Should Campaign Rallies Be Open To Everyone

[rraley]

Much has been made recently of Bush-Cheney events only being open to those who sign cards that declare their endorsement of the ticket. Does this sort of practice seem correct to you? Isn't it the purpose of the political dialogue in this nation to talk to everyone and isn't it the purpose of the presidency to represent ALL Americans? What do you think really justifies this?

[vraiblonde]

If Democrats knew how to act, maybe they COULD come to the rallies. As it stands, however, they take every opportunity to disrupt the speeches and make the whole thing a juvenile mess so they should be forced to stay away. People go to these things to see the President, not listen to a bunch of screaming DUers.

[rraley]

Originally posted by vraiblonde
If Democrats knew how to act, maybe they COULD come to the rallies. As it stands, however, they take every opportunity to disrupt the speeches and make the whole thing a juvenile mess so they should be forced to stay away. People go to these things to see the President, not listen to a bunch of screaming DUers.

Well, John Kerry opens his events to everyone and Republican protesters ahve consistenly heckled him. Senator Kerry could deal with it, why can't President Bush?

[vraiblonde]

Originally posted by rraley
Well, John Kerry opens his events to everyone and Republican protesters ahve consistenly heckled him. Senator Kerry could deal with it, why can't President Bush?

Well, I haven't heard anything about Bush making everyone who attends his rallies sign a solidarity proclamation. Is there a news story where I can find out more about this?

[vraiblonde]

Personally, I think hecklers should stay away from Kerry rallies, too. I WANT people to hear him talk without distraction. I want them to hear every syllable that comes out of his and his wife's mouths.

[rraley]

Originally posted by vraiblonde
Well, I haven't heard anything about Bush making everyone who attends his rallies sign a solidarity proclamation. Is there a news story where I can find out more about this?

here you go

[vraiblonde]

Originally posted by rraley
here you go

Do you have a reading comprehension problem? BUSH didn't make the stipulation - the RNC did. And since it's their rally, not an official speaking event, they can probably have whatever rules they want.

That's the sort of spin and distortion that really pizzes me off about the Democrats. Rallies aren't meant for the President or VP to "get their message out" and "speak tot he people" - they're meant to energize the base and get them all fired up.

[ylexot]

I think they should open the events to supporters and undecided voters. Maybe make people sign a statement saying that they won't heckle or in any way disrupt the event.

I like this quote:

The Kerry-Edwards communications director for New Mexico, Ruben Pulido, said that when Kerry visited New Mexico on July 10, several Bush supporters shouted ''Viva Bush" and waved flip-flops.

[rraley]

Originally posted by vraiblonde
Do you have a reading comprehension problem? BUSH didn't make the stipulation - the RNC did. And since it's their rally, not an official speaking event, they can probably have whatever rules they want.

Actually, the RNC runs all of the Bush campaigns rallies in order for the Bush campaign to use its money almost exclusively on television ads and developing state campaign structures. So, in actuality, all of Bush's events require the endorsement card. Furthermore, we all know that the Bush campaign controls the RNC while the Kerry campaign controls the DNC.

As for the assertion that rallies are meant get out the vote of the base...I agree and disagree. At this stage of the campaign, I believe that rallies should function to energize the base and reach out to undecideds. After the debates, a rally's purpose should simply be to get the base out.

[vraiblonde]

Originally posted by rraley
Furthermore, we all know that the Bush campaign controls the RNC while the Kerry campaign controls the DNC.

That's actually the other way around - the DNC controls Kerry and the RNC controls Bush. Although not as much as they would like to, in either case.

But that's beside the point. While I take great enjoyment out of hecklers harrassing Kerry, I still think he should be able to get his message out without disruption. And if the DNC only wanted supporters at their rallies, I would fully understand that and not think it was a big deal.

There is a faction of the Democratic party that thinks it's funny to make jokes about killing the President and have no problem invading Karl Rove's personal residence to make themselves heard. They have absolutely no respect whatsoever. I think it's entirely reasonable for the RNC to take precautions against having these sorts at their rallies.