Posted on 10/15/2004 7:35:43 AM PDT by OregonRancher
We got a call at 8:30 in the morning that traffic was jammed and the crowds were already forming at the fair grounds in Medford. We hurried up the chores here at the ranch and scooted off for Medford arriving around lunch time.
Parked the car at the end of the lot and then found the end of the line. At one pm the line was over a half a mile long and the temps where in the low 80's - no shade. The gates opened at 2;45 and the line crept into the fairgounds. The end of the line stretched all the way out to the entrance of the fairgrounds frontage road - probably a good mile and a half. Cars were been parked out toward the airport.
My wife and I found two seats on a big rig trailer -- the last two seats in the whole place. It was set up for standing room only. The sun was pretty brutal and the sheriff and firemen were treating some little old ladies for heat prostation (sp?). As the afternoon wore on, the people kept pouring in the place and it became almost physically impossible to leave our seats to even go to the john.
The local Republican honcho finally started working the crowd and after a bit got everyone pretty whipped up....
Bush walked on stage and the crowd went ballistic. It was the most awesome display of enthusiasm and sheer energy that I have ever seen. You could FEEL it! My wife and I were in awe. Please imagine standing in 85 degree temps with no shade for four hours, 18,000 people herded into a stock inclusure at the fair, surrounded by swat teams, cops, SS agents and they loved it.
Bush was on fire! His passion, his integrity, his ethics and morals, it was all there. It was a night to remember!
Medford was blown away. Never has something like this happened here before. The crowds, the big rigs on I-5 blasting by with horns blaring, the smiles, the infection of happiness.... and ...it was our wedding anniversary.
Please excuse the syntax and spelling; it's early for me and I'm still tired. It was a long night for this old man.
Congrats and Happy Anniversary!!
No pictures. It was impossible. Between the flags, banners, big heads, and dripping ice cream on my neck, I couldn't. You would have to have been there to believe it.
Sounds like an awesome rally. If Bush carries Oregon, I will be pleasantly surprised. Being from the Texas coast, mid-80's and no shade sounds like perfect outdoor weather to me ;o)
Damn, when I first read the headline, I thought it said "Bush in Morford". Scared the crap out of me...
Thanks for that! It's always good to hear reports from the battlegrounds...Taking Oregon would be SWEET!
I think its great that he's coming to NJ. But they are blowing a big opportunity by not visiting the northern counties. Northern jersey was devastated by 9/11. Bush can peel away votes from the RATS. The fact that Jersey City elected Brett Shundler (R) fopr Mayor, in one of the largest margins of victory in the city's history. Jersey City and Hudson County is legendary RAT country. These people love Bush and they can peel more votes away from Kerry.
Bush lost Oregon by 6900 votes four years ago. The number of Bush posters in the Portland area is amazing.
I really do believe Oregon is going to go to Bush this election. Last night at the entrance to the fairgrounds there were a total of 9 protesters.... 9
Thank you so much for this report! I just love these stories!
This was live on c-span last night, I think...it looked like a wonderful time!
Any chance they will do what they have done in other states, make another stop the same day further upstate? we only got notified of the NH rally I went to 2 days before hand
Wonderful post after all of the press blathering about Kerry's "momentum" which I just can't seem to find. The after debate gatherings ~ Kerry 300 ~ Bush 20,000...huuuuu
Woo Hoo! Before the Convention there was a rally in St. Paul Minnesota with a crowd about the same size that was simply electrifying. There is no other way to describe the reaction of the entire crowd. The Campaign Bus drove right into the Xcel Energy Center and the crowd went absolutely nuts. I am so glad to hear you felt the same thing in Oregon! The base is on fire.
What I do not understand is whether or not the rally was in Medford or Central Point.
Bush is one heck of a magnet
WOOHOO! I am going to see him tomorrow here in Daytona!! Thanks for the post.
And also, some of my family who lives in the Portland/Hillsboro area who are registered Democrats and have always voted Democrat are changing their vote to Bush!!!!!
YAHOO!! Can you say "LANDSLIDE"?!
I would love to see him take Oregon!!!!! And Minnesota!!!! :) Actually, I want to see him sweep the nation! :)
I'd like to see him take Maryland! :o)
The loudest and fiercest response came after Bush promised to keep the US safe and secure. The crowd went bonkers!!!! Sustained cheering and clapping.
WP called W a rock star (Dana Milbank).
Called Kerry an okay vessel for Dems hatred against Bush.
They are nuts that W usurped ther title from BJ!
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