Posted on 10/22/2004 11:27:15 PM PDT by Former Military Chick
VIRGINIA BEACH — It seemed as if the only Republican missing from Friday’s rally for President Bush was the president himself.
Dozens of prominent local, state and national Republicans led a gathering of hundreds on a chilly hillside at Mount Trashmore Park, where Bush backers hoped to give their candidate an extra push in the presidential race.
A cast of Republican sheriffs, state senators, state delegates and city council members was joined by U.S. Sen. John Warner, former House Majority Leader Dick Armey of Texas, and U.S. Rep. J. Randy Forbes .
Even Rudy Boesch, a retired Navy SEAL and former star of TV’s “Survivor,” was on hand to lend support for Bush by leading the Pledge of Allegiance.
The war on terrorism and national security dominated the speeches at the event organized by Hampton Roads Veterans for Bush.
“We are the only nation that has so loved freedom that we have risked our lives in defense of freedom for others,” Armey said to the crowd of about 200. He said Bush is leading troops in Iraq who are working toward the same thing today.
State Del. Bob McDonnell, R-Virginia Beach, said Bush made the right choice taking the fight against terrorism abroad. “We don’t have to pass a global test to stand up and defend the United States of America,” he said.
Virginia Attorney General Jerry Kilgore, state chairman of the Bush campaign, said the president has shown uncommon resolve. “Saddam Hussein today sits in a cold jail cell because of the leadership of our president, George W. Bush,” Kilgore said.
Fenced in by Bush/Cheney posters stuck in the ground, cheering supporters waved American flags beneath a steel-wool sky.
Roger Sullivan, an Army veteran of the Vietnam War, traveled from Richmond for Friday’s rally. As much as he supports Bush, he dislikes Kerry even more.
“We’re very anti-John Kerry,” Sullivan said, joined by his friend and fellow Vietnam veteran, Roger Overstreet, also of Richmond. “The way he represented himself and the way he came back from Vietnam, he’s not a very credible person.”
Kerry has been criticized by some for speaking out against the war upon returning from his tour of duty.
Other vets said they believe Bush can provide stronger national defense, particularly in the face of terrorism. “I’m voting on all of the issues,” said Jim Bedeaux, a Navy veteran of the Vietnam War, “but I think security is the main thing. I’d rather fight terrorists on their territory than here at home.”
Hampton Roads veterans for Kerry responded to the Bush rally by saying their candidate’s military record shows he is more than qualified to serve.
“He fought for this country as a young man, and he will fight for this country as president,” said Howard Copeland, a Vietnam veteran and Tidewater coordinator of Veterans for Kerry .
Local Democrats are planning their own event, for Kerry, at 12:30 p.m. today. Gov. Mark R. Warner will lead a rally of Democratic volunteers at party headquarters at 840 Redgate Ave. in Norfolk.
Reach Jason Skog at 222-5113 or jason.skog@pilotonline.com
I wonder if there are any Freepers in the area that might show up with signs and the like?
Event for Democrats: Local Democrats said they’re planning their own event, for presidential candidate John F. Kerry, at 12:30 p.m. today. Gov. Mark R. Warner will lead a rally of Democratic volunteers at party headquarters at 840 Redgate Ave. in Norfolk.
How in the world did I miss this? I live in Chesapeake and I didn't hear a word about it. Have I been living in a bubble? Well frickin frackin!
I for one am ready to pardy hardy. It is like being a kid and waiting for Christmas.
GO W! GO W! GO W!
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