Kerry, Edwards -- westward, ho
Protesters as well as supporters along the way
From Sasha Johnson
CNN Political Unit
 |  John Kerry, John Edwards, their wives and supporters make a stop in Sedalia, Missouri, late Thursday night. |
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SEDALIA, Missouri (CNN) -- Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry and his running mate John Edwards Thursday kicked off a joint campaign swing -- through the Western United States -- in Missouri, where they were met by both cheering supporters and boisterous protesters.
At an "over the rail" stop Thursday night in Sedalia, about 60 miles east of Kansas City, Kerry touted his plan to provide health care to more Americans and his support of U.S. forces serving overseas.
Some boos could be heard among the cheers, in response to his speech.
At one point, the protesters interrupted Kerry, chanting "We want Bush!"
"That's all right," Kerry said. "Let 'em chant, ladies and gentlemen, because they've only got three more months to chant."
The audience responded with loud cheers and applause.
Before Kerry spoke, Edwards delivered a shortened version of his standard stump speech.
He asked protesters to let him speak, which only riled them to shout and boo louder.
"We would never shout down our opponents when they're speaking, would we?" he said.
"Because what we believe in, what we believe in is a positive, optimistic, view of what's possible in America, we believe in Americans no matter where you live, no matter what the color of your skin."
He continued on, imploring the Republican supporters to be kind, saying, "I just want to say to those folks who don't want to hear from us, my children are on this train; show 'em some good Missouri manners if you don't mind."
This line solicited a boisterous round of applause from the crowd.
Teresa Heinz Kerry said Democrats would never treat the opposing party in such a manner.
"I would like to say to all of you that if Laura Bush was here I'd say 'hello' politely to her and I'd expect all Democrats to do that too. This is a free country and in a free Democratic country we have our opinions but we respect other people's place. So enjoy your democracy, enjoy your democracy."
The Kerry train also did "slow rolls" through Warrensburg, Lee's Summit and Independence, Missouri. In Independence, Kerry implored the crowds who showed up at 12:30 a.m. (1:30 a.m. ET) to "get some sleep" and "get to work."
The campaign swing will take the Democratic candidates over 1,800 miles through Missouri, Colorado, New Mexico, and Arizona.
