FReeper Cup a Joe holds "Morning In America" sign for Bill Bennett
I was chasing the Escalade and got this close-up of Sean Hannity. Bennett is in front, Ollie next to Sean in back.
FReepers Chieftain and Warrior Nurse after the VIPs left
Posted on 10/30/2004 5:21:30 PM PDT by LS
Couldn't attend. Did anyone go to this event, and can you provide an after-action report? It coincided with trick-or-treat here in Springboro.
The team flew in about an hour and a half late, but didn't disappoint the crowd. It is obvious how critical the four of them feel Ohio is this year. Hannity, Bortz, North and Bennett each spoke about 15 minutes with their own Kerry jabs, much of what has been said over and over again. One of the funniest was Bortz calling Kerry a "poodle" because he is some rich woman's pet.
Bortz indicated he been drinking, North gave an emotional speech for the troops and the security of the country, Bennet spoke very eloquently and Hannity...well he was Hannity.
Oddly enough...he never mentioned he had a book nor a DVD for sale.
It was a thrill to hear these four patriots defend and encourage the vote for President Bush. I am glad I was there.
FReeper Cup a Joe holds "Morning In America" sign for Bill Bennett
I was chasing the Escalade and got this close-up of Sean Hannity. Bennett is in front, Ollie next to Sean in back.
FReepers Chieftain and Warrior Nurse after the VIPs left
You KNOW it was serious if Hannity didn't plug his next book. BTW, did I tell you about my forthcoming book . . . .
Those are some great shots, thank you for sharing them.
Posted on Mon, Nov. 01, 2004
Radio-TV's Sean Hannity stirs up GOP fervor in city
Conservative commentator leads noisy rally at John S. Knight Center
By Andale Gross
Beacon Journal staff writer
The mood inside the John S. Knight Center on Sunday was similar to a rock concert, but band logos weren't being waved through the air.
The W's on hats and shirts stood for President Bush, and the 3,800 fans were cheering for their favorite commander in chief. Billed as the Get Out the Vote rally, the event's headliner was conservative radio and TV personality Sean Hannity.
``The entire freedom-loving, liberty-loving country is counting on you,'' Hannity told the crowd of swing-staters.
He asked the Ohioans if they ever thought the rest of America would be watching them so closely at election time.
``They are doing everything to take this state from us,'' he said of the Democrats.
Hannity divided his time between complimenting Bush and criticizing the president's opponent, Sen. John Kerry.
``He's been on the wrong side of intelligence, the wrong side of defense,'' he said of Kerry. ``He is the wrong man at the wrong place, and this won't be his time.''
On the other hand, Bush is experienced and decisive and understands what needs to be done to protect America's citizens, Hannity said.
``George W. Bush has never... backed down,'' he said, referring to the president's war stance. ``He -- like Reagan, like Truman, like FDR -- is the right man at the right place at the right time.''
Sharing the stage with Hannity were Georgia Sen. Zell Miller, former Congressman J.C. Watts and former Education Secretary William Bennett.
``I want you to fully understand what's at stake,'' Watts told the crowd. ``We literally have two futures on the ballot.''
He said Ohio will play a significant role in choosing which future the country faces. Having Bush back at the helm will guarantee Americans a safer, more economically viable future, Watts said.
Miller, a Democrat who has been a vocal and visible Bush supporter, said Kerry is too indecisive to be a strong leader.
``In this most dangerous time, there's only one man who I trust, one man I know will never waver and never wobble,'' he said. ``And that man is George W. Bush.''
Hannity's stop in downtown Akron was part of a two-day tour that started Saturday and took him to 10 cities. His appearance was co-sponsored by radio station WHLO (640-AM) and Right to Life of Summit County.
``Sean looked for cities where he's doing really good on the radio, and he looked for swing states,'' WHLO Program Director Keith Kennedy said. ``He asked us to give him promotional support. We're affiliates. We told him absolutely.''
Hannity is co-host of the debate-driven talk show Hannity & Colmes on the Fox News Channel and hosts the afternoon radio talk program The Sean Hannity Show, which airs on WHLO.
Before arriving in Akron, Hannity and his friends visited Columbus and Toledo. After leaving Akron, he was to appear in the Pennsylvania cities of Erie and Harrisburg.
The Republicans gathered in Akron were excited to be on the tour route. They chanted ``Four more years!'' They sang along to patriotic songs.
Although signs weren't allowed in the center, many wore buttons and stickers supporting Bush and his vice president, Dick Cheney.
Most of the crowd stood. A select group sat in blue chairs closer to the stage, which was surrounded by red, white and blue balloon arches.
``I'm so excited.... I think they have America's best interests behind them,'' Jean MacEwen said of Hannity and the other speakers.
The 58-year-old Copley Township resident was clad in patriotic attire from her flag-draped baseball cap to her button-covered ``America'' T-shirt.
``I feel Bush will defend this country and make it safe,'' she said. ``Everything he said he was going to do, he has done it. He has a proven record.... He has a vision of the future, and it's always to keep America strong.''
Andale Gross can be reached at 330-996-3743 or agross@thebeaconjournal.com
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.
