Eleven thousand Ohioans woke up bright and early Sept. 4 to listen to Sen. John Kerry, the Democratic presidential candidate, speak at Firestone Stadium in Akron.

The gates opened at 8 that morning, with lines weaving around cars in the parking lot 2 1/2 hours before Kerry was scheduled to speak. Until he arrived, the crowd listened to a Motown band and other speakers, such as the senatorial candidate Eric Fingerhut. The energetic Fingerhut had the crowd chanting his name at the beginning and end of his speech and pumped up the crowd until Kerry arrived 30 minutes late.

Kerry's tardiness did not bother the supporters who had been waiting for three hours. Chants of "Kerry, Kerry, Kerry" and "Go, John, Go" echoed through the crowd. Signs read, "A Stronger America Begins at Home" and "Ohio is Kerry Country."

Kerry's speech touched many topics, including health care, the war on terrorism and unemployment.

His plan for health care includes allowing Americans to buy cheaper prescription drugs from Canada and allowing Medicare to buy in bulk, resulting in lower prices for seniors. He also wants Americans to be able to buy into the same health care plan U.S. Congressmen have.

Kerry attacked President Bush for his policies in Iraq. Kerry said Bush misled America into war. He also indicated Bush should have gained UN support before sending troops.

Kerry said he would gain foreign support and make better use of intelligence in the war.

"I will fight a smarter war on terrorism," he said.

The senator's speech focused on unemployment. He blamed the Republicans for making it cheaper for corporations to send jobs overseas.

"They promised to create 6 million jobs," Kerry said. "Well guess what? They're 7 million jobs short!"

The candidate's speech was certainly targeted at a local audience. He addressed the unemployment situation in the state.

"Ohio has lost 230,000 jobs since [Bush] took office," he said. That is more than any other state.

Kerry localized his speech by bringing up a local bar called the Ido, which is located a few blocks from the stadium. He even mentioned that while he could take a position on many issues, he couldn't choose between Hoban and St. Vincent-St. Mary.

Junior Tim Brenner was at the rally.

"I know it was his speech writers, but I still enjoyed the personal touch," he said.

Among the crowd were about a dozen Hoban students and a handful of Hoban faculty members.

The Senator blamed President Bush for everything from poor education to unemployment.

Brenner, who was among a Hoban contingent of about a dozen people, thought Kerry did too much mudslinging.

"He focused too much on mistakes Bush made, and didn't offer many solutions to fix the problems," Brenner said.

Others feel they are necessary points to make, considering how the President acted in the White House is the basis for his reelection.