10/30/00 9:50 a.m.
“W” Is for Win
The enthusiasm in Wisconsin.

Kate O’Beirne is NR’s Washington editor.

he crowd of several thousand Bush supporters, bundled up like football fans against the morning chill, sitting in the stands at a baseball field, made for a jarring image on Saturday in Grand Chute, Wisconsin.

But no one seemed to mind. The enthusiastic Republican partisans who had waited over two hours for the rally at Fox Cities Stadium clearly think that this year they're backing a winning presidential ticket. When George Bush and Dick Cheney were greeted with shouts of "No More Gore," the top of the ticket's thumbs-up signs and two-handed "W" salutes matched the crowd's enthusiasm. I joined Secretary Cheney on his latest campaign trip over the weekend, and left with the impression that the confident candidates, relaxed staffers, and fervent supporters anticipate a victory next week.

After an early-morning Washington, D.C., departure, Secretary Cheney had waited at the small local airport for "Responsibility One" to touch down, carrying Gov. Bush from Pontiac, Michigan. Over the past week, the candidates had visited 16 states. A campaign aide explained that over the next ten days they will devote themselves to energizing their supporters at campaign rallies that will attract lots of local media, in places with a significant number of independents.

Gov. Tommy Thompson reminded the crowd that Dick Cheney and his wife attended the University of Wisconsin, and the reticent former defense secretary, nodding modestly, in his bulky beige car coat, looked every bit the local. In his warm-up act, Cheney pointed out that the vice president had been campaigning in Tennessee that week, and calmly noted, "We're gonna be O.K. in Wyoming and Texas." The stadium's bleachers erupted in cheers again when Cheney praised Bush's performance in the debates, where the governor had the added challenge of "having to beat three different candidates."

Military readiness was the only issue Cheney talked about during the joint appearance. As a woman in the crowd behind him waved a sign declaring "Military Moms 4 Bush-Cheney," Cheney recounted a call he placed to President Reagan on the day after the Gulf War ended, to thank him for what he did during the 1980s that made such a victory possible in the 1990s. He declared that he was certain, "No one will be calling Bill Clinton and Al Gore to thank them for what they did."

A beaming Gov. Bush had trouble remaining still during the introductions, and paced the platform energetically as he talked about his agenda on Social Security, rebuilding the military, education, Medicare (Al Gore was right, "We haven't seen anything yet"), and taxes (the local "tax family" will save $2,405 yearly under his plan, and nothing under Gore's). Bush explained that there were big philosophical differences between the candidates, most in evidence when his opponent "looked America in the eye, through the camera, and said, 'I'm against big government.'" Bush recalled, "I could hardly keep a straight face."

Gov. Bush delivered a sure-to-be-popular new crack when he reminded the audience of how smart Al Gore claimed to be when he took credit for inventing the Internet. But if Gore were so smart, Bush asked the delighted crowd, "How come every internet address begins with 'W'?"

Within the hour, the candidates parted ways, with Bush heading to Missouri, and Cheney to Davenport, Iowa, where the local media reaches neighboring Illinois. On the way to the next rally, Cheney's motorcade made an unscheduled, lunchtime stop at a local restaurant where the Secret Service, camera crews, staffers, and reporters descended on startled diners. Cheney, his daughter, and his six-year-old granddaughter joined three ladies at a table for a 30-minute visit, while the patrons, apparently taking their cue from the reserved candidate, struggled to ignore the hub-bub.

At the Mississippi Valley Fairgrounds, about 800 supporters in an outdoor pavilion again greeted Cheney with the "No More Gore" cheer. Here, Cheney talked about taxes, Medicare, education, and the military. The candidate was clearly pleased when his speech was frequently interrupted with a renewed chant, and by the end of his remarks, the crowd was cheering, "Cheney, Cheney." Secretary Cheney then comfortably waded into the crowd to shake hands, while some enthusiastic conservatives urged Fox News's Sean Hannity and Tony Snow, who were along on the trip, to do the same.

Heading back to Washington late Saturday afternoon, I reflected on Gov. Thompson's assertion at the morning rally. The governor declared, "I have not seen this much enthusiasm for a presidential candidate since 1980." Out on the trail, the Bush-Cheney team unmistakably feels like a winner. This impression might not calm nervous Republicans, but with turnout key on November 7, it's clear at least that the GOP base will be there.