Posted on 10/17/2004 12:18:57 AM PDT by Sir_Ed
President Bush Re-Election Rally in Central Point, Oregon
President Bush came to Southern Oregon on October 14th, 2004 and rallied folks here for his re-election campaign. Crowds were estimated up to 15,000, which is a LOT of people in one place for this neck of the woods! There were a few protesters outside, but once inside the gates, everyone was a Bush supporter, and I said to myself "This must be what HEAVEN is like!"
The pictures below tell the story.
My sister Niquita (on the right) and her fellow co-worker Becky before they interpret for the deaf for President Bush. The line of ticket holders snaked around the huge Jackson County Expo fairgrounds.
I waited on line from 12 noon to 6 o'clock, when President Bush spoke.
The lectern and bleachers before the rally. It took place at the horse stables, and the smell of horse manure could be slightly whiffed!
President Bush was right at home though. He said "Finally...it's nice to be in a place where the boots outnumber the suits!" which is so true of Central Point!
A Secret Service helicopter flew just above the trees, carrying a sharpshooter in the cockpit.
First Lady Laura Bush accompanied her husband. She didn't speak, but her presence still rallied the crowd!
Senator John McCain with Laura Bush.
Senator McCain introducing President Bush. He had a hilarious line, he said, "The first time I really sat down and talked to George Bush was after he defeated me in the primary election...and that is NOT a line for applause!"
Oregon Representative Greg Walden and Oregon Senator Gordon Smith sharing a laugh with President Bush. I don't remember the line, but it must have been funny!
The ever-present Secret Service sharpshooter teams were on all the roofs, as well as in the chopper above. Also, a pair of F-16's had to fire red flares at a private plane that violated the airspace.
What a neat picture!
Another excellent picture of President Bush.
How there can be some Americans who would choose that horse-faced patrician Kerry over this man, I have no idea...
Bush commented that when Kerry says he "cares about the West, he must mean Western Massachusetts!"
President Bush also joked that "Kerry was against the Healthy Forest Act when we first proposed it, even though both Oregon Senators supported it, Republican AND Democrat! Yet now, in this election campaign, he supports major parts of it...I guess wildfires aren't the ONLY thing that change with the wind!!"
Night fell, and Bush continued on...he spoke about 40 minutes long.
There were as many as 15,000 flag-waving, sign-waving, all-American Bush supporters in the crowd.
This was the biggest political rally ever held in Southern Oregon! It took an hour and a half to get out of the parking lot...us rural dwellers aren't used to that!
The Bushes stayed in beautiful Jacksonville, a small mining town that has most of its buildings, built in the 1800's, preserved as they were. If you get a chance, come visit.
President Bush remarked, "The last President to stay in Jacksonville was Rutherford B. Hayes, and he complained about the tab...I won't, I'm just happy to be here!" referring to the fact that when President Hayes stayed at the Jacksonville Inn in 1880 he was charged $15 per person, and he remarked, "Madame, I just wished to stay at the hotel, I didn't wish to BUY it!"
The Bushes ate on the patio and their dinner was disturbed by screaming protesters using bullhorns. President Bush told the dinner crowd that he would leave if they wished to eat in peace, but they told him no.
My sister Niquita (on right) and her fellow sign language interpreter after they interpreted for President Bush. This was the highest honor of her professional career. You can't really top that!
These Marines were thanked and a huge burst of applause rang out! They posed for pictures and signed autographs afterwards.
It's been interesting experiencing what politically important states go through. Usually no one of any importance visits, but Oregon is now a swing state. In addition to President Bush, the last few months Southern Oregon has had Dick Cheney, John Kerry and John Edwards campaigning here. Tommy Franks also visited and campaigned for George Bush and Southern Oregon native Merrill McPeak came and campaigned for John Kerry, sadly enough...
I thoroughly enjoyed this rally, and I hope and pray, with all my might, that President Bush gets re-elected. This may well be one of the most important elections ever held in this country...I urge everyone to do their part, make phone calls, go door-to-door and most importantly, VOTE, and remind all your conservative friends and family members to VOTE! Of course, they should vote Republican!
BTTT
Looks like you had fun...
Just to add for fellow Oregonians VOTE EARLY!
BTTT
Most excellent pics! Thanks for posting 'em!
(Mea culpa...I could not resist.)
Exceptional job of reporting with some exceptional photos. Good Job. I saw W this summer as well. I was in a crowd of about 25,000. When they hung the Presidential Seal on the podium the crowd went crazy. That's what I'll remember.
great pics! Glad to hear you had a good time!
Thank you for sharing that experience! My son is moving to Oregon and I will feel much better knowing it has it's fair share of Republicans!
Hah hah!
I must say, though...that Senator McCain is Pro-Life and pro-2nd Amendment.
I don't get his CFR crap, but he is a loyal soldier, and I honor his horrific years in the Hanoi Hilton.
Ed
Just make sure he moves to Southern or Eastern Oregon...the tri-county area of Multnomah, Lane and Washington counties is hopelessly lost to radical enviros, homosexuals, anarchists and socialists...
Ed
You're either kidding or on crack.
May I suggest you do some reading on McCain's favor of anti-Second Amendment legislation? Start here: http://www.gunlaws.com/GunShows/, here: http://www.alphadogweb.com/firearms/John_McCain.htm, and here: http://www.issues2000.org/Celeb/John_McCain_Gun_Control.htm.
And on the issue of abortion, start here: http://www.rnclife.org/faxnotes/1999/aug99/99-08-26.shtml, http://www.peopleforlife.org/mccainthreatensprolife.html, and http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=17757. Oh and one more thing: stop drinking the Kool-Aid.
Bush is such a natural. You never get the feeling he is trying to be something he isn't. He looks so damn comfortable with who he is.
He is planning to move to Grant's Pass. How is it there?
Did you know that the newspaper in Crawford, Texas that endorsed Kerry is currently being shunned by the advertising and residents? They are losing their customers and their sources of income from Advertising. I just heard an interview with the guy from the paper on Mike Gallagher's show. He is thinking maybe after the election things will smooth out, but for now, the community won't even sell the papers in their shops! WHOOPIE! Serves them right!
Ain't the free market absolutely wonderful? You can show your displeasure by not buying something!!!!
You folks were really up close and personal! Great pics! Thanks for sharing.
"LOOK AT THESE FAB PHOTOS" Ping!
Terrific report and great pictures! Ya done good. And so did Niquita and Becky.
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