Bitter divisions over president show up in small-town America

The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette ^ | 09/25/2004 | DAN LEWERENZ -- Associated Press Writer

[Willie Green]

BLOOMSBURG, Pa. (AP) -- Drive west down this town's Main Street, and the sharp divisions over this year's presidential election quickly become clear.

On the left, a chalkboard mounted outside a coffee shop lists the day's special as a showing of "Unprecedented: The 2000 Presidential Election" - a documentary implying that George W. Bush, then governor of Texas, colluded with Florida politicians to disenfranchise black voters and steal the election.

On the right, a sign in the window of a motorcycle shop reads: "Kerry Sucks."

[somemoreequalthanothers]

Bloom has a Kerry flavor to it only because it is a university town. Get out where I am at, away from the leftist college crowd, and there are no sharp divisions. It is all Bush/Cheney.

[jwalsh07]

This is garbage. Small town America is Bush Country.

[Willie Green]

This is garbage. Small town America is Bush Country.

It's almost as if all of Lewistown has been outsourced

[Honor above all]

It really isn't entirely garbage. I live on a small island in NW Washington State (Peoples Republic of Washington) and here conservatives are a distinct minority. We are roundly and thoroughly despised by the baby killing/Birkenstock wearing/ whale saving community. It is funny to see the level of visceral hate that emanates from this group. Glad I have a CCW and a Glock 19.

[Hugin]

It's a college town though.

[rdb3]

This is garbage. Small town America is Bush Country.

How ya doin', jwalsh? What do you expect from a Bush-hater?

$710.96... The price of freedom.
VII-XXIII-MMIV

[BallyBill]

My son goes to Bloomsburg and he is working this week at the Bloomsburg Fair with the College Republicans getting out the vote. Cheney spoke on campus last month and I've been surprised by the Bush support in a college town. Bush lawn signs outnumber kerry about 5-1.

[jwalsh07]

Counties won by Gore: 677
Counties won by Bush: 2436
Population of counties won by Gore: 127 Million
Population of counties won by Bush: 143 Million
Square miles of country won by Gore: 580,000
Square miles of country won by Bush: 2,427,000
States won by Gore: 20
States won by Bush: 30

I repeat, small town America is Bush Country.

[jwalsh07]

What do you expect from a Bush-hater?

Lies and damn lies.

DOing fine, life good RD?

[Willie Green]

I repeat, small town America is Bush Country.

Just because it was in Y2K, doesn't mean it'll stay that way this time around.
Rural America has had 4 long years to get an upfront look at Dubya's trade and economic policies.
Not only agricultural, but also the manufacturing plants that USED to provide steady employment in their small, local economies.

[jwalsh07]

WIllie, I'm willing to put my money where my mouth is. How about you?

[shield]

This is garbage. Small town America is Bush Country.

I agree....garbage....the MSM continues with their lies!!!

[OldFriend]

Yup, a college town. Not the top tier either.

[mammer]

WE ALL NEED TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THE AP. LETS ALL DO ANOTHER DAN RATHER. I AN TIRED OF THEM SPREDING THE RHEDORIC OF THE ENEMY. SEND YOUR OPPINION TO THEN EVERYDAY>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>FEEDBACK@AP.ORG

[Willie Green]

WIllie, I'm willing to put my money where my mouth is. How about you?

Well, as long as you've asked...
If you're unwilling to address the issues that I've raised,
you can stick your money in every one of your available orifices for all I care.

[andyandval]

On the right, a sign in the window of a motorcycle shop reads: "Kerry Sucks."


on the right and in the right!

[Willie Green]

Yup, a college town. Not the top tier either.

Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania is a state-subsidized school.
(It used to be known as "Bloomsburg State Teachers College".)
Although second tier to the larger and more well known state universities, it's still a fairly good school.
There's also no doubt that the state education subsidies are a significant factor in keeping Bloomsburg's local economy afloat.

[TADSLOS]

Skip coffee, go visit the bike shop.

[mombonn]

I live in a small town - appx 8000 people. There are sharp divisions here as well, and LOTS of kerry signs.

Sigh