(Cross-posted at Daily Kos)
Last night I diaried the story of the Bush protest rally of up to 1200 strong held in downtown Rochester, NY, yesterday, while the President was selling his snake oil . . . er, Social Security Reform Plan to the well heeled and well connected GOP audience at Greece-Athena High School (Greece is a suburb of Rochester, and a GOP stronghold).
Today, our local paper, the Democrat & Chronicle (“D&C” for short) saw fit to issue an eight page Special Commemorative Edition: The President in Rochester with the headline ‘SOCIAL’ CALL in at least 100 point typeface. They also managed to get the image of the Presidential Seal over the headline (thouh in my copy that was partially obscured by a sticker advertising a local furniture outlet).
I thought you all might be interested in how our local print media covered the event (the TV media was blatantly fawning in their coverage), and specifically what the local “Bush Fans” here had to say. All block quoted material comes from this link or by linking to one of the headlined stories on that webpage.
More after the fold . . .
So who are these Bush supporters here in Rochester, and what did they have to say about his visit? And how was his visit reported? Well, here’s some samples taken from the D&C’s articles:
“Of course it’s exciting that it’s in Greece and everything,” she said.
“But we just want to tell him (Bush) we support him. He’s a man of conviction and integrity. He’s a godly man.“
And she was not the only mother who hauled her kids with her for a chance to see their President.
“We’re big Bush supporters. We had to be here,” said Peterson, wearing a sweater designed like an American flag.
And then there was the woman who decided to maximize her exposure to the President:
Both women support Bush’s Social Security reform and said they were able to spend about 20 minutes backstage with him before the event — talking about baseball, Bush’s judicial nominees and Riley’s wedding this summer.
“He was the most gracious man I’ve ever met,” McKenna said just moments after leaving the stage. “I’m not one to be star-struck, but honestly I was amazed by him.”
Riley invited Bush to her wedding. “That’s a smart move,” Bush joked on stage. “She knows I won’t come, but I will send a gift.”
And according to the reports, Bush did well convincing teenagers (and younger) that his reforms were needed.
“We didn’t know what to think,” Ashley Phillips, 18, of Greece, said of herself and a friend. But now, “I’m glad he’s doing something about it.”
* * * * *
Teenagers, those poised to invest for the longest period into a changed Social Security system, said Bush’s speech helped change their minds.
“I like the personal savings account,” said Edward H. Paredes, 15, an East High freshman.
Republican Neil Campbell, a 19-year-old student at the State University College at Geneseo, said most of his co-workers at Patrick Pontiac are in the middle class “and they wish they had a little more money to play around with and invest.”
* * * * *
Jason Karol, a fifth-grade student at Lakeshore Elementary, also was impressed.
“I thought (Bush’s talk) was really interesting,” the 10-year-old said, “because in the next few years, that’s what I’ll be thinking about.”
Bush’s well honed comedy routine continued to draw laughs from a friendly audience. Somehow the reporter was unaware that this was a stock joke Bush makes at nearly every event of this kind:
The news reports described the event as having the feel of Oscar night, where fans line the Red Carpet for a glimpse of celebrity:
“Ohmigod, ohmigod, I can’t breathe,” said press volunteer Kellie Crowley, 18, fanning herself with her credentials. She and her friend, Hollie McDonald — both sophomores at SUNY Brockport, both members of the Brockport College Republicans — readied their cameras, hoping for a glimpse.
. . . When Bush emphasized a point — about voluntary personal savings accounts, for example — he was rewarded with resounding applause.
And when he was finished, the crowd again went wild. People streamed toward the stage to get Bush’s autograph or shake his hand. Children were hoisted onto shoulders to afford them a better view.
Not that his supporters are ever given to hyperbole:
And of course they took pictures, or even pictures of pictures if need be:
“I came to see the president of the United States,” she said. “He’s a very responsible person.” Chan took a picture of the television set that showed a close-up of Air Force One, even though the real thing was parked outside.
Well, I guess you get the overall feel for the coverage, and of the Bush supporters who came to receive their Presidential blessings. But just to make sure you do, look how this reporter described Bush’s visit as “coming home”:
No, he wasn’t born in the Monroe County town.
. . . But Bush came to a place that has voted for him twice, a community with many citizens who see him as something more than a mere political figure.
. . . Several people said they saw Bush wave, saying goodbye to Greece, his hometown for a few hours on a rainy day in May.
