Posted on 10/27/2004 7:22:16 PM PDT by quantim
PONTIAC, Mich. (AP) — President Bush on Wednesday fired up his Oakland County fans, who waved cardboard "W" cutouts and red, white and blue pompoms during an evening rally at the Pontiac Silverdome.
"I'm asking you to get your friends and neighbors to vote," Bush told the enthusiastic crowd. "Make sure you don't overlook discerning Democrats like our friend Zell Miller." Miller, a Democratic senator from Georgia, appeared with the president and First Lady Laura Bush.
Bush emphasized security and pledged that America would not "show weakness" under his leadership.
He also lashed back against criticism that the military failed to secure munitions in Iraq. He said his opponent, Democratic Sen. John Kerry, rushed to conclusions following reports of the disappearance of hundreds of tons of powerful explosives stored in a military installation there.
"Sen. Kerry seemed shocked to learn that Iraq was a dangerous place full of dangerous weapons," Bush said, adding that the military still was investigating and the munitions may have disappeared before U.S. troops arrived.
Wednesday's visit was Bush's second this month to Oakland County. Once a Republican bastion, the county has become more politically diverse in recent years, and Republicans are hoping to win the county for the first time since 1992. George H.W. Bush did it then, although Democrat Bill Clinton still carried Michigan that year.
President Bush's first Oakland County campaign stop came Oct. 6 in Farmington Hills.
Tom Mulcahy of Rochester Hills said he attended both appearances and was more impressed with Bush's speech on Wednesday.
"He hit upon the issues that are most important to me — security issues," the 45-year-old said.
Before Bush arrived, Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson asked the crowd gathered at the former home of the Detroit Lions: "Which candidate will carry Oakland County next Tuesday?" In response, a roar went up in the stands.
Later, after the introductory speakers had finished, but Bush had not yet arrived, the crowd kept up its buoyant mood by doing the wave and chanting "four more years."
Noel Kocher, 66, of Troy said he thought Oakland County would go for Bush this time, but not by a landslide.
"All of our friends are Democrats, and we're going to show them," said his 65-year-old wife, Janice.
Recent polls have shown Bush neck and neck in Michigan with Democratic challenger John Kerry. A poll published Wednesday in The Detroit News found that 45 percent of 600 likely voters questioned said they supported Kerry, while 44 percent backed Bush. The difference is within the poll's 4 percentage point margin of error.
Kerry's Michigan campaign director, Donnie Fowler, said Wednesday that Bush would try to scare Michigan residents into voting for him during his appearance in Pontiac.
"It's simply a smoke screen of fear because these guys can't talk to Michiganians with a straight face about the economy or about health care or about ... Iraq," Fowler said. "He's going to try to say the economy is getting better. ... (But) in Michigan, it's about the worst manufacturing conditions in the country."
Bush's visit was to come two days after Kerry rallied supporters in neighboring Macomb County, a swing county that is home to conservative Democrats who backed Republican Ronald Reagan in the 1980s.
Fowler said Kerry would campaign in Detroit on Sunday or Monday.
Ret. Gen. Wesley Clark, a former presidential candidate, on Wednesday was campaigning for Kerry in Grand Rapids and Flint. On Tuesday, he was in Dearborn.
From Pontiac, Bush heads to Saginaw, where he was to try to swing conservative Democrats his way at a Thursday morning rally. On Saturday, he campaigns in Grand Rapids, where he will try to energize the Republican base in southwestern Michigan.
This is just the main floor before the event.
The First Lady Introduces the President.
The President talking about national security.
How about it?
My favorite part of the speech, the President says "I'm here today, I'll be here tomorrow, and I be back on Saturday!" The crowd went nuts! (Must be some good news here folks).
What a crowd! When the President first came in he stared at the roof line and then whispered something to Laura.
Silverdome Ping!
Bush bump
Great pics quantim, thanks!!
Wow!
Great pictures!
Hubby and I saw the President and First Lady when they visited Kalamazoo in May. (I have a picture on my home page.) A once in a lifetime, inspirational moment.
How many people were there?
Could you add me to your Michigan list? Thank you.
I've been to the 'Dome dozens of times, considering it seats 80,000 I'd say up to 25,000!
Wow, for a second there I was thinking, "What the heck is he doing in Oakland, California?" :)
BUMP! (CHECK THIS OUT)
I predicted 6 months ago that Bush would carry the entire midwest except Illinois.
Great pictures! What an awesome night! The crowd was literally roaring. My seven-year-old son covered his ears because it hurt. HA!
Ladies and Gentlemen....a MSM lesson for the night....notice how AP does say ANYTHING about how many were in attendance tonight.
THAT's BECAUSE two days ago Kerry's crowd was about 9,000 (they say the venue was small and had to turn people away....right).....Bush's crowd tonight OVER 25,000.
For all you Contemporary Christian Hits....Casting Crown sang "Who Am I" right before Bush came on to speak and that was quite a surprise!
Thanks for placing me on the ping.
P.S. Another MSM gripe about the AP story....notice how it didn't say anything about who as with him....aaaahhhheeemmm....Don King was there center stage! When a guy like that joins the republicans, THAT'S NEWS!
ABC reported OVER 25,000
Estimates on local news in Detroit were 30,000
You had me going there for a second, had to crop the photo - I see my server is already choking...
YOU never answered my question on the other thread......
Over 30K? That is just outEffin'standing! The traffic getting in/out would testify.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.