Posted on 08/18/2006 6:47:53 AM PDT by presidio9
Gerry Robinson slowly made his way between the small, round tables set up in an exhibition hall here, as he and a couple hundred supporters of NFL Hall of Famer Lynn Swann awaited the arrival of President Bush.
Bush spent the afternoon in southeastern Pennsylvania, where he also visited a Harley-Davidson plant, in an effort to shine a light on his handling of the economy and boost Swann's candidacy for governor. Both have been struggling lately.
Polls have found that high gasoline prices and flat wages have left most Americans anxious about the economy. Meanwhile, Swann, a Republican, is facing a 20-point deficit and a huge fundraising gap in his race against incumbent Edward G. Rendell (D).
Sporting Bono-style shades, Bush hopped on a Harley and held an economic roundtable with workers at the company's plant in nearby York. Later, he took a helicopter here to headline a fundraiser that drew 350 people and raised $700,000 for Swann.
Given Bush's flagging popularity, it is open to question whether his appearance could boost confidence in the economy or bring more than money to Swann, the Pittsburgh Steeler wide receiver-turned-television broadcaster.
But for Robinson, who with Swann was among the handful of African Americans in the room, Bush's visit made for a good day.
"The fact that the president is here speaks loudly to the commitment of the Republican Party to black political office-seekers," said Robinson, 55, a divorce lawyer who lives here.
Robinson said he supports Swann because he shares what he calls Swann's conservative values and likes his platform, which features calls for tax cuts, opposition to abortion, and a proposal to increase incentives for private firms to fund public education. But he readily acknowledges that his is hardly a popular position among African Americans.
"If you ask most African
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtonpost.com ...
It would be awesome if Swann won. Of course, he gets no help from a fawning MSM. If he were a liberal black, there would be stories about him all over the MSM, talking about how he's a "rock star" (see Obama, Barack).
I think it is very unlikely that blacks who are considering voting Republican will confide that to a pollster. Wait and see,
Watch Swann's numbers go up as
we get into football season!
"Polls have found that high gasoline prices and flat wages have left most Americans anxious about the economy. Meanwhile, Swann, a Republican, is facing a 20-point deficit and a huge fundraising gap in his race against incumbent Edward G. Rendell (D)."
conflicting story:
Rendell, Swann in dead heat
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1575677/posts
Don't forget voter fraud in Philidelphia last election
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1266241/posts
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1266123/posts
XXXXX DRUDGE REPORT XXXXX TUE NOV 02, 2004 09:06:35 ET XXXXX
UPDATE: VOTES 'FOUND ON MACHINES' IN PHILLY BEFORE POLLS OPEN
Before voting even began in Philadelphia -- Republican poll watchers believed they found nearly 2000 votes already planted on machines scattered in heavy-minority locations throughout the city.
Republican poll watchers claim:
One incident occurred at the SALVATION ARMY, 2601 N. 11th St., Philadelphia, Pa: Ward 37, division 8.
Pollwatchers uncovered 4 machines with planted votes; one with over 200 and one with nearly 500...
A second location, 1901 W. Girard Ave., Berean Institute, Philadelphia, Pa, had 300+ votes already on 2 machines at start of day.
ANOTHER INCIDENT: 292 votes on machine at start of day; WARD/DIVISION: 7/7: ADDRESS: 122 W. Erie Ave., Roberto Clemente School, Philadelphia, Pa..
ANOTHER: 456 votes on machine at start of day; WARD/DIVISION: 12/3; ADDRESS: 5657 Chew Ave., storefront, Philadelphia, Pa...
MORE...
The Kerry Campaign says reports of votes already on machines are 'false.'
"Serious news will not appear first on the DRUDGE gossip website," senior Kerry adviser Joe Lockhart told reporters.
Officially, election officials explain the discrepancy is being caused by a number showing how many times various machines have been used.
But officials could not explain why used machines in other locations were reportedly 'clean.'
Elsewhere, a gun was purposely made visible to scare poll watchers at Ward 30, division 11, at 905 S. 20th St., Grand Court. Police were called and quickly surrounded the location...
Developing...
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