|
Bush gone, but visit's vigor lingersBy
Emily Mullen, Staff Writer
SCHOOLCRAFT -- Republican presidential candidate George W. Bush's whirlwind campaign wound its way through California on Friday, but the glow of his stop in Schoolcraft still lingers. "I want to see Bush and Cheney win because they're respectable and can turn the country around," said Getta Brenling from St. Joseph, Mich. "They can get the morals where they should be so our young people have someone to look up to and fashion themselves after." I want to see some change in the White House," said Pat Sattler from Kalamazoo. "Bush is the better presidential candidate and Cheney is the best vice-presidential candidate we've had in a long time." "I think Bush is best," said Mary Nord from Kalamazoo. "We came to wish him well in his campaign." People from all over the community decorated the scene with red, white and blue tickertape, pompoms and "Bush-Cheney" banners on Aug. 5 during the first presidential rally in the village's history. More than 7,000 people were reported present at the George W. Bush rally at the old train depot at the end of Duncan Street, near Walnut Street. Starting in Pontiac, the visit was Bush's fourth stop in Michigan that day and completed his Victory 2000 Express train campaign. Crews worked throughout the week before in preparation for Bush's visit, making it one of the biggest events ever to hit Schoolcraft. "I support Bush because he's honest and a straight-shooter," said Ken and Joanne Stiner from Marshall. "He's a Republican who will cut taxes and has a good man to run with him." As festivities began nearly three hours before the candidates arrived, citizens and voters alike started to mill around the area, buying presidential paraphernalia, snacks, drinks and patriotic items. "I'm here to see the next president speak," said Tom Smith from Portage. "I support Bush because America's ready for a change -- he's the best man for the job." The crowd was as diverse as the message sent out during Bush's eight-minute speech. From young children sitting perched on their parents' shoulders to senior citizens, people of all ages and backgrounds packed in the small area in eager anticipation of Bush's arrival. He arrived two hours late due to a train delay from fans lining the railway between Battle Creek and the village, but spectators got what they had been waiting for. Bush's speech was similar to the presentation he gave at the Republican Convention in Philadelphia that previous Thursday. He echoed the importance of family and education as the main priorities of his campaign. "After this convention, I hope America has a better sense of our perspectives, our priorities and our hearts," Bush said in his speech. "Our priorities are our faith, our priorities are our families, and our priorities are a country we love more than everything, called America." He cited a secluded school system as the main flaw in education today, responsible for leaving out many classes of children who are either miseducated or don't receive an education at all. "One of my high hopes is making sure that every child, and I mean every child, is educated," Bush declared. "The danger we face as we run into the 21st century is that the nature of our economy will change as people think that in order to make a living you have to work more with your brains than with your back, and some people could be left behind. "The solution to the challenge, the solution to close the gap on the opposed is to focus intensely on our education system." Bush said school systems need to be based on local control instead of federal control in order to set high standards and have accountability within the administration. Fellow Republican present at the rally, Congressman Fred Upton (R Kalamazoo), supported Bush, stating his administration would be key in working to create an all-inclusive system that provides everyone with the same kind of quality education. Representing a higher symbol of education and growth in the community, Western Michigan University President Elson Floyd introduced the Republican platform, which included Bush, Cheney and their wives, and Gov. John Engler and Sen. Spencer Abraham. "There is, perhaps, no team that's better prepared to understand the complexity of what's going on in our community than the team that's standing right beside me," Floyd said. Cheney spoke next on his campaign to bring a new light to the presidential administration, destroying the negative reputation of scandal and mistrust in the White House. "We're here today because we're embarking on a great crusade to restore decency and honor and integrity to the oval office," Cheney said. "We promise that if you give us the kind of support that we know you're capable of, then when we take over, we will, in fact, establish a kind of government that our kids and our grandkids will be proud of." Bush touched on the marriage tax, condemning President Bill Clinton and Vice President and presidential candidate Al Gore for vetoing the bill that would demolish it. The crowd roared with delight as Bush announced his intentions for government spending of the trillion-dollar surplus. "This government has more money than it needs, and that's a surplus," Bush said. "The fundamental question is what to do with it. My opponent, he believes that the surplus is the government's money. We believe that the surplus is the people's money." Bush focused on issues closer to home as he also spoke about the current agricultural status of St. Joe County. State Representative Gerald Vanderhoof followed Bush's lead as he supported Bush and promised to bring more money into the community for farmers and to complete the continuing US-131 improvement project. Other prominent area Republicans that graced the rally with their presence included State Representative Cameron Brown (R-Fawn River Township), Schoolcraft Village President Mae Pfost, and Jim Gregor, Kalamazoo County prosecutor who emceed the event. Bush made final promises to rebuild the military in order to keep the peace and guaranteed that senior citizens and young workers would have Social Security benefits in the future. Bush concluded his speech by asking voters for their support in allowing him to establish a higher level in American government. "We're asking for the vote for a reason," he said. "We don't just want to hold office, we want to do something positive for America -- we want to lift the spirit of this country, we want to elevate our sight. Can we succeed? You bet this country will succeed." |
