Bush Country in Southern Oregon

Pioneer Press, Fort Jones, California
Wednesday, October 20, 2004 Vol. 32, No. 49 Page A1, column 1

Bush draws record crowd

By Pat Ratliff, Klamath Courier staff writer and

Liz Bowen, assistant editor of Pioneer Press

Bush arrives on Air Force One

MEDFORD, OREGON – President George W. Bush arrived Oct. 14, to a throng of local media, Secret Service, law enforcement, police dogs, bomb squads, swat teams, fire, ambulance and search and rescue teams. The Rogue Valley International Airport had heightened security as a separate plane, carrying First Lady Laura Bush and other in the entourage arrived about ten minutes before the president.

Swat teams were on the roof of many of the hangars and airport buildings and a helicopter was securing the grounds on the outskirts of the airport. Approximately 10 Secret Service personnel were actually on the runway when the plane landed, with the rest slightly further away, but close enough to be there in seconds.

After landing, the president emerged from the plane, gave the customary wave, then met with what are called "greeters." The president gave particular attention to Katherine Leigh Hilsinger, an obstetrician from Klamath Falls, Oregon. Dr. Hilsinger told the Klamath Courier "The president was very nice and very intelligent, you could tell he really cares. Mrs. Bush was also wonderful."

Dr. Hilsinger spoke to the president about "medical liability in crisis and measure 35, which deals with limiting settlement fees of attorneys."

After meeting the president, Dr. Hilsinger said, "He has my full faith and trust in leading our country."

Three hours before the 3:30 p.m. arrival time, the roads leading to the airport were already filled with arriving personnel. Intense was the only way to describe the security. Portions of the airport were already secured from the night before. No one is allowed into the tarmac without clearances and passing through a bevy of Secret Service personnel. The press people were instructed to be there early, then led en masse to the platform from where we would photograph. All cameras, bags, equipment and media trucks had to be put in place then left, while we were escorted outside the area. Dogs and law enforcement then searched all equipment. Once we were allowed back, in we were restricted to a very small area and could not leave, even after the president had left the area, as the site had to remain secure through the night for the president’s Friday departure.

Wednesday afternoon, a plane carrying the two presidential limousines flew in, dropping off the cars and other security equipment. Among the security equipment in place was the Southern Oregon State Police bomb squad and their Bomb Security Device. It is a sphere of approximately three feet and weighing 5,000 pounds. The device is built of submarine steel and can have a bomb explode inside it or be transported to a more remote area to have the device detonated.

Rally draws 12,000 people

By 3:30 p.m. the parking lots at the Jackson County Expo were full, but that didn’t stop the steady stream of America’s working middle class. Drivers just found other places to park in this small city of Central Point, a few miles north of Medford. And then everyone walked and walked and walked. They came in sandals, sports shoes, clogs, boots, spiked heels, stacked heels, strollers and wheelchairs. Teenagers and twenty-something year olds were in abundance; parents and grandparents braved the heat with families in hand. Babies were in backpacks and children sat on shoulders.

By 5:30 p.m., a sea of heads ebbed and bobbed … waiting. It was a hot October afternoon, Oct. 14, but excitement filled the air. Not often does a rural area such as Southern Oregon get to experience an election rally held by the President of the United States.

Protesters were minimal to say the least. At the entrance to the fairgrounds, less than 100 anti-Bush individuals cackled comments and carried signs that said Bush was a "War Monger" or would cut down all the trees if re-elected.

By comparison, more than 12,000 calmly strode on past the naysayers.

A country band played modern Western songs. It was announced that two girls were lost and a few minutes later the announcer said several parents were lost. Security was tight. Everyone went through metal detectors. Law officers were brought in from other Oregon and California counties.

Winning the West rally

U.S. Senator Gordon Smith, from Oregon, warmed-up the standing-room-only crowd.

"John Kerry, one of the most radical environmentalists, wants to lock up the forests. Working families need a job to go to work at – thank God for President Bush," said Senator Smith and the audience shouted in agreement.

"You don’t want someone who seeks a permission slip from the United Nations to protect you," he added. The crowd cheered that they did not.

U.S. Senator John McCain spoke of his support for President Bush and his respect for the man who beat him four years ago in the Republican Party presidential nomination.

Then President Bush stepped onto the stage with his wife, Laura Bush, leading the way. Over the praise of Americans, the president began speaking.

"I came to ask for your votes," he said and explained it didn’t matter if the votes came from Republicans, Independents or "discerning" Democrats. "Put me and Dick Cheney back in office."

Quickly, the chant "Four more years" caught on and rippled through the sea of folks.

He spoke of the debate with his opponent, John Kerry, the night before in Arizona and poked fun at the senator’s changing stands on issues.

"We stand for a culture of life in which every person counts," said President Bush. "We stand for marriage and family."

And Bush reminded the crowd that John Kerry voted against the ban on partial-birth abortion.

"My opponent sits on the far left bank," said Bush. "He can run, but he cannot hide," and the crowd echoed "he cannot hide." Then the "Four more years" chant began again.

"A most solemn duty of an

American President is to

protect his people," said President Bush,

who feels that burden.

The president thanked veterans for serving their country and explained that this is a time that requires firm resolve and determination. A few days after the 9-11 terrorist attacks on the East Coast, President Bush was climbing through the rubble at the World Trade Centers. A worker in a hard hat grabbed his arm and begged, "Do not let me down."

The war on terrorism

"In defending our country from terrorism, we have freed 50 million people," Bush added. Afghan citizens voted for the first time in a presidential election recently. "The first voter in that election was a 19-year old woman," Bush continued, explaining that girls had not been permitted to go to school in Afghanistan. Now there are hundreds of schools and girls attend along with the boys.

Just a few years ago, wives and women were publicly whipped or killed in sports arenas; but those cultural atrocities are changing in the Middle East. The United States is teaching about freedom.

In September of 2003, the president went to congress and asked for $87 billion to support the United States troops. Only 12 senators voted against the request. John Kerry has said the situation was complicated and so he voted against it.

"There is nothing complicated about supporting our troops in combat," said George W. and once again, this audience roared agreement.

Back on the home front, the president pledged to fight for healthy forests, which includes thinning the thick and bug-infested trees to protect communities from wildfires.

"Something has got be done about the junk lawsuits that are running up the cost of medical care," he said. "Defensive medical care is costing $28 billion a year. I’m for medical liability reform now."

As his speech ended, "Only in America" by County Western artists Brooks and Dunn blasted over the sound system. And even though the sweltering sun had set and the audience still stood toe to toe, these Americans lingered. Smiles of hope were shared.

Gayle Ellison, from Applegate, Oregon told the Pioneer Press that she liked the idea of "freedom being spread" by America. Warren Merz, also of Applegate, called the president’s speech "extraordinary."

Darkness descended as the exodus of walking and waiting began for the hoards.