http://www.nytimes.com/2004/09/20/opinion/l20bush.html"To the Editor:
"Before Friendly Audiences on the Trail, a Looser, Livelier Bush Appears" (White House Letter, Sept. 13) mentions the policing of dissent at events, but does not mention the campaign's pre-emptive invitation process.
Through a misplaced phone call, we were invited to pick up tickets for a convention-week appearance in Michigan. The invitation was nearly rescinded when we said we were neither registered Republicans nor likely supporters of the president. We were granted nontransferable tickets only after a campaign supervisor sensed that her colleague's "grilling" (his word) might appear, well, undemocratic. This grilling session sought a loyalty oath.
We're still on the presidential guest list; President Bush himself calls to urge us to use the absentee ballot his campaign secured, and we're invited to attend events 200 miles away. These "rapturous" crowds are not only vetted but, apparently, willing to travel.
Jennifer Wenzel
Joseph Slaughter
Ypsilanti, Mich., Sept. 16, 2004"
Interesting....