Bush buses his way through heartland

By Ron Fournier
The Associated Press

KNIGHT RIDDER NEWSPAPERS President Bush waves to supporters yesterday in Niles, Mich., where he began a two-day campaign bus tour through parts of Michigan and Ohio.

E-mail this article Print this article Search archive Most e-mailed articles

KALAMAZOO, Mich. — President Bush, winding his way by bus through job-strapped Michigan and Ohio, acknowledged yesterday that the region is still in the throes of an ailing economy while warning that Democratic challenger Sen. John Kerry is not the steady leader America needs.

Looking to show equal parts empathy and determination, Bush told Republican-friendly audiences that "when the president speaks, he better mean what he says," and also said that in time of war, "what the country needs is a leader who speaks clearly."

The reference was to Kerry, whom the Bush campaign has tried to portray as a candidate who lacks conviction and merely says what is politically expedient.

Bush pointed out that the economy is showing signs of growth nationwide, "but lags in Michigan, I understand that." The president added: "I understand that Michigan still suffers."

In 1992, the perception that he was out of touch with hard-pressed U.S. workers contributed to the defeat of Bush's father. The son is determined to avoid that image in his re-election bid.

Bush also acknowledged his doubters on the war in Iraq.

"They're wondering whether or not politics will cause the politicians to change their minds in the midst of this transfer of sovereignty," he said at his first stop in Niles, Mich. "I'm not changing my mind. We're doing the right thing. We'll always honor those who sacrifice for our freedom. We will not allow them to die in vain. Iraq will be free, and Iraq will be more secure."

Bush's convoy of eight buses began in northern Indiana, where he campaigned for Republican Mitch Daniels, a former aide now running for governor, and sped across the southern border of Michigan to suburban Detroit. Voters along the way have a history of swinging between Democratic and Republican candidates.

Nothing was left to chance.
 
Tickets to his speeches were doled out by partisans. Local reporters, not members of the White House press corps, were welcomed aboard Bush's bus for brief interviews. And the route was well-publicized, drawing large crowds of people hoping to catch a glimpse of the president. They lined back roads as well as highways — from one southern corner of Michigan to the other.

"Thank you for protecting us!" read a sign outside Vandalia, Mich., where the two-lane road was patrolled by sheriff's deputies on horseback.

Several dozen anti-Bush demonstrators protested just outside an auditorium in Kalamazoo, with signs that read: "Wage Peace," "Worst President Ever" and "Thou shall not lie."

The star-spangled buses were emblazoned with the words "Yes, America Can" — a slogan meant to project optimism.

"The president places a premium on politics when he should be focusing on creating jobs," said Kerry spokesman Phil Singer. "He exploits the terrorist attacks instead of providing firefighters and police officers with the resources they need to actually protect us from terrorism. ... The bottom line is that 'Yes, American Can,' but only if John Kerry is president."

Michigan has lost 223,900 jobs since Bush took office in January 2001, and the unemployment rate has climbed from 4.6 percent to 6.9 percent. In Ohio, where Bush travels today, 222,600 jobs have been lost and the unemployment rate has risen from 3.9 percent to 5.7 percent.

Bush focused on the positive, saying 5,900 jobs were created in Michigan last month. He pointed to economic statistics that suggest the economy is recovering.

Note cards in hand, Bush called on prescreened audience members who gave upbeat assessments of the economy.

A small businessman, identified as Mike Welch, said he soon will hire two or three people. "That might not sound like a lot to some, you know, two people, three people," Bush said. "But there's a lot of Mikes in America" hiring people.

Later in Sterling Heights, Mich., a crowd of several thousand booed as Bush ticked off Kerry's record on taxes.

"In order for him to keep his promises, he's going to have to raise taxes on hardworking Americans and we're not going to give him the chance to do so," Bush said at the after-dark rally at an outdoor amphitheater in suburban Detroit.