Posted on 08/21/2003 8:44:26 PM PDT by nwrep
President Bush (news - web sites) tees off at the Crosswater Golf Course at the Sunriver Resort in Sunriver, Ore., where he is spending the night during a two-day visit to the Pacific Northwest, Thursday, Aug. 21, 2003. Bush earlier viewed a forest fire in central Oregon while promoting his his plan to thin forests of trees and underbrush. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)
President Bush (news - web sites) gestures as he addresses supporters in Redmond, Ore., Thursday, Aug. 21, 2003. Bush toured an active forest fire and talked about his forest initiative to streamline environmental reviews required on 20 million acres of federal land and expedite thinning projects to reduce wildfire risk.
Riot Police stand outside the Chiles Center on the campus of University of Portland, where U.S. President George W. Bush (news - web sites) appeared at a fundraising event, August 21, 2003. Bush faced protests Thursday as he traveled to Oregon and Washington to promote his environmental agenda and raise money for his re-election campaign. REUTERS/Steve Dipaola
President Bush (news - web sites) speaks at a fundraiser Thursday Aug. 21, 2003 at The Chiles Center on the campus of the University of Portland in Portland, Oregon. (AP Photo/The Oregonian, Brent Wojahn)
President Bush (news - web sites) shakes hands with firefighters following a briefing on the wildfires during his visit to Redmond, Ore. Thursday, Aug. 21, 2003. (AP Photo/Bruce Ely, pool)
President Bush shakes hands with people following his speech during his visit to Redmond, Ore. Thursday, Aug. 21, 2003.
U.S. President George W. Bush (news - web sites) gestures after flubbing a tee shot that went only 20 yards at the Crosswater golf club near Sunriver, Oregon, August 21, 2003. Earlier in the day, Bush flew over the forest fires that are raging through the state. REUTERS/Rick Wilking
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| Bush promises support for forest thinning By BRAD CAIN PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — President Bush promised to create more jobs for Oregon's struggling economy Thursday as he spoke at a Republican fund-raising luncheon that raised more than $1 million for his campaign. "I understand that a lot of people are hurting in the state of Oregon. Your unemployment is too high," Bush told the more than 500 Republicans from around Oregon who paid $2,000 a plate to hear him speak. "I'll try to make conditions for job creation as long as anybody is looking for work," he said, adding that the tax cuts he pushed through Congress would help jump-start the economy. The president also talked about successes in the war on terror, saying that some leaders of al-Qaida already have been captured or killed and that U.S. armed forces are in hot pursuit of others. "Terrorists declared war on the United States and war is what they got," Bush said. Bush arrived at the University of Portland for the lunch amid heavy security, including police dressed in black body armor. Streets in the neighborhood surrounding the private university campus were heavily patrolled and protesters were ordered to stay on sidewalks except for a three-block stretch that was cordoned off with temporary fencing. Several thousand demonstrators gathered near the campus entrance, many carrying signs criticizing Bush. One man wore a Bush mask and carried a sign that said "Stop me before I lie again." Former Sen. Mark Hatfield, one of the many promiment Oregon Republicans who attended Thursday's fund-raiser, lamented the unusually heavy security arrangements surrounding the event. "It's unfortunate we need this much police protection to protect our rights to free speech," Hatfield said shortly before Bush took to the stage to adddress the GOP faithful. The visit marks Bush's eighth trip in the past four years to Oregon, a traditionally Democratic state that Bush narrowly lost to Democrat Al Gore in the 2000 election. Bush campaign officials have said the president is determined to have Oregon in his column in the 2004 election. "He certainly knows where we are on the map," Oregon Republican Chairman Kevin Mannix said. "I expect to see the president come back here" for more campaign trips between now and the November 2004 election. Bush seemed pleased by the strong showing of financial support from Oregon Republicans who were treated to lunch featuring grilled Oregon salmon and a selection of Oregon wines in return for their $2,000 contribution. "I'm proud to have you as supporters. I've proud to have you on the same team," the president said. Craig Berkman, a Portland businessman and former state GOP chairman, said the $1 million fund-raiser was impressive. "When you think about the shape this state's economy is in, it's remarkable the president was able to raise as much money today as he did," Berkman said. Among those who paid $2,000 to have lunch with the president was Roger Thomas, CEO of iMoveInc., a Portland company that makes security camera systems for various federal agencies, including the Department of Homeland Security. Thomas was among dozens of the Republican donors who got a chance to shake hands with the president after his speech. "I told him he is doing a fanatistic job," Thomas said, adding that he also got Bush to autograph a book about the president.
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Creepy.
That's the idea. It would be hard to be taken seriously in a sun dress and a riot helmet.
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