Bush Camp Controlling Admission to Events
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By SCOTT LINDLAW, Associated Press Writer
BEAVERTON, Ore. - President Bush 's team
exerts close control over admission to his campaign events. Dissenters
and would-be hecklers are turned away, campaign officials say. On
several occasions in recent weeks, Democrats who have gotten in have
been ejected because they wore pro-Kerry T-shirts.
The Bush campaign billed his visit to
Beaverton as a chance for ordinary citizens
to pose questions to the president.
But first, his audience at "Ask President
Bush" heard a 21-minute speech from Bush.
Then there were 22 minutes of testimonials
on his domestic policies from four
supporters. After that, Bush moved into a
second speech lasting 24 minutes on
terrorism and Iraq (news - web sites), along
with a few comments about his meetings
with world leaders.
His audience did not mind waiting more than
an hour for the question-and-answer
session. This was no town hall appearance
before a cross-section of citizens.
Bush-Cheney re-election headquarters had
instructed Oregon campaign officials to
distribute tickets, so the school gymnasium
was filled last Friday with 2,000 passionate
Bush backers.
By contrast, most of Kerry's events are
open to the public, though there have been
some town hall events that are
invitation-only. For certain appearances, the
Kerry campaign has distributed tickets to the local party, unions and
other supporters.
But Kerry spokesman David Wade said that any member of the public
can get a ticket from a local campaign office or from the affiliated groups
on a first-come, first-served basis. Many people are admitted without any
ticket.
"I think America deserves a president who is willing to talk to anybody, I
don't care if you are Democrat, Republican or independent," Kerry said
Friday.
Kerry's more open approach carries political risks. Sometimes
protesters show up and try to disrupt his appearances. To get across
their point that Kerry is a flip-flopper, they often clap flip-flop sandals over
their heads, and chant, "Four more years!"
Such dissent is never a problem for Bush.
When the time came to "Ask President Bush" Friday, none of his 16
questioners challenged him on his policies. Several did not ask
questions at all, but simply voiced their support.
"If it wasn't for your tax cuts and your stimulus and your steady hand
since 9/11, my job would never happen," one man said.
"Could you take a moment to pray for Oregon, for us, right now?" asked
one questioner. (Bush declined.)
"Mr. President, as a child, how can I help you get votes?" another
audience member inquired.
"Thank you for serving!"
"My husband and my twins and I pray for you daily, as do many home
schoolers. Thank you for recognizing home schoolers."
Bush campaign spokesman Scott Stanzel said the Bush team strives to
draw some undecided voters to each event, though he could not
estimate how many typically attend. There appear to be few fence-sitters
at Bush's events, where audiences frequently interrupt the president to
cheer.
The president's events are not designed to convert Kerry backers, but
rather energize Bush's base, aides say.
"The thousands of people at these events are the
messengers for the campaign," Stanzel said. "They go
out and spread the message, whether it's at their place
of business or their VFW or sportsman's club or just in
their neighborhood."
Bush's camp has taken other measures to keep
non-supporters out of Bush's events.
Last month, some Democrats who signed up to hear
Vice President Dick Cheney (news - web sites) speak
near Albuquerque, N.M., were refused tickets unless
they signed a pledge to endorse Bush. The Bush
campaign described the measure as a security step
designed to avoid a disruption it contended had been
planned.
Campaign spokesman Dan Foley said people calling for
tickets from an anti-Bush group's telephone line
underwent screening. Those seeking to attend the
speech but giving false names were denied tickets, he
said.
Bush's admission policy can leave the impression that
the president has strong support wherever he goes.
Labor unions traditionally align with Democrats and
have not been particularly friendly to Bush. So when
Bush spoke at a Las Vegas union hall Thursday, the
campaign used its usual ticket distribution policy to
pack the hall with backers.
The crowd roared its approval throughout the speech.
Some tickets were also given to union members. A few
of them sat silently in the back rows.
___
Associated Press writer Nedra Pickler contributed to
this report. |
