These guys never stop surprising me.
The Bush campaign has gone to extraordinary lengths to ensure that only die-hard fans hear him in person. Interested but undecided citizen? You’re not welcome. Democrat who might find it exciting to see a President of the United States in person? Stay home. Independent who just wants to hear what Bush has to say? Sorry, loyal sycophants only.
In some instances, citizens are removed and arrested for attending Bush speeches — with legitimate tickets in hand — because their attire was not fully supportive of the Bush-Cheney team.
In response, BC04 started making tickets to such events far more difficult to acquire. In a recent trip through Ohio, for example, a local Republican Party worked with a conservative grassroots group to ensure that invitations to an “Ask the President” event were limited to obvious Bush supporters.
But once again showing that this gang isn’t afraid to take things to the next level, the GOP has turned to written forms of allegiance in order for citizens to obtain free tickets to see their own political leaders (via the Progress Report). I wish I were kidding.
Some would-be spectators hoping to attend Vice President Dick Cheney’s rally in Rio Rancho this weekend walked out of a Republican campaign office miffed and ticketless Thursday after getting this news:
Unless you sign an endorsement for President George W. Bush, you’re not getting any passes.
The Albuquerque Bush-Cheney Victory office in charge of doling out the tickets to Saturday’s event was requiring the endorsement forms from people it could not verify as supporters.
This just isn’t funny anymore.
Not surprisingly, this isn’t going over well in the community.
“I’m outraged at this. I’m being closed off by my own government. It’s crazy,” said East Mountains resident Pamela Random, who added that she is an unaffiliated voter.
John Wade of Albuquerque said he initially signed the endorsement but was having second thoughts before he even left the office. Wade, a Democrat, said he returned his tickets and demanded to get his endorsement form back.
“It’s not right for me to have to sign an endorsement to hear (Cheney) speak,” Wade said. “I’m still pissed. This just ain’t right.”
Interested citizens were given this form to sign:
“I, (full name) … do herby (sic) endorse George W. Bush for reelection of the United States.” It later adds that, “In signing the above endorsement you are consenting to use and release of your name by Bush-Cheney as an endorser of President Bush.”
That’s right; they couldn’t even spell “hereby” correctly. And I’m pretty sure “endorser” isn’t a word.
Just to add insult to injury, interested citizens aren’t told about the form until they arrive at the Bush-Cheney office. In other words, the GOP conceals the allegiance form on the phone when you order the ticket, and then springs it on you when you go to pick it up.
Fortunately, the contrast with Kerry-Edwards couldn’t be more striking.
The John Kerry/John Edwards campaign on Thursday issued a news release that asked, “Shouldn’t all New Mexicans have the right to see their VP?”
Ruben Pulido Jr., a spokesman for that campaign, said the Democratic Party has no screening requirements for those interested in seeing Kerry or Edwards.
When Kerry visited Albuquerque earlier this month, a contingent of Bush supporters were in the crowd. The Associated Press has reported that the group chanted “Viva Bush!” during the event. The AP added that Kerry urged the crowd to tolerate the Bush supporters.
There’s still some dignity left in campaigning. At least, that is, on one side of the aisle.
I wonder how things got so desperate for the Bush campaign that steps like these are necessary. Are Bush’s feelings so easily hurt that every audience must adore him? Are his aides concerned that a citizen may ask a question that is less-than fawning? Does Bush need to be shielded from the reality that some Americans disapprove of his agenda?
I realize Bush’s aides aren’t fond of dissent, but it’s downright creepy the way they try to pretend just doesn’t exist.