Monday, September 27, 2004
Bush visit fires up suburban Republicans
Party wants a big crowd for VOA Park rally today
By John Kiesewetter
Enquirer staff writer
WEST CHESTER TWP. - Even before President Bush's visit was officially announced, Butler County voters were getting telephone calls telling them how to get tickets to today's rally at Voice of America Park.
In recent weeks, thousands of residents also have picked up the phone and heard the president himself, in a recorded message, as part of the Butler County Republican Party's aggressive campaign to deliver a huge turnout from the GOP stronghold in this battleground state.
"Butler County could decide the fate of Bush," says Carlos Todd, Butler County Republican Party chairman. "Butler County is probably one of the most critical counties in the U.S. if it's a close vote, and it could be very close."
Since April, volunteers have staffed two phone banks in the county nightly at party headquarters in Fairfield, and at the West Chester campaign office for U.S. Rep. John Boehner, a Republican from West Chester Township.
They're contacting all those who have helped elect Republicans to all countywide offices and legislative seats in Butler County, says Scott Owens, county party executive director.
The Bush-Cheney campaign is banking on a big boost from the GOP strongholds of Butler County and Southwest Ohio to counter the Democratic vote for challenger John Kerry in Cleveland and northeast Ohio, Todd says.
That's why Bush is making his fourth trip to Southwest Ohio since May 4, when he campaigned in Lebanon and at Cincinnati Gardens. He also visited Talbert House and attended a $2.5 million fund-raiser at an Indian Hill estate on June 21, and spoke to the national VFW convention in downtown Cincinnati on Aug. 16.
Back in Ohio soon
"The president has very strong support in Butler County," says Kevin Madden, Ohio spokesman for the Bush-Cheney campaign, "and he's looking forward to meeting with volunteers and supporters (today) to help us win the state."
After today's Springfield-West Chester trip, Bush will return to the state Saturday to campaign in Columbus and northeastern Ohio.
Republican officials hope to draw 30,000 or more people to today's rally. More than 45,000 tickets have been distributed. Gates open at noon and close at 3 p.m., not at 3:30 p.m. as stated on tickets.
Businesses at the nearby Voice of America Centre will be "open at their choice," said Judi Carter, assistant township administrator.
The owner of Chick-fil-A on Tylersville, next to the VOA Park, said he would shift workers today from the 6-week-old store to a vendor's tent inside the rally grounds.
"Closing Tylersville Road will hurt me," said Markus Schleidt. "There probably is not going to be any business over here, so I hope to make it up - or do even better - over there."
Lakota Schools are dismissing two hours early, and afternoon preschool and kindergarten classes are canceled, as are junior school sporting events. Students at the International Academy of Cincinnati in West Chester and Mother Teresa School in Liberty Township also will head home two hours early today.
The Lakota district will fill 19 buses with 565 members of the Lakota West and East high school marching bands and the Lakota West chorus, and transport them to the rally.
The bands will play together at the rally, while the chorus sings the national anthem and a medley, school officials said.
If you go
