Posted on 09/28/2002 3:41:31 PM PDT by dittomom
Bush's Arizona visit raises cash, protests
Salmon hits jackpot; Renzi gets a boost
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| Jack Kurtz/The Arizona Republic |
| "Well, we{QUOTE}re working on the drought," President Bush tells a crowd of about 3,500 who gathered in wet weather Friday at the Coconino County Fairgrounds in Flagstaff. Bush was stumping for GOP candidates. |
By Chip Scutari, Mark Shaffer and Judd Slivka
The Arizona Republic
Sept. 28, 2002 01:45 AM
President Bush helped raise nearly $700,000 for GOP gubernatorial candidate Matt Salmon on Friday, calling him a "breath of fresh air" before telling a crowd of Republicans in Phoenix that America will be relentless in its war against terrorism.
In Flagstaff, Bush also stumped for Rick Renzi, 1st Congressional District Republican candidate. At both stops in Arizona, he continued to beat the war drums against Saddam Hussein and Iraq. He said the United States won't "allow the world's worst leaders to threaten us with the world's worst weapons."
Renzi is battling Democrat George Cordova in a key swing congressional district in northern Arizona that is expected to help decide the control of the U.S. House. Appearing on a cold, windy, rainy day at the Coconino County Fairgrounds for Renzi, Bush told a cheering crowd of about 3,500 that his administration will make sure Saddam "disarms" his weapons of mass destruction.
At the Phoenix Civic Plaza, Bush praised Salmon as a strong family man who keeps his promises.
"I know this is the only person I'm campaigning for who rides Harleys, speaks fluent Mandarin Chinese and fronts an Elvis cover band," Bush told an audience of 1,500 people who paid $700 a ticket.
The president devoted most of his time to talking about hunting down terrorists and strengthening homeland security, calling Saddam a "madman" who is "a true threat to America."
"This is a man who continues to murder his own people," Bush said. "This is a man that hates America. History has called us into action. We have a chance to blink or we have a chance to lead. I intend to lead."
Bush's campaign stops in Arizona are part of a nationwide fund-raising tour for Republican candidates. The timing of Bush's visit couldn't be better for Salmon or Renzi, who are both locked in close elections. Early ballots will start being mailed out Thursday.
The presidential stops in Arizona could help Salmon raise up to $1 million and pour another $1 million into the coffers of the Arizona Republican Party.
The amount raised won't be known until figures are tallied this weekend.
Salmon's Democratic opponent, Janet Napolitano, will also benefit from the Bush visit. As a publicly funded candidate, Napolitano will get a dollar-for-dollar match as soon as Salmon raises more than $615,000.
Bush's appearance in Flagstaff was the first for a sitting president and backed up traffic for three miles in the southbound lanes of U.S. 89A and Interstate 17. Many frustrated motorists left vehicles and walked two miles or more to the speech as a rainstorm blew in from the southwest.
Bush arrived shortly before 2 p.m., wearing a leather aviator jacket and no head cover.
As the crowd yelled wildly, Bush stepped to the lectern and quipped, "Well, we're working on the drought."
Bush praised Renzi as a man "who believes in family values; after all, he's got 12 kids."
Bush also said it's important to elect Renzi to Congress because of the need to have a common-sense approach to thinning the Southwest's forests in the aftermath of last summer's "Rodeo-Chediski" fire.
"It doesn't make any sense . . . to not thin our forests. It doesn't make any sense to fight off the (bark) beetles. It doesn't make any sense to allow kindling to pile up underneath good wood," Bush said.
After the speech, as dozens surged forward to try to shake the president's hand, 68-year-old Buddy Caylor of Flagstaff, wearing a Western shirt with a U.S. flag hanging out of the pocket, said he had a good time.
"I especially liked the part about Saddam Hussein. Something has got to be done about that son of a gun," Caylor said.
About 500 protesters stood outside the fairgrounds to protest Bush's presence. Once Bush went in, the number dropped dramatically. No one was arrested.
Although there were many messages, most of the protesters voiced opposition to a possible U.S. invasion of Iraq.
"I don't think we should go into Iraq," said Brian Maclean, a Northern Arizona University student. "Bush is using security as a ploy to get rid of our rights and civil liberties. I'm out here to voice my opinion about that."
Bush never got to see the Flagstaff protesters. Local authorities kept them at bay about 100 yards from the entrance to the fairgrounds that Bush used.
Six protesters were arrested on misdemeanor charges in Phoenix and one was jailed on a charge of aggravated assault on an officer. No protesters were arrested in Flagstaff.
After Bush left the Phoenix event for his Texas ranch, Arizona senior senator, John McCain, urged the crowd to dip into its pockets for Salmon.
"They asked me to make a quick announcement," McCain said. "The good news is we now have enough money to fund the entire Salmon campaign. The bad news is that some of that money is still in your wallets and purses."
ACLU chief, 6 others arrested at protest
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| Cheryl Evans/The Arizona Republic |
| Rebecca Yerman of Phoenix protests outside the Civic Plaza while President Bush speaks at a political fund-raiser inside. |
By Kelly Ettenborough, Robbie Sherwood and Judd Slivka
The Arizona Republic
Sept. 28, 2002 12:41 AM
Hundreds of people in Phoenix and Flagstaff protested the possible U.S. invasion of Iraq and President Bush's visit to the state Friday.
In Phoenix, police arrested at least seven people, including Eleanor Eisenberg, executive director of the Arizona affiliate of the American Civil Liberties Union. She said earlier in the day that she was going as a legal observer.
"She was taking a picture, and I don't think they like that," said Carolyn Trowbridge, an ACLU vice president who was with Eisenberg. "I think they are going to regret this."
In northern Arizona, about 500 protesters stood outside the fairgrounds. Once Bush went in, the number dropped dramatically. No one was arrested.
In Phoenix, at least 400 people gathered at Patriots Square and began marching east about 3 p.m. on Washington Street. The line stretched from Central Avenue to Second Street.
At the Civic Plaza, the crowd swelled. Protesters chanted and beat drums as people headed into the $700-a-plate fund-raising dinner for Matt Salmon's campaign for governor.
Carolyn Modeen, a retired nurse, drove from Sun City with some of her friends for the march.
"We have been suffering with the events as they transpired following 9/11," she said. "It's a chance for us to finally declare publicly how we feel that it's gone so wrong for this country since then."
Phoenix police estimated the crowd at 1,500, which included a small group of people in support of Bush and those in town for the United Pentecostal Church International convention hoping to glimpse the president.
"We're good peace-loving folk. We're just curious," said the Rev. Mark Morris of Branson, Mo. He watched as police arrested a man for striking one of the anarchist protesters. "I'm a barber from the Ozarks, so this is going to be barbershop talk for the next six months."
The church members joined the College Republicans from Arizona State University in singing God Bless America and chanting "W.,W.,W.," in contrast to those across the street chanting, "No blood for oil."
At both protests, people carried a signs like "Bush = Hitler"; "Just say no to Shrub"; and "Drop Bush, not bombs."
The groups were diverse, ranging from the Arizona Alliance for Peaceful Justice to Queers 4 Peace, teenagers and senior citizens, anarchists and Democrats.
"I don't think we should go into Iraq," said Brian Maclean, a student at Northern Arizona University who braved the rain to protest in Flagstaff. "Bush is using security as a ploy to get rid of our rights and civil liberties. I'm out here to voice my opinion about that."
Bush did not go directly by the protesters in either city.
Gee, I'll be the local democrats just love being put in the same league as anarchists and Queers 4 Peace. LOL!
Rebecca Yerman of Phoenix
Sorry, Rebecca, I don't want to hear about your sex life.
Matt Salmon's speech was as good as any I have heard. McCain got a partial standing ovation, there seemed to be a few at each table that did not stand when he was introduced, myself included. His speech was not as offensive as most. Senator Kyle gave a very good speech.
I had the opportunity to speak to Trent Franks, the next congressman from CD2, and got to spend a few minutes with Jeff Flake.
LOCAL(E)?
Oh well, at least he didn't decide to support Janet Napolireno!
Guess I'm still the last Mohican here in Ivory Tower LaLaLa land.
(Apology to Mr. J. F. Cooper.)
In both locations, a grand total of fewer than 1000 protesters. Their numbers were dwarfed by those 'protesting the protest'.
LOL! Guess it's not possible. After all, they are already an insult to the human race.
Stand in their midst with an American flag, or a sign that says "God Bless America". That really irritates these Democrats, who hate both God and America.
Dear Bruce: I am sorry you've been sold a bull of goods and actually think that fighting a War on Terror actually harms your civil liberties. You are seriously mistaken.
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