Posted on 07/06/2004 8:18:44 AM PDT by 7.62 x 51mm
Tickets going quickly People began waiting for their tickets to see President Bush as early as 5 a.m. Monday. By KARA D. EBERLE Daily Record/Sunday News Tuesday, July 6, 2004
At bottom: · TICKETS order photo reprint Lori Crouse Klauber - YDR Helen Andrews of York waits near the end of the line for her chance at a ticket to see President Bush on Friday. People began waiting in line for tickets as early as 5 a.m. Monday. The average wait in the line was estimated to be about three hours. bigger version & more photos (3) Glenn Anderson wanted to make sure he got a ticket to see President George W. Bush during Friday's rally at the York Expo Center.
So, the Springettsbury Township man arrived at the York Victory Center on South Queen Street at 5 a.m. Monday, four hours before the free tickets were to be distributed.
To his surprise, he was the only person in the parking lot, so he went to Round the Clock Diner for breakfast. Anderson said he got back a little while later and was still the only person waiting for tickets.
But, he wasn't lonely for long.
About fifteen minutes later, Andy Knepper, 36, also of Springettsbury, showed up with his brother and sister-in-law, Dale and Ginny Knepper of Conewago Township, and his mother, Annette Knepper.
For the next few hours, the group of early birds talked about politics and shared their excitement over the prospect of seeing the president of the United States.
"You don't get a chance to see the president very often," Andy Knepper said.
Anderson, 69, said he wants to see Bush at the 6 p.m. rally because he believes the president has done a good job in the last four years. "He's making a lot of decisions that aren't popular but are right," he said.
By 8:30 a.m., the line had wrapped down the side of the Republican headquarters in York Township, across the parking lot and down the side of Waypoint Bank. Throughout the morning, the line grew even longer, stretching past the bank, down into the parking lot of Price Rite in the South York Plaza and extended as far as the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation center at one point.
Many people were seated in folding lawn chairs, reading books or magazines while they waited. Some held umbrellas to shield themselves from the summer sun. And, most wore red, white and blue clothing or displayed Bush-Cheney pins, stickers and memorabilia, showing their support for the president.
At its peak, the estimated wait time was more than three hours, campaign volunteer Don O'Shell said. By the end of the day, people were waiting about a half-hour, he said.
Among those waiting was even York County Coroner Barry Bloss. "We tried to make whatever arraignments we could to get here," he said, adding that he'd arrived at 8 a.m.
When the doors opened at 9 a.m., people poured in. Anderson had his ticket in a matter of minutes and said it was worth the wait.
Several volunteers manned the tables inside. On the tables were forms to fill out. People signed their names, gave their Social Security numbers and wrote down their addresses to get their tickets.
The information will be used for background checks to be done by the president's Secret Service, O'Shell said.
Each person was allowed to have two tickets. If they wanted more, they could go back in line, according to a campaign worker's announcement.
On Sunday, state Rep. Stan Saylor, R-Windsor Township, said tickets were to be restricted to Bush supporters.
Peck Foster, Saylor's co-chair of Citizens for Bush in York County, said the committee made the rule in an attempt to keep out hecklers and troublemakers.
Foster, a former York County legislator and current Springfield Township supervisor, said campaign workers will be using their "best judgment" to determine who gets tickets in the coming days. The rule wasn't meant to exclude Democrats or other political parties, he said.
Some campaign workers asked if people were Bush supporters, but for the most part, anyone who signed up for a ticket got one.
Stephanie Beddia of York was glad about that, since she's a registered Democrat who waited in line for tickets to see Bush too.
She said she wanted two tickets so she and her 12-year-old son, Ben, could see Bush and hear what he has to say. "I don't follow party lines. You have to vote your heart," she said.
When the doors closed at 5 p.m. Monday, campaign volunteers estimated they handed out close to 3,000 tickets.
O'Shell said he's not sure how many tickets are left. The Toyota Arena, where the rally is expected to be held, holds 5,000 people seated. But, the rally will be a standing event, he said.
On Monday morning, campaign workers told people there were 10,000 tickets available.
Reach Kara D. Eberle at 771-2035 or keberle@ydr.com.
TICKETS Tickets for Friday's rally, set to begin at 6 p.m. in the Toyota Arena at the York Expo Center, are still available but going fast.
They will be handed out again today between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. at the York Victory Center, 2100 S. Queen St., York Township.
To pick them up, you'll need your Social Security number, date of birth and address. Tickets are supposed to be available through Thursday or until the tickets are gone.
MKM
With 10,000 people expected, it's going to be a zoo, there. Even though I have a CCW and carry concealed, I think I'll leave the full-frame 5" Kimber .45cal ACP 1911A1 Eclipse Target II, in the Jeep. I'm sure there'll be scanners and no sense in inviting any not-needed problems with the Secret Service etc.
Should be a nice couple of 2-3 hours.
Even if you have a CCW you aren't getting in there with a firearm. At the least they will make you turn around. At the worst they may question you for a while. Smart choice on your part to leave it at home.
Bush is coming to Kutztown, PA Fri. morning, and not a ticket is available. The local Republican Committee told me they received only 25 tickets. I'm very annoyed by not being able to get a ticket.
Hey, does anyone know how we can make this "Political Pop Quiz" ad that FreeRepublic is using as a fundraiser a "nationwide thing"? That is EXCELLENT!! EXCELLENT I SAY, EXCELLENT.
I thought that the average Joe American was not paying too much attention to the Pres. election campaign at this time but just yesterday someone said they liked the Democrats better than the pubbies BUT they didn't think John Kerry could make a decision if his life depended on it and in the post 9/11 world, we need someone who is strong and decisive. This ad is a must for TV.
"I'm jealous, he's coming here to NC on Thur but is only doing a $10,000 per plate fundraising lunch in a private home. The media about this is pretty quiet too. I was SO hoping to be able to take my kids to see the president."
FIND OUT THE MOTORCADE ROUTE AND ALL YOU FREEPERS LINE THE WAY WITH FLAGS AND CHEERS.
I'm sure you can get children's plates for only $5 or $6,000, thereby cutting down on expenses. :-)
MKM
My kids are VERY cute but cranky when hot LOL. It's only 105 degrees with the heat index today and I think the forcast for tomorrow is about the same. I'm also asthmatic and don't do well out of the house in this type of weather.
It is a good idea though and I will definately give it some thought. I would be thrilled to just wave to him. I got to see his dad while visiting DC back in the 80's and it was just lucky coincidence he was leaving the WH while we were crossing the street in front. He waved at my daughter and I and she was SO excited about it. She's 21 years old now, wow time goes by so quick.
MKM
Probably, if you bring your own condiments. Just stay away from Heinz ketchup!!!
Anyone know what President Bush's next stop is after York? Would love to see him in York, but not sure I will be able to get tickets or get there. Is he heading out toward western PA/OH/upstate NY (near me) any time soon? My google search didn't yield much. Thanks!
Lancaster is after York on Friday; then up to Cumberland Cty. Just caught the end of it on wsba910am's news.
Go Keystone FReepers, give GWB a great boost. VP Dick Cheney was great in Parma, Ohio last week.
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1163106/posts
I watched Bush's York speech on C-Span and it was great!!!!
I am lucky I found because I did not know it was going to be broadcast.
We have got to get better coverage out for these events...
I was there at 4pm with 13,000 other GOPers and Conservatives, and W gave a stem-winder of a speech, at around 5:10pm.
I didn't even get close to him, but he dove into the appreciative crowd, shaking hands and hugging many folks.
God Bless America, and God Bless President George W Bush. Thanks for coming to York, PA, Mr President! I'll be there for you on Nov 2nd; count on it.
Here's the YDR wrap-up link to W's visit and speech. Their 9,000 figure is way low; the place was packed to the rafters: 13,000+.
http://ydr.com/story/election/32480
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