[The 90’s Election Specials raw: Paul Tsongas in Rockford, IL]

Raw footage for The 90's election specials. Senator Paul Tsongas makes an appearance in Rockford, IL.

00:00Copy video clip URL Videomaker Skip Blumberg leaves an apartment building, talks to a doorman about cameras as he waits for a cab, and then takes a taxi to Rockford, taping a few shots of parking lots on the way, and a sign indicating Rockford is 2 miles away.

03:03Copy video clip URL Blumberg arrives, tapes the exterior of building where Tsongas is to appear, and interviews press and other people at the event about the campaign while they wait for Tsongas to arrive.

11:34Copy video clip URL Blumberg enters the building, and talks to Chuck Sweeney, a reporter from Rockford, who explains that many Rockfordians doubt Clinton and want to check out Tsongas. He then points out Clinton supporters in the crowd, and talks about his experience with this election.

17:39Copy video clip URL A good interview with a Rockfordian, Stanley Campbell, who talks about why he is attending the Tsongas event, political activism in Rockford, and past elections.

21:34Copy video clip URL Interview with a former Kerry delegate, Marianne Aiello, now supporting Tsongas, and an active member of the Democratic party in Rockford. She wants more employment and easier health care. She thinks Republicans “live in a different world.”

33:33Copy video clip URL Tsongas arrives, wades through the crowd shaking hands, there is loud applause. A man introduces him.

36:50Copy video clip URL Tsongas gives a campaign speech at a podium. He begins with the story about how he almost died of cancer, then moves into his platform, which mainly involves talking about not making tax cuts and criticizing Bush. “I’m the non-Santa Claus.”

46:19Copy video clip URL The speech is over; Blumberg tapes audience reactions, which are mixed, amidst footage of Tsongas signing autographs. One Rockfordian calls Tsongas the “Elmer Fudd of the democratic candidates.” and “He puts people to sleep instead of talking about…” There is one Republican who plans to vote for Tsongas.

53:17Copy video clip URL Blumberg also gets to ask Tsongas one question as he signs autographs: “Do you feel like a winner?” Tsongas: “I’m going to be the next president, if that’s what you mean.”

59:01Copy video clip URL Tsongas campaign drives away, and then Blumberg tapes the exterior of the building where the speech took place, the “Labor Temple.”

01:02:00Copy video clip URL End of tape.