Bush visit stirs local political verve

[WFF]

Presidential stop likely drew largest protest to Appleton (WI) in decades

By Ed Lowe and J. E. Espino
Post-Crescent staff writers

APPLETON — The 400-strong group of demonstrators who greeted President Bush on Tuesday in downtown Appleton might have been the largest political protest ever staged in the Fox Valley.

Two University of Wisconsin professors who spoke with The Post-Crescent this week said they couldn’t recall any protest of similar size in the area.

The rally outside the president’s speech at the Fox Cities Performing Arts Center, easily the biggest gathering of its kind the city has seen since the Vietnam era, included anti-war activists, environmentalists, union members and senior citizen advocates.

>more<

http://www.wisinfo.com/postcrescent/news/archive/local_15542698.shtml

[rocktivity]

1. Congratulations, Fox Valley!

The article mentions that "supporters of the president unsuccessfully tried to claim the station of a protester..." How big was the counter-protest?



:headbang:
rocknation

[WFF]

5. Not too big

Most of the people watching were protesters, but there were also pro-Bush supporters and a good number of curious onlookers. Everyone was pretty nice to everyone else. I didn't see the incident that was mentioned, but I assume it was much ado about nothing. Where I was watching the motorcade, there were pro-Bush people standing next to anti-Bush people. The main protest group was a couple of blocks away.

[Skittles]

8. BWAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

that TV shot never fails to crack me up!!!

[StClone]

2. Wisconsin a swing state?

Could be. But the Wacko-religio-wingers are not as common as the people that detest Bush.

[WFF]

10. Democrats very strong in Madison and Milwaukee

But the Republicans traditionaly have held Northeast Wisconsin (where Cheesehead and I are) and the rural areas. There are more people complaining about Bush here in Appleton, but I just saw a statewide poll that moved Bush ahead of Kerry. :(

[adadem]

3. Yeah Appleton!

Way to go. Is there still a Maid Rite Hamburger shop there? Yummy!

Welcome to DU :hi:

[WFF]

4. Never heard of it

Maid Rite Hamburger? Where was it located?

[Cheesehead]

6. Glad to see we are finally getting some press

The visit and protest were Tuesday, and until now coverage of anything but the Bush speech was pretty sketchy.

I was at there also, and the estimate of 400 anti-Bushies is definitely on the low end. The police estimated 600 and the organizers up to 1000. The point is well-taken that we comprised a pretty diverse group, from high schoolers to some very militant senior citizens.

The number of DUers in East Central and Northeastern Wisconsin continues to swell in what is generally a Republican stronghold. I think we have a serious groundswell here in the land of cheese. As an Appleton resident, I can confirm that we did ourselves proud last Tuesday when Whistle Ass invaded our turf.

[Skittles]

7. I was a GI brat who moved constantly while growing up

in the states and overseas. My favorite stop? Madison Wisconsin when my dad was stationed at Truax Field. I'll always have Wisconsin in my heart.

Welcome to the DU, Wff! :hi:

[BattyDem]

9. Hmmm ...

maybe he is a uniter after all! :evilgrin: