July 14, 2004

MARQUETTE, Mich. (AP) -- President Bush told an enthusiastic Upper Peninsula crowd his economic policies are bringing prosperity and jobs to Michigan, but not everyone was impressed.

"This economy of ours is strong and it's growing stronger," Bush said Tuesday during a campaign rally at the Superior Dome at Northern Michigan University.

Propelled by tax cuts, the U.S. economy is growing faster than that of any other major industrial nation, Bush said. He said that in less than a year, 1.5 million jobs have been created, including 29,600 in Michigan.

"My opponents look at all this progress and somehow conclude that the sky is falling. But whether their message is delivered with a frown or a smile, it's the same old pessimism. And to cheer us up, they propose higher taxes, more federal spending and economic isolationism," Bush said.

But union workers in Marquette County, home to the Upper Peninsula's only remaining iron ore mines, said reality was different from the rosy picture Bush painted.

Michigan has lost more than 200,000 jobs since the president took office, said Harry Lester, district director of the United Steel Workers. Industries in the state that are growing pay an average salary of $36,477, or 26 percent less than the $49,397 average for industries that are shrinking, he said.

"Bush's claim that the economy is bright is an insult to Michigan citizens since the jobs Bush is promoting are jobs with little or no future or benefits," Lester said.

Labor activists were among the hundreds of demonstrators who stood outside the arena in a steady drizzle, waving placards and chanting, "Bush has got to go."

"Show us the jobs," said Aldred Jenerou, a member of the boilermakers local. "Bush needs to start saving jobs and stop exporting them."

Inside the sweltering wood-topped stadium, however, about 11,000 spectators gave a rousing welcome to the first incumbent president to visit Marquette since William Howard Taft in 1911.

"The rest of them missed out on a lot," Bush said, drawing more cheers as he added, "By the way I'm looking at things, the U.P. is Bush-Cheney country."

Escanaba Mayor Judi Schwalbach told the crowd that Bush's appearance was "worth the wait."

Bush was introduced by local hero Steve Mariucci, coach of the Detroit Lions and a native of Iron Mountain who attended Northern Michigan. "President Bush, welcome to God's country," Mariucci said.

His light blue shirt soaked with sweat and his sleeves rolled up, the president defended his decision to invade Iraq, pledging to "defend the security of the United States, whatever it takes."

Bush said his Democratic opponent, U.S. Sen. John Kerry, has been in office "long enough to take both sides of just about every issue." He drew laughter by adding, "He kind of reminds me of the weather here. Just wait a day and it's going to change."

The Upper Peninsula's weather, influenced by the Great Lakes, is prone to frequent and sudden variation.

Bush criticized Kerry for his supportive comments about Hollywood stars following a New York fund-raiser in which celebrities called Bush a "thug" and a "liar."

"The other day my opponent said, when he was with some entertainers from Hollywood, that they were the heart and soul of America," Bush said. "I believe the heart and soul of America is found in places right here, in Marquette, Michigan."

Bush said Kerry had bragged that he and Edwards voted against an $87 billion aid package for the war in Afghanistan and Iraq.

"He's entitled to his view," the president said. "But members of Congress should not vote to send troops into battle, and then vote against funding them."

U.S. Rep. Bart Stupak, a Menominee Democrat whose district includes the Upper Peninsula, said Kerry and Edwards were right to oppose the funding because Bush had said Iraqi oil would pay for the war.

"If anyone let down the American people, it's this president," Stupak said. "He took a little bit of questionable evidence, exaggerated it and led us to war."

Bush supporters, many of whom waited hours for free tickets to the rally, said the effort was worthwhile.

"It was my first time seeing a president of the United States in person. I had goose bumps," said Ron Nichols, 48, of Sault Ste. Marie.

"I trust him, I have confidence in him," said John Curran, 64, of Spread Eagle, Wis., who wore a lapel button with Bush pictured in a cowboy hat. It proclaimed, "Don't mess with Dubya."

Mary Matthews of South Haven stood outside with a placard reading, "Save the trees. Get rid of the Bushes." She was among many demonstrators who protested the war in Iraq.

"We have no business over there," she said. "I'm scared for our country."

Joe Seavy, 21, a student at Northern Michigan, said he had friends in the military. "I don't want to have to visit any funerals," he said.

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