After "four years of hell," there are no more "Red"
and "Blue" states. There are only "Red, White and
Blue" states. The "US mainstream news media" and its
propapunditgandists are broadcasting to empty living
rooms. America is in the streets and on the
Internet...Here is a report from the real world, the
reason the increasingly unhinged and incredibly
shrinking _resident went to Pennsacola yesterday...to
protect his flank, and stop the bleeding from his
base...There is an Electoral Uprising is coming in
November 2004...
Doug Haller, Pensacola News Journal: Sen. Bob Graham led a spirited rally against President Bush on Monday at Seville Quarter's Heritage Hall in
downtown Pensacola, saying the president has no plan
for health care and no vision for the war in Iraq.
Former U.S. Sen. Max Cleland of Georgia and Jim
Rassmann, a Vietnam veteran who credits Democratic
presidential hopeful John Kerry with saving his life
in combat, joined Graham in an hourlong event that
drew applause, chants and arguments with Republican
supporters lined across the street in protest.
"I thought our driver had picked a special route
because every other house had a Kerry/Edwards sign,''
said Graham, D-Miami Lakes. "But he said we could've
gone another way, and there were even more Kerry
signs. So you don't have to ask (about the region's
persuasion). You just have to open your eyes.''
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Kerry strongmen gather area support
Graham, Cleland, Rassmann speak at Seville
August 10, 2004
Doug Haller
@PensacolaNewsJournal.com
Joyce Lund , left and Harold Webb hoist their
pro-Kerry signs as the guest speakers arrive at the
rally held inside Heritage Hall in downtown Pensacola.
Photo by Gary McCracken @PensacolaNewsJournal.comU.S.
Sen. Bob Graham led a spirited rally against President
Bush on Monday at Seville Quarter's Heritage Hall in
downtown Pensacola, saying the president has no plan
for health care and no vision for the war in Iraq.
Former U.S. Sen. Max Cleland of Georgia and Jim
Rassmann, a Vietnam veteran who credits Democratic
presidential hopeful John Kerry with saving his life
in combat, joined Graham in an hourlong event that
drew applause, chants and arguments with Republican
supporters lined across the street in protest.
About 350 Panhandle residents attended the Democratic
rally, cramming into every corner of Heritage Hall,
leaning against the wall, sitting on the floor,
straining to hear every word, overflowing into
Government Street.
They chanted "Kerry! Kerry!'' They laughed at Bush's
expense.
More than a dozen veterans stood behind the speakers,
including one man who held a black cane in the one
hand, a "WWII Veterans Support Kerry'' sign in the
other.
The event preceded the president's three-stop
Panhandle tour today, which starts this morning at the
Pensacola Civic Center, where every seat has been
claimed. Republicans hope the president's arrival
again will nail down the conservative, military-rich
Panhandle, which vaulted Bush and vice-presidential
running mate Dick Cheney into power four years ago.
Graham, however, said he wasn't sure history would
repeat. Arriving at 2:20 p.m., he talked about his
ride in from Pensacola Aviation at PensacolaRegional
Airport, and the campaign signs he saw planted in
front yards.
"I thought our driver had picked a special route
because every other house had a Kerry/Edwards sign,''
said Graham, D-Miami Lakes. "But he said we could've
gone another way, and there were even more Kerry
signs. So you don't have to ask (about the region's
persuasion). You just have to open your eyes.''
Graham spoke about rising health-care costs and how
they have crippled many American families. He cited
reports that insurance costs for Americans have
increased by an average of $50 per month during Bush's
3½ years in office.
"President Bush has no clue how to control one of the
most out-of-control costs, because he has no plan for
it,'' said Graham, who dropped his presidency bid in
the fall. "John Kerry has a plan, and when he gets to
the White House, that's when we're going to see some
results.''
Cleland greeted Monday's crowd by saying he was
reporting for duty, playing off Kerry's speech at the
Democratic National Convention in Boston.
Known as a moderate Democrat during his six years in
the Senate, Cleland lost both legs and his right arm
to a grenade explosion in Vietnam. He later became the
youngest administrator of the Veterans Administration.
Cleland sarcastically mentioned that he wasn't invited
to Bush's Civic Center rally, but he still had
questions for the president, hoping someone would pass
them along.
Specifically, he wanted to know how Bush has managed
to squander all the international goodwill accumulated
after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.
And what about the 60,000 jobs Florida has lost during
Bush's term in office, Cleland wondered. What about
the rising bankruptcy rate in Florida? What about the
lack of funding for veterans hospitals?
"These are the questions we need to be asking,''
Cleland said.
Rassmann admitted all this was new to him. Months ago,
he was just a retired California cop, planting flowers
in his garden. He chuckled at how his life has
changed.
In 1969, Rassmann was a Green Beret in Vietnam, riding
in a river boat on the Hap River. The boat hit a mine
and came under enemy fire. Rassmann could have died,
but then-Navy Lt. Kerry ordered his boat to turn
around and help.
Kerry, wounded himself, ordered his gunners to provide
suppressing fire, then risked his life to pull
Rassmann from the river. Kerry earned one of his three
Purple Hearts for the act of bravery. He also captured
a future supporter in a presidential race that could
be tight.
Rassmann said he originally supported the war. He felt
it was the right thing to do. He argued with friends,
who told him he was naive -- that our leaders had no
idea what they were doing, that forcing war with
little international support was the wrong move.
"I argued, and I was wrong,'' Rassmann said.
He called Kerry's campaign office on the eve of the
Iowa caucuses in January and since has been involved
in the Massachusetts senator's election efforts.
"We have to do what's intelligent,'' Rassmann said.
"We have squandered (billions of dollars). But more
important: We have squandered 925 lives. Our brothers,
sons and fathers, and in some cases our daughters and
mothers.''
Zoya Webster-Phillips, 61, of Pensacola watched from a
corner of Heritage Hall, an approving grin on her
face. After the rally, she said she thought the
speakers were awesome.
She motioned to Cleland, who was shaking hands from
his wheelchair just yards away.
"I wish he was running,'' Webster-Phillips said. "He's
a living witness. He risked his life to fight. I value
his opinion. '
©The Pensacola News Journal
August 10, 2004
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