(no subject)
I arrived at the capitol at 10:30 ante meridiem to find long lines before the security checkpoints. Thousands were present to see President Bush. Bush's emphasis: morality for the next generation, pride in one's country, delivering the tools for democracy to others, protecting the United States, and maintaining America's promises to the people of Iraq and Afghanistan. He made several references to God, but also followed his comments by stressing freedom of religion and speech. Bush never mentioned Kerry, either parties, or the upcoming election. He treated the visit as a chance to convey his own religious and moral convictions to the people of West Virginia without making a campaign speech. His speech was delivered with obvious passion and self-assurance. He called the United States "the world's foremost champion of liberty" in addition to stating that "democracy is not America's gift to the world; democracy is the Almighty's gift to everyone."
In an attempt to make this as much of a nonpartisan event as possible, all campaign material (including shirts, buttons, and signs) was banned, an act which was strictly enforced at the security checkpoints. Despite this, two Kerry supports wore anti-Bush shirts under other shirts and when they failed to comply with the Secret Service before the speech began, they were escorted out of the complex. Even though these rules were enforced on supporters of both parties, the Associated Press reporter Allison Barker at the event to write "But the crowd was a select group. Those who had opinions that differed from the Republican line were removed." To correct her statement, those who break the well-publicized rules were removed. I personally saw several individuals wearing Bush shirts and buttons asked to remove their paraphernalia and change shirts before entering. The tickets were available to all as no political background check was done before the distribution of tickets.
In an attempt to make this as much of a nonpartisan event as possible, all campaign material (including shirts, buttons, and signs) was banned, an act which was strictly enforced at the security checkpoints. Despite this, two Kerry supports wore anti-Bush shirts under other shirts and when they failed to comply with the Secret Service before the speech began, they were escorted out of the complex. Even though these rules were enforced on supporters of both parties, the Associated Press reporter Allison Barker at the event to write "But the crowd was a select group. Those who had opinions that differed from the Republican line were removed." To correct her statement, those who break the well-publicized rules were removed. I personally saw several individuals wearing Bush shirts and buttons asked to remove their paraphernalia and change shirts before entering. The tickets were available to all as no political background check was done before the distribution of tickets.