Posted on 09/08/2004 4:19:15 AM PDT by TomB
Jill Mitchell didn't let a little thing like being eight months pregnant stop her from standing in line for hours to get free tickets to see the leader of the free world.
Mitchell, 29, of Southmont said she is not a political junkie but views President Bush's visit to Johnstown tomorrow afternoon as an historic event.
"I saw we could get tickets, so I had a day off of work and decided to come down," said Mitchell, as she looked down Main Street toward the entrance of the Cambria County Republican Committee headquarters, 636 Main St. "This is an opportunity that is too difficult to pass up."
A sea of people started to gather about 7 a.m. in order to get tickets when the Republican headquarters opened a little after 9 a.m.
A stream of people stretched two blocks back to Adams Street for most of the morning and well into the afternoon.
By last night, a White House official said every ticket for the event was taken.
Bush's surprise appearance at Cambria County War Memorial Arena was announced Monday and sent the wheels of the local Republican committee in motion.
GOP county leader Robert Gleason was on hand yesterday and was encouraged by the public's response.
"It's exciting to see these people lined up for blocks to get tickets," said Gleason as he peered out the window of committee headquarters. "This is an event that crosses party lines. Bush only lost Cambria County (in 2000) by 2,000 votes, but many people identify with the presidents' values when it comes to supporting pro-life, the sanctity of marriage and fighting terrorism."
Distributing tickets was a slow process.
People had to supply a photo identification and a list of names for whom tickets are intended. Names and tickets will be crossmatched at the door on the day of the rally.
Anne Wilson, a Republican committeewoman, said people could get more than one ticket, but each ticket had to be assigned a name.
"All ticket holders will have to present a photo identification to get into the War Memorial," she said as she entered data into a laptop computer that tracked the number of tickets being distributed.
Cambria County's committee had an initial batch of 2,000 tickets, which were depleted in about five hours.
The 700 tickets earmarked for Somerset County also were gone in one day.
"We are the main distribution center for the tickets, although we have other locations in Somerset and surrounding counties," Gleason said.
Capt. Chris Rachael, 32, of Dunlo, an Air Force F-16 fighter pilot who flew missions in the northern no-fly zone of Iraq in 1999, said he was there to ensure he had tickets to see his commander in chief.
"He is an excellent leader," said Rachael, who has been in the military for 10 years. "He understands what the warfighter needs and he makes sure we have what we require to accomplish the mission."
The first person in line was Jane Burkhart, 64, of Tire Hill.
"I got here after 7 o'clock this morning because I have a great respect for the president and the things he stands for," Burkhart said. "I believe he needs four more years to get his work done."
More than 7,000 tickets were available to see Bush. Doors open at 1 p.m. tomorrow and will be locked down at 3:30 p.m.
"A short rally will be conducted and we will then expect to see the president shortly thereafter," Gleason said.
Eighty-year-old Susannah Woomer of East Conemaugh sat reading a book prior to the committee headquarters' door being opened.
"The folks in the office were kind enough to give me a chair," Woomer said. "I have seen every president either as a sitting president or as a candidate, with the exception of Bill Clinton, dating back to Franklin D. Roosevelt. This is history in the making for Johnstown."
The event is not lost on the younger set, either.
Jared McCleester, 18, of East Taylor Township, will be voting in his first election and eagerly waited in line to get one ticket.
"There is no single issue that I think should be addressed, but I agree with his policies on just about everything," said McCleester, who had to wait more than two hours to get his ticket.
Dave Thomson, 39, of Westmont said an opportunity to see the president here was exciting.
"This visit transcends party lines," Thomson said. "You will see a lot of Democrats as well as Republicans attending the event. I support his policies to defend our way of life with homeland security and to root out terrorism."
Amanda Gautreaux, 24, whose husband, Mark, is a Marine corporal stationed at Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 775 Detachment A, 288 Aviation Drive, Richland Township, said she is fearful that if President Bush is not re-elected, the killing and wounding of soldiers in Iraq would have been in vain.
"The other man who wants to become president, John Kerry, is not supportive of the troops and the efforts being made overseas," said Gautreaux, who is expecting a child in less than four months.
"We have heard rumors that my husband's unit may be deployed to Iraq and I want him to have the full support of his commander in chief."
I'm heading to work, but I'll check the thread later for other views.
BUSH/CHENEY 04...FOR THE SAKE OF OUR NATION
Bush only visited with the rich old fuddy duddies in NYC. Poor people are voting too. I'm not familiar with these places he's visiting but it's annoying that when he goes to the South or out West he visits with the 'common folk' but here in NY he forgets almost completely about where I live.
What state is this?
We got a rock-star treatment for this President! Yaaahhhooo, rock and roll baby. Ride 'em Cowboy...
PA, i think.
Pennsylvania.
Ah poor baby, how dare he visit people in flyover country, while cyborg(who thinks he is the center of the world in NYC)feels slighted.
You sure do have that NYC attitude.
Where did I say I thought I was the center of the universe? You don't have to be nasty. It's not only my opinion and I don't live in NYC either.
A few weeks ago, the conventional wisdom was that Pa. was a safe "blue" state. My how things have changed!
You sure implied that you thought you were the center of the universe.
Oh BTW, not all of the Republican convention delegates were "rich old fuddy duddies". They come from all backgrounds and are the grassroots.
Nice try at trying the class envy card, though.
settle down a bit,i'm here in upstate and i don't need a visit to vote for "W"
he is hitting swing states.
let's just all jump in for the big win.
GODSPEED!
Hmmm. Are your firefighters "rich old fuddy duddies"? There he was, within an hour of arriving in NYC, eating pizza with the local firefighters union---which endorsed him for the convention and all the world to see.
I AM NOT PLAYING ANY CLASS CARD. Seeing as how you don't live here and are hearing the opinions of people, please do not judge me. I never said anything about republican delegates, because I'm not TALKING ABOUT DELEGATES. You're so ready to criticize me Dane you're getting confused.
I am not talking about firefighters. I'm talking about coming here and meeting with old people with money. Since this was only local news, you don't know what I'm talking about. When he came here last time, he went straight to the rich retirees as if they were the only ones voting.
yes but look at how people are kneejerk attacking me for expressing a concern. They don't even have their facts straight.
Then please save us all some time and share what you're talking about. Who, what, where and when?
One event was in 2000, and the last one that I read of was in the city at a Italian social club during the convention. I do not have the newspaper article. I listen to the news on the radio, and most importantly I listen to what people say about the president. I'm well aware he has to do fundraising, but if he can visit poor people in other states visit poor people here too.
Who were you talking about? You
didn't specify. And you attacked
these unnamed w/ad hominem attacks
I believe. Attacked the Pres. too.
I did not attack the president. I am voicing a concern/criticism of the president. That's an attack? Whatever.
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