Ohio University College Republicans Protest John Edwards

The Post Online (Ohio University Student Newspaper) ^ | 9-16-2004 | Chuck Bowen

[staytrue]

Conservatives speak out against senator's speech

by Chuck Bowen For the Post charles.bowen@ohiou.edu

Conservative protestors and anti-abortion activists yesterday tried to shout down vice-presidential nominee U.S. Sen. John Edwards and other Democrats at a campaign stop on the steps of Baker University Center.

U.S. Rep. Ted Strickland, D-Lisbon, was speaking to the crowd when about 40 protestors appeared at the intersection of Court and Union Streets chanting, "Four more years! Four more years!"

Clayton Henson, chairman of the College Republicans, said he was surprised to see as many protestors as he did, because Edwards' stop had just been announced on Sunday.

"We just want to show we're here as well," Henson said. "There isn't just a monolith of liberalism."

Supporters of President George W. Bush and other conservative groups were on scene from the onset of the speech, mostly congregating at the Howard Hall Site at the corner of South College and East Union streets.

Upon hearing the protestors, Edwards, D-N.C., said: "I don't know if you can hear them, but they're saying 'four more years.' What do you think?"

To which the crowd cheered, "No!"

Catherine Coats is an obstetrician who has been practicing in Athens for 10 years and stood near the Civil War Monument last night. She said Edwards' efforts as a trial lawyer had made her profession almost unlivable.

"Edwards made his fortune suing OB's," she said. "Every doctor with a head on his shoulders would be against Edwards."

She said insurance premiums were too high, and for the past three years, she and her partner have come close to closing their Columbus Road practice.

The money was so tight that Coats said she could not afford to pay for her son to attend his third year at the University of Illinois.

"I had to keep my kid out of college," she said. "I never thought that would happen. It's very frustrating."

Coats said she was a Kerry supporter until he chose Edwards as his running mate.

"I'm not especially a fan of Bush, either," she said. "I'm very frustrated. I may not be able to vote this year."

The Future, a pro-life group based in Columbus, was also on hand, passing out candy and fliers to passers-by.

Caroline Aukerman, a junior communications major from Martins Ferry, is a member of the group and also is involved with OU Pro-life, College Republicans and the Bush/Cheney campaign.

She said the group's goal was to educate people on the Democratic Party's stance on abortion and called it "hypocritical" to be pro-abortion and against the war in Iraq.

The protestors shouted from outside the barricades on East Union Street until after Edwards took the stage, when they marched down Court Street, around Baker, to the Howard Hall Site, chanting "Four more years!" and waving anti-abortion and pro-Bush/Cheney signs.

Upon arriving at the Howard Hall site, which Henson said was closer to the stage where Edwards was speaking, the tour bus backed up to block the supporters.

Officers from the Athens and Ohio University police departments and the Columbus Fire Department fanned out to block the protestors from advancing too close to the stage.

An official with the OUPD said the protestors were allowed to remain at the Howard Hall Site, but could not advance too close to the stage.

Anti-protestors appeared with a bed-sheet banner with "Students for Kerry" painted on it and stood in front of the protestors' Bush/Cheney sign.

The protestors decided to move onto College Green and continued to boo, when an OUPD officer said the protestors then had to move to a designated free-speech zone on College Green, behind the Civil War monument, but he was unsure of its exact boundaries.

Edwards' supporters greeted the protestors with cries of "Two more months!"

Liz Peltier, a freshman pre-law major from Piqua, stood at College Gate after the speech with a sign reading, "Politics is no place for a pretty boy. Go home Edwards."

"John Edwards is a lot of talk," she said. "Everything he says is sugar-coated."

APD Officer Robert Filar said there were no problems with the protestors and the Edwards' supporters.

"The Bush people came and they weren't too happy, but you'll have that," he said. "There were no fights, just a lot of cheering and chanting."

[staytrue]

I changed the title for freepers. The original title leads the article.

The Ohio University College Republicans deserve a MEGA BRAVO for turning out in force as I estimate about 80-90 came.

Some pictures follow.

Picture 1 is before the rally and before the Kerry bus drove up. Across the street, I estimate about two to three thousand mostly Kerry supporters although a few across the street gave us the thumbs up sign.

Picture 2 is of the Kerry bus totally blocking out the College Republicans. It was a smart move by the campaign.

Picture 3 is the OU CR's as they move behind the rally. They had a pair of huge Bush Cheney signs.

Picture 4 is a OU CR holding one of the three signs that I donated to them.

I also passed out copies of Doctor Raoul as Saddam and Dan Rather as the fool. Both were big hits.

[staytrue]

dc chapter ping

[apackof2]

Good for you bump!

[ConservativeMan55]

GREAT JOB!

I am always encouraged when I see this stuff!

Check out this!

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1207670/posts

[Viet-Boat-Rider]

This is GREAT! THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[NeoCaveman]

Good job

[Angelwood]

Thanks -- great photos (signs, too)!

[Faith]

Way to go, Bobcats! Nice work!

[ohioWfan]

MEGA BRAVO to the OU Republicans!

You make us PROUD!!

[ConservativeMan55]

How did you make this sign? I want to find out how to make big signs.

[ErnBatavia]

she said. "I'm very frustrated. I may not be able to vote this year."

This woman needs to get a grip, and maybe slap herself into reality.

[YoungCorps]

God bless them! What GREAT Americans! Showing what John Kerry and John Edwards really are! I would have with them if I was in OH.

[tang-soo]

First of all, that's a great picture ("Save Me - Vote Democrat). Second, I bet money that guy is a member (past or present) member of TBDBITL (The Best Damn Band In The Land AKA The Ohio State University Marching Band). That Danish-style (not french) red beret is part of the uniform. OU is about an hour's drive southeast of OSU.

Member S-Row:TBDBITL 1976-1980

[staytrue]

Save Me-Vote Democrat picture is not from this rally. It is Doctor Raoul on the street right after Saddam was captured. I made cards of this picture and pass them out.

[tang-soo]

Still a great pic!

[ConservativeMan55]

bttt

[SolomoninSouthDakota]

How fitting that you should strongly protest the old Vietnam War protesting Party.
Give em back what they gave out. I am proud of you brave young men & women and folks of all ages. Thank you!

[LisaMalia]

Wow, I'm amazed, and very pleasantly surprised!

As a fellow Ohioian, living about 45 miles from Athens, YOU HAVE MY RESPECT for your efforts. Keep up the good work!!!!!!

[LisaMalia]

Member S-Row:TBDBITL 1976-1980

OK, I am in the presence of greatness. My daughter played BB at OSU from 97-98 to 00-01, but I still know more of the words to the old Buckeye Marching Band songs than she does...LOL

For example, "Round on the Ends and High in the Middle", and "I Want to Go Back to Ohio State", etc.

I'm going to get her a TBDBITL CD for Christmas...:)

[Doctor Raoul]

Great Job!!!