LEWISTON – As John Kerry told the country that as president, he’d never “mislead us into war,” Theresa Fyfe, 78, of Auburn, was watching.

As Kerry said “proclaiming mission accomplished’ certainly doesn’t make it so,” or that he’d never put troops in harm’s way unless there was no other choice, Gail Wahl of Calais stared at the television screen.

As Kerry promised to lower taxes on the middle class and raise them for those with annual incomes of $200,000-plus, and that family values means valuing families, Nancy Perry applauded.

As Kerry promised that “help is on the way” for restoring the country’s international credibility, delivering relief to the middle class, closing tax loopholes so jobs aren’t exported overseas, a group at the downtown Lewiston Democratic office watched, hollered and cheered.

The group applauded more than 35 times throughout the acceptance speech. All were beaming as Kerry concluding by promising that the country’s best days are still to come. Once or twice, a few joined in Kerry’s chorus, saying with him: “Help is on the way.”

“I thought it was marvelous” Fyfe said after Kerry’s speech. “He gives us hope. He says help is on the way. Thank God. Help has got to be on the way. We need help.”

Fyfe said Kerry was kind to the Bush administration. “I couldn’t have been so kind.”

Perry, who chairs the Androscoggin Democratic Committee, called Kerry’s speech wonderful. She liked his positive reaction to stem cell research, and that the Massachusetts senator wants to strengthen the military and not use part-time service men and woman in the Guard and Reserve as a back-door draft.

Wahl praised Kerry’s upbeat tone. “He’s trying to bring the country together. I’m sick and tired of this divisiveness. We’re never going to get anywhere with that.”

Roland and Diane Poirier of Lewiston were grinning after the speech. Wearing Kerry stickers, he said he liked that Kerry “is talking about the truth. That’s what we’re missing with the current administration right now.” Asked what truth is needed, he said the war in Iraq.

“Bush was asked if he ever made a mistake. He stood there not being able to admit he ever made a mistake,” Poirier said. “To be in such denial tells me we need a different person.”

Diane Poirier said Kerry spoke from the heart.

David Adams of Auburn heard what he wanted to hear: “bringing back jobs from foreign seas,” he said. “We’ve got to have that. We’ve got to have jobs.”

Before the speech began, a few talked about why they’re supporting Kerry. Fyfe said she was raised Republican and remained one until John F. Kennedy ran for president. The current JFK shares some of the same qualities, she said.

“They’re giving John Kerry the same hard times they gave JFK. They make so much of the abortion issue. That’s a woman’s right. We don’t need to be dictated to by a bunch of men.”

Her husband is a Republican, but is voting for Kerry, she said. “My husband says if Bush wins we’re moving to Canada,” she said.

Wahl admires Kerry’s military service in Vietnam, a theme the candidate played up in his speech. Wahl’s voice grew loud as she complained about the Bush campaign’s attacking Kerry’s military record. “How dare he when he was off politicking for one of his father’s friends.”

Too many Americans seem willing to “give up their country for their tax cuts,” she said. “That drives me nuts.”