teresa Heinz Kerry at the Teamster Temple (Local 249) in Pittsburgh, PA Monday, October 4, 2004 on day 11 of the 2004 'Real People Tour' of middle America. (© James D. DeCamp | http://www.JamesDeCamp.com | 614-367-6366) [Photographed with Canon 1D MkII cameras in RAW mode with L series lenses]

Judy Wertheimer talks with us at a political rally for Teresa Heinz Kerry at the Teamster Temple (Local 249) in Pittsburgh, PA Monday, October 4, 2004 on day 11 of the 2004 ‘Real People Tour’ of middle America.

Patricia Cefialo talks with us in front of Heinz Hall in Pittsburgh, PA Monday, October 4, 2004 on day 11 of the 2004 'Real People Tour' of middle America. (© James D. DeCamp | http://www.JamesDeCamp.com | 614-367-6366) [Photographed with Canon 1D MkII cameras in RAW mode with L series lenses]

Patricia Cefialo talks with us in front of Heinz Hall in Pittsburgh, PA Monday, October 4, 2004 on day 11 of the 2004 ‘Real People Tour’ of middle America.

Judy Trautman, left, and Kimberly Pinzok talk together in front of Heinz Hall in Pittsburgh, PA Monday, October 4, 2004 on day 11 of the 2004 'Real People Tour' of middle America. (© James D. DeCamp | http://www.JamesDeCamp.com | 614-367-6366) [Photographed with Canon 1D MkII cameras in RAW mode with L series lenses]

Judy Trautman, left, and Kimberly Pinzok talk together in front of Heinz Hall in Pittsburgh, PA Monday, October 4, 2004 on day 11 of the 2004 ‘Real People Tour’ of middle America.

Joyce DiBucci talks with us in front of Heinz Hall in Pittsburgh, PA Monday, October 4, 2004 on day 11 of the 2004 'Real People Tour' of middle America. (© James D. DeCamp | http://www.JamesDeCamp.com | 614-367-6366) [Photographed with Canon 1D MkII cameras in RAW mode with L series lenses]

Joyce DiBucci talks with us in front of Heinz Hall in Pittsburgh, PA Monday, October 4, 2004 on day 11 of the 2004 ‘Real People Tour’ of middle America.

 

The United States presidential election of 2004, the 55th quadrennial presidential election, was held on Tuesday, November 2, 2004. Incumbent Republican President George W. Bush defeated Democraticnominee John Kerry, a United States Senator from Massachusetts.

Bush and incumbent Vice President Dick Cheney were renominated by their party with no difficulty. Former Governor Howard Dean emerged as the early front-runner in the 2004 Democratic primaries, but Kerry won the first set of primaries in January 2004 and clinched his party’s nomination in March after a series of primary victories. Kerry chose Senator John Edwards of North Carolina, who had himself sought the party’s 2004 presidential nomination, to be his running mate.

Bush’s popularity had soared early in his first term after the September 11 attacks, but his popularity declined between 2001 and 2004. Foreign policy was the dominant theme throughout the election campaign, particularly Bush’s conduct of the War on Terrorism and the aftermath of the 2003 invasion of Iraq. Bush presented himself as a decisive leader and attacked Kerry as a “flip-flopper”, while Kerry criticized Bush’s conduct of the Iraq War. Domestic issues were debated as well, including the economyand jobs, health care, and moral values.

Bush won a narrow victory, taking 50.7% of the popular vote and 286 electoral votes. He swept the Southand the Mountain States and took the crucial swing states of Ohio, Iowa, and New Mexico. Some aspects of the election process were subject to controversy, but not to the degree seen in the 2000 presidential election. Bush was the first candidate of either party to win a majority of the popular vote since George H. W. Bush accomplished the same feat in the 1988 election, and the younger Bush remains the only Republican since 1988 to win the popular vote. His victory also marked the first time that the Republican nominee won a presidential election without carrying any state in the Northeastern United States.

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