Bush Campaign Tiptoed Into Arlington HQ
Few Took Notice -- Not Even Democrats
By Jerry Markon
Washington Post Staff Writer
Thursday, December 11, 2003; Page VA14
In a dull red-brick office tower, a few blocks from the heart of the Democratic power structure that has controlled Arlington for a generation, a newcomer to the local political scene is setting up shop.
On first blush, the politician might blend in better in Arlington, Tex., where he helped his beloved Texas Rangers build a new ballpark.
President Bush in Arlington, Va.? The tough, conservative-loving president in the county considered so liberal, by Virginia standards anyway, that it's been called the People's Republic of Arlington by some Old Dominion conservatives?
It's true. With discretion so complete that it resembles a special-ops mission, Bush has established his national campaign headquarters in Arlington. The nerve center of his reelection drive is housed inside a complex of three buildings, set back about 100 yards from the street, near the Courthouse Metro station.
There is nary a Bush sign or banner in sight. In fact, there is virtually no way to find the headquarters at all without being directed by a building doorman through a set of double doors.
Only then does a single reception desk come into view outfitted with a few "Bush Cheney '04" bumper stickers. A picture of a smiling George and Laura Bush adorns the wall, along with a photo of the president and singer Ricky Martin. That's about it.
Though the Bush people began moving in last spring, many Arlingtonians -- and certainly few local Democrats -- still don't know they're here.
"How about that? I'll be darned. Wow. I'm a little flabbergasted. I wonder why he chose Arlington?" said Debby Churchman, a longtime Arlington resident.
Along with more than 50 other peace activists, Churchman descended on the Arlington County Board offices one Saturday morning in October to engage in a time-honored local civic tradition -- the group gave the board a petition, with 1,500 signatures, condemning Bush's handling of the war in Iraq.
She had no idea the object of her ire, or at least his minions, was a few blocks away.
Local Republicans are positively chortling about the development, which is indeed a bit unusual as far as recent political history goes. Presidential candidates often locate their headquarters outside the Beltway to make a political point, such as when Al Gore moved his campaign to Nashville for the 2000 campaign to emphasize his native Tennessee roots -- or when candidate Bush based his effort out of Austin.
But the last five incumbent presidents, going back to Gerald R. Ford, have headquartered their reelection campaigns in the District.
"We're extremely gratified to have a few extra Republicans here, especially of such stature," said Jim Pebley, a prominent Republican and former Arlington County Civic Federation president. "It's fairly ironic in a county that has been dominated so long by the local Democratic Party. It's kind of like having your big brother come to visit after the neighborhood kids have been pushing you around."
Mike Lane, chairman of the 8th District Republican Committee, sees benefits beyond the rhetorical. He's hoping to use Bush's presence, in name anyway, to bolster the local party's efforts to raise money and recruit candidates. "It will be helpful to us in terms of access to key players," he said. |
