Posted on 11/27/2002 5:47:04 AM PST by Theodore R.
Bush to headline Terrell rally at Hirsch Free ticket required to attend GOP-sponsored event
Don Walker / Staff Writer Posted on November 27, 2002 It's played host to rodeos, tractor pulls and Miss USA pageants, now Hirsch Coliseum on the Louisiana State Fair Grounds will become political stomping grounds for President George W. Bush's visit to Shreveport on Tuesday.
Bush will briefly take center stage in a political rally for Republican Senate hopeful Suzanne Haik Terrell. Times are tentative due to fluctuations in the president's schedule, but for now doors of the coliseum are expected to open at 8 a.m., preliminary events begin at 9 a.m., and Bush is expected to speak at 10 a.m., according to area Republican Party officials.
"The president won't be here long," said Al Henigan, chairman of the Louisiana Republican Party in Caddo Parish. "He's here to speak, greet a few people, then head back to the airport to get on the plane headed to New Orleans."
Bush's visit is part of a flurry of GOP-based activity about to hit North Louisiana. It starts today with U.S. Rep. Jim McCrery's public endorsement of Terrell, who is in the Dec. 7 runoff election against incumbent Democratic Sen. Mary Landrieu. The McCrery event at 11:15 a.m. will be held at Republican Party Headquarters on East 70th Street.
On Monday, former President George H.W. Bush will campaign for Terrell in Monroe while U.S. Sen.-elect Elizabeth Dole will attend a Terrell fund-raiser hosted by McCrery in Shreveport. Details are still being worked out, according to Terrell's campaign staff.
Republicans are also trying to bring in former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani, but details of his visit have not been confirmed.
Terrell's opponent Democratic U.S. Sen. Mary Landrieu said she welcomes appearances by the Bushes in Louisiana. "I hope the President will meet with sugar farmers who would be hurt by his plan to dump Mexican sugar into this country," she said.
The Republican strategy of bring in their national stars will backfire, Landrieu predicted.
"The more national people they bring in, more people are asking what is going on?" Landrieu said. Free tickets for admission to the president's rally at the Hirsch will be available beginning at 2 p.m. today at Republican Party Headquarters on East 70th Street.
Complete details for the president's visit are still being finalized, but Shreveport Regional Airport was notified Tuesday that Bush and his entourage will arrive here moments before the rally, said Roy Miller, director of Airports for the Shreveport Airport Authority.
"Usually we're notified about 72 hours ahead of time and there's a Secret Service briefing where they'll tell us how they want to do it," Miller said. "We're looking forward to it."
We hope to be first in line for tickets to this rally.
Whoooo Hoooooooo!!!! W's coming to town! I'm energized!
Does anyone know if the new poll showing Landrieu with a large lead has demoralized the GOP get-out-the-vote effort for Dec. 7?
No, primarily because another poll came out the same day showing Terrell with a four point lead and the internals of the poll with the Landrieu lead were somewhat suspect.
Let's put it this way, Terrell is slightly ahead and the Big Dog is coming to town.
Bush Bounce time!
Be Seeing You,
Chris
Somewhere I read where Jasper County appeared to turn in the highest percent of Republican votes. I'll see if I can find it.
Anyway, GWB needs to rock the vote in Louisiana the way he did up here!
And then further proceeded to poll even White voters in such a way as to overstate Democratic support.
The percentage voting for Landrieu will be between 39 and 51%...thus if she wins, it will be by a very thin edge. Only Terrell has a chance to run away with it, and I think a limited modified runaway is what is going to happen (about 44.7% for Landrieu, thus 55.3% for Terrell, since spoiled ballots and those indicating anyone else, are not counted).
LOL! Why in the world would it? This race is close - bogus polls be damned! The President, VP and a former president would not be going down there to help a candidate trailing by 15-16 points.
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