West Virginia Democrats held a widely publicized Kerry rally this morning at the HQ of the Independent Steelworkers Union in Weirton. Scheduled to speak were Sen. John D. Rockefeller IV (the stupidest man in the Senate, not to be confused with the stupidest man in the House, Patrick Kennedy), Ted Kennedy, former Gov. Caperton (looking for young boys but finding only old steelworkers), Rep. Alan B. Mollohan (glad Patches is secure in first place, just ahead of him) and others. Press releases indicated the rally would start at 9:30 a.m.
I had made a sign reading, "John Kerry is Bin Laden's man; Bush is mine," but then decided to make a more positive and steel-oriented poster, so on the other side of the Bin Laden sign I wrote, "Bush is PRO- steel, -coal, -life, -2nd Amendment, -freedom!" I also had a Bush/Cheney placard.
Parking a couple of blocks away from the ISU hall, I meandered over at around 9:15 a.m. Chairs were set up outside, but only a handful of people were milling around. I approached a police car and asked the officers if I could protest across the street. I said this was not an organized protest, and I'd probably be the only Bush supporter. The cop said, "They don't seem very organized here," nodding toward the ISU hall. I refrained from replying, "That's because they're Democrats." He said, "You can stand wherever you want," and I thanked him kindly.
The first reaction I got from anyone was a motorist who slowed and told me, "I'm a Bush supporter too!" The second was a woman who walked over from the union hall and asked, "Why aren't you at Burgettstown?" (where the president was appearing this a.m.). I replied that it's a long drive, and I'd already seen the president several times this year.
Another woman retrieved from a van covered with bumper stickers (Catholics for Kerry, No Bush No Dick, etc.) some flyers and offered me one. She said it explained how Kerry's bishop had said we could vote for Kerry in good conscience. I said I'm not Catholic, and will vote for Mr. Bush in good conscience, but thanks for the information.
All the while, I displayed the "Bush is Pro-steel, etc." sign and the Bush/Cheney placard, but one fellow noticed there was something written on the back and asked to see it. He asked, "Do you really believe that?" and I replied, "Kerry is the only candidate Bin Laden has endorsed." He said he was a retired steelworker, and I commented that Kerry already had promised not to lift a finger to help steel, i.e., impose tariffs, the way Bush did, which gave the steelmakers breathing room to get back on their feet after nearly dying during the Clinton years.
Another motorist passed and gave me a thumbs up.
A local sheriff pulled up in his official vehicle. He's not running for reelection, but is running for another county seat. A fellow running for his vacated position was with him (he's not currently a deputy, but a civilian). I wondered if it was okay to campaign in a county vehicle, but didn't say anything to him, although I'm sure he recognized me.
One of the steelworkers came over to me and was very friendly, talking about how wonderful a system we have where we can express our views, blahblahblah.
Just then, Rockefeller drove up - in a brand new top-of-the-line Toyota SUV! "Hmmm, a foreign car," I said to Mr. Smarmy Steelworker. "What's wrong with that?" he said, "Children of all countries and all colors need to be fed, too," he added.
It was a "grab the duct tape" moment, and I know I was looking at him like he had three heads. What in the hell was he talking about? All I could think of to say was, "Well, I drive an American car - a Ford, made in Kansas City by union workers" (hoping mightily that same vehicle was not being vandalized at that very moment).
Rockefeller saw my signs, incidentally, inasmuch as he passed not eight feet from me, and tried to pretend he hadn't.
About this time, a couple of especially shrill female Kerry supporters hoisted a huge sign reading, "1100 killed, 8000 wounded, and for what?" and aimed it in my direction. Hmmm, I thought to myself, how about freedom, national security and ending a genocidal dictatorship?
Then they started chanting, "Read it and weep." Good grief, I weep for your utter stupidity, ladies. Having failed to draw a response from me, they started with "Like father, like son," and "Teflon George." I honestly tried to ignore them, but it was hard not to shake my head in amazement. Another motorist stopped and told me she was a Bush supporter, adding, "Good for you!"
By this time, it was after 10 a.m. and the rally had yet to begin. Someone announced that all the speakers were there, and that they'd get started in 5 or 10 minutes. After 15 minutes, I decided I had too many other things to do today and, besides, all 75 - yes, a whopping 75 in attendance, I counted - already had seen my signs. So I walked away, the harpies cheered. I turned, gave them the three-finger "W" and shouted, "Four more years!"
So, even though I didn't hear the same old lying nonsense spewing from the mouths of the Dem politicos, I was glad I went.
Outstanding report, M.
(Isn't the Toyota SUV made in the USA? I think...)
Doing somersaults here! You're a peach!
I wonder how many pubbies are seriously pondering moving to a battleground state just to even things out?
Good for you! I stopped in to our county's headquarters this afternoon to get my marching orders for tomorrow - I'm taking the day off the work the polls - and was surprised at the activity: two rooms full of volunteers working the phones. And they were from all walks - young, old, male, female - and the mood was great - lots of energy. I'm hoping Ohio goes big for W! Sadly, it looks like Kerry's rally downtown tonight may get a little rain ; )