| Surrounded by Secret Service, President George W. Bush exits Mick's Candyman in downtown West Bend where his campaign made an impromptu stop Wednesday morning. He hands his purchase, chocolate bear claws, to his daughter, Barbara. |
Posted on 07/15/2004 7:36:43 AM PDT by Indy Pendance
It was obvious where President George W. Bush's supporters were Wednesday morning when he made a short appearance through downtown West Bend.
In fact, political persuasion didn't seem to matter when a chance came to see the president in person.
The last-minute appearance, confirmed only about 12 hours before the president's arrival, was attended by hundreds of supporters and seemingly as many police officers, secret service agents and White House representatives.
If the men in black suits and sunglasses didn't give anything away, people could easily figure out what was going on by the colorful array of Bush/Cheney stickers and a multitude of crisp voices in the crowd shouting, "Four more years."
Every time a squad car traveled down the street or a helicopter growled in the sky, the crowd went wild.
People were ready to see their president.
"It's a face you see on TV all the time, but when you get to see him in person, it's different," said Megan Grosz, an employee at Ruth-Anne's Gourmet Market.
"He waved at me. . . It was a very positive feeling and it felt personal."
As soon as he stepped off the campaign bus, Bush was shaking hands, giving hugs, holding babies and signing autographs.
PRESIDENTIAL POSIES
"The common people are the voters that will carry him," said Suzanne Hall, owner of Flowersmith.
Even though she had to stay in her store during his visit, she still prepared a red, white and blue bouquet of flowers for Bush.
Hall says she handed it to some secret service agents because she couldn't deliver it personally.
"They were very kind. The whole process was amazing. Just talking with the secret service agents - they were very professional, but very friendly," she said.
She described it as one of the most "amazing experiences."
"Between the amount of security, the size of the buses and the armed vehicles, all that armed military and the Coast Guard flying around in a helicopter - it was such a humbling experience to see it."
Hall won't be able to forget Wednesday's experience.
"I loved it. It was a total honor no matter what your political persuasion," she said.
SWEET TREATS
Bush's main focus was his supporters on the street, but before he boarded the bus to leave, he made a pit stop with daughter Barbara in Mick's Candyman.
"I still get goosebumps just thinking about it," said former owner Dot Bradley, who was filling in for current owners, Michelle and Davey Bartlett.
Bush's candy of choice: Homemade bear claws.
Milk chocolate and pecan to be exact, said Bradley.
"We offered to treat him, but he paid in cash out of his own pocket," she said.
"He would not let us treat him, because he said, 'That's not how the economy will make it.'"
The whole experience went by quickly, she said.
"I was in awe the whole time. I just kept telling myself, 'Be calm.'"
Before they were ready to exit the shop, Bradley said Bush turned to address the media and secret service agents, telling them all to buy candy from the store.
"If I wasn't here helping out today, I wouldn't have been able to take care of the president," she added. "To see him live was just wonderful."
THUMBS UP
Anna Weaver, an employee at St. Somewhere Cafe, was able to see Bush as his fleet passed down the street.
"He gave me a thumbs up," she said, smiling.
"It was really, really neat to see not only the president, but everyone that has to come with him."
RIGHT PLACE, RIGHT TIME
Allenton resident Wendy Moser and her daughters, Leah and Hannah, happened to be in downtown West Bend Wednesday morning to drop of a ring for cleaning. Seeing a crowd on Main Street, Moser thought a street sale was being set up. She went closer to check it out.
"When I found out the president was going to be coming, I decided we'd stick around," she said.
Though luck and happenstance, Moser, 18-month-old Leah and 5-year-old Hannah wound up in the front of a roped-in pack. When the president dismounted the bus to press the flesh, he scooped up Leah and pulled Hannah in close for a Kodak moment.
Unfortunately, Moser didn't have a camera. A helpful bystander filled in and Moser now considers two photos of her daughters and the president among her more treasured possessions.
"It was definitely a case of being in the right place at the right time," she said. "I am a Bush supporter, but had I planned to try to get right up there it never would have happened."
| Surrounded by Secret Service, President George W. Bush exits Mick's Candyman in downtown West Bend where his campaign made an impromptu stop Wednesday morning. He hands his purchase, chocolate bear claws, to his daughter, Barbara. |
Well, well, a President that pays for his own purchases. What a difference 4 years can make. X-42 would have taken the candy for free or would have have a SS agent pay the bill.
"He would not let us treat him, because he said, 'That's not how the economy will make it.'"
Just another example of a true "Man of the people".
God Bless President George Bush!
I love this President.
I remember two years ago when Mr. Bush came to our RAT HOLE city and over 10,000 folk showed up! The news anchors were beside themselves with giddiness! This is a LIBERAL as liberal a town gets! It doesn't matter your political association, when a president visits any town a whole lot of folk will show up! GO W GO!! I too love this president. GOD BLESS HIM AND HIS FAMILY, KEEP THEM SAFE, BUT MOST OF ALL, GOD GRANT HIM A VICTORY IN NOVEMBER! Yeah!
I got to shake BOTH of W's hands in May at the rally in La Crosse, WI. I can tell you it was a moving experience that solidified my support. I went out of my way to get VIP tickets for myself and the volunteers who worked the ticket tables beforehand.
W has charisma and it is real and honest. Laura was sitting behind him and her real, intense interest in those of us in the crowd was evident.
We love them both.
I am serving Laura's cookies for dessert at the Party For the President tonite.
My daughter called me from her job, (They blocked the parking lot for over an hour) there would have been no way I could have gotten there, the roads were all blocked off. This happened less than 5 miles from where I am. We are the most conservative county in the state, and had the biggest vote for President Bush in 2000. As an aside, President Reagan was here in 1987, almost in the exact same spot for lunch.
BTTT
I can't remember if I took my estrogen today, but I am feeling weepy.
I would be absolutely nuts if I knew he was only 5 miles from me. That had to be frustrating.
I would love to go to a Bush/Cheney rally someday. Texas is going to go to Bush without question, so I suppose he doesn't need to come here as much.
Oh well, we get him back for good after his second term!
(Are you listening to Kerry talking to the NAACP right now? This guy just makes my skin crawl.)
One of these days, I'm going to be able to meet this man!!!
I have never felt this way about a President before. It surprises me everyday when I realize how often he and Laura cross my mind.
It's weird isn't it?
"I have never felt this way about a President before."
I did with Ronald Reagan. Different President, and President Bush has a lot on his plate. Isn't it amazing how much the media is treating President Bush like they did with Ronald Reagan?
When Reagan was President, I was working two full time jobs on an ambulance,so I was always gone and always tired, plus I had two toddlers at home. So, I wasn't able to develop quite the same level of appreciation for Reagan that I have with President Bush. (That did come later)
I really feel like I missed out a lot, but I definitely remember how the media treated him. You're right, they are doing President Bush the same way.
X42 was a poor black man from Arkansas. Bush is a rich white Texas oil man who keeps too much of his money from the government.
My family and I went to DC in April for my graduation present, and my step dad had a contact that enabled us to get a White House tour, even though some sort of protocal must've been set aside based on the short notice. Our tour guide was the man in charge of White House tours, so he'd chat with the Secret Service Agents(?) in each of the rooms. He found out I was graduating high school so he told my parents to give him my address and he'd get a letter from the President for me.
I was expecting one of those cookie-cutter mass produced letters with a facsimile signature, but I'll be damned if the letter I got wasn't really signed by President Bush.
For some reason I don't think that many Presidents would do something like that.
What a neat story! I'll bet you treasure that forever.
Milk chocolate and pecan to be exact, said Bradley.
"We offered to treat him, but he paid in cash out of his own pocket," she said.
"He would not let us treat him, because he said, 'That's not how the economy will make it.'"
How great...and the candy sounds fabulous. ~chocolate craving begins~
i choked on my afternoon coffee--- stop that!!
Good point.
Congratulations on your graduation.
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