Posted on 08/02/2004 2:38:26 PM PDT by TomasUSMC
Kerry vs Bush in Grand Rapids
Friday the President visited this city's Community College, today the challenger Kerry arrived at the downtown center. What where the differences and similarities? Lets see.
Therezzzzzza started off speaking so slowly that the discomfort she spread was evident by dozens of folks leaving to catch some shade before the john spoke. Her condescending tone was only surpassed by her constant reminder of how John,( "Oh by the way, my first husband was named John"), would protect us, would do this for us and do that for us. When finally the medicated one was finished, many a prayer was answered, as I could see almost a wave of exasperated exhaling sweep Calder Plaza.
The John came in and the first thing on the agenda was pitching his new book, who the queen of abortion, Gov. Granholm, threw out to him. Then the John repeated several times "Help is on the way, help is on the way." He accused the President of waiting almost 3 years for the 911 commission to issue its finding before leading. Obviously Kerry didn't notice Iraq Afganistan Lybia... .
The democrat though, must be given credit for using a better location than the GOP. The Plaza was filled with at least twice as many as could have been packed into the Community College Field house. And in this town, many more knew of the Kerry Visit and of the Bush visit. But when it comes to quality - well both the people and message were superior during the Presidents visit.
When the President stated Friday that of the 100 senators only 12 voted against funding the troops in Combat, and that both of the democrats on the Presidential Ticket were among that dirty dozen, there was no comeback from the John today. When the President talked of tax cuts and said, " And this time the check was in the mail!", again the donkey's john could only comeback with a plan that he would repeal tax cuts for the rich.
The biggest difference that I noticed between the Friday speech of the President and the john's speech was the emphasis that W put on small business. There was absolute silence at today's johnfest on small caps. Surprisingly, the john returned time and time again to family values, except each time he attempted to define them as: "But values spoken without actions taken are just slogans". Humm, must mean the 3000 abortions daily, No action there by the democrats, thats for sure.
This then is where both speeches were the same. There was no mention of abortion either friday, nor today. Immigration was also something that was avoided like the plague both days. These two issues apparently are hot potatoes that have little significance to both major parties. The fact that they kill 3000 babies every day and bring into this country another 3000 illegal immigrants a day apparently is nothing to be alarmed at. Funny, how both numbers are the same.
All in all, both days were great fun for the respective audiences, with little if any protesters for either event having an impact. Money seems to be in great supply on both sides as does enthusiasm. In this battle ground state, West Michigan seems to be were the fighting will be the toughest.
However, the sounds of battle do not extend to the fields of Immigration and Abortion yet.
Why is there a cease-fire, or is it the calm before the storm?
Well done Marine, thanks for the report(salutes smartly) carry on.
I read this about Kerry's Grand Rapids appearance at http://www.mlive.com/newsflash/michigan/index.ssf?/base/news-17/109148034046390.xml
"Aug. 2, 2004: In two Grand Rapids appearances, Kerry spoke in the morning to several dozen firefighters outside a fire station, then took part in a downtown rally in the afternoon that drew what police estimated to be between 20,000 to 25,000 supporters to Calder Plaza outside City Hall."
20,000 to 25,000 sounds like a pretty big crowd. Is that an accurate crowd estimate, do you think? Is that a big crowd for Grand Rapids?
Was also wondering -- WHY on earth would FIREFIGHTERS let Kerry come and address them? I mean, he can't just come and plop himself down in front of a fire station and benefit from the photo op of being seen with firefighters, can he? Somebody had to authorize it. WHO? AND WHY???? Does he have supporters among those firefighters?
We have here in Grand Rapids a kumbaya democratic mayor, whos first order of business as mayor was passing the resolution against the Patriot Act. So he probably gave the word. It was first announced as 8000, then 10, then 12 and when Kerry came on stage he announced it as 20,000.
Have other people picked up on this? I saw Mrs. Heinz on the Pennsylvania Cable Network giving a speech out in Harrisburg and I swear she looked and sounded drunk. The only innocent explanation I could come up with is that it's some foreign thing that makes her act that way and not booze and/or pills.
One of the first lines the President had in GR was that there were many reason for his reelection but maybe the best one was that Laura Bush would be in the White House.
You don't think she's on drugs, you didn't see her speech at the Convention!
I'll search on the FR threads for her speech.
Maybe the Mayor was wetting his whistle from a pocket flask and by the time Kerry got up to babble, the crowd did look like 20,000 to your Mayor.
Grand Rapids has, historically, been a GOP area. Who had the largest crowd? The Prez or JFK?
Their union supports him, probably.
The john had the larger crowd. President Bush spoke at the fieldhouse which was filled at 4000. Today, there were twice that many at the outdoor downtown event. The GOP might consider more outdoor events but security might be an issue.
*PING*
In 2000, Gore beat Bush 50.4%-46.5% in Grand Rapids and 51.3%-46.1% statewide, making the city of Grand Rapids as much of a bellwether as any other part of the state (the county that came closest to the actual results was Monroe County; long-vaulted Macomb County was less Democrat and more Republican than the state as a whole). If Bush can carry Grand Rapids, it could be a harbinger of better performance throughout the state, and if Bush carries Michigan, he will win reelection with over 350 electoral votes.
"Grand Rapids has, historically, been a GOP area."
You need to SEE the speech -- not just read it. The pausing that occurred between each phrase for emphasis. The crossing of arms to her chest meaning I love you all.
The accent. The speaking in multiple languages to emphasize her background. Here's a summary:
ME ME ME ME ME ME ME MYHUSBANDJOHN
ME ME ME ME ME ME ME MYHUSBANDJOHN
ME ME ME ME ME ME ME MYHUSBANDJOHN
ME ME ME ME ME ME ME MYHUSBANDJOHN
ME ME ME ME ME ME ME MYHUSBANDJOHN
ME ME ME ME ME ME ME MYHUSBANDJOHN
ME ME ME ME ME ME ME MYHUSBANDJOHN
ME ME ME ME ME ME ME MYHUSBANDJOHN
ME ME ME ME ME ME ME MYHUSBANDJOHN
ME ME ME ME ME ME ME MYHUSBANDJOHN
Your Grand Rapids, MI Townhall Meetup is happening -- please
join Townhall.com Enthusiasts on Tuesday, Aug 3 @ 7PM. We hope
to see you there.
Here are the details:
What: National Conservative Townhall Meetup Day
When: Tuesday, Aug 3 @ 7PM
Who: Townhall.com Enthusiasts and friends
Where: Urban Mill
235 W. Fulton St
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
616-458-6455
Yaall come on down, WE'VE TURNED THE CORNER AND WE ARN'T GOING BACK!!!!!
Hey, exnavy, are you the one who calls the Roger Fredinburg Show on Talkone.com. ? Its on from 10pm to 1am eastern time.
I believe there is someone in that shows chatroom who uses your "Exnavy". Might want to check it out at Regularguy.com
"I'm John Kerry, I'm a Viet Nam veteran, this ferry boat reminds me of the swift boats I commanded in Viet Nam. Did I mention I was a Viet Nam veteran ..." LOL
Hey Tomas. I was going to be downtown with a protest sign and stand with like-minded persons but opted against it. Somehow I was not motivated to go out in 90 degree heat to watch the Kerry's make fools of themselves.
Did you happen to catch Teraaaazzzza when she went off about all the little children in the world and needing our help - but, she said, "it's not about money" it's about giving smiles to them or something like that? Talk about being uncomfortable - I was so embarrassed for her I started squirming in my seat. She's nuts. And she dresses like a slob... and that goofy hat down over her eyes - OMG!
Yeah it was hot, and there were about dozen leftys who passed out. I guess the soya-vegan-tofu regimen ain't all that good for standing in the sun and listening to lies.
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