The Never-Ending Campaign

The President's campaign for his Social Security "not a plan" is using his election campaign rally techniques. Admission is only by ticket, and tickets distribution is controlled. Even those with tickets were sometimes blocked from entering campaign rallies. Many objected to the way 'loyalty oaths' were being required for some campaign appearances, but the press never really got into it as a story. In the end, a private political party can restrict admission to its events any way it wants to. And while you may argue that the point of rallies should be to convince the undecided, they managed to win by merely reinforcing the opinions of the already pro-Bush.

But now, he's not a candidate, and his tour isn't a campaign swing. He's the President, using taxpayer funds to appear in public venues to lobby on behalf of a proposed policy that is under vigorous debate, even within his own party. So what the heck is this?

A University of Arizona student says he was told he was a potential threat and was barred from President Bush's forum yesterday at the TCC because of the T-shirt he was wearing.

Steven Gerner, 19, said an event staff member told him that, although he had a valid ticket from Tucson congressman Raúl Grijalva's office, he could not enter the Tucson Convention Center, 260 S. Church Ave. ...

The UA Young Democrats T-shirt that Gerner wore is white and has the party's logo on the back. Gerner said he did not plan to cause trouble.

"It's really important that I'm an informed citizen. I can't do that unless I open up and listen to the other position on the issue," Gerner said. "Regardless of what side of the aisle President Bush is on, he's still the president of the United States, and it's an honor to be in the presence of any elected official."

Gerner said he and three other Young Democrats were waiting to see Bush speak yesterday morning when his ticket was confiscated.

"The other people in my group were not wearing T-shirts," he said. "One person was wearing a button, but apparently T-shirts are more threatening than buttons."

A staff member asked to see his shirt before crumpling up Gerner's ticket and walking away. He returned to say the Young Democrat's name had been added to the list of those not allowed into the convention hall, Gerner said.

Gerner said he offered to take the T-shirt off and wear only the long-sleeved blue shirt he had on underneath, but event staff still would not admit him.

Freedom is on the march in Tucson!

I guess young Steve was supposed to stay home and get his information from a government-created TV 'reporter' and paid commentators, like a good American.