Saturday, October 30, 2004


WOODTV.com & WOOD TV8 - Bush touts war on terrorism, economy during Grand Rapids campaign stop
(Grand Rapids-AP, October 30, 2004, 11:20 a.m.) President Bush hit on a number of important issues to this conservative part of the state, talking about the war on terrorism and the recovering economy during a campaign stop Saturday.

About 17,000 people gathered at DeVos Place for what could be Bush's last visit to Michigan before Election Day. He spoke in front of an oversized Michigan license plate emblazoned with the words: "AMERICA: SAFER STRONGER BETTER."

About 50-100 protesters gathered outside. (hard to tell, they move around a lot) Here's a few shots. Unfortunately the light was really strange and I had a hard time with the focus, so I didn't get anything spectacular.


Vern Ehlers came out all by himself before Bush arrived. He stopped to talk to us, shook some hands (including mine), which I thought was pretty cool. He took off in his car and drove away. Guess he didn't want to see Bush. I'd never vote for the guy, but he's not bad for a Republican. ;-)



Here come the protesters! Someone had to go get them from the Calder Plaza. Why they can't figure out that these politicians come in off of the Ford and down Michigan St., I'll never know. Get a clue, people! Only one easy way to the airport!



Sharpshooter on top of Olds Manor. Security, of course, was very tight. Bet this cost a fortune.



Protest sign. I'm not sure what "Practice Compassionate Terrorism" means.



Closeup of the protest. That woman holding the sign is the girlfriend (or maybe wife) of a guy I used to work with at Classic Recordings. I had some cool shots of the GRPD watching this crowd from above, but I had lighting problems that I just couldn't fix, so I changed it to this pic.


George motors up Michigan. That's him in the center. If we are lucky, that will be the last we see of him in Grand Rapids. Keep your fingers crossed.


It was fun. The crowd chanted "Four more days!" and booed very loudly when Bush came through.

Tomorrow, AL GORE! He will be right across the street from my house at the Macedonia Baptist Church. I can literally throw a rock from my porch and hit the place, so I hope to get some pics of him. Stay tuned!