Posted on 10/20/2004 2:08:56 AM PDT by Cincinatus' Wife
Editor Robert Nolte was invited by The White House to join the president's motorcade along with other members of the national and Florida press. This is his report.
ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL - President George W. Bush made a daylong whirlwind tour of central Florida Tuesday, greeted and cheered by thousands in St. Petersburg, New Port Richey and Sumter and Marion counties. A few clusters of Kerry-Edwards supporters showed up along the presidential motorcade that began in St. Pete beach and ended at an airport in Ocala, where Bush was picked up by Air Force One.
Bush spent Monday night at the Tony Don CeSar Hotel, then led a partisan rally at the Progress Energy ballpark.
Crowds booed when Bush recited what he believed were Sen. John Kerry's shortcomings. Bush focused on several themes including rushing more flu vaccines to the elderly in Florida. He taunted Kerry for what Bush called a weak stance on finishing the job in Iraq.
He turned aside Kerry's accusations that he would reinstitute the military draft if reelected. Bush promised support of Social Security and would offer privatization only for those who wanted it.
"I do not believe in big government and I don't believe in indifferent government," he said. "I am a passionate conservative."
In New Port Richey, more than 7,000 people packed downtown streets and Sims Park, which overflowed with supporters. Some in the crowd said they had been waiting for the president for more than three-and-a-half hours. Nearly 10,000 turned out to see Bush at the St. Pete ballpark. But the biggest crowd of the day was counted at The Villages, a retirement community known for its support of Republican candidates.
Bush's 15-vehicle motorcade traveled briefly through Hernando County Tuesday along Interstate 75 en route from Pasco County to The Villages, near Leesburg in Sumter County.
The day's final stop was at the Ocala airport in Marion County.
During the day's campaign stops, which included a brief respite at a restaurant in Safety Harbor, the president was flanked by his brother Gov. Jeb Bush and Mel Martinez, Republican candidate for U.S. Senate against Betty Castor.
Bush called on his supporters to enlist at least ten friends and family to vote for him and also urged people to vote early.
US President George W. Bush waves to the crowd as he takes the stage at a Bush-Cheney campaign rally at Progress Energy Park-Al Lang Field in St. Petersburg, Florida.(AFP/Paul Richards)
Prez has good taste, the Don Cesar, was there in July, wish I could have been there yesterday to see him!
My baby sister's oldest son got to shake Bush's hand in Ocala! That made him happy.
A beautiful old place on St. Pete Beach.
It would!
You had to post that picture & make me sick that I'm in COLD Illinois! WAhhhhh!
Bundle up!
""I do not believe in big government and I don't believe in indifferent government," [Bush] said. "I am a passionate conservative."
Did he actually say "passionate", or did he say "compassionate"? I believe I've heard him refer to his position as one of a "compassionate" conservative several times in the past.
"Passionate" Conservative is a negative word trick which implies blind ideology..., like, "Bush fans 'flock' to support Bush' (mental picture: a "flock" of sheep.)
As if you didn't already know this...
Good point.
Great pictures.
Bump!
My sister and BIL were there.
They said Rick Baker makes them all look like midgets because he's so tall, LOL.
Is GWB drawing bigger crowds in Florida than the Traitor?
Do you know who the minister was that gave the invocation?
My sister didn't catch his name, and she said it was a wonderful prayer.
He said "compassionate" not "passionate". My family was there and it was a great rally, though the sun came out just as GW started speaking and it got HOT. The flock of sheep had an excellent time including taunting the straggling mass of Kerry supporters with their ignorant signs as we left.
One of my 11 year old's teachers said she 'didn't know whether to be happy or sad for you' when my daughter said she'd need her home work ahead of time as she was going to the Bush rally the next day. Today she is taking one of the Bush signs we acquired to a rally at school. I think the kids for Bush are outnumbered 10 to 1 and I'll bet she'll be asked to put away her sign.
You want numbers--here you go...teehee!...
Today's Bradenton Herald:
Some 7,000 people began gathering in St. Petersburg's Progress Energy Park before 6 a.m. Tuesday to hear and see Bush. Before the day was over, Bush spoke to another 4,000 in New Port Richey and then pushed on to speak to an estimated 20,000 at The Villages near Ocala.
Yesterday's Bradenton Herald:
Tampa-In an energetic speech that pumped up a crowd of about 250, Sen. John Kerry lambasted President Bush for sending troops to war without the best equipment, cutting taxes for the rich and leaving 45 million Americans without health care.
I've noticed that the Kerry Rally photos never show wide shots of the crowd....just close-ups on the podium & stage. I doubt Kerry has the large enthuastic crowds that gather for GWB!
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