Posted on 08/08/2004 10:34:01 PM PDT by staytrue
On the first Saturday of every month, the short North area of Columbus, Ohio, puts on Gallery Hop. The stores, mostly art galleries, stay open late and the entertainment district draws a large crowd. The short North, is generally liberal and a Kerry stronghold.
I went to the 8/7/04 edition for some non politcal amusement, and then I saw about 10 Kerry supporters working 3 intersections, handing out Kerry buttons and literature.
I decided that I could not let this go unchallenged. I walked back to my car and got my anti Kerry sign out and staked out an intersection across the street from the Kerry people. My sign read "John Kerry was not a leader in the US Senate. Kerry is not fit to lead this country."
For the next 3 hours, I engaged the public, stating my case against Kerry and for Bush. I had a lot of Kerry supporters voicing their disapproval, and I got the middle finger 10-12 times. But I also had about 15 people wanting to shake my hand. There was also a lot of thumbs up from Bush supporters, and a lot of expressions of gratitude that I was there in a Kerry district. The overall reaction was generally about 50-50, which for this area, is very good.
However, one Bush supporter in particular said, "It is about time you guys did something". This sentiment was also expressed by numerous others.
The Bush campaign and Karl Rove need to take notice that the ground campaign (retail politics) is just as important as the air campaign (mass media politics).
Freepers also need to be out there, taking chances and saying the things that need to be said.
ping
ping
Great job--very courageous of you to get out there by yourself.
ping
Columbus here......let me know when next time...
p.s. I have lived a great many places and Columbus was one of my favorites. Does GV still stink in the summer?...lol
That's cool what you did but I think you lay blame at the wrong feet. Each of us individually has to decide what's important and how much we are willing to sacrifice. You did, and you did the right thing. You set a great example.
bump
Wow. Thanks for being there and thanks for your gentle reminder for the rest of us to get out there and make friends too.
Activism at its finest!
Good job taking the message into enemy territory.
I wish I could do the same. I got stuck in an elevator on gallery night with a bunch going up to an exhibit. One guy piped up, "there aren't any re-PUB-li-cans here?" in an accusatory tone.
When no one answered him, he pointed to the maintenance man with a crew cut who was operating the freight elevator in the loft building. "I bet HE'S a re-PUB-li-can!"
The maintenance man meekly said, "no."
I just stared straight ahead, wishing the elevator doors would open.
For the rest of the evening, I felt like a fool for failing to challenge the twit.
For the Short North area of Columbus I would say that is phenomemnal.
Good job my fellow Buckeye!
I was at the Ohio State Fair this past Saturday. It was extremely crowded with great weather. What I observed at the Bricker building was fantastic. I stopped by the Bush table and there were folks lined up to talk, purchase signs, T-Shirts, register to vote and etc. I bought my "W"/Bush Cheney t-shirt. Then my hubby and I spotted the scary kerry table...NOT one person was at their table!!!!! hehe! We walked by there several times over a period of about an hour and we still did not see a person visiting their table. As we were walking by we overheard a young voting age female say to her Mother "Should we ask the kerry people where the Bush table is?" It was so funny. It sounded like something I would do! :) Moreover, people young and old were buying Bush signs and t-shirts at a rapid pace. Everywhere we looked people was carring their Bush signs. It was awsome! The media and their polls are full of sh*t! THIS IS BUSH COUNTRY!!!!!!!!!!!!!
BTW, while I was there I got to see "Grand Funk Railroad!" They were awsome! When they sang "American Band" the croud went nuts!
oops...sorry about my spelling. It's early and I guess I am not awake yet!
Wow! Just a reminder - there are other races this year, and in 2006. The Republican Central committee always has about ten vacancies for its 150 seats. The RKBA folks have about 50, while the gun-grabbers have about 90. Somebody picked Deb Pryce, after all. So if we pick up the 10 vacancies, and another 16 contested, can keep AWB out of it.
If Ohio goes Kerry, Bush is done. But if Bush takes PA - it will be tough because this year he doesn't have Santorum to help, Kerry could take Florida and still lose. Bush took 271 in 2000 - he gets another 7 from the census, PA has 21, while FL has 27. I've heard the Amish are voting this year. Will they vote Kerry because of war? Or Bush on other issues? I know that among my Mennonite friends Bush gets very little support.
Any way, it's going to be a long night in November. As Stalin said, it doesn't matter who votes, it matters who counts the votes.
Taxman Bravo Zulu!
First, thanks for your effort
Second, WTF is their problem? They want someone to carry the fight for them. They would have sat in their seats on Flight 93.
But we ARE doing something.
We've been making phone calls and now going door to door, county fairs, festivals, etc.
Maybe those folks haven't seen anything yet, but they will. This is a strong campaign that's just getting reved up.....
(Actually that's four, but who's counting?......hehe)
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