Bush draws 6,000 at Hara Arena (Dayton, Ohio), Gets Emotional

[VolcanoJen]

Also posted down in the Ohio Forum.

Enjoy the coded wordings to the base. :D

http://www.daytondailynews.com/localnews/content/localnews/daily/1029bush.html

Six thousand? Seriously??? Is it me, or is that a pathetic turnout for The President? Quite a step down from his big event in West Chester, some 30+ days ago. It's mentioned in the last paragraph below. Of course, Bush is appearing in Cincinnati Sunday night, at Great American Ball Park (aka Unnecessary Riverfront Stadium Part Deux), and he might just bring 'em out. God, I hope for his own sake that he can avoid the embarrassment of such a shitty turnout in Dayton.

I smell something in Ohio.. something about how people want to be behind a winner, and aren't so terribly interested in a loser.

Blame it on the loyalty oaths...?

At Hara Arena, before a crowd of about 6,000, Bush became emotional under the roar of an approving audience and a powerful introductory speech by U.S. Sen. George Voinovich, R-Ohio. Bush's eyes appeared to moisten and he wiped at them with his hand when Voinovich quoted from the book of Isaiah.

"'Those that trust in the Lord shall have their strength renewed. They will soar high on the wings of eagles. They will run and not get weary. They will walk and not feel faint,' " Voinovich said. "Mr. President, all these people are lifting you up in prayer."

Bush crammed nine months of campaign speeches into a final, 45-minute burst that was interrupted frequently by applause. He said he had fulfilled promises made in his 2000 campaign and defended the country against the new threat of terrorism. He pledged to continue working on lower taxes, medical liability reform, education and Social Security if elected to a second term.

His appearance came as polls showed the Ohio electorate almost evenly split between he and Kerry.

<snip>

When Bush visited the Voice of America Park in West Chester Twp. on Sept. 27, an estimated 50,000 showed up, which set a national record for Bush campaign stops this year.

ON EDIT:

Kerry at Ohio State University - Dayton Daily News

With Bruce Springsteen as his warm-up act, Sen. John Kerry took to an outdoor stage at Ohio State University and rallied 40,000 supporters to put him in the White House.

[Bucky]

1. 40,000... 6.000... This is just more of your liberal fuzzy math!

[VolcanoJen]

4. Amazing Photos from the Columbus Rally

Nice point of comparison... Bush = 6,000 in Dayton (Kerry drew over 10,000 two weeks ago in Dayton); Kerry = 40,000 in Columbus!

Kerry in Columbus - Dayton Daily News

[alphafemale]

5. Is that Bobby, on the left, making a noseprint for the kids? nt

[Bucky]

18. yep. tis he

I'm getting a lot of comps on that picture match-up. It was just dumb luck that I found the two photos on line within a day of each other. I think the attraction has less to do with the way JK & RFK are standing at the windows, and more to do with how the kids on the other side of the glass, tho separated by a generation, represent the hope all of us see in these two men.

[aquart]

2. Funny, most put the Springsteen/Kerry concert at 80,000.

Buy why quibble.

[Bongo Prophet]

12. That was Madison, WI.

If memory serves...

[rockydem]

3. six thousand is nothing

pathetic for a sitting war-time preznit...

[RafterMan]

6. Sounds a bit like Spinal Tap

while Kerry is across town playing the Enormo-Dome.

[VolcanoJen]

7. "Puppet Show and President Bush"

I can see the marquee now... }(

[rooboy]

8. When you consider that Bush has resorted to military bases...

it's A LOT like Spinal Tap.

[Skittles]

9. except

Spinal Tap did not require their audience to sign a loyalty oath. :o

[progdonkey]

15. though...

both Shrub and Derek Smalls stuff their crotches!

[Skittles]

16. two words, progdonkey

SHIT SANDWICH! :7

[LiberalAndProud]

10. Gee, do you think Kerry might take Ohio?

[Quadrajet]

11. To be fair...the Hara Arena seats...

To be fair, here are some stats on the Hara Arena's seating capacity.

Capacity:
5,500 permanent seats
6,000 festival
7,000 festival w/no backdrop

The population of Dayton, OH is just under 170,000.

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With that being said, John Kerry was in Rochester Minnesota at the Mayo Civic Arena which seats 7,200 people and the place was at capacity. 7,200 people in the Arena, another 500 to 1000 people in the foyer and outside listening to him on loud speakers.

Capacity:
2000 Banquet (8’ tables)
5200 Concert
7200 Festival

The population of Rochester, MN is just under 95,000.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

Kerry's crowd was almost 10% of the population of Rochester, a city which is almost half the size of Dayton.

You'd think that a "popular" President, appearing in a town the size of Dayton would NEED a MUCH larger venue than a "Liberal Senator from Massachusetts".

Teee Heee

4 more days!!!

[VolcanoJen]

13. To be even more fair, why didn't the Bush Geniuses secure a larger venue..

.. to showcase the Ohio Support of The Chimperor?

Must not be too confident in Dayton/Montgomery County support. It's not an area of Ohio that they're going to win, and they know it. They proved it tonight.

"A" for effort, though. }(

[Quadrajet]

14. I agree, you 'd think a standing president would draw more than 6,000.

I agree, you 'd think a standing president would draw more than 6,000.

[SoCalDem]

20. AP posted a pic as they "removed ROWS of empty chairs"

from the daughters' visit to Ohio state:)

I posted it the other day.

[melody]

19. yes, but look at the *small* venue the Shrub chose

That's what's fascinating...with his lust for the appearance of power, he's suddenly doomed to playing Equity Waiver theatres. :)

[Blasphemer]

17. Typical Bush family crocodile tears...

Poppy always pulls the same crap trying to get "sympathy" when all is lost. Interestingly, the women in the clan don't seem to have the ability to cry on command.