WV reacts to Bush's visit

[LadyTevar]

The Charleston Gazette's version:

We must be relentless,’ Bush says

At Capitol, president trumpets vision of hope in Afghanistan, Iraq

In his second Fourth of July visit to West Virginia in three years, President Bush called on Americans to “do our duty” and support wars in Afghanistan and Iraq as part of the larger war against terrorism.

“You can’t talk sense to these people. You can’t negotiate with them,” Bush told more than 3,000 supporters gathered in the courtyard of the state Capitol building Sunday afternoon.

“We must be relentless and determined to do our duty,” he said, to some of the biggest cheers of his speech.

Bush’s spent most of his 25-minute speech on Iraq, Afghanistan and the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, linking them together.

After the attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, Bush said, “the nation resolved to fight terrorists where they dwelled.”

“Because we acted, Afghanistan is a rising democracy,” he said, and “Iraq is a free and sovereign nation.”

A bipartisan commission investigating the Sept. 11 attacks found no evidence linking Saddam Hussein’s regime to the attacks by Osama bin Laden’s terrorist network, al-Qaida.

Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney assert that there were contacts between Saddam’s regime and al-Qaida. Last week, Cheney said Saddam sent a general to Afghanistan to train al-Qaida operatives in bomb-making and forgery.

During his speech, Bush said he has researched Charleston’s history, and found out George Washington owned land in the area.

“I call him George W.,” Bush said, to laughs. He later compared the nation’s founders and their struggle to form a new nation with the struggles of the new government of Iraq.

“I think the founders would be proud of America today,” he said. “They would see a nation that stands strong against violent men.”

Bush was not able to attend services at the Bible Center Church on Corridor G in Charleston, as he had planned, because of mechanical problems with his plane.

Before the event began, two people wearing anti-Bush T-shirts were led away in handcuffs. As police escorted them away, Jeff and Nicole Rank of Texas said they hadn’t done anything but wear the T-shirts, which said, “Love America, Hate Bush.”

Charleston Police Sgt. R.E. Parsons said the two were in a no-trespassing area and refused to leave. They received a ticket for trespassing and were released, he said. The Ranks were in the area to work for the Federal Emergency Management Agency, he said.

The crowd at Bush’s rally withstood sweltering heat and humidity, and waited for up to three hours to see the president. Some audience members fainted, but no major injuries were reported.

Bush walked down the steps of the Capitol to the podium, waving and shaking hands. Two teenage girls grabbed each other and jumped up and down after he shook their hands.

Rep. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., introduced Bush as she has several times before. She is his West Virginia campaign chairwoman.

“Gee, this seems familiar,” Capito said, referring to Bush’s 2002 Fourth of July visit to Ripley.

Bush thanked several people who helped plan the event, including Charleston Mayor Danny Jones, state Supreme Court Chief Justice Elliott “Spike” Maynard, West Virginia Coal Association President Bill Raney and former Charleston Daily Mail Publisher Sam Hindman.

Bush mentioned the economy only in passing, to say it was healthy and growing.

He received his biggest crowd response when he spoke about faith and values. Several members of the crowd mentioned Bush’s Christian faith as the main reason for their support.

“He’s the only president who has stood up and lifted up the name of our savior, Jesus Christ,” said Ronald Sheets of Cabin Creek.

Others spoke about Bush’s personal qualities, especially his ability to make a decision and stick with it.

“Nobody’s perfect, and I’m sure he has his flaws, but he has the courage of his convictions,” said Karen Johnson of Pence Springs, chairwoman of Bush’s campaign in Summers County.

It’s an image the Bush campaign would like to cultivate. Country star Aaron Tippin sang, “You’ve got to stand for something, or you’ll fall for anything” before the president spoke.

Harriet Kelly of Kanawha City saw the president during a campaign visit four years ago, and said, “I just couldn’t stay away; I just had to see him. I just think he’s a kind, gentle man, a real leader.”

They were slightly less enthusiastic about their support for the Iraq war. They said it was an unfortunate part of the war on terrorism.

“I hope he gets it straightened out some,” Kelly said of Iraq. “But I think a lot of people forget we lost almost 3,000 lives” on Sept. 11, 2001.

West Virginia has borne a disproportionate share of the country’s defense burden. More than three-quarters of the state’s 6,200 National Guard members have been activated since Sept. 11, among the top five states per capita for deployments.

Several prominent Republicans sat near the president, including former Gov. Cecil Underwood and his wife, Hovah; state Senate Minority Leader Vic Sprouse, R-Kanawha; House of Delegates Minority Leader Charles Trump, R-Morgan; and several other Republican lawmakers.

Missing from the stage were Republican Party Chairman Kris Warner and his brother, Republican gubernatorial nominee Monty Warner. Monty Warner’s campaign spokeswoman said he watched from the audience because this was an official presidential visit, and not a campaign visit, and Warner is not an elected official.

This marks Bush’s ninth visit to the Mountain State as president or a presidential candidate. Recent polls show West Virginians evenly divided between Bush and his Democratic challenger, Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass. Kerry is scheduled to visit West Virginia again on July 15.

Capito said she expected Bush to come back more than once before Election Day, and each visit helps Republicans down the line. “The president is at the top of the ticket. The more enthusiasm, the more support he engenders, the more it helps all of us,” she said.

[LadyTevar]

The Charleston Daily Mail, with an interview given before Bush's speech:

Bush lauds W.Va.'s role
President says coal important to keep U.S. independent


In a time of uncertainty around the globe, West Virginia can find a path to prosperity by combining old industries with new technologies, President Bush said.

In a 15-minute interview with the Daily Mail prior to his Independence Day speech at the state Capitol, Bush said that in a post-9/11 world, West Virginia had a special role to play.

"In order for us to be less dependent on foreign sources of crude (oil), we have to be wise about how we use the resources we have," Bush said. "And a major resource we have is coal -- something you know a good bit about in West Virginia."

Bush said America's habit of importing 60 percent of its oil has serious implications for national security.

The president said energy independence would come through a variety of means, including new technologies that would allow the country to "grow our way out of dependence." He cited the more than $2 billion already spent on clean coal technologies during his time in office.

Bush blasted lawmakers for "playing politics" with his administration's proposed energy bill. He said if the measure were in place, West Virginia would benefit from increased reliance on coal for electricity.

Even without the bill, Bush said West Virginia was in a good situation to capitalize on changing American priorities. Bush said the real challenge for the state was to branch out.

"West Virginia must never abandon her strength, which is her ability to produce energy and steel," Bush said. "But the leadership here understands that they must diversify their economy into the new jobs."

He cited health care and homeland security as two areas where the state could see job growth, citing recent research gains in both areas that had come out of the Mountain State.

"But you've also got a fantastic opportunity to promote tourism in West Virginia," Bush said. "The more mobile Americans become, they're going to choose to come to places where they can exercise or fish and enjoy the outdoors. West Virginia is a beautiful place."

Bush noted that the arrival of the low-cost carrier Independence Air in the state's travel market would help open West Virginia to more visitors.

"I think the interesting thing about West Virginia is that the economy is beginning to diversify," Bush said. "And the education structure must diversify with it."

Bush compared the needed stewardship of the state's natural resources, with its human resources, especially its youth. He touted the same community college initiative that brought him to Marshall University in April.

"I see West Virginia being wise about how it uses its natural assets. One asset is its people. You've got good people here," Bush said. "As your education system kicks in . . . you're going to have a work force that's productive, hard-working and ready to assume the jobs that are going to be created."

The president spoke frankly about his concerns about another terrorist attack occurring in the United States, saying the enemy was on the run but still very dangerous.

On a day when Bush would talk to the crowd at the Capitol about the strength of the American idea, he put the struggle between the United States and its enemies in stark ideological terms.
"Because of what we stand for, there's a struggle; there's an ideological struggle between those of us who love freedom and those folks who really have got a very dim view of the world," Bush said. "Their view is one where women aren't free and you're not allowed to practice your religion. It's a totalitarian view."

Bush said he was satisfied that homeland security efforts were constantly being improved and tested. The president said the cooperation between federal, state and local governments is one of the strongest aspects of the domestic protection efforts.

But Bush said he didn't want to simply wait for the next attack to come.

"The best way to deal with these people (terrorists), of course, is to stay on the offense and to find them before they hurt us," Bush said. "And I'm going to remind the citizens that we will stay on the offense and that we will fight the terrorists in battlegrounds like Afghanistan and Iraq so we don't have to face them here."

He said his doctrine of taking the fight to the enemy was already showing short-term success and, he believes, long-term potential. Bush said 50 million newly free people in Afghanistan and Iraq are proof of that.

"I believe strongly that it is the long-term future of the world to be free. A free world is going to be a more peaceful world. Free societies don't breed terror," Bush said. "Societies where there's bitterness and resentment become recruiting grounds for these ideologues. Terror is a tool of the ideologue, and they use the tool to kill and to frighten and to maim so that we will retreat.

"We're not retreating. We're doing the right thing."

Bush brought a message of thanks for the members of the West Virginia National Guard serving overseas and their families.

"Their folks and their loved ones need to know that the commander-in-chief is proud of their son or daughter or husband or wife and grateful for their service," Bush said. "When I say grateful, I know I speak for the country."

Bush heaped praise on the state guard, recalling his first visit as president to West Virginia in February 2001. He came then to highlight the group's achievements and said he has only been more impressed as America headed into war.

"Little did I know then what we'd be facing," Bush said.

The president said he was looking forward to getting into the heat of election season and going head to head with Sen. John Kerry. Bush said as people consider his leadership and the turmoil of the last four years, the choice will be stark.

"West Virginia, like the rest of America, wants somebody who speaks clearly, and when he says something, means it," Bush said. "One thing the voters need to ask, is if the unexpected comes up, can the person running for president handle the unexpected? I think I've shown the people of West Virginia that I can.

"Secondly, I've shown the people of West Virginia that I act. When I see a problem, I listen, carefully gather the facts and then make a decision."

Bush cited his platform for domestic growth as a campaign asset, too.

Lower taxes, energy independence, a reduction in frivolous lawsuits and other reforms will make small business owners more comfortable with reinvesting and growing their businesses, Bush said.

Bush said West Virginia voters will likely get another look at him before Election Day rolls around.

"I look forward to coming back to this state. I've been here a lot, and I intend to come back a lot," Bush said. "It's a state where people were very generous with their votes last time, and I hope they would do the same next time."

[LadyTevar]

The Daily Mail's version of the Speech:
(I bolded the only part of his speech I happened to agree with)

President vows to stand tall against terrorism

Before thousands of flag-waving West Virginians on America's 228th birthday, President Bush vowed to confront terrorism around the globe, even as he struck optimistic tones about the strength of the nation's democracy and the war on terrorism.

America will "engage enemies around the world, so we do not have to face them here at home," Bush said to thunderous applause from the partisan crowd.

"You can't talk sense into them. You can't negotiate with them. You cannot hope for the best with these people. We must be relentless and determined to do our duty."

The president's third visit to West Virginia this year also was notable for its local flavor. Bush took time in his 27-minute speech to name-drop politicians, military officials and community activists.

In his second Fourth of July visit as president, Bush, speaking in the shadow of the gold Capitol dome, said on Sunday that America's founding fathers would be proud of the nation they helped create.

"Opportunity is common," the president said, calling America "a country full of promise and hope."

America, the president said, is "a nation that stands strong against violent men."

It's a country of "strong values, faith in the Lord and love in our families," Bush said. "They'd not only find them strong all over the country, they'd find them very strong in West Virginia."

Bush linked his sunny appraisal of America with successes in the war on terrorism. He highlighted the two main theaters of the post-9/11 war, Afghanistan and Iraq.

He said Afghanistan, once a haven for terrorists, is now a "rising democracy and an ally in the war on terrorism."

"Iraq today is a free and sovereign nation," Bush said. "The dictator, the brutal tyrant, is sitting in a jail cell. And he will receive the justice he denied so many."

Bush, who shed his tie somewhere between departing Air Force One at Yeager Airport and the Capitol Complex, wore a blue shirt with the sleeves rolled up. Like most of the crowd, Bush was drenched in sweat by the end of his speech, which began and ended to chants of "four more years."

Bush's stop was an official White House visit, so he shied away from directly campaign-related statements.

A crowd of more than 6,000, according to police estimates, waited in withering heat for hours in serpentine lines to catch a glimpse of Bush.

Several people fainted from the heat, but no injuries were reported, police said.

Two people who snuck anti-Bush T-shirts into the Capitol Complex -- Jefferey and Nicole Rank -- were led away in handcuffs. They said they were singled out simply because of their shirts, but Bush officials said they created a disturbance by lying down on the concrete in protest. Charleston police said the couple received a ticket for entering a no-trespassing zone that was cordoned off.
Outside the Capitol, Democrats gathered on the lawn of the state party's Kanawha Boulevard headquarters to rally for Bush's November opponent, Sen. John Kerry of Massachusetts.

Angry protesters, who lined the streets surrounding the Capitol Complex, shouted at the pro-Bush crowd. They said the president was untruthful about the war in Iraq and is merely a puppet for corporate America.

Matt Jones, a tattooed 25-year-old from Huntington, summed up his strong anti-Bush feelings in one word: "War."

"I didn't like him before he was president," said 23-year-old Mike Jones. "You get kind of frustrated, especially in a place like this. It's, like, people don't even stop to think when the facts are obvious."

Inside, Bush was treated like a rock star. People hawked buttons touting the president, and GOP operatives waved voter registration sheets.

Bush's speech had a distinctively local feel.

After being introduced by Rep. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., Bush singled out Charleston Mayor Danny Jones and City Council President Tom Lane, both Republicans, for praise.

"I know you want me to tell him to fill the potholes," Bush joked of Jones.

Bush also met with Supreme Court Chief Justice Spike Maynard, a Democrat, who helped organize Charleston's three-day Fourth of July bash.

"I told the judge I like being in the presence of someone who doesn't try to rewrite the Constitution," Bush said.

The president also mentioned former Daily Mail Publisher Sam Hindman, West Virginia Coal Association President Bill Raney, and four-star Air Force Gen. Robert "Doc" Foglesong.

Gov. Bob Wise flew back from Washington, where he was celebrating his wife Sandy's birthday, to greet Bush at the airport.

Wise, a Democrat who supports Kerry, said he believes the governor should greet the president when he comes to town, regardless of party affiliation.

Republican gubernatorial candidate Monty Warner attended Bush's speech, but he was not invited on stage with the president since he is a candidate, not an elected official.

"The president had a tremendous message that connected the origins of the country to what we're doing in the world today," Warner said.

Democrat Joe Manchin, Warner's opponent, did not attend the president's speech.

Bush was scheduled to attend a service at Bible Center Church in South Hills before his speech, but he missed it because of a plane malfunction. Police cruisers lined Corridor G for hours before the president's expected appearance, but it never came.

In his speech, the president also took a turn as West Virginia pitchman. He touted the importance of coal, saying the Mountain State is an "important state to our nation in many ways."

"People ought to come here to see the beauty of West Virginia," Bush said. "To see the Almighty's work."

[Mayabird]

So West Virginians react well to politicians who give "God and coal" campaign speeches? Seems it's not just about the oil. All the fossil fuels are beloved in the Administration's eyes. And they're still claiming the Saddam and al-Qaida link.

Sorry for being cynical.

[LadyTevar]

So West Virginians react well to politicians who give "God and coal" campaign speeches? Seems it's not just about the oil. All the fossil fuels are beloved in the Administration's eyes. And they're still claiming the Saddam and al-Qaida link.

Sorry for being cynical.

I was tempted to go through and boldface every little thing Bush said that was nothing more that political vote-mongering BS.

But then most of the article would have been Bolded.

You did note where the couple wearing Anti-Bush T-shirts were dragged off in handcuffs, right?

[The Yosemite Bear]

yeah, goverrnment employee's too


I almost want to barf everytime he gets on the TV soap boxes and talks about protecting our freedoms, and our jobs...

[Hamel]

I for one CANNOT STAND the christians that support Bush for the usual religous wank. They are such fucking tools~ played by Bush when he's taking money from Moon. Damned cult leader comes to DC, gets a fucking CROWN from our representatives yet these assholes don't care.

[CrimsonRaine]

I for one CANNOT STAND the christians that support Bush for the usual religous wank. They are such fucking tools~ played by Bush when he's taking money from Moon. Damned cult leader comes to DC, gets a fucking CROWN from our representatives yet these assholes don't care.

I was actually explaining to a friend of mine about Bush's mixture of religion in his campaigns. He's playing to many of the devout Christians in this country and they're too fucking stupid to know that Bush was not sent by God.

After reading this massive amount of horseshit, I felt a little better about my seething hatred for the man. I'm learning that I'm not the only one.

And well, I don't care about the Bible Belters. I agree: they're tools.

Raine

[Mayabird]

I for one CANNOT STAND the christians that support Bush for the usual religous wank. They are such fucking tools~ played by Bush when he's taking money from Moon. Damned cult leader comes to DC, gets a fucking CROWN from our representatives yet these assholes don't care.

Umm...I think it's even worse. IIRC the Moonies have been getting money from the Faith-Based Money Grab, meaning that since they're a religion who pretends to do some sort of charitable work they get taxpayer money to play with.

Though in a sick way I did think it funny that a bunch of US Senators declared a crazy old Korean media mogul to be the Messiah. (It makes me want to cry for my poor country too.)

[The Yosemite Bear]

now if the scientologists would support republicans not just democrats they could get some of this money....

I really need to start my own cult, with the stated goal of turning the US into just another 3rd world despotism for the Corperations by the corparations....

I wonder how much dough I could get....