In 2000 the Republican Party failed to deliver Mercer County (NWPA) to George Bush by a mere 786 votes. Being outnumbered by the Democrats by more than 6000 registered voters for the past few years, the Republicans have closed the gap to just over 5000. But registered voters are not the focal point for this northwestern rural county's Republican Party. In a county made up of mostly farmland and conservative Republicans, the Shenango Valley offers the only true bastion for liberalism.
The Bush-Cheney headquarters in Mercer County has distributed more than 1800 yard signs, 3500 posters, and endless supplies of bumper stickers. But with mass distribution comes mass vandalism. Many Bush-Cheney supporters have been reporting theft and destruction of yard signs, cars, and bumper stickers. The campaign itself has purchased five 4 foot by 8 foot signs, 2 of which have been destroyed. Campaign headquarters provides more than 100 visitors each day with literature and materials while fielding around 80 phone calls asking for information or offering to volunteer.
The feeling in Mercer County is that of a tight race. Unwilling to either concede defeat or take the election for granted, the party is fighting hard to motivate the largely rural county. The consistent theme of Bush supporters in the county was surprisingly not terrorism or national defense. Mercer County Bush supporters are looking at morals, character and integrity as their primary reasons for choosing Bush over Kerry. With "Democrats for Bush" being the hardest bumper sticker to keep in stock, hopes are high they will deliver this year.
