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!
Wow, I read those files on John McCain...I was completely wrong about his stances on abortion and the 2nd Amendment.
Thanks,
Ed
"Niquita seems like a wonderful woman."
Yeah, Nikki is a great lady and a wonderful sister, very active in Pro-Life and other causes...when she's not working her farm or caring for her cows and sheep in Eagle Point!
Ed
I wonder how his boat will be for the River. He has a cuddy cabin..Century, I think.
I am sure he fits right in with his town's people.
and vote often..
You wrote:
I am sure he fits right in with his town's people.
That is the way I hear it.
Great pictures!! GWB is awesome and the rallies are so fun!
I wish he'd been able to speak to us for that long in PHX (we only got 20 minutes) but considering he'd just gone through the debate it was understandable.
Thanks for sharing it with us.
I have family in southern OR. They jokingly call Grants Pass, "Grass Pants". :)
If it's what I think, the Rogue is the wrong river........
BTW--I was at the rally in Central Point--right by the big green thingy below the flag in the first picture--got to see our President close up (except when this guy in a cowboy hat got in the way, which was a lot). Think your son will LOVE it here!!
It's good for the ocean and lakes...unless they are real shallow. :)
Thanks. I am sure he will. He loves hunting and fishing and can do anything with his hands from making jewelry to building a house. I am really glad he is leaving California.
Still have those cave men down there? I remember as a little kid they grabbed me and put me in their cage once. That was an awful long time ago. Can't remember if they wore grass pants or buckskins.
>>Check picture #5. Someone apparently wants four more years.
You're right and good catch. It's pretty obvious (now) what that person is saying
Fabulous report and pictures. Thanks very much!!!
Of all of the many reasons to like President Bush, his graciousness certainly has to be near the top.
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