Posted on 01/22/2002 8:35:54 AM PST by WVNan
President Bush just finished speaking at the National Guard Armory in Charleston, WV. The newsperson said she saw no protestors at Yeager Airport as expected. The expected protestors were those who appose the energy plan, in particular the issue of mountain-top removal (big issue in WV).
President Bush was introduced by Shelly Moore Capito, our Republican Congresswoman. The crowd was wildly enthusiastic, standing and cheering for a good three or four minutes.
The President gave his standard stump speech. He mentioned all the local politicians. The applause was lukewarm for Sen. Byrd and our Dem Gov. Wise, but spirited for our ex-Gov. Underwood (R). I guess that says something about the crowd (Republican).
The President talked about homeland security, and how the gov. is working with local officials. He talked about the enemy, and how he and Laura want peace, but understand that the military has to be used to route out the evil ones and bring them to justice. He called for patience by the American people, and mentioned his sorrow when any of our military personnel die. He exprssed his thanks to the families.
Jobs was the next topic. It was pretty much the same as he has been saying. His tax cut created jobs because people had more money to spend, which in turn created a demand for products and the need for more products produced more jobs. He said he will work to extend unemployment benefits, and health care, but he said that people want more than a temporary fix, they want a permanent paycheck. He spoke of the American famers and how they are the best in the world at producing. He said that Americans produce more than anyone in the world and have no need to fear free trade. Free trade will produce jobs. He mentioned the weird economy ideas in D.C. They want to roll back the tax-cut and that is the same as a tax increase.
He talked about his energy plan. He doesn't view the world as a zero-sum place. He believes that we can produce energy and protect the environment. He mentioned "coal" and the crowd went wild of course. He also mentioned Alaska.
He touched on his education plan. Every child must learn to read. We have to blow the whistle on failure.
He said he is the President of everyone, not just a certain group. He hopes that 2002 will not be a year of bitter divisiveness even though it's an election year. He said he has his favorites, Shelly Capito. He did the bit about Sen. Kennedy. Someone in the crowd yelled something (I couldn't hear), and he said, "she's fine." He said that he couldn't say how proud he is of Laura. He said, "I plainly married above myself." He did a little pep talk about being kind to your neighbors and how no evil can ever overcome the goodness of America.
I'm sure that's a real shock to all FReepers if true. < /sarcasm >
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