'W' storms Marquette: 11,000 attend Bush rally

The Mining Journal ^ | July 14, 2004 | SCOTT SWANSON

[ride the whirlwind]

MARQUETTE - Surrounded by her rowdy friends and a collage of red, white and blue dress, Betty Johnson sat in the Superior Dome bleachers like the leader of a patriotic street gang.

While others staggered around looking for the best seats available, the 60-year-old Marquette resident led her choir of companions in a medley of all-American music. Sporting a T-shirt that read "W - Marquette President," Johnson belted out "God Bless America" at the top of her lungs, with ample accompaniment behind her "They made me the director," she said, gesturing to the group of women behind her.

Meanwhile, in front of her, Ishpeming High School cheerleaders performed, chanting, "Come on work it, you can do it, there ain't nothing to it, vote Bush vote Bush!"

It was 11 a.m., and the Superior Dome was already buzzing - nearly three hours before President Bush was scheduled to begin his speech.

The president's rally on Tuesday afternoon drew more than 11,000 attendants, including many of his staunchest supporters. Although Bush lost Michigan to Al Gore in the 2000 election, he won the U.P., an area that appreciated his socially-conservative positions.

Bush's Christian values resonated strongly with Matt Sheldon, 28, of Stephenson. While Sheldon said jobs and the economy were important, he'd rather have no jobs than a president who isn't of the faith.

"He's a man of honor and a man of integrity," he said. "The other things will fall into place."

In addition to hot-button social matters such as abortion and gay marriage, the war in Iraq and national security were at the top of the attendees' concerns.

Christine Hofbauer, 53, of Marquette, considers herself a "strong Republican" who supports the war.

Hofbauer said she remembers attending a rally for John F. Kennedy as a child in Hurley, Wis.

"Yes, I supported both JFK and George W. Bush," she said. "Go figure."

While outnumbered, some Bush detractors attended the event as well. David Savu, 62, of Ishpeming, said the chance to see a sitting president is a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

However, Savu doesn't support Bush or the war in Iraq.

"I think it was an ill-conceived, tragic mistake," he said. "All the reasons we were originally fed for going to war are no longer operative."

Savu said he is supporting John Kerry "by default," and hoped Kerry would plan his own rally for the area.

But by the time Bush arrived on stage a little after 2 p.m., it was clear that supporters of the Democratic nominee were in the minority at this event. Wearing a light-blue dress shirt with rolled up sleeves, Bush was met with roaring applause numerous times throughout his remarks, and chants of "Four more years" routinely peppered the proceedings.

The crowd replied with boos every time Bush mentioned Kerry and his running mate John Edwards, except when Bush joked that Kerry's stances were as unpredictable as the U.P. weather.

When the speech was over, Bush waved to the crowd and shook hands before disappearing into the confines of the Superior Dome, as the song "Philadelphia Freedom" played over the P.A.

Dan Williams, 81, of Harvey, said that while the speech was basically a rehash of things Bush has said in the past, he was still impressed. While he doesn't agree with all of Bush's stances, he said he wouldn't vote for a "wishy-washy" candidate like Kerry.

"(Bush) says things straight up," he said. "He tells it like it is."

[ride the whirlwind]

I will post my account of this awesome day shortly.

[JohnnyZ]

Meanwhile, in front of her, Ishpeming High School cheerleaders performed, chanting, "Come on work it, you can do it, there ain't nothing to it, vote Bush vote Bush!"

Cheerleaders ..... bush .... hmmm .... jail time ....

[ken5050]

No media bias, eh?..in the first sentence..a "bunch of rowdy 60 year olds.."

[Mikey_1962]

Good day for da uppers der eh?

[Mister Baredog]

"All the reasons we were originally fed for going to war are no longer operative."

What planet is he from????

Seriesly???

[mykdsmom]

I'm SO jealous!

It almost makes me wish NC was in play so he'd do a public event here. I did get to wave at him last week through his limo window though : )

MKM

[Former Proud Canadian]

Kerry couldn't draw 10% of this crowd.

[ride the whirlwind]

Here's most of what I posted to the Day in the Life thread:

WooooooooooooooooooooooooHoooooooooooooooooooooooo!!!!

The rally in Marquette at the Superior Dome yesterday was one of the best days of my life, bar none! Over 11,000 GWB supporters screamed our collective lungs out to remarks the president made that parallelled the comments he made in York, PA, last week. We had to wait in very long lines for hours (& light rain part of the time) to see the first sitting Prez to visit Marquette since Taft, in 1911.

There were some noisy protestors near the lines and at one point these flea-bitten fungi-eaters busted through their barriers & charged near the entrance to the Superior Dome where we were waiting for our security checks. Extra security had to rush in at that point & that's just when DH & I finally made it inside. It was HOT inside because it was a warm & humid day. The Dome couldn't run their air conditioning due to security concerns, the news said. So yes, that is genuine W sweat you see on our wonderful president's back! What a guy!

Steve Mariucci,Detroit Lions coach and U.P. native son introduced the president & was himself greeted warmly with chants of Mooch, Mooch, Mooch....:-) GWB said that Mooch told him if he wins reelection, he'll bring the Lions to the White House!

President Bush (news - web sites) is introduced by Detroit Lions coach Steve Mariucci as he visits Marquette, Mich. Tuesday July 13, 2004. It has been almost 100 years since any sitting U.S. President has visited the city of Marquette in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. (AP Photo/Charles V. Tines, The Detroit News, Pool)

We had to continue standing inside & were about 100 feet back in the mob on the floor but hubby still managed to get some pics over the many heads in front of us. (Bless him!) It was neat having Barbara there. She too is taller than I pictured, just like Jenna.

Finally, we were interviewed by a reporter from the Mining Journal, Marquette's main daily paper. Yes, I gave him an earful on how wonderful I think our president is & hubby told him how he appreciates the fact that W is so much like a regular guy that you would want to just hang out with (paraphrasing). I just notice that we are quoted in one of the other Mining Journal articles today about the event (not going to say which one). Some of our pics:

Okay, we're not Reuters, oh well.
I'm sure I'll come back down to earth soon...........or maybe not. ;-)

[I-53]

The joys of the battleground...by the way I like your tagline--I'm out today. The ugliest phrase in the English language is "caffeine free," but maybe I don't really need any today!

[ride the whirlwind]

Do get to one of these rallies if you get a chance. There's nothing in the world quite like it.

[I-53]

Doors open here in 2.5 hours!

[ride the whirlwind]

We did go a little nuts!

[I-53]

We did go a little nuts!

you wild and crazy yoopers!

[Wphile]

Great report and I LOVE YOUR PICTURES!! I've been to rallies before and they are a hoot! Such excitement in the air. Gives me goose bumps just thinking about it.

[Dark Wing]

ping

[ride the whirlwind]

LOL........you must be going, yes? Enjoy, I-53.

Thanks Wphile.

[I-53]

Yes, I attempted to post an article from the paper but it is not allowed.

All tickets that were available have been distributed for the new Resch Center that holds about 10,000 for a basketball game, so maybe more on the floor, I don't know.

The doors open at 3 pm and Bush is supposed to speak at 6. He will be flying out after that. We have been told to arrive before 4:30 to get through security. I am guessing there is a line down there of people in their lawn chairs since it is a nice day, but I have to pick someone up who won't be ready until 3 or later, so I hope I get in.

I was able to meet the President while he was campaigning in 2002, and that was certainly a thrill; although he was a governor then, I knew he would go on to be President. I have never met a sitting President, although I saw 41 quite close in person in 92.

[I-53]

Patriotic Street Gang Bump!!!

[I-53]

"Lots of traffic and people eating at restaurants along Oneida Street. It's like people are massing just before a Packer game."

Firsthand account from someone who was just on the scene of the Bush rally in Green Bay.

[ride the whirlwind]

I'm having computer troubles today so have now moved to son's laptop.

That's a good sign when lots of extra people are milling around.............it was like that yesterday. Sounds like a good turnout again today! Good luck getting in.

[ride the whirlwind]

quantim, could you do a MI ping please.

A quote from W yesterday - "You know, I just heard that Wm H Taft is the last sitting president to visit this city. The rest of them missed out on a lot."