Bush camp working hard in Wisconsin
ASHWAUBENON, Wis. – From the windows of a red-white-and-blue bus rolling through tidy towns and past lush corn and soybean fields Wednesday, President Bush saw opportunity.
Hundreds of people lined the streets in towns such as West Bend, where Bush stopped to buy bear-claw pastries. In Waukesha, traffic was backed up for miles as people tried to get to the outdoor arena where the president spoke; 5,000 made it in time for his speech. In Oshkosh, where he stopped for a vanilla frozen custard, Main Street seemed to be packed 10 deep.
There were few signs of opposition. In Lannon, population 924, a woman held a handwritten sign that read, “Out of Iraq.” A few miles down the road, a young man watched the campaign entourage with a thumb pointing downward. In Fond du Lac, there was a blue-and-white Kerry sign amid the thousands of Bush supporters who lined Main Street.
Bush’s political advisers believe he is leading Massachusetts Sen. John Kerry in the race for Wisconsin’s 10 Electoral College votes. A University of Wisconsin Badger Poll taken last month found Bush leading 46 percent to 42 percent.
Four years ago, Democrat Al Gore won Wisconsin by 5,708 votes. The last Republican to win a presidential race here was Ronald Reagan in 1984.
Bush talked like an underdog. “I need your help,” he said in Fond du Lac. “I’m working hard because this is going to be a tough campaign. I can’t win this without you,” he said in Waukesha.
Bush’s advisers compare their push here to West Virginia in 2000. In 70 years, that state had voted just three times for Republican nominees. But the Bush campaign spent time and money there, and Bush won West Virginia’s five electoral votes 52 percent to 46 percent.
The Bush campaign hopes Wisconsin is this year’s West Virginia. This was his 12th visit since taking office. It was one of the first states that aides began to organize. There are Bush leaders in all 72 counties and 2,950 of 3,390 wards, and 29,000 volunteers in the state.
“I know what I need to do to lead this country. I know what I need to do to make the world more peaceful, America more hopeful,” he said in Waukesha. “I know what I want to do to make America safer, stronger and better.” In that 41-minute speech, he said “safe,” “safer” or “safety” 13 times.
“There are quiet times in a life of a nation when little is expected of its leaders,” Bush said in each speech Wednesday. “This isn’t one of those times. You and I are living in a period where the stakes are high, the challenges are difficult, a time when firm resolve is needed.”
Bush’s stump speech mentions a need for an energy policy, improved access to health care and a reduction in medical liability lawsuits.
“I have a clear vision and a strategy to win the war on terror and to extend peace and freedom throughout the world,” he said. “I have a plan to continue to create jobs and therefore opportunity.”
Bush’s day ended at a rally in a sports arena here. More than 8,000 people heard from comedian Dennis Miller and singer Wayne Newton before Bush arrived. Outside were several hundred protesters and Kerry supporters.