Bush visit delights crowd
ANDREA J. WRIGHT / Statesman Journal
Laura Bush, brushing her hair back in an attempt to cool off, speaks to about 3,500 people Tuesday in a hot gym at Chemeketa Community College. Members of the crowd sweated through the heat but remained enthusiastic as the first lady encouraged them to support her husband in the election.
About 3,500 pack a Salem gym to hear a campaign speech by the president’s wife
SARAH EVANS
Statesman Journal
September 29, 2004
First lady Laura Bush encouraged Oregonians to re-elect her husband to the White House in a speech Tuesday afternoon to a packed house at Chemeketa Community College.
About 3,500 people jammed the Building 7 gym at the Salem college, causing temperatures to rise and many to break out in a sweat. Campaign representatives said that the Salem rally drew the largest turnout of any of the first lady’s appearances this campaign year.
The crowd enthusiastically welcomed the first lady with signs and cheers of “four more years” during the rally, which was intended to energize local Bush supporters.
“In the next few weeks, talk to your neighbors about the president’s accomplishments and about his plans for a new term,” Laura Bush said in her 20-minute speech. “Reach out to Democrats and independents who appreciate strong and optimistic leadership. Make sure your friends are registered to vote, and then make sure they turn out at the polls.”
Tuesday’s event was one of a series of Victory ’04 rallies across the country. The first lady headed to a similar rally Tuesday evening in Nevada.
Admission to Salem’s rally was by ticket only through Republican campaign headquarters, a common practice for the Bush-Cheney campaign and one that has drawn criticism from Sen. John Kerry’s presidential campaign and other Democrats.
Molly Bordonaro, chairwoman of the Northwest states for the Bush-Cheney campaign, emphasized that tickets were available to the public and that the first lady’s message would be the same whether she talked to President Bush’s supporters, Kerry backers or people who were undecided.
In her speech, Laura Bush described her husband as “a man of great character and conviction,” someone whose leadership has led to a growing economy, less of an achievement gap in schools and a safer country overall.
She described the No Child Left Behind education-reform act as providing the most federal funding ever for elementary and secondary education.
Bush also gave a nod to Chemeketa Community College, the site of the rally, for helping to train people for good jobs. She told a story about a recent Chemeketa graduate, Kimberly Culver, who worked hard to earn a nursing degree.
“Community colleges are helping many people achieve their dreams,” she said.
Bush also mentioned the Medicare reforms championed by President Bush, which she said are meant to give seniors savings on prescription drugs.
“My husband will always make sure that patients and doctors are in charge of health care, not bureaucrats in Washington, D.C.,” she said, drawing loud cheers.
Regarding national security and the Iraq war, Bush thanked members of the military for “their service and sacrifice.” She said that the United States’ work in Afghanistan and Iraq has led to people there having more freedom.
Oregon Democratic Party representatives reacted to that part of the speech by saying that the president has not done enough to protect troops in Iraq.
“When it comes to the issues that Oregon families care about,” said Adam Green, press secretary for the Oregon Democratic Party, “they do not want four more years of an administration that has the worst job-loss record of any president since Herbert Hoover, has allowed health-care costs to skyrocket and has allowed Oregon soldiers to die in Iraq because their Humvees were only protected by plywood and sandbags.”
Bush did not specifically mention Democratic candidate John Kerry in her speech, but she did make reference to the first presidential debate later this week.
“This Thursday night in Miami, America will see the strong and decisive man I’ve known for the last 27 years,” she said.
Laura Bush’s speech was preceded by short talks from Oregon Republican candidates, who asked for support. Oregon Republican Party Chairman Kevin Mannix told the crowd that all they needed to do was look for the “R” on the ballot when deciding how to vote.
Gary Whitaker, a disabled logger from Monmouth, said he enjoyed hearing from the state Republican candidates.
“I was most impressed with the senator candidate,” said Whitaker, 52, referring to U.S. Senate candidate Al King. “I would love to see Ron Wyden get retired and see some common sense put back into our senatorial delegation.”
The crowd showcased a wide variety of people, young and older, male and female.
Jan and Judy Shidler of Keizer both came to the rally because they support Bush.
“I’ve never had the opportunity to go to a political rally before, and I thought it would be neat to go to one,” said Jan Shidler, 66.
He added that he likes Bush’s ideas about the economy, homeland security and fighting terrorism.
His wife had additional reasons for supporting Bush.
“I like what he stands for, his values,” said Judy Shidler, 60. “He’s a very ethical man.”
Laurel Milmore said that Bush supports women by standing up against abortion and gay marriage.
“He certainly stands for the morals of our country,” said Milmore, the postmaster in Scotts Mills.
Bethany Tibbs, a junior at Oregon State University, and Lyndsey Keena, a junior at Willamette Valley Christian School, both were excited about seeing the first lady.
“She’s such a respected lady,” said Tibbs, 19. “She’s so genteel and nice, but she knows what she’s about.”
After the speech, supporters crowded the stage, cameras and tickets in hand, seeking a photo or autograph from the first lady. Bush took time to meet with them.
Norma Loquvam and Jan Peterson, neighbors in West Salem, hoped for a picture of Laura Bush.
Peterson, 77, called Bush a “lovely lady” who “believes in her husband.” She liked what the first lady had to say about cutting taxes and supporting the troops overseas.
Added Loquvam, 72, “I think she has always been a very gracious lady. I respect her.”
sevans@StatesmanJournal.com or (503) 399-6856)
