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?
ping
The Ford Fieldhouse at Grand Rapids Community College can hold more than 4000 people. If President Bush was staged at the north or south side, they could easily fit about 7000-10,000 people inside Ford Fieldhouse with the bleachers set up for the basketball games as well as everyone on the floor.
The place where they could hold the largest capacity would either be at Van Andel Arena or Houseman Field. Houseman though has a parking problem.
Is it true the President will be here again in Michigan this Thursday. I believe its Saginaw? What is the POC.?
The police estimate released to the Press for the Kerry rally crowd was 5000. Kerry mentioned 20,000 from the stage...he was just exaggerating (because his estimate will probably get play in the mainstream press...the local news outlets were more objective). Bush had a capacity 4000 at the Fieldhouse (preferring an indoor, weather-proof venue). Kerry was 2 hours ahead of a thunderstorm that would have washed out his whole outdoor event. Bush filled the Fieldhouse with 4000, but could have brought in well over that figure. While the city of Grand Rapids leans slightly Democratic (the current mayor and the last mayor, John Logie, and both Kerry supporters), the suburban areas are nearly 2-1 Republican. Ottawa County, just west of Grand Rapids is one of the most Republican Counties in the U.S....consistently voting GOP by a greater than 70-30 margin. Kerry's people have been very active around Grand Rapids...passing out flyers...going door-to-door. Conservatives need to be active and outspoken.
Thanks for the update Strato. Yeah It just shows you what kind of a lunatic liar Kerry and I guess all Democratic Presidential candidates are. Of course if you are lying to democrats well IS that a lie?
I'll be on the Radio in around 15 minutes giving a summary of this thread. Call in and help me out on the Roger Fredinberg Show, Talkone.com, 1 800 8505043.
Tell em Tomas sent ya.
We've turned the corner and were not turning back.
Agreed. I left GR for the lakeshore almost 8 years ago. I've never looked back.
And last time they raised taxes on the 'rich', I didn't know I was rich....anyone that drives a car was 'rich'.
. . .I thought the same. . .or just some unconscious mechanism that keeps attention on 'her'. . .but in truth; do think she takes some meds.
Could not decide whether one could blame her complete lack of rhythm on a 'slowed metabolism' or she is just completely tone deaf as well.
No matter how she tried to bring her hands together in some meaningful rhythmic arrangement. . .she was never in synch, ever. . .
Well, I no longer have a car and haven't driven one in more than 4 years. So, if Frenchie becomes President and raises taxes on you rich folks, he won't raise mine! LOL! :D
Two words: labor unions. It's not the individual firefighters so much as their unions.
I work at the college and worked on the appearance; the Ford Fieldhouse capacity according to the fire codes is 4,000. From what I saw, 4,000 is a generous estimate of how many people attended.
The stage for the Bush was at the north end of the fieldhouse. There were bleachers behind the stage and lecturn, as well as bleachers flanking the stage on either side and extending out into the floor. There were also chairs in the front of the stage, and the press section was directly behind the chairs on the floor (the press had a few rows of chairs for print media, and the TV media had a three-level platform to set tripods up on).
That's not to say that more people weren't interested in going; certainly there were - but it was a more small, intimate appearance and only a very limited number of tickets were made available to the general public.
The number of attendees at any given political event always seems to be in contention (for obvious reasons). I believe that there were at least 10,000 people at the Kerry rally; Grand Rapids leans very democrat - and the unions were really rattling cages to turn out their members (even those from out-of-town). Though it's only anecdotal, I stood in line with many union folks.
The spokesperson for the city estimated the crowd at 9,000-10,000:
http://www.thehollandsentinel.net/stories/080304/loc_080304001.shtml
The Grand Rapids Free Press estimated the crowd for the Kerry Rally to be 10,000:
The State News has 20,000:
http://www.statenews.com/article.phtml?pk=24822
Wood TV has pictures of the event showing how packed Calder Plaza was:
http://www.woodtv.com/Global/story.asp?S=2110785&nav=0RcePQ78
If Chief Dolan counted only 5,000 - it must have been during Teresa Heinz Kerry's rambling, long-winded speech when everybody went to go get a hot dog and lemonade.
Did you hear about this?
A reader points to this item from our friends at the American Spectator, who notice that Kerry told a joke about how he loves Ohio football... in Michigan. Whoops.
"I just came here from Bowling Green," Kerry told the crowd to subdued applause. "I was smart enough not to pick a choice between the Falcons and the, well, you know, all those other teams out there. I just go for Buckeye football, that's where I'm coming from."
At that point, before all the boos began raining down upon him, Kerry seemed to realize his error. In an attempt to silent the angry crowd of University of Michigan supporters, Kerry said, "But that was while I was in Ohio. I know I'm in the state of Michigan and you got a great big M and a powerhouse of a team." Then his face, presumably, the Botox permitting, turned Big Blue.
If the Bush campaign were smart, they would figure out how to get audio or videotape of this gaffe to every University of Michigan student, alumni, and fan in the state. Probably fans of Michigan state and even the Detroit Lions, too.
http://www.nationalreview.com/kerry/kerryspot.asp
It seemed to me that every possible seat was filled, they were even letting people sit in the press area. So 4000 is a good number for the Presidents event. Matter of fact, it was announced as 4500 at the Kerry rally.
Either way, lets see what happens at the Iowa rally. Both candidates will be just 2 blocks apart.
Bring it on!
look at photo in post #25
LOL, good stuff!
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