Michigan Rally for President Bush - Live Thread

[BigWaveBetty]

Live tonight on C-Span at 8:30 eastern, rally for President Bush in Michigan.

I predict there'll be a live thread tonight on Free Republic.

Also, look for Freeper Hillary's Lovely Legs on stage with the president. She's sitting on the top row of the bleachers, stage left, wearing a fuchsia coat.

[nopardons]

That is NOT HLL.It isn't your imagination.

[Howlin]

You must be a lot younger than I am. :-)

[ohioWfan]

OK.........who knows who's behind the President to his left (to our right).........the grey haired guy.....

[Howlin]

I never said it was; so far, none of the posted pictures on the thread look anything like her.

[nopardons]

Oh well....

[Common Tator]

Kerry is taking an intersting tact. He is going places but no effort is made to draw a crowd for him. Kerry I am sure thinks the whole game is TV and Newspaper coverage. His handlers no doubt think he does better when he just makes a statement to journalists rather than speaking before a crowd. Kerry is so pompous before a crowd.

I don't think the Kerry campaign is aware how much local TV and Newspaper people are influenced by a big LOCAL crowd. Bush's front preople see to it he has a big crowd. If Kerry continues what he did in Cleveland last week, ... that is .... just talk to financial backers and the media, the local media will kill him.

The local reporters will assume that Bush has lots of local support and Kerry does not. It is worth noting that local Anchors are as secure in their jobs as the last two ratings books. Two bad books and they are wondering where they can get their next job. If they get the impression that Bush is popular locally and Kerry is not, they will favor Bush in their reporting. They will do it because they think it will help their ratings. If Bush draws big crowds and Kerry dosen't even try, they will assume that Bush is far more popular with local people.

The more I watch the less convinced I become that Kerry's people know about the media and how to use it to their advantage.

On the road Bush caters to the local media. It is a new tack in an industry where the National TV media has been king for decades. But local media has as much audience as the national media. It is a smart move on Bush's part. Nearly everything that Bush does on the road is designed to win over the local media.

As I said, local media is half the game. With Fox, talk radio, and the Internet, Bush could end up with over half the media on his side.

Kerry had best learn how to play local media, or he is toast.

[nopardons]

Not a one of 'em.And you and I know what she looks like.:-)

[hole_n_one]

That is NOT HLL;not even close!

Redheaded female wearing a red/purple/pink jacket.

From where I'm sitting, it's pretty damn close.

[BigWaveBetty]

I don't recognize him, sorry.

[Mo1]

He is on a roll tonight .. WOHOOOO!

[ohioWfan]

Good analysis, Tator.

If you're right, and Kerry (who looks down on everybody) continues to ignore the local folks, he IS toast.

Course I think he's toast regardless, but I'm a cockeyed optimist. :o)

[looney tune]

"It is not enough to serve our enemies with legal papers" Woof!! Aimed at Clinton.

[ohioWfan]

That's OK. Mr Ohio thinks he looks VERY familiar, so I thought I'd ask.

[nopardons]

You're absolutely right!Kerry and his team(especially Shrum!)don't have a glimmer of an idea how to run a national campaign and we shouldn't tell them.

Local media has ALWAYS been important,but are more so now.

[nopardons]

The posted picture shows a brunnette!

[BigWaveBetty]

I think Mae is right, HLL partially cut off...

...on the very left. Is that the same one you made the smaller capture of?

The hair is lighter and it looks as though the hair is up, the way HLL likes to wear hers.

[arasina]

Your post cracked me up. ROFL!

What a GREAT crowd at this rally! They are pumped up for sure!

[OXENinFLA]

http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2004/05/20040503-6.html

Final question. Yes, sir.

Q I'm curious to know why -- I hear you mention God in most of your speeches, and I'm curious to know how your faith in God affects your daily routine. (Applause.)

THE PRESIDENT: Thank you, sir. First, you've got to understand, my job is never to promote a religion. My job is to promote freedom for people to worship the way they see fit. The job of the President is to make sure that America is a free society where you can worship or don't worship. You're just as strong a patriot if you worship, as if you don't worship. That's -- the job of the President is to make sure this precious aspect of our society is strong.

Personally, I do rely upon the Almighty. I'm reading Oswald Chambers. (Applause.) If you've read Oswald Chambers, you understand that Oswald Chambers is a pretty good gauge to test your walk. I rely upon -- let me say this -- I appreciate the prayers of the people. The fact that people pray for me and Laura is a powerful part of our life. It is humbling to know that people in Niles, Michigan, who I probably will never get to thank personally, say a prayer for us. And it sustains me.

Somebody said to me one time, well, how do you know they're praying for you? And I said, I just do, I know it. And it's an important part of the presidency from my perspective. (Applause.)

[Hot Tabasco]

Looks like a great rally! Wish I was there, but only if it were 80° outside.

I only live 5 miles away but with the instructions being you have to be on site by 7:30 p.m. and Metro Parkway being closed between Schoenherr and Utica Rd., threat of rain and current temps at 39 degrees, I guess I'm only a "fair weather" Bush fan.

Buy hey, I did go down river to Dearborn in 2000 when he was in town with Bo Derek.........