Bush rallies in Greeley, stands tall against terrorism

Greeley – President Bush urged supporters Monday to reelect the

Bush/Cheney ticket, making it clear that fighting terrorism would

remain his top priority.

“The people of the United States will choose the leader of the

free world in the middle of a global war,” Bush said.

Bush’s campaign speech centered on terrorism and troops serving

in Iraq. Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani briefly

introduced the president and sat behind him during the speech along

with first lady Laura Bush, U.S. Sen. Wayne Allard, R-Larimer

County, and additional Republican faces.

“I believe America wins war by fighting on the offensive,” Bush

said. “You cannot win a war unless you believe in fighting it.”

Many Colorado Republicans spoke in support of Bush including

U.S. Senate candidate Pete Coors, first-term Congresswoman Marilyn

Musgrave – who is up for reelection this November – and Gov. Bill

Owens.

Banners hung in the Island Grove Events Center, 501 N. 14th St.,

stated “Victory in the Rockies” and “Bush and Cheney: Farm and

Ranch Team.” Supporters waved signs and sang victory songs,

cheering and chanting phrases like “four more years” and “we want

Bush.”

This was the first time in about 70 years that a sitting U.S.

president, since Franklin Delano Roosevelt, visited Greeley, Bush

said.

“We will fight a real war with global victory,” Bush said.

Bush had counterpoints for several of the issues surrounding

Sen. John Kerry’s stance on the war in Iraq and ending

terrorism.

“(Kerry’s) been consistently and dangerously wrong,” Bush said,

referring to Kerry’s work and ideas as “Monday-morning

quarterbacking.”

A line of protestors holding anti-Bush and anti-war signs yelled

derogatory comments at passing patrons as they filed into the

building.

Chris Michalowski, a Boulder resident and protestor, held a sign

written in marker and blocked-lettering that read, “War is not a

family value.”

Michalowski said he was protesting the event because he wanted

to make it clear that not everyone in Colorado supports Bush.

“People do not see opposition in Weld County. I didn’t think

Bush should just waltz in here without opposition,” Michalowski

said.

Additional key issues were raised, including the economy, tax

cuts and employment.

After the speech, about a half-dozen supporters rebutted

opposition across the street near the event center.

Kelly Brady, one such supporter and a teacher from Aurora, was

there in support of Bush and the first lady.

“The crowd was unanimous. There is so much support for the

Bushes,” said Brady, who was once a Greeley resident and said she

can relate to farmers and teachers loving Bush.

“On Nov. 2, my fellow Americans, I ask you to stand with me,”

Bush said as he concluded his speech.