Posted on 10/15/2004 8:29:30 AM PDT by RedBloodedAmerican
DAYTONA BEACH -- Should Democrats be allowed to see President Bush when he makes a campaign stop here Saturday? Absolutely not, says the chairman of the Republican Executive Committee for Volusia County.
Sure, why not, says the co-chairman.
Meanwhile, anyone who wanted a ticket for the outdoor rally, to be held on the grounds of a Fentress Boulevard building owned by International Speedway Corp., got one Thursday at area Republican party headquarters, regardless of affiliation.
That was news -- bad news -- to Candy Gilman, local GOP chairwoman, who stressed in a telephone interview that the 14,000 tickets being distributed were supposed to be "just for Republicans."
"I don't think a Democrat would come in unless they want to do something we don't want them to do," Gilman said. "I'm going to have to talk with my office folks."
Earlier in the day, however, local Republican co-chairman Jim Coffield proudly demonstrated to a reporter how egalitarian his party was being by not asking people their affiliation before handing out tickets. All they had to do was give their name, address and telephone number.
"How can you stop anyone from seeing the president of the United States? It's open to anyone who wants to see the president," he said.
By 5:30 p.m., those wanting tickets were asked to show their voter registration cards, although that wasn't a requirement if they said they didn't bring it. They were also asked whether they supported the president.
About 5,700 tickets were distributed Wednesday. Thursday's count was not available, although Coffield noted that people were lined up outside the door by 8 a.m.
Coffield said there were two categories of tickets, which he jokingly termed "squinting tickets and non-squinting tickets." The latter were being distributed to volunteers and others who have "done great things for the party," he said.
Non-squinting ticket holders will be subject to special security clearances because they'll be close to the president when he "works the ropes," after his speech, according to Coffield.
In addition to the president, a slate of local Republican candidates and a "big time entertainer" will also appear at the rally, Coffield said.
Gates for the event, at 525 Fentress Blvd., are slated to open at 12:45 p.m. Saturday, although Bush is not expected to speak until sometime after 3 p.m. There will be parking in Speedway-owned lots.
Democratic party officials said no official protests were planned.
For ticket information, call (386) 322-7020.
I am going there and bringing my mother with me..her first W rally ever. Look for me if you want in a Winslow #81 Miami Hurricanes orange jersey.
Earnhardt Jr. donated money to Edwards...so I doubt the Carolina boys of DEI would show up at Daytona..especially with a race today.
Well, it was Billy Ray Cyrus in Orlando. He was great.
Ch. 13 in Orlando is showing the rally right now and also some protestors outside.
Jeb Bush said we are a proud state that is pro defense and pro national security!
"DOCTORS FOR BUSH", "VETERANS FOR BUSH".
Ch. 13 IS showing the full rally! KUDOS TO THEM! President Bush referenced how Jeb dealt with 4 hurricanes. He is talking about the recession he had when he took office. He is talking about the national unemployment rate being lower than the 1990's, farm income up, home ownership at an all time high. We are not going back to the time of big govt.. We have to do something about these junk lawsuits hurting small business owners. We must be less dependent on foreign energy. China "Treat us the way we treat you." Keep taxes low. Kerry can run from his record but he cannot hide. Kerry has to break a bunch of other promises to keep one. Schools are making gains now in high expectations.
He is talking about healthcare. He said Kerry wants a big govt. healthcare plan. President Bush wants decisions to be made by doctors and patients. Heath savings accts. encouraged. The social security situation needs fixing. "Remember in the 2000 campaign they said the seniors will lose their SS checks? They never did lose them. They will continue to get them." He says Kerry is against reforms regarding personal savings accounts. "There is a word for that attitude! It is called LIBERALISM!!!"
"I believe in empowering peoples lives, not running them with big government!" President Bush says Kerry has many opinions but his record is clear and he sits on the far left side of the bank. The crowd is yelling "HE CAN RUN! BUT HE CANNOT HIDE!!!"
"IF YOU DON'T WANT A DRAFT..VOTE FOR ME!"
"If the 1991 war did not pass Senator Kerry's global test..nothing will pass his global test!"
At the end of the rally Scott Harris on Ch. 13 said "President Bush hit all the points and energized his base."
I just got home from the daytona rally..stopped for a big dinner...met chieftan and his pal up there doing the swift boat sticker thing. It was 15,000 people supposedly. Sure enough though..Bush's slip up on saying he was in favor of the draft and then correction...is the thing local news is showing.
I knew they would.
Yes. The media has been showing that a lot. Too bad when there is so much more to be gleaned from what President Bush has to say.
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