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Pro-Bush rally on 'Rocky's
turf'
Republicans will keep their pro-President Bush rally Wednesday at
the City-County Building's Washington Square. Organizers had
considered moving it to the Utah Air National Guard base so that
the crowd could welcome Bush as he arrived on Air Force One. But
that proved impractical. So the GOP is reverting to its original
plan to show support for the president from 5:30 to 8 p.m., hours
after an anti-Bush protest led by Salt Lake City Mayor Rocky
Anderson gathers at Washington Square. Speakers will include top
Republican political leaders, including Sen. Bob Bennett and
Reps. Rob Bishop and Chris Cannon. Sen. Orrin Hatch and Gov. Jon
Huntsman Jr. are invited to speak. "American Idol" runner-up
Carmen Rasmussen will perform. Murray Mayor Dan Snarr also is
scheduled to speak. "We had so many people that have been making
plans to come to [Washington Square]," said James Evans, chairman
of the Salt Lake County Republican Party. "They insisted we
continue with that event. This is a good problem to have." Plus,
"it would just never work" logistically at the base, said Utah
Republican Party Executive Director Jeff Hartley. The number of
attendees would be limited, and partisan events aren't allowed on
bases, Evans said. "We wanted an event that's open to everybody,
that's big, fun and exciting, that everyone can come to," Hartley
said. Having the rally on Washington Square, where City Hall
sits, is a bonus. "We're going right to Rocky's turf," Evans
said.
The Salt Lake Tribune Heather May August 29, 2006 Commentary: |