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!
Excellent!
Well, this thread is a delicious treat, and that includes not only the pics but also your comments! Thanks, Sir_Ed!!!!
BUMP!
Did you see this, Salvation? It's fabulous!
Check picture #5. Someone apparently wants four more years.
Great pictures and a great thread.
Thanks!
"My sister Niquita (on the right) and her fellow co-worker Becky before they interpret for the deaf for President Bush."
About 4 weeks ago, we baby sat with our grandkids for a weekend.
We noticed that our 5 year old grand daughter appeared to be signing a lot of her comments to us. We asked her is she was using sign language, and she said yes.
Her Kindergarden teacher is really a great teacher and has taught sign language to the hearing and deaf for years. Part of her routine is to use sign language when she presents the subjects she covers. We hope that it becomes our grand daughter's natural second language.
Niquita seems like a wonderful woman. I have always wanted to learn to sign and be an interpreter. What an honor for her to be able to interpret for our President. Thank her for me and also congratulate her for this accomplishment.
God bless
You got some great pics, sir.
Grants Pass is where I live, it's a wonderful city.
It's changing from a redneck logging and farming community to a hoity-toity upscale wine and croissant retirement community, but it's still an absolutely wonderful place to live. And the best thing is, you're only 20 minutes from Oregon! (Hah hah!)
If they want more info, I'd be glad to tell 'em...
Ed
"You're either kidding or on crack."
I'm on crack, when I'm not on meth...
I'll check out those files later after church, thanks...
Ed
Great pictures!
My son is the outdoorsman/sports type. His wife is the hoity-toity wine and cheese type.
Oregon Ping
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"I'm not a real Republican but I play one on TV." I agree with you. This is a true comment about McCain.
May I copy this and send it to some friends? with you given due credit of course.
Great! A small town flavor with great emphasis on civic affairs. Summer time has concerts in the park, great county fair, back to the fifties week with 600+ hot rods from the northwest, boat races on the Rogue, homecoming parade down main street....a wonderful place to raise a family. Both our docs (one from Harvard Med) moved here just for the healthy environment for their families....
and.....the rubber duck race. 20,000 yellow rubber ducks are bought by residents and the proceeds go to local charities.... They're dumped off the upriver bridge and is a sight to see......
I know a guy from Waco who went to Crawford for lunch one day. Asked the waitress (all of 18 or 19) if GWB had ever been in. Girl never said a word, only pointed to an autographed picture on the wall of her and our President with his arm around her. I suspect she'll show that to her grandchildren.:-) I'll have to get him to take me out there sometime. I hear the chicken fried steaks are really good!
Great pictures. I've voted every election for the last sixty years . Will vote this year again for GWB God Bless
Oh, sure!
By the way, all the photos were taken by Augusta, not I. I always give her the camera when it comes time to get GOOD shots!
Ed
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