Final Weekend Brings Campaign Blitz
Bush, Clinton, Gore Converge on Florida
URL: washingtonpost.com
By Scott Lindlaw
Associated Press Writer
Saturday, November 2, 2002; 3:30 PM
SAVANNAH, Ga. – President Bush on Saturday implored Democrats, independents and "people who don't give a hoot about politics" to back GOP candidates as he headed to Florida to compete with Bill Clinton for votes in the fiercely fought governor's race.
The 42nd and 43rd presidents were immersing themselves in a contest Democrats say is an Election Day priority: toppling Gov. Jeb Bush. Joining the cause Monday, after Clinton's weekend campaigning, was Al Gore.
Democrats see the election Tuesday of Bill McBride over the president's brother as a way to embarrass the White House and damage George W. Bush's re-election prospects in 2004.
"They're going to roll out every gun they have to win in Florida," said White House spokesman Ari Fleischer.
Added Susan MacManus, a University of South Florida political science professor: "It's the duel of the presidents."
With an evening rally in Tampa, Fla., Bush was ending an 1,800-mile, 12½-hour day of politicking through Tennessee, Georgia and Florida. It was part of a demanding get-out-the-vote itinerary he has undertaken to close out a year of aggressive campaigning for the GOP.
The bitter 2000 presidential race against Gore was a presence throughout Bush's travels.
"I got a fond spot in my heart for Tennessee, if you know what I mean," he said in Blountville, Tenn. Bush won Gore's home state in the election two years ago.
The Republican faithful packed his audiences, but Bush sought to broaden his message. GOP activists, he said, should "talk it up with people who may not pay attention to politics as much as we do" and reach out to "discerning Democrats."
"I'm traveling the country reminding Republicans, Democrats, people who don't give a hoot about politics to do their duty, and go to the polls," Bush said. In an election season refrain, he added that he had some "suggestions" once voters arrived to vote.
In Tennessee, he promoted Rep. Van Hilleary in his close contest for governor against Democrat Phil Bredesen, and Lamar Alexander, who challenged Bush for the 2000 presidential nomination and who leads Democratic Rep. Bob Clement for Tennessee's open Senate seat.
"If you care about the quality of government in Nashville and Washington, turn out to vote!" Bush said. "Go to your houses of worship, go to your coffee shops, and when you get there Monday morning, instead of sitting around worrying about the weather, worry about who the next governor's going to be, worry about who the next senator's going to be."
Pointing to NASCAR star Darrell Waltrip in the crowd, Bush said the stock car driver had asked his permission to drive the presidential limousine. "No!" Bush said to laughter. But, referring to the region's favorite sport, Bush offered this assurance: Hilleary "is going to win the NASCAR vote."
In Marietta, Ga., Bush boosted Sonny Perdue, a former Democratic president of the state Senate, in his campaign to unseat Democratic Gov. Roy Barnes, the favorite. Bush also made an appeal for Rep. Saxby Chambliss, R-Ga., trying to oust Democratic Sen. Max Cleland.
"It's time to quit the sermonizing and it's time to pass the plate," Bush said.
"If we believe in democracy, if you love freedom, then you have a responsibility to go to the polls next Tuesday, and I'm not talking about just a handful of Georgia citizens, I mean everybody – Republicans, Democrats, people who could care less about political party."
Most of the attention Saturday was on appearances by Bush, Clinton and Gore in Florida. Bush has raised millions of dollars for his brother this year, and has visited the state a dozen times, usually with Jeb at his side.
Clinton planned three events late Saturday with McBride.
Gore has made the Florida recount, which decided the White House, a staple of his get-out-the-vote efforts.
"If anybody ever tells you that one vote doesn't count, talk to me about it," Gore said Friday in West Orange, N.J.
Before his stumping Saturday, Bush used his last weekly radio address before the election to criticize delays by the Democratic-controlled Senate in considering his judicial nominations and to promote new procedures he proposed to speed the process.
© 2002 The Associated Press |
