Posted on 09/02/2004 11:08:10 AM PDT by jaydubya2
Daniels 'not welcome' in parade Posted: Thursday, Sep 02, 2004 - 12:14:45 am EST By SUZY HEICHELBECH
Staff writer
PRINCETON - What's a parade without politicians? Candidates have used local festival parades as a tool for meeting the people for years.
This year's Labor Day parade is no exception to the tradition, but the number of Democrats marching through Princeton Monday will likely far outnumber Republican candidates.
Gov. Joe Kernan, U.S. Sen. Evan Bayh and 8th District U.S. House of Representative Democrat candidate Jon Jennings are expected to participate.
But their opponents won't be marching, says Labor Day Celebration chairman Charlie Wyatt.
Wyatt says GOP candidates who don't support unions are not welcome.
"Some of the local Republican Party politicians that support unions are welcome, but politicians like John Hostettler and Mitch Daniels are not invited and are not welcome. They do not share our views on unionized labor. It would be an insult for them to be here," said Wyatt.
Bill Oesterle, spokesman for the Daniels campaign, said he was shocked by Wyatt's comments.
"Not only does the Daniels campaign support labor unions, we are supported by some unions. We just got endorsed by the Operating Engineers Union Local 150. The chairperson of the celebration must be affiliated with the Kernan campaign," he speculated.
"This is a political move on their part to promote the governor," said Oesterle. "All I can say to that is they must somehow be coordinating with the Kernan campaign, because we do support labor unions. In fact, we are going to two parades in Indiana Monday," Oesterle added.
Parade chairman Rick Vincent said, "Policies made by politicians that don't support unions make us lose our jobs. It would be like us inviting someone in to take our jobs away.
"This is our day. We have had Republicans crash our parade before, and we don't want it to happen again," said Vincent.
Wyatt and Vincent both emphasized that any individual who is a Republican is invited to come to the Labor Day celebration.
"It is just the politicians that make the policies against unions, or who don't support us that we have the problem with," said Wyatt.
Vanderburgh County Republicans Vanita Becker and Greg Server will be attending the parade, Wyatt pointed out.
"These state representatives support working family issues and are invited."
Gibson County Republican Central Committee Chairman George Rehnquist said that traditionally, Republicans have been able to participate in the parade.
"I am surprised to hear them say that about Mitch Daniels. They need to understand the office is more important than the man," Rehnquist said.
"They will do what they want to do, unfortunately."
Liberal tolerence and diversity. A beautiful thing.
Me neither.
I still want the day off though.
betcha next year they hold it on May 1st!!!!
Reminds me of Animal House.
Deltas weren't allowed, so they "got even".
Unions must die. And are dying. Thank God for freedom from union-thug extortionists.
WHAT A GREAT OPPORTUNITY - Call the Protest Warriors and mobilize YOUR OWN PARADE!!
Thank You. Thats what I was hoping for.
The parade went very well for the GOP on Monday. Crowds were so thin this year, that they're considering relocating the parade! Also, some unhappy spectators had a sign that said "Labor Day Celebration" horizontally along the top, then said "Liber Democrat Cowards" vertically under the corresponding letters. Pictures from the parade can be seen at www.princeton-indiana.com
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